Each unique in its own way, Iran big walls have always been popular destinations for the world’s great rock climbers. Today, they even host international rock climbing festivals and invite climbers from all over the world to the beauty, variety, challenge, and excitement they present. To help you find out which one of Iran’s big walls will suit your taste, style and level most, I’m going to introduce you to them. So here’s a brief introduction to Alam Kuh Northern Big Wall, Bisotun Big Wall, and Lajvar Big Wall. For an ultimate rock climbing guide on these big walls, check out our Big Walls Page. But for now, stay with me to find out about an epic climbing experience at a 4000-meter altitude, a great variety of routes extending over a 5-kilometer wall, and a beauty with multi-pitch routes.
Alam Kuh’s Big Wall
Experiencing Rock Climbing at a Great Altitude
On the northern face of Alam Kuh, Iran’s second highest mountain, you’ll find the country’s most technical and challenging big wall. This epic big wall has won the mountain the title of the K2 of Iran. If you are a professional big wall climber looking to challenge yourself, Alam Kuh’s northern big wall is the perfect place to be! Read on and you’ll find out why.
As one of top Iran big walls, this granite wall is around 800 meters wide. What makes this big wall special is the fascinating altitude that it blesses you with. It is the only climbing destination in Iran that offers you a +4000 altitude. So, you’ll start at 4200 and reach an altitude of 4850m at the summit. So, you’ll be rock climbing for 450 meters of these 800 meters. Yet, besides the altitude challenge, the cold, the granite rocks, and the glaciers that exist at the starting point make the northern big wall the perfect destination for measuring your skills and capabilities.
So far, Iranian and international groups have opened up over 15 routes of various difficulty levels on this wall. The most significant of these routes are Polish Route 48, Polish Route 52, Arash Route, Harry Rost-Alaee Route, the Italian Route, the French Route, the Karaji Route, and the Kermanshahi Route. Like to find out about more about this Iran big wall? My blog on Alam Kuh Big Wall will give you all you need to know about a wall climbing adventure there.
Altitude: 4200 meters
Height: 450-350 meters
Location: Alam Kuh, Mazandaran Province
Difficulty: 5/5
Best Season: Early July to late August Interested in a high-quality rock climbing adventure on Alam Kuh Big Wall? Our Mount Alam Big Wall package will give you that experience beside Iran’s top rock climbing trainers and route openers.
Bisotun Big Wall
The Rock Climbers’ Paradise
For climbers of all levels and preferences, Bisotun Big Wall (altitude: 2800m) is capable of creating challenge and excitement! This, as well as the picturesque nature around, have won Bisotun the title of the ‘Rock Climbers’ Paradise’. As one of top Iran big walls, this wall is blessed with various technically safe routes. Also, Bisotun Big Wall is a part of a mountain that showcases precious UNESCO-listed ancient relics right beside it. Five kilometers of width and 1200 meters of height make this limestone wall one of the world’s largest big walls.
So far, more than 100 routes of different altitudes and difficulty levels have been opened on Bisotun. They range from simple and short routes, to ones that can seriously challenge you. The most important of these routes are Hamedaniha, Harry Rost, Kariz, Sharifzadeh, Qajar, Gharargah, Oghabha, Dariush, Gozasht, Shirin, Ahangar, Mansoor Alipoor, MasoodAli, Gorbeh Irani, Negin, Jashnvareh and Python. Since Bisotun Big Wall has considerable potentials for rock climbing, Iranian and French climbers have joined hands to hold a biennial rock climbing festival on Bisotun.
Besides all these, the friction that Bisotun’s limestone rocks provide and the low risk of falling rocks make it Iran’s safest big wall. Plus, there are 3 huts on the wall that make planning an ascent easier for rock climbers. Like to find out about more about this Iran big wall? My blog on Bisotun Big Wall will give you all you need to know about a wall climbing adventure there.
Altitude: 2800 meters
Height: 1200 meters
Location: Kermanshah Province
Difficulty: 4/5 (could vary depending on the route)
Best Season: Spring and Fall
Lajvar Big Wall
Lajvar Big Wall is for those climbers who seek a challenging wall with a variety of routes, especially multi-pitch ones! As one of top Iran big walls, this granite wall gives you the opportunity of a 350-meter ascent, and has a summit altitude of 2800 meters. So far, over 14 routes of different difficulty levels have been opened on Lajvar. Plus, you’ll find a number of multi-pitch routes there too. Lajvar’s top routes include Faraz, Didar, Tavallod, Kamran, Tanoor, Sadegh, and Lakposhtha. If you like to stick around the wall longer, there is also a hut near the wall where you can spend the night. Like to find out about more about this Iran big wall? My blog on Lajvar Big Wall will give you all you need to know about a wall climbing adventure there.
Summit Altitude: 2800 meters
Height: 350 meters
Location: Markazi Province
Difficulty: 4/5 (could vary depending on the route)
Best Season: Spring and Fall
Comments