Alam-Kuh

Alam-Kuh, with a height of 4850 meters, is the highest peak of Takht-e Soleyman in Kelardasht of Mazandaran province and after Damavand, it is the second highest peak in Iran. One of the unique features of this area is the presence of numerous glaciers and snow walls. There are many well-known peaks in this area, but the peaks of HesarChal, Haftkhan, Siah Kaman, Khersan kuh, Takht-e Soleyman, Shaneh kuh, Langari, etc. are mentioned as the most important among these peaks.

The average annual rainfall in the region is between 800-600 mm and the climate of this region is cold and humid and at high elevations is extremely cold. Autumn and winter of Alam-Kuh are generally accompanied by very heavy snow, storms, snowstorms, and heavy avalanches, and every year the weather is the same until spring starts, but in summer the weather is milder.

Glaciers in the Alam-Kuh area are the source of several rivers. Alamut River rises from the north, Taleghanrood rises from the south of Alam-Kuh, and they flow into Sefidrood through Shahroud River. Garmarud River rises from the southwestern margin of Alam-Kuh and Haft Khan Mountain; and Takht-e Soleyman River rises from the north margin of Alam-Kuh and Haft Khan Mountain and flows into Garmarud and Se Hezar River and finally flows into the Caspian Sea. These rivers are turbulent and beautiful, but they do not have the necessary technical potential for boating.

Rudbarak and Amir Cheshmeh cold springs are located at the end of Rudbarak region and Akapol waterfall with a height of 20 meters is situated in the north of this area. Valasht Lake is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in this region and Haft Khan Lake is one of the most important water resources in Alam-Kuh region.

Alam-Kuh glaciers are the most prominent and famous glaciers in Iran among climbers and sports tourists. Due to the slow movement, these glaciers cannot be considered as active glaciers. Some of the most important glaciers of Alam-Kuh are: Sarchal, Alam-Chal, Takht-e-Solyman, Marjikesh, Khersan, Haft Khan, Chalun, Shaneh Kuh, Espilat, etc. When hot seasons finish and the cold seasons begin, the glaciers of this region 

Alam-kuh region is unique in terms of vegetation because according to documented sources, about 10% of the world's plant species are found in this region. Alam-Kuh rangeland ecosystem consists of semi-alpine and alpine vegetation and in highlands the vegetation is scattered. The predominant types of rangeland are mostly cushion plants, prickly species such as thyme and gramineae, which as altitude change, the main species also change.

In Alam-kuh area, small groups of wild goats and goats can be seen on the steep slopes of the mountains around the glacier. Also, leopards, wildcats, caracal, brown bears and otters are among the most important animals in Alam-Kuh region.

The best time to climb Alam-kuh is summer, around the second half of July. Springs, autumns and winters of Alam-kuh are accompanied by heavy snow, storms and severe avalanches, and during these months only professional mountaineers and climbers can climb this mountain. Common climbing routes to Alam-Kuh can be divided into two southern routes, one northern route and a bouldering route:

South Route

It is a mountaineering route that starts from Rudbarak and by passing Vandarbon, Tang Lu and Hesarchal you can reach the Alam-Kuh peak from the south, which is said, it is the easiest way to climb the peak of Alam-Kuh and it usually needs spending a night in Hesarchal plain.

North Route

The northern mountaineering route also starts from Rudbarak and passes through Vandarbon, Sarchal shelter, Alamchal and Siahsang defile and reaches to the peak of Alam-Kuh from the east, and this route is known as one of the most difficult mountaineering routes. If you choose this route for climbing you should remember that it usually needs to stay an overnight in the shelter of Sarchal.

Alam-kuh German Ridge

This mountaineering route also starts from Rudbarak and passes through Vandarben, Sarchal shelter, Alamchal and the German ridge reaches Alam-kuh peak from the north. This route is shorter in time than the Siah Sang route, but it requires special technical tools and is accompanied by spending a night in the shelter of Sarchal.

Northern Wall Climbing Route

The climbing route starts from Rudbarak and by passing through Vandarbon, Sarchal shelter, Alamchal and the northern wall, reaches the summit which will be a different ascent considering the number of routes to Alam-Kuh peak.

Kelardasht is a beautiful plain in the middle of a green valley, the beauty of which is not only because of Alam-kuh, but also it is due to dozens of natural places, antiquities and, most importantly, people with a rich culture form the landscape of this region. Kelardasht is one of the important areas in the beautiful province of Mazandaran. Its center is Hassan keyf village, which takes its name from a hill called Kelar near the northern part of the Sardabroud river and is surely surrounded by the most original and spectacular natural and human sceneries. This region is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the north to and by the heights of Takht-e Soleyman to the south. It also reaches to Chalous by east. And has Qazvin and  Alamut to the its west. 

Rudbarak and Vandarbon, which are generally the starting point for mountan climbers that targeting to ascend Alam-Kuh, are the villages of Kelardash that are along the Sardabroud river and the peak of Takht-e Soleyman. Numerous forests surround Kelardasht, each of which is nostalgia for Iranians. Azoo, Mejel and Abbasabad forests are among the places that you can enjoy visiting. Culinary tourists immortalize the taste of this fascinating region with local cookies, cakes and jams. You cannot believe that but in Mazichal village, you can swim in an ocean of clouds and enjoy the most exquisite scenery of your life. You can clearly see the history of Kelardasht treasure in Ojabeyt Palace that is in Ganj Tappe of Ojabeyt village. The people living in this region has Mazandarani dialect and the Khajavis speak Laki and Kurdish. Clothes, music and the local food of Kelardasht show the antiquity of the ancient culture and originality of this region. Local food of this region such as Baghali Ghatogh, Kabab Torsh, local rice and variety of desserts, olives, etc. make an unforgettable trip for you.

1. Khersan shelter at an altitude of 4700 meters, near the village of Rudbarak, hosts climbers.

2. The shelter of Siah Sang is located at an altitude of 4350 meters near the village of Rudbarak.

3. The shelter of Gardun Kuh and Rudbarak camps, with suitable amenities, are also located at the end of Rudbarak region.

4. Vandarbon Camp is usually used by those mountaineers who want to climb through the northern wall or the German ridge. This camp, which is next to Vandarbon village, is located in the continuation of the dirt road of Rudbarak mountaineering camp towards Tang Gloo.

5. Hesarchal is also suitable for camping and mountaineers spend the night there. Hesarchal plain is surrounded by 4000 meters of mountains. Menar Peak is one of the symbols of Hesar Chal plain that makes this plain a more beautiful place.

Due to special technical characteristics, Alam-kuh has particular conditions, and based on the prevailing geographical conditions, it is necessary to have sufficient information about the climbing routes and ascend the peak with experienced guides. Climbers should pay attention to the instructions of the people who are in the camps and be sure to climb with guides who are familiar with region.

The rubbish which mountaineers and tourists have left in different routes of Alam-kuh has seriously damaged the environmental landscape of this region, and the overgrazing of livestock and activities such as mine exploration and extraction of mineral rocks have seriously endangered the nature of this region. Climate change and the melting of Alam-kuh glaciers have also made serious concerns for nature lovers.