This is a short stage, which may be welcome if you have hiked the previous stage the day before! The route leaves Soran and climbs up onto the adjacent hillside. This is a gradual but unrelenting climb, although the views get better with each metre gained. There is a shelter for street dogs close to the trail so be cautious here - the dogs are inside, but there may be a lot of noise and barking.

At the top of the climb, on the plateau, is an undulating section of trail where a lot of picnickers come on weekends. There is a great view here to Korek mountain. The routes passes through the territory of an old Peshmerga training base, and then follows the rim of a deep canyon looking across to the town of Rwanduz. This is a great section to take slowly, and enjoy a break close to the edge of the canyon, looking down at the river below, or at the ancient town opposite.

Finally it descends to the village of Kawlukan, where there is a small shop and another view of the canyon, this time looking straight into it. There is also a bust to the Kiwi engineer Archibald Hamilton, who famously directed the building of the Hamilton Road between 1928 and 1932, cutting through the Zagros mountains. Some of the trail uses sections of the old road. The path climbs up the switchbacked road, and into Rwanduz where there is a motel - very basic but clean - or a homestay. There are restaurants, shops and a pharmacy. From Rwanduz you can also catch the cablecar up to Korek mountain, either for a day visit, or to stay in the resort at the top. You can even ski on a miniature slope in winter!

Disclaimer:

 The ZMT team has provided the following information on the trail based on multiple visits over a number of years. However, actual trail conditions may be different at any given time, and the information here may no longer be accurate. The ZMT team urge you to contact the local service providers and hire a guide for your visit to the trail. Trail users are responsible for all decisions related to the route they choose, the weather conditions, and safety precautions. The ZMT is not responsible for any injury, illness or death that occurs on the trail.