Mountains in Iran
Iran is a country not only rich in historical places, but also in natural resources such as seas, rivers, natural caves, deserts, plains and even high mountains and dormant volcanoes. Every year travelers from all over the world are drawn to its nature.
The formation of mountain ranges is due to the movements and encounters of the terrestrial plates. In Iran there are four major mountain ranges: Alborz, Zagros, the Central Mountain Range and the Eastern Mountain Range, which surround Iran from north to south and from east to west like a belt.
1.Alborz
Located in the north of Iran, this mountain range covers the northern parts from west to east and extends to the Alps and Himalayas. Mount Damavand, Iran’s highest peak (5,671 meters), is located south of the Alborz mountain range. Other examples of the highest peaks in Alborz are: Alam Kuh, Savalan, Siah-Sang, Shanheh Kuh, Azad Kuh, …
Firuzkuh
Eastern Alborz: It covers a very large area, generally dominated by the hot desert climate, where the cities of Shahrud, Semnán, Damghan and Garmsar are located, and these mountains extend north into the forests between the cities of Aliabad Katul and Babol. Most of the eastern mountains of Alborz have two main parts: the highest is located north of the city of Shahrud with the peaks of Shahvar (4000 meters) and Shah Kuh (3850 meters) and in the western part of this mountain range there are Nizwa and Ghadamq (3850 meters).
Firuzkuh has the shape of a vertical and compact strip that goes from the north to the limit of the cities of Babol and Amol and from the south to the limit of the cities of Firuzkuh and Damavand. The deep valley of the Haraz River separates the western part of this mountain from Central Alborz and, to the east of this area, the Talard and Hableh Rud rivers separate this part of eastern Alborz. The mountains of southern Firuzkuh are often devoid of trees. Among its most important peaks are Dobrar (4250 meters), Zarrin Kuh (3850 meters) and Mishineh Gorg (4050 meters) Bum, Amniyeh, Helzem, Pashureh and Savad Kuh.
Alborz Central
The central mountainous region of Alborz, like the other heights of this region, consists of a forest belt in the northern part and its southern mountainous region has several important peaks, among which it is worth highlighting: Damavand (5671 meters) and Azad Kuh (4390 meters) and Khelno (4375 meters) and the peaks of Farhang, Klon Bastak, Si Chal, Aseman Kuh, Mehrchal, Johnston, Do Khahar (two sisters), Dardasht, Gorg, Tochal and Gol Zard.
Western Alborz
Alborz Occidental is separated from Alborz Central by the Karaj-Chalus rivers in the east and the Sefidrud river valley in the west. The most important feature of Alborz Occidental is the existence of three huge rivers: Sehezar, Shahrud and Taleqán. The important peaks of this region are: Alam Kuh (4850 meters), Takht-e Soleiman (4650 meters), Shah Alborz (4200 meters), Kahar (4050 meters) and the peaks of Naz, Chalun, Siah Kaman, Kermakuh, Mase Chal, Haft Khani, Khorsan, Sialan, Khoshchal and Darfak.
Ghiln Mountains
The last part of the Alborz mountain range is made up of the Ghilan mountains, which, unlike other parts of this mountain range, are low in altitude and are located in a semi-forest area between the Sefidrud river, in Astara, and Ardabil. The region and valley of the Ghezel Ozan and Sefidrud rivers, as well as the cities of Abbar and Khalkhal are visible to the south and southwest. This region has high peaks such as Shah Moallem (3050 meters) and Sefid Kuh (3350 meters) and the peaks of Peshteh Kuh, Baghrodagh and the Peshteh.
2.Zagros
The great Zagros mountain range forms the plain between Khuzestan and the plains of Iraq to the central regions of Iran. The Zagros mountain range has three important mountainous areas: the Oshtrankuh and Qali Kuh peaks, Zardkuh Bakhtiarí and Dena.
The northern part includes important peaks such as Oshtrankuh with the glory of San Baran Peak (4150 meters) and Mount Fali (4110 meters). The central part includes the high peak Zard Kuh (4221 meters) and the Shah Shahidan and Haft Tanan peaks (4150 meters), as well as other peaks such as the Fardan and Gorbush mountains and finally the southern part that extends to Shiraz and a little further to Darab. Among the most important peaks are Qash Mastan (4500 meters), Morgel (4450 meters), Bell Eghlid (4150 meters) and the Ranj, Sefid Kuh, Khatun, Nile, Rig, etc. peaks.
3.Central Mountains
A long strip cut by deserts and a bit lonely that stretches to the center of Iran. These peaks, starting from the city of Tafresh and its important peak, Noghreh Kemar, form the peaks of Ghaliq, Valijia, Kargaz, Karkas, Mill, Marshanan, Shirkuh and Tazarjan to the city of Babak in Kerman.
4.Mountains of Khorasan
These mountains are spread across the Khorasan province. The most important peaks in this region must be the great peak of Binalud, Shirbad and Zargaran.
5.Mountains of Kerman
The Kerman Mountains can be described as a set of high peaks, sometimes difficult to climb like many mountains in Iran. Around its main cities, such as Jopar, Mahan, Sim, Jiroft and Sirch, there are many mountains with high peaks and the highest of these mountains is Chehel Tan (4,465 meters). Other important peaks are: Lalehzar, Kusha, Kalezi, Seh Shah, Plovar and Chaftan.
6.Mountains of the border strip of West Azerbaijan
Located on the border between Iran and Turkey and part of Iraq, these mountain ranges are among the most beautiful peaks in Iran stretching from the northwestern city of Maku to southern Kurdistan. The great Lake Urmia and its city are located to the east of these mountains. Among the most important peaks in this region are Chehel Mur Shahidan (3608 meters), Bezsina, Setareh Lund, Bareh Nemro and Siah Kuh.
7.Mountains of Kurdistan
The Kurdistan mountain ranges are connected to the north by the Great Zagros, which extends to the mountainous regions of Lorestan. Among the most important peaks in these regions are Shahu (3350 meters), Chehel Cheshmeh (3350 meters), Branan, Bar, Biston, Prav and Green.