Visitors who venture to the underground lake will be treated to splendid views.

Kow Ata Underground Lake

This natural wonder makes a perfect pit stop on the way from Ashgabat to the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa.

Visitors who venture to the underground lake will be treated to splendid views. – © Digital Blackout / Shutterstock

Located 90 minutes outside the city of Ashgabat, Kow Ata Cave is unassuming at first glance. A dusty car park next to a couple of small food stands leads to a large opening in a cave. Peering into the cave entrance, visitors will see several steep flights of stairs descending into darkness (hopefully you have a torch for this part).

362 steps later, the cave will open up into a large cavern, and at the bottom is a dark blue natural swimming pool that extends into the back of the cave. A platform alongside the pool has several changing rooms where visitors can change into swimming clothes.

The clear waters of the underground lake are both refreshing, and, potentially, curative.

The jump into the pool will feel refreshing on a hot day. Not only is this pool great fun, but the water itself is known to contain medicinal properties that the locals believe will cure skin disease, liver disease, colds, and rheumatism. Basically, a dip in this off-the-beaten-path underground pool is as good as a trip to the spa!

Travelers must descend 362 steps in order to reach the lake, as it located more than 200 feet below ground. © Mazur Travel / Shutterstock

After a relaxing swim and hike back up the stairs, swimmers can enjoy shashlik and kebabs at the restaurants above before heading on their way for more adventures in Turkmenistan!