Adventures await in Kurdistan: 5 ways to get outdoors in this hidden natural paradise.

Kurdistan is an adventure playground for outdoor lovers. Framed by the high peaks of the Zagros Mountains, Kurdistan is home to untouched nature, wild rivers and remote landscapes set far from the tourist trail. From hiking ancient mountain trails to kayaking serene lakes, here are 5 ways to get outdoors in this hidden natural paradise.

Kurdistan’s first multi-day hiking trail is an epic adventure through the Zagros Mountains. Following ancient trade routes, pilgrim paths and shepherd’s tracks, the Zagros Mountain Trail extends for 215 kilometres through a mountain range that has defined the Kurdish people for centuries.

This community-based project connects hikers with local Kurdish guides and homestays on each of its 13 stages. Starting in the remote village of Shush, 2 hours’ drive north of Erbil, the trail extends eastwards, linking ancient towns like Akre with spectacular natural sights, including the staggering Rwanduz Gorge. The hike ends in the shadow of Halgurd Mountain, which at 3,607 metres, is the highest peak in Iraq.

Kurdistan isn’t defined by the arid deserts you expect to find in the Middle East, but by its verdant valleys and winding waterways. The region is a veritable oasis, and river rafting is one of the most adventurous ways to explore.

Head to Dukan for the chance to raft the Little Zab River, which starts its meandering journey in the Zagros Mountains before joining the Tigris River some 400 kilometres later. Dukan sits on the southern tip of its namesake lake, and from this burgeoning adventure tourism centre, rafting trips head downstream towards Bogd.

Prepare for a soaking as you battle the currents and beat the rapids, paddling past spectacular riverside scenery and braving Kurdistan’s fast-paced white waters.

Kurdistan is a surprising hub for watersports. If river rafting is too rapid for your liking, then Dukan Lake offers a more tranquil place to experience Kurdistan’s waterways. Part of the Little Zab, this expansive 270 square kilometre lake formed when the river was dammed in the 1950s.

Surrounded by mountains, the lake’s still waters are best explored by kayak or canoe. Kit up on green banks, then paddle out to uninhabited islands to escape the crowds.

Lake Dukan is lined with rustic campsites and holiday huts where you can set up base for an extended kayaking adventure. If you prefer a little luxury after a long day on the water, though, book a lake view room at the Ashur Hotel.

You’re standing above a sweeping, horseshoe canyon, looking down as a wide river carves its path through the mountains. No, you’re not in Arizona. This is Kurdistan’s Dore Canyon.

Located in the northern Barzan region, Dore Canyon takes centre stage in Kurdistan’s green heartlands. A winding road leads into the mountains from the wide banks of the Great Zab River. A short hike from the roadside brings you to an outrageously scenic viewpoint, where you’ll have a panoramic view of Kurdistan’s very own horseshoe bend.

Its seclusion makes Dore Canyon a haven for wildlife. Hike down into the canyon with a local guide, and it’s common to spot wild goats and Persian fallow deer. You’ll have to be lucky to see them, but the region’s also home to rare and endangered species, including the Syrian brown bear and the elusive Persian leopard.

Nature lovers can immerse themselves in the great outdoors in Kurdistan. Luckily, you don’t always need to slum it out in the bush either, with an increasing number of eco resorts offering glamorous nature retreats.

For a taste of the wild (with most of the comforts of home), Risha Resort offers all-inclusive glamping escapes at an altitude of 2000 metres. Located in Przhe, you’ll wake up with morning views of Kurdistan’s highest mountains and fall asleep to the crackle of a log fire, as the stars shine brightly in the dark skies above.

Kurdistan’s most popular mountain getaway is Korek, which in winter is transformed into a ski resort. Drive the spectacular Hamilton Road from Rwanduz, or hop on the 4-kilometre-long Telefrique to reach the top of Mount Korek, where you’ll find the remote, yet luxurious Korek Mountain Resort and Radisson Blu Resort & Spa.