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 (Northern Iran)
by
Tirdâd Gorgâni
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Adventure Tourism in Gorgân Region
Trekking   Mountaineering   Horse Riding

Gorgân area particularly suited to Mountaineering, Trekking and Horse Riding.You  find one of the absolut best adventure area in the whole countray here.
Various agencies in the province provide tours for the above sports. For those fascinated by the unexplored, the moutainous  foret of Golestân offer breathtakingly adventurous trekking routes. Trekking is the best way of getting to know any land, its people, its culture and traditions. Trekking is often confused with mountaineering, does not require as much preparation as mountaineering which is a pre-planned affair. Mountaineering is more technical in nature and hazardous but this is not so in the case of trekking. From time immemorial, hill folk and pilgrims have trekked over hills and dales due to lack of roads and means of transportation.

 
  Trekking
The captivating landscape, with an incomparable diversity of  flora  and  fauna; Gorgân region is regarded  as the ‘trekkers paradise’ and, indeed, is a refreshing  treat to the trekkers. Gorgân region  is the ultimate destination  for a trekking holiday, offering everything from short and easy excursions  to the long challenges of the snowy peaks, invoking visions of the spectacular Alborz (Elbruz), the lush meadows, green woodland and  fragrant orchards.
                             
Jahân Namâ protected area
 The famous Jahân Namâ moutainous forest park with a large concentration of various species of wild flowers, plants and animals is off the  Gorgân-Kordkuy road, c.25 km from Gorgân. A virtual treat to the eyes, this beautiful moutainous forest park was established in the year 1972. Jahân Namâ protected park, with area of  30650 hectars is situated SW Gorgân (c. 50 km SE  Kordkuy). There is a beautiful  village with the same name (Jahân Namâ) in the foot of the high mountains. The  highest  peak
here is 3086 m. See map.
Getting there:The easiest way is to get arranged tour with or without guide,
by contacting some travel agency in Kordkuy  or Gorgân.     
Jahan nama forest
                        
Derazenow
 Derâzenow moutainous tourism area
   Derâ zenow moutainous tourism area, and the beautiful villageof  Derâzenow with its traditional sunday market, is c. 25  km south east of Kordkuy.  
The Derâ zenow - Râdkân -  Mile râdkâ n route  passes through  lush green forests clinging to the  slopes of  Derâ zenow peak (2644 m). See map
 This trek, also has historical significance. At "Mile Râdkân", also " The great Radkan tomb ",  note specially the inscriptions of the Pahlavi (precursor to the  new  persian  language) script.
Getting there:The easiest way is to get arranged tourwith or without guide, by contacting some travel agency in Gorgân or Kordkuy.
Šast Kolâ & Bârân kuh forest sanctuary
If you are looking forward to a respite from the maddening city life then let yourself loose in the lap of the nature and  feel and  enjoy the beauty of the cascading Bârân kuh waterfalls  in  the  bushy  forest of Bâ rân kuh , c.7 km south of Š ast Kolâ forest sanctuary. There are several  natural caves in Bârân Kuh forest. Šast Kolâ  forest sanctuary is situated c.10 km SW Gorgân. It is an excellent one/half day walk. See map.
 Getting there: The easiest way is to charter a car from Gorgân to Š ast Kolâ forest and  than hike through dense  forest to Bârân Kuh forest  which  is easy to find.
 Kabudwal waterfall
           
Golestan National Park
 Trekking in the high Alborz mountains
"Šâ h kuh pâin" village, with magneficent views over mountanious landscape, c.30 km  southern Gorgân can be a good base for one and several days trekking  in the high Alborz mountains southern Gorgân.  
The route offers a glorious view of Sar Lise peak (2910 m) to the south, Gáv Košân peak (3813) to the north and fragrant landscape along the way. See map. 
Just 5 km northern " Šâh  kuhe pâin" village you find Sar Lise peakand 6 km SW the  village you have Gâ v Košân peak. At nights this area can get very cold,  even during high summer.  Be well equiped before going  there.It is also possible to go to " Šâ h kuhe pâ in" village by car from Gorgân.     
Getting there: The easiest way is to get arranged tour with or without guide, by contacting some travel agency in Gorgân .
                       
Zarin Gol foerst sanctuary
 The forest sanctuary of Zarin Gol are located c.15  km southeast  of Ali Âbâd (50 km east of Gorgân).  It is an excellent one or several days walk (up to you) and/or hike across  mountains and  through bushy  forests. In this exciting trekking  region of Zarin Gol, one not only walks along a large portion of the Zarin Gol - Xá ke pirzan - Siáh rudbár   trek route, but also gets an exposure to the socio – cultural life of the people living  in this beautiful area. See map
  Getting there: The easiest way is  to get arranged tour with or without  guide, by contacting  some travel agency in Gorgân.
Garmab Dast forest

Mountainnous villages Trekking
The mountainnous, beautiful and hospital villages of Afrâ Taxte , C ely and Narsu along this trek are worth seeing, culturally and architecturally.
The Afrâ Taxte -Cely-Narsu  trek route is rich with flora and fauna. The villages are located in bushy   forest, c. 20 km south east of Ali Âbâd .It is an excellent one day walk. See map  . 
Getting  there:The easiest way is to get arranged tour with or without guide, by contacting some travel agency in Gorgân .
                                                   
     
Mountaineering
Gorgân region offers many excellent one and several days walks and hikes across mountains and through forests, and a couple of challenging  mountain  climbs, and some full-scale expeditions, for  the more adventurous. There are many peaks, above 3000 m. in altitude, in Gorgân region.  See map .
 Some better known peaks are:
  • Šahvâ r peak (3945 m), Abar kuh mountain   range, south of Gorgân
  • Šâhkuh peak (3816 m), south of Gorgân
  • Kahkešân peak (3813 m), Abar kuh mountain   range, south of Gorgân
  • Pirgarde peak (3204 m), Šâh kuh  mountain   range, 8 km from Câ hr Bâq village, 25 km south east of Gorgân
  • Olong Peak (2880 m), East Alborz rang, south of Râmiyân .
  • Abar kuh Peak (2875 m), Alborz rang, south of Ali Âbâd
  • Qar Qaland peak (3039 m), 27 km SE town of Ali Âbâd and 8 km SE Alestân village. There  are several rivers and springs in this area.
Getting there:The easiest way is to get arranged tour with  guide, by contacting some travel agency  in Gorgân .

Equipment
 A firm rucksack with broad straps, sleeping bag, foam mattress, comfortable walking shoes, rainproof (anorak), torch, matchboxes, umbrella and water bottle are essential.
 Personal clothing including woolen shirts, pullovers, T-shirts, shorts, feather jacket, longjohns, socks, personal toilet items, camera and film, should be included to suit the duration and altitude of the trek while keeping overall weight to the minimum.

  Horse Riding
Horse riding can take place in the vast area of "Gorgân & Gonbad Steppe" to the north east of the Caspian sea. "Gorgân & Gonbad  Steppe" is famous for its horses.You can even visit local nomads and perhaps spend a little time seeing  how the nomads live. A riding tour here is unique since there are very few foreign visitors  in this area.   See map.

Getting there:The easiest way is to get arranged tour with guide,  by contacting some travel agency in Gorgân  or Gonbade Kâvus.

 
Links:
 Ecotour Iran