Lorestan is one of the best tourist destinations in the west of Iran that has many attractions. The unique and green nature of this province will surprise you and make an unforgettable trip for you. Among the natural destinations and tourist attractions of Lorestan province, we can mention the waterfalls, caves, overturned tulips plain, unique and extraordinary lakes and gorges. Azna snow tunnel is one of the most popular sightseeing places in Lorestan province that is more than 800 meters long and is considered one of the most enchanting mountain scenery in the foothills of Ashtrankouh in Iran.
Azna city is located 82 km from Khorramabad and more than 80 thousand people live there. This city in the east of Lorestan province is considered a suitable area for agriculture due to its fertile plains, and the majority of its residents’ livelihood is provided in this way. It is interesting to know that the first rank of wheat production belongs to this city and 10% of the country’s beans are produced in Azna.
The amazing Ashtrankoh mountain range with 13 peaks and 4250 meters high is located five kilometers from Azna. Many Iranian and international climbers and tourists visit this area every year. Ashtrankoh, known as the Iranian Alps, is one of the highest mountain ranges in Zagros. High and snowy peaks, beautiful rivers, deep valleys, diverse flora and fauna, and foothill villages are prominent features of this mountain range.
The snow tunnel is one of the natural wonders of Azna with a width of 10 meters and a height of 2.5 to 3 meters, which was created naturally from the accumulation of thousands of tons of snow and ice in one of the valleys of the Ashtrankoh range in the village of Kamandah called Aznadre.
In fact, in the winter season, with heavy snowfall in the mountains, a mass of snow is formed, and when they melt in the spring and water flows inside this snow mass, a beautiful but very dangerous corridor-like space or tunnels are created at the bottom of the gap of this valley. The possibility of this snow tunnel collapsing increases the risk of visiting it, but still, most tourists go inside to get a wonderful and unique experience.
Eznadre, the place where this snow tunnel was created, is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Ashtrankoh, and its unique features include diverse vegetation, springs and running water, and wild animals such as bears and goats. Awe-inspiring and completely vertical cliffs are rarely so high that you won’t see the sun’s rays until near noon. The beautiful landscape of this valley, with the cool breeze blowing and the roar of the river on the rocks, is one of the most pristine landscapes that can be seen in Iran, and there is no way to get tired on the way down the valley. As you advance through Aznadre, you will come across trees that have grown out of the rock wall and grown completely horizontally.
Due to special weather conditions, Azna snow tunnel can only be visited in spring, summer and early autumn. As you step into it and move forward, the air temperature drops and cold water drops from the ceiling drip on you. At the top of the snow tunnel visitors feel a strange feeling, they can no longer feel their feet but sweat is sitting on their foreheads.
