Chahkooh Canyon

Chahkooh is a canyon cut into the sedimentary rock of central Qeshm, and what distinguishes it is the surface of the walls: rainwater running down them over a long period has scoured deep vertical channels, flutes and rounded hollows into the rock, so the whole canyon face is sculpted rather than simply cut, with a pale ribbed texture that photographs well and looks made rather than eroded. The floor narrows to a slot at one point where the walls close in and you walk between them. The name refers to wells: villagers dug pits in the canyon floor to collect rainwater, which was the only supply in this part of the island, and those wells are still visible.

The landscape

• Fluted vertical channels - rainwater scouring down the whole wall face.
• The narrow slot - a section where the walls close in.
• Rainwater wells in the floor - pits dug by villagers for water.
• Pale ribbed rock texture - the sculpted surface the canyon is known for.

When to go

November to March. Two hours. Late morning gives light down into the canyon, which is otherwise shaded. Avoid days with rain forecast because of flash flooding.

Practical notes

It is short and a walk through takes half an hour. There is no shade at the entrance and no facilities. Litter is a problem at the popular sections. Flash floods do occur and the floor is the drainage line.

Nearby

The Valley of the Stars is east; Qeshm town lies north-east.

Key facts