Despite temperatures in Iraq reaching boiling point, and rising further in the Kurdistan Region during the summer, specifically in July, the snow from last winter continues to resist the scorching sun and refuses to melt for several hot months. At the foot of the Sukran mountain range in the Joman district of Erbil Province, there is the "Barza" waterfall and the ice cave formed by the accumulation of heavy snow from last winter, rising several meters. As temperatures began to rise, the melting water carved an ice cave that one can pass through standing upright to reach the waterfall.
Thanks to the heavy snow that the Kurdistan Region experienced last winter, the waterfall and ice cave have become an active tourist destination for the region's inhabitants and from other Iraqi provinces. Azad Hussein, a resident of Sulaymaniyah, says, "This is the first time I visit this place. I traveled for four hours from Sulaymaniyah to Joman district, then walked for two and a half hours to climb the mountain to reach the waterfall and the ice cave." He adds, "Despite the fatigue and exhaustion in getting to this place, once I arrived, I felt at ease; it was worth all the effort. It's truly surprising to find snow this thick despite the rising temperatures."
This area has turned into a famous tourist destination due to its captivating natural beauty, offering visitors an ice cave and extremely cold water in the peak of summer’s heat, creating a unique experience that combines adventure and relaxation.
