Winter Trekking in Shemshak Alborz Ski Region Shemshak is mostly famous for skiing in Iran and many people (especially Tehranians) know of Shemshak Ski Resort. It’s a destination for skiing during winter and an amazing region for trekking and mountain biking during the summer. Along with ski and ski touring activity many adventurous hikers are interested in winter trekking and mountaineering which has its own attraction as the scenery in the winter is much different and it’s perfect for photography. Shemshak is located in the heart of central Alborz Mountains surrounded by many high peaks above 4000m. in winter it has high volumes of snow, in some canyons more than 3 meters. Shemshak is only 50 km away from the capital but the winter takes 6 months as it is located at 2700m altitude. The video is made of a trek in winter times in Shemshak that was planned to ascend Abak Peak with 3500 m altitude. Our group did this trek on the 8th of December of 2020. They had a day trek to ascend another small peak and take the ridge line towards the top of Shemshak ski resort. They started the trek from the village and after a few hours reached the pass which has an amazing view of Mt Damavand, the highest mountain in Iran. From there they took the ridge towards the peak where they had an amazing view of many mountains in Alborz like MT Sarakchal 4210 m, MT Kolonbastak 4160m, MT Touchal 3960m and MT Kholeno 4400m which is the highest peak in Tehran province and central Alborz mountains. As you can see in some parts of the video, the weather changes a lot but it made a spectacular view of the high mountains and Shemshak valley. They descended from another side of
Winter Trekking in Shemshak Alborz Ski Region Shemshak is mostly famous for skiing in Iran and many people (especially Tehranians) know of Shemshak Ski Resort. It’s a destination for skiing during winter and an amazing region for trekking and mountain biking during the summer. Along with ski and ski touring activity many adventurous hikers are
Best time for trekking in Iran Iran, with countless mountains above 4000 m, in the two famous mountain ranges of Alborz and Zargros, may well be the ideal trekking destination for mountain lovers. The extraordinary length of these mountains has created very special climatic conditions for all seasons that allows trekkers to climb in various regions throughout the year. In addition, Iran has the two vast deserts of Dasht-e Kavir and Lut which are amazing destinations for those who would like to experience desert trekking and getting to know the life style of locals. These deserts were part of the ancient Silk Road. Besides mountains and deserts, Iran has two seas, the Persian Gulf in the south and the Caspian Sea in the north of the country. These seas make it possible to trek at any time, due to one sea area being pleasantly hot and the other being dry and cold. These weather conditions allow visitors to Iran to enjoy a four-season trekking holiday. With the above information, depending on the traveller’s interest and the trail’s level of difficulty, you have a wide range of options to choose from to find the most suitable trail for you. In Adventure Iran, we have a grade system for different physical levels. We categorize all treks based on the Level of Difficulty. We evaluate these levels according to the mountains’ altitude or length of the trail per day in the desert, or hours of activity during a day. Below is the most useful information for you based on difficulty. Strenuous Trek Summer season For those who would like to climb the highest peaks in different countries, summer time is the best season for the main three highest mountains of Iran which are MT Damavand (5610 m), MT Alamkuh (4850 m) and MT
Best time for trekking in Iran Iran, with countless mountains above 4000 m, in the two famous mountain ranges of Alborz and Zargros, may well be the ideal trekking destination for mountain lovers. The extraordinary length of these mountains has created very special climatic conditions for all seasons that allows trekkers to climb in various
