Valley of the Stars

Dare-ye Setaregan is a small area of severely eroded sedimentary rock on the southern side of Qeshm, where rain and wind have cut the soft ground into a maze of gullies, ridges, standing pillars and hollow chambers, with paths running between them at the bottom. Local tradition explains the landscape by a meteorite, which gives the valley its name, and there is a body of stories about spirits in the formations that islanders take reasonably seriously, so few come here after dark. The rock is pale and the shapes change constantly as erosion continues, which is fast in geological terms because the material is soft. It is small enough to walk in an hour or two and best at either end of the day.

What you actually see

• Eroded pillars and ridges - soft rock cut into a maze of shapes.
• Narrow gully paths - routes running between the formations.
• Hollow chambers - caves and alcoves worn into the walls.
• Local stories of spirits - the reason islanders avoid it after dark.

When to go

November to March. Two to three hours. Early morning or the hour before sunset for light and temperature; the middle of the day is hot and flattens the shapes. Nowruz brings crowds.

Honest expectations

It is smaller than photographs suggest. The rock is soft and crumbling and climbing on formations damages them. There is no shade or water. Paths are unmarked in places and it is easy to lose the way among the gullies.

Nearby

Chahkooh canyon is elsewhere on the island; Qeshm town lies north.