Rawanduz Canyon is the most beautiful road of Iraq
Located in Iraqi Kurdistan's Erbil Province, close to the borders of Iran and Turkey, Rawanduz Canyon is one of the most beautiful natural spots in the country.
Why is Rawanduz Canyon famous?
Flanked by vertiginous rock walls, the Rawanduz River snakes its way through the canyon. The countryside is dramatic, with snake-like rivers moving between the canyons. It’s a dry and dusty canyon in summer, but lush and green from spring to autumn.
Why is it called Rawanduz Canyon?
The name comes from Rawn, a famous poet from the area, and Duz, which means Citadel or Tower.
Is the road through Rawanduz Canyon paved?
The road through the canyon is fully paved. It’s a very scenic road built between the narrow canyons in the Rawanduz area. It’s called Hamilton Road (Route 3 and Soran-Khalifan road). It was built by a New Zealander named Archibald Milne Hamilton.
How long is the road through Rawanduz Canyon?
The road is about 17.2km (10,68 miles) long, running from Khalifan, a town in Iraqi Kurdistan's Erbil Province, to Soran, a city in Erbil Province and the capital of Soran District.
Can I drive through Rawanduz Canyon?
Travel to Iraq is advised against by most governments. Avoid all travel due to a continued volatile, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous security situation. If you are in Iraq, consider departing by commercial means if it is safe to do so. Foreigners and individuals associated with Western countries are targets for kidnappings and violence by terrorist groups. Rawanduz is much safer than other parts of Iraq because of its strong military Peshmerga forces, who have successfully defended the region from ISIS, but even here it is important to always remain vigilant. Travel by road remains highly dangerous. Fatal roadside bombings and attacks on military and civilian vehicles continue to occur. There is also a risk of carjacking and robbery. Due to the country’s high liability risk, it is difficult to obtain car insurance.