10 Best Off the Beaten Path Hiking Trails in Iran Iran’s geographical location has made it one of the most exceptional countries in the world for hiking. It has two Seas in the north and south of the country, as well as the two long mountain ranges of Alborz and Zagros. Together with a lot of sub ranges and mountain chains, many high-altitude peaks in each corner of the country, the Hyrcanian famous forest (UNESCO), two huge, vast deserts of Dasht-e Kavir and Lut (UNESCO) plus many springs and lakes have made Iran unique. This remarkable country, with so much to see, is perfect for all types of hikers who wish to experience an unusual and exciting journey. The varieties of terrain and climate have created amazing opportunities for freak (atypical) hikers to hike in different regions all year round. Having excellent information about the hiking trails in Iran and knowing the right regions, in the right month, is one of the main steps to have a memorable trekking holiday. Another advantage of Iran is it having such a varied climate and ecosystem simultaneously in its different regions. To give you a better idea, we are explaining a few of Adventure Iran’s tours during spring. While we perform hiking tours in the forest, south of the Caspian Sea, we also have other hiking tours in central Alborz mountains, north of Tehran. At the same time, we have yet another hiking tour in the Dasht-e Kavir desert which is in central Iran. We have had a lot of experience performing these tours. As there is still snow on the high-altitude mountains in the central parts of the country, you will see a lot of flowers and trees in bloom while people in the south of Iran, in the Persian Gulf region,
10 Best Off the Beaten Path Hiking Trails in Iran Iran’s geographical location has made it one of the most exceptional countries in the world for hiking. It has two Seas in the north and south of the country, as well as the two long mountain ranges of Alborz and Zagros. Together with a lot
Trekking from Alamut towards the Caspian Sea The video is a slideshow of Adventure Iran’s trekking tours from the Valley of Alamut to the Caspian Sea. As we had not much good footage for this clip we made it with our tour photos which we had from different tours performed in the years with the purpose of showing the beauty of this rout. This trail is one of the most famous trekking routes in Iran which is located in the west Alborz mountains. Lonely Planet also mentioned this route as Iran’s top travel experiences. The starting point of this trail is around the Alamut Castle in the valley of Alamut which is in Qazvin province. And you will finish the trail in Yuj which is in Mazandaran province in the southern part of the Caspian Sea. geographically, Alamut valley is in the southern part of Alborz mountain and Yuj is on the north side of Alborz. So you should cross the mountain ridge line of Alborz to reach the Caspian Side. The climate of the southern side of Alborz is different from the north side. The season starts from April and finishes in October or sometimes November depending on the weather. In early spring you will face snow in the heights of the mountains and summer is mainly green and in fall the landscape is mostly yellow and brown. In the winter the entire area will be full of snow and the road is blocked from south to north. So the beauty of the landscape and the scenery is changing season by season and that’s why you will see different pictures of nature in the video or in our tour photos on our website (which you can see here). Hope you enjoy the video and if you like it subscribe
Trekking from Alamut towards the Caspian Sea The video is a slideshow of Adventure Iran’s trekking tours from the Valley of Alamut to the Caspian Sea. As we had not much good footage for this clip we made it with our tour photos which we had from different tours performed in the years with the
Darbandsar Village ALBORZ SKI REGION Darbandsar is a village in the heart of the Alborz Mountains of Iran, 60 km away from the capital and north east of Tehran province. The village is situated in the slope of the southern part of the Central Alborz mountains with various altitudes. The average height is approximately 2600m above sea level. Darbandsar is also the name of the ski resort which was created after Iran’s revolution. Darbandsar village became famous in Iran as the piste is owned by a private company. The company built the length of the ski slope as well as buying a new lift system for the ski resort, which, by the way, is more up-to-date compared to other ski resorts in Iran. Winter time is the busiest time of the year, with Tehranians coming to ski. It’s generally even busier at the weekends, (which is Thursday and Friday in Iran). Due to this influx of visitors, the main road, (Fasham-Shemshak), is usually packed full of cars at this time. Apart from the ski activity in winter, the region is a perfect destination for other activities like trekking and mountain biking during other seasons. A lot of high mountains above 3000 m surround this village with plenty of canyons and spring water, flora and wildlife. Darbandsar is located in the Alborz Markazi protected area which makes this region one of best places to visit for those who live in the capital and would like to spend their weekend in northern Tehran in the central Alborz Mountains. The highest point of Darbandsar is 2650m, a mountain above the ski resort which locals call Mahmoud chal peak. There are also a few very high mountains around Darbandsar such as MT Kolonbastak 4150m, Sarakchal 1 (4120m), Sarakchal 2 (4150m), Sarakchal 3(4210m), Abak 3500m,
