Saholan Cave in Mahabad is one of the most important and unique natural caves in West Azerbaijan. It is located in Saholan Village in Mahabad. The height of the cave is about 50 meters and the depth of the water reaches 30 meters in some places. The temperature difference between inside and outside of the cave is between 10 to 15 degrees. Saholan means “Ice” in Kurdish language and since there are a large number of pigeon nests inside the cave, it is also called “Laneh Kabotar” which means the nest of pigeons. Jacques de Morgan, a French traveler, discovered the cave for the first time with the help of local people. Being located in the middle of high mountains and deep valleys has added extra beauty to this marvelous natural phenomenon. Saholan cave has two openings which are covered with some huge trees and inside the cave is very humid and dark, though, with the help of hundreds of spotlights, visibility is provided. One can easily move through the lake using boat and other parts can also be visited on foot. On this journey which is full of mysteries, tourists pass through narrow corridors and three large and small pools to reach the lake. The total area of the cave is estimated about 2 hectares, which, 300 meters of water route and 250 meters of the dry route have been discovered and organized so far. The wonders and beauties of Saholan Cave cannot be expressed through language. To exit the cave, there is another dry route and one can easily walk through it to the ground.
