All You Need to Know about Alam Kuh

Discover Iran’s second highest summit with confidence! Alam Kuh (4850 meters above sea level) is in a beautiful region in the north of Iran.  Also the second highest in central Alborz, the summit is located in a region called Takht-e Soleiman (Solomon’s Throne) Massif, the only region in Iran where old glaciers can be found. The big wall that’s located on the northern face of Mount Alam has won the mountain most of its worldwide fame. With the most technical and challenging rock-climbing trails found in the country, this wall has gained the title of the K2 of Iran. To reach the mountain, you’ll have to get to Kelardasht through Chalus Road. The best season to summit Alam Kuh from any face, is summer, especially late-July to late-August.

Geographical Position of Alam Kuh

Alam Kuh is 20km to the southwest of Kelardasht City in Mazandaran Province. From Mazandaran Provice, Kelardasht, and from Alborz Province, Parachan and Taleghan are the nearest cities to Alam Kuh. The northern face faces Kelardasht and the southern face faces Taleghan.

Alam Kuh’s Mountaineering Routes

Since Alam Kuh is connected to the surrounding mountains and includes walls and flanks, there are many routes that make it accessible. The common routes for summitting the mountain are:

1. The Southern Face Route (Hesarchal)

Hesarchal is the most unchallenging route for conquering Alam. To reach Hesarchal trekking route, you should get to Rudbarak and from there make your way toward Vandarbon. Then Tang-e Galoo and Hesarchal Plain will lead you to Alam Kuh from the southern ridge. The trekking route starts from Tang-e Galoo region (3300m) and it usually includes an overnight in Hesarchal Plain (3750m). The ascent through Hesarchal route takes about 6 hours (1.5 hrs to Hesarchal and 4.5 hrs to the summit).

2. The Northern Face Route (Siah Sang)

This route is considered as one of Iran’s most challenging trekking routes and it often includes an overnight in Sarchal Mountain Hut (3700m). To reach Siah Sang route, you should get to Rudbarak and from there make your way toward Vandarbon. This northern trekking route starts in Vandarbon, continues to Sarchal Hut, Alamchal and Siah Sang Mountain Pass, and finally reaches the summit from the east. The ascent through Sarchal route takes about 12 hours (Day 1: 6 hrs to Sarchal Hut, Day 2: 6 hrs to the summit).

3. The German Ridge Route

This mountaineering route takes less time compared to Siah Sang route, but it requires technical equipment and includes an overnight in Sarchal Hut. To reach the German Ridge route, you should get to Rudbarak and from there make your way toward Vandarbon. The trekking route starts from Vandarbon, continues to Sarchal Hut, Alamchal and the Germans Flank, and finally reaches the summit from the north.

4. The Northern Big Wall Routes

This popular wall includes many rock climbing routes. To reach the northern big wall, you should get to Rudbarak and from there make your way toward Vandarbon. From Vandarbon, take the trekking route that leads to Sarchal Hut and from there to the big wall. The route you choose based on your style, professionality and physical strength will determine how you reach the summit. The Italian Route, the Polish Route, the French Route, Harry Rost Route, Arash Route and the Hamedani Route are of the popular routes on Alam’s big wall.

Alam Kuh’s Mountaineering Camps

Alam Kuh includes two mountaineering camps in Rudbarak: Rudbarak Camp and Vandarbon Camp. You can call the camp for reservation and getting information before you set off for the region.

• Rudbarak Camp: This camp is located in Kelardasht, Rudbarak region, on the way to Alam Kuh. It is 7km from Kelardasht City and is 1550 m above sea level. As one of Iran’s oldest camps, it is simply beautiful, clean and equipped, and offers 6-bed rooms.  It has facilities like urban electricity, kitchen equipped with stove and dishware, bathroom, WC, garden, etc.

Phone no: (+98)1152642626

• Vandarbon Camp: 10 km away from Rudbarak Camp and 2000 m above sea level, lies Vandarbon Camp. The 10 kilometers between the two camps is now a bumpy dirt road which takes about 45 minutes by car. Well built in 2011, the camp has nice facilities like: urban electricity, central heating system, beds, blankets, kitchen with stove and dishware, WC, bathroom, etc.

Phone no.: (+98)1152627244

 Alam Kuh’s Glaciers

On the western side of central Alborz mountains and in the middle of the granite peaks of Takht-e Soleyman Massif, lie Alam Kuh’s collection of glaciers (4000m). Extending from Taleghan Valley to Abbas Abad and Shahsavar jungles, Takht-e Soleyman Massif is a very cold and snowy region that houses the highest number of +4000m peaks in the country. With the largest reserve of mountain glaciers in Iran, Takht-e Soleyman includes glaciers like: Sarchal, Alamchal, Takht-e Soleyman, Marji-Kash, Haft Khan, Chaloon, Khersan, Shaneh Kuh and Split Glaciers.

Rental Service 

The staff at the camps can make the necessary arrangements for renting a pickup car, a 4×4, or a mule. In case your group is small, you can share a car with another group.

Best Season for Summitting Alam Kuh

The best season to summit Mount Alam is summer and the best month is July. Heavy snow, thunder and recurrent avalanches are common in fall and winter, and this continues into spring each year.

Attractions Near Alam Kuh

Mount Alam is 20 km to the southwest of Kelardasht city. This city includes attractions like:

• Kelardasht to Abbas Abad Road

It is one of Iran’s most beautiful and dreamy roads. You can enjoy the pleasant nature and the many roadside resorts you can find on the way.

• Velesht Lake

One of the most popular attractions near Mount Alam is Velesht Lake. It is one of Iran’s 9 lakes that have been created because of building a dam, and one of the country’s 10 sweet water lakes. The road that leads to it is very beautifully surrounded with pine trees. Swimming, fishing and riding a boat are of the activities you can enjoy doing at this lovely lake.

• Mazichal Village

Mazichal Village (2600m) is 20 km from Kelardasht. The charming village gives a vast view of the Caspian sea and the beautiful jungles of Mazandaran. Lost in a permanent ocean of cloud, Mazichal is a dream land of amazing nature, delicious local food and the tinkling of sheep bells.

• Kordi Chal Village

Kordi Chal is known as the pearl of Kelardasht for its fascinating beauty. The eye-catching nature of this village has made it a very popular tourist attraction in Iran.

• Samovar Rock

This amazingly strange rock is on your way to Alam Kuh’s summit. It is a large rock standing vertically at a 4500-meter altitude.

• Harijan Village

Harijan is a must-see city near Alam Kuh. With a super pleasant weather, this village is filled with vast grasslands and high waterfalls. The best time to visit this village is late April and early May, when spring flowers bloom and waterfalls are filled with water.

Like to go on an Adventure on Alam Kuh?

For a trekking adventure on Alam Kuh, join our 8-day Mount Alam: Hesarchal Route tour or our 9-day Alam and Damavand tour. For a rock climbing adventure on Alam Kuh, either join our Mount Alam’s Big Wall tour, or our Germans Ridge-Mount Alam tour.