Darbandsar Village ALBORZ SKI REGION Darbandsar is a village in the heart of the Alborz Mountains of Iran, 60 km away from the capital and north east of Tehran province. The village is situated in the slope of the southern part of the Central Alborz mountains with various altitudes. The average height is approximately 2600m
Mount Kolon Bastak Northern Tehran has countless mountains above 4000 m. which are geographically located in central Alborz mountains. Mount Kolon Bastak is one of the highest summits in the region with an altitude of 4170 m. above sea level. The closest village to this summit is Shemshak being 40 km north of Tehran and 60 km from central Tehran. It is the most convenient place to choose for spending the night before your climb. Shemshak village has a 2700 m altitude above sea level. It is famous for being one of the first ski resorts in Iran which opened in 1958. It is the third largest ski area after Dizin and Darbandsar. Mt. Kolon Bastak is an excellent choice for acclimatization before ascending Mt Damavand (5610m) and Alamkuh (4850m), as it is near Tehran city and is not a technical peak. No particular gear or special equipment is needed to ascend the peak in mid-spring, summer and autumn. You can drive up to 3400 m to the base of the mountain, the starting point of the trek. From the peak, you can continue the trek through the ridge towards east and then ascend Sarak Chal mountain (4210m). There is a renowned mountain trail called Kolon Basatak-Sarak Chal ridge line, another trekking route for experienced hikers who would appreciate having a real challenge. The season starts from mid-spring and finishes at the beginning of autumn. In summertime the weather is more stable at the peak making it suitable for all categories of hikers. Kolon Bastak Mountain Ascent (4156 m) is one of the most popular tours that most hikers will benefit from. Mt. Kolon Bastak to Mt. Sarak Chal ridgeline trek is one of Adventure Iran’s special offers for those of you who are well-fitted out and prepared
Mount Kolon Bastak Northern Tehran has countless mountains above 4000 m. which are geographically located in central Alborz mountains. Mount Kolon Bastak is one of the highest summits in the region with an altitude of 4170 m. above sea level. The closest village to this summit is Shemshak being 40 km north of Tehran and
Mount Taftan (3941 m) Active Volcano Peak The massive Mt. Taftan is situated only 70 km away from the Pakistan border, south-east of Iran. It is an isolated, active volcanic mountain located in Sistan and Baluchestan province. South of the mountain is Khash, the nearest city. Taftan mountain has two very famous summits with Chehel Tan peak (Madehkuh) at 3941 m above sea level being the highest one. Iran has numerous mountains over 4000 m but this, in particular, is one of the more well-known peaks, due to it being a solitary mountain in the corner of Iran, with an active volcanic peak. It is attached to Dasht-e lut desert. Taftan volcanic mountain is a sub-range of Iran’s volcanic arc, with Bazman Mountain in Iran and Sultan Kuh in Pakistan. This volcanic arc has formed over Cretaceous-Eocene sedimentary layers and is derived from the subduction of the oceanic Arabian plate under Iran at the Makran trench. There is only a 130 km distance between each base camp from Zahedan, the capital city of the province, The total length of the Taftan mountain range is 12 km with two very high peaks. The range is surrounded by unspoilt nature, consisting of rivers, lakes, trees, flora and fauna that live around the mountain. There are three lakes at the top of the Taftan mountain range. Two of the rivers have white and fresh water, whilst the third has salty water. The base camp of this mountain is at 2500 m above sea level with the shelter at a height of 3228 m. Taftan peak is not a technical mountain to climb. Most people, with a good level of fitness, can hike up to the peak. The climbing season runs from March to November with the best period being in April and May.
