Derbent Canyon

Derbent Canyon, located north of Derbent village in the southwestern Hissar Mountains of Uzbekistan, is a spectacular natural attraction. This awe-inspiring gorge stretches for 8 kilometers, flanked by imposing cliffs that soar up to 400 meters high. The canyon’s grandeur is most evident in its final two kilometers, where the passage narrows so much that sunlight reaches the bottom only at noon, creating a dramatic and ethereal atmosphere.

The name «Derbent» translates to «Closed Gates» or «Narrow Passage,» aptly reflecting the village’s historical role as a key trade route. For centuries, Derbent served as the most convenient passage from Samarkand and Bukhara to Termez and beyond into the Pamirs and India. However, most travelers took a route through another canyon to the west of the village, where a fortress outpost collected passage fees from Silk Road caravans. This strategic location earned Derbent the nickname «Iron Gate,» as it became a crucial checkpoint for traders from India, China, Persia, and even Spain.

Derbent Canyon is more imposing than the Iron Gate. It delves deep into the Hissar Mountains and the Machaidarya River Valley, carved by the river’s waters over countless millennia. This geological marvel is home to picturesque settlements, an unusual water source, and the grave of Saint Khuzhamoy-Ota, which has become a pilgrimage site for locals. The canyon also houses several smaller, foot-accessible canyons and the famous Teshik-Tash Cave, where the remains of a Neanderthal child were discovered in the 1930s, marking a significant anthropological find.