Six of Iran’s Best Treks

Alam Kuh

Iran’s Most Technical Mountain

In a picturesque region in the north of Iran, you’ll find Iran’s second highest mountain (4850m) and the second one on the list of Iran’s best treks. But Alam-Kuh is not all about trekking. It is in fact more about flank and big wall climbing. On the northern face of Alam Kuh, the country’s most technical and challenging big wall has been attracting rock climbers from around the world. This epic big wall has won the mountain the title of the K2 of Iran.

If you like to find out more about Alam Kuh as a rock climbing destination, read All About Alam Kuh’s Big Wall, the German Flank and the Northern Big Wall. On the other hand, Alam’s large number of trekking routes have turned it to a popular destination for mountaineers of different tastes and expertise levels. For trekkers, there are two main routes. The one on the southern face (Hesarchal) is the least challenging of the routes and the most scenic. But the one on the northern face (Siah Sang) is one of the country’s most difficult trekking routes. It is the high demand of scrambling that makes this route not suitable for all types of trekker.

Altitude: 4850 m

Location: Mazandaran Province

Mountain Range: Alborz

Ascent Routes: Southern face (Hesarchal), Northern face (Siah Sang), the Northern Big Wall, and the German Flank

Mount Sabalan

Iran’s Most Beautiful Mountain

The beautiful Mount Sabalan, one of the best treks in Iran and its third highest summit (4811 m), is the next best trekking destination in the country. As a main attraction in northwest Iran, Sabalan enjoys a breathtaking beauty of nature and an abundance of hot springs. Plus, this potentially active volcano features a crater lake on top of its highest peak. For most of the year, this adorable lake is frozen over. There are 3 main routes to summit Mount Sabalan: the southern face, the western face, and the northeastern face (the most common). For your first ascent, you’d better take the northeastern route. Because it has got a distinguishable path and you can even get a ride from the beginning of the trekking path to the hut with a 4WD.

Altitude: 4811 m

Location: Ardabil Province

Mountain Range: Alborz

Ascent Routes: Southern face, western face, and northeastern face.

Sialan Mountain

The Land of Attractive Valleys and Springs

Northern Iran also presents Sialan Mountain (4250m), one of Iran best treks, to those trekkers who’d like to trek through green forests. On one side, Sialan reaches the breathtaking Daryasar Plain, and on the other, it extends to the legendary Alamut Valley. You can summit Sialan from different routes. The first route, starting from Esel Mahalleh Village, is the longest but the most beautiful and rewarding. The second route begins in Haniz village and extends northward. Plus, there are several other ridge routes that will lead you to the summit from the adjacent peaks. Depending on which route you choose, you can plan your adventure in a way to be able to enjoy the beauty of Alamut Valley (south) or Dohezar Forests (north).

Altitude: 4250m

Location: Mazandaran and Qazvin provinces

Mountain Range: Alborz

Ascent Routes: Northern face, southern face, ridge routes,…

Zard Kuh Mountain

Home to Bakhtiari Nomads

To the southwest of Iran, you’ll discover ZardKooh Ranges, a special piece of Zagros Mountains. Several high peaks, rare plants, flowing springs, and delightful Bakhtiari nomads who live there in summer make Zard Kuh one of the best treks in Iran. It features high peaks like Kolonchin, Haft Tanan, Shah-e Shahidan, and Cheri. Kolonchin, with an altitude of 4200 meters, is the highest of them. There are deep valleys and high walls on the western side of Zard Kuh that make winter ascents very difficult. To have a trekking adventure in Zard Kuh, you’ll need to find your way to Kuhrang, in Chahrmahal and Bakhtiari Province. If you plan your trek for summer, you’ll get to spend some time beside the Bakhtiari nomads and enjoy the charms of their unique lifestyle.

Altitude: 4200m

Location: Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

Mountain Range: Zagros

Oshtorankuh Mountain

The Alps of Iran

One of the highest ranges of Zagros and one of the best treks in Iran are found in the east of Lorestan Province: Oshtorankuh (meaning Camel Mountain). The eight +4000 peaks that line up after one another like a camel caravan have won the ranges its name. On top of all, Oshtorankuh’s Gahar Lake will take your breath away. Plus, high snowy peaks, deep long valleys, permanent rivers, swollen springs, terraced villages, and very diverse plant and animal life make this Iran’s best trek a special trekking destination. Its beauty is so striking that it shines like a jewel from a 100-kilometer distance. Its highest peak, Sanboran, is 4150 meters.

For a mountaineering adventure on Oshtorankuh, you’ll have to reach Lorestan Province first. To summit Sanboran peak, you’ll have to find your way to Dorood, and from there to Tian Village. That’s where you can start your adventure. Summer and late spring are the best seasons to summit Oshtorankuh because it is very cold and snowy in the cold seasons. Golgol Shelter (the base camp) and Chal Kabud Hut (nearer to the summit) are there to shelter you over the night.

Altitude: 4150m

Location: Lorestan Province

Mountain Range: Zagros