Mount Taftan (3941 m) Active Volcano Peak The massive Mt. Taftan is situated only 70 km away from the Pakistan border, south-east of Iran. It is an isolated, active volcanic mountain located in Sistan and Baluchestan province. South of the mountain is Khash, the nearest city. Taftan mountain has two very famous summits with Chehel
Mount Sarak Chal Mount Sarak Chal is one of the highest summits in the central Alborz Mountains at 4210m above sea level. There are actually three Sarak Chal peaks which are located on the famous Kolon Bastak-Sarak Chal mountain ridge line. All three mountains are above 4000 m. The closest village to this mountain is Shemshak being the last one on the famous mountainous road of Tehran-Fasham. It is 60 km away from downtown Tehran. As a matter of interest, one of the most notable ski resorts in Iran for professional skiers is in Shemshak village. The altitude of the village is about 2700 m above sea level, which is the starting point of the trek to Sarak Chal peak. There’s a shelter at 3492 m on the way to the peak, which is convenient as it is also the ideal location for acclimatization. There’s a 15 km famous ridgeline above Shemshak village from west to east, which starts from Mount Koloon Bastak (4170m) in the west and ends at Mount Sarak Chal 3 (4210m) in the east. Between these two mountains there are the two peaks of Sarak Chal 1 (4080m) and Sarak Chal 2 (4100m) making this ridgeline so very challenging. From the peak, you have an excellent view of the immense Central Alborz mountains. In clear weather you can see most of them, such as the Abak (3520m), Kholeno (4387m), Azadkuh (4350m) and Borj (4326m) mountains as well as the mighty Damavand (5610m), the roof of Iran. The season runs from mid-spring till the beginning of autumn. Summertime is the most popular period for ascending the mountain, as the weather is more stable for trekking. Mount Sarak Chal Ascend is the shortest hiking tour that we offer for this mountain. Hike in Iran - Off the Beaten
Mount Sarak Chal Mount Sarak Chal is one of the highest summits in the central Alborz Mountains at 4210m above sea level. There are actually three Sarak Chal peaks which are located on the famous Kolon Bastak-Sarak Chal mountain ridge line. All three mountains are above 4000 m. The closest village to this mountain is
Mount Sabalan Mt Sabalan is the third highest peak in Iran at an altitude of 4811 m. It is located in Ardabil province, the northwest part of the country. Sabalan or Savalan Mountain is an inactive volcano and at 4811 m is one of the most beautiful mountains in Iran. So far, not too many foreign climbers choose this pinnacle as it is in the north-west corner of the country, far from the capital. However, it certainly appeals to enterprising climbers, looking for something particular. Being so far north, the peak is covered with snow for most of the year. At the summit there is an impressive and alluring lake situated at over 4784 m making it one of the world’s highest lakes. Mount Sabalan is actually an inactive stratovolcano. The lake has been formed in the volcano’s crater, which is covered with ice from October to May. From the peak, there is a 360° panoramic view of the area. When the weather is clear, you can see numerous mountains in the northwestern part of Iran and the Caspian Sea region. Also, there is an abundance of flora and fauna around the mountain which adds to the magnificent view, making it even more attractive. Moreover, many nomads live around the mountain, one of the most famous being the Shah Savan tribe. MT Sabalan Ascent is one of Adventure Iran’s short tours with an acclimatization of Mt Kolon Bastak peak.
Mount Sabalan Mt Sabalan is the third highest peak in Iran at an altitude of 4811 m. It is located in Ardabil province, the northwest part of the country. Sabalan or Savalan Mountain is an inactive volcano and at 4811 m is one of the most beautiful mountains in Iran. So far, not too many
Mount AlamKuh Alam Kuh, is the name of a huge mountain in northern Iran, in Mazandaran province located in the Takht-e Soleyman massif mountain chain. Takhte-e Soliman is also a part of the west Alborz Mountain range. Alam Kuh’s altitude is 4,850 m above sea level and is the second highest mountain in Iran after Damavand Mountain (5,610 m). Alam kuh is known as the Alps of Iran, which is the main center for professional Iranian climbers and hikers. One can describe the north face of Mt Alam Kuh as a steep, enormous vertical wall. This feature has made it famous for climbers around the world looking for something different. The height of this granite rock rises to about 480 m to reach the summit. One of the main highlights is that the base of the wall starts from 4,400 m above sea level. Climbers have found this formation extremely inspiring and challenging. Since 1936 there are several routes to choose from, all created by famous international and local climbers. They are still ongoing. Alam Kuh also has at least two desirable hiking routes to reach its peak from various directions. One of the most beautiful is a week-long trail starting from the southern side of Alborz from Alamut valley to MT Alam Kuh. This is the link for the tour: Alamut Long Trek. Apart from this, there is another trail to ascend the peak starting from a city near the Caspian Sea called Kelardasht. Most local climbers choose this route for ascending the summit during the summer time. Locals call this route Hesarchal which is in the south face of Alam Kuh as it is the easiest and shortest route compared to the other trails. Below is the link for that trek, (an excellent choice for an acclimatization programme
Mount AlamKuh Alam Kuh, is the name of a huge mountain in northern Iran, in Mazandaran province located in the Takht-e Soleyman massif mountain chain. Takhte-e Soliman is also a part of the west Alborz Mountain range. Alam Kuh’s altitude is 4,850 m above sea level and is the second highest mountain in Iran after
