ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Mamakan waterfalls is a hidden gem in Iran's northwestern Kurdish region. Visitors have to be skilled mountaineers to reach the breathtaking spot that can only be accessed by foot.
A group of hikers made the 2-3 hour trek over the weekend.
"This waterfall is very nice, but it has not been served well. It has no roads. The authorities have to make one so that thousands of people can visit. It is a very beautiful place but it is risky to visit it because it has no roads," Mohammed Rahimi, mountaineer, told Rudaw.
Mamakan waterfall is 35 metres high and boasts unique beauty in each of the four seasons.
During the springtime, it transforms into a lush, green oasis. In summer, the refreshing water is cooling. Autumn paints the surrounding hills in a golden hue. And in winter, the water freezes.
"I would say, one of the key beauties of these waterfalls is that it turns into a fascinating piece of ice during the winter. I would say, the majority of the waterfall becomes ice. Many tourists, some of them from far away regions, have come to see these waterfalls," Mehran Tawakwli Mehran, mountaineer, said.
Mamakan waterfall sits among rugged mountains north of Urmia.
It is alternatively known as Sula Khurkhura, Sula Bazherga, and Galiye Sulesh.
"This is one of the key tourist spots of this region. But unfortunately, it has not been well publicized. In recent years, however, tourists have begun coming to this place. I think more attention needs to be paid so it can become a popular tourist attraction. The most important thing is that tourists who come here will have to protect the environment," Danish Mohammedi, another mountaineer, noted.
