Zard-Kuh

Zard Kuh with the altitude of 4221 meters above the sea level is located in Zagros Range.  Two major rivers of Iran i.e. Karoon and Zayandeh-Rude are running near this mountain.  The nearest city to Zard Kuh is Sanandaj.  Zard Kuh means "Yellow mountain" in Persian.  In order to reach yourself to Zard Kuh you need to go Cloon Chin valley.  The trail is fantastic  and after about four hours hike you will reach to Khersan shelter.  This route is the safest route to climb Zard Kuh because the other route i.e. Cool Khadang route is very dangerous due to avalanches.  For climbing Zard Kuh on summers you don't need crampons. 

Winter climbing to Zardkooh region is one of the most difficult and longest winter  expedition in Iran. Despite the lack of technical routes to the peaks of the region, the presence of a very heavy volume of snow in and around Koohrang from its eastern side, as well as the bad weather that usually lasts 3 to 4 days, make pre-planning impossible.

There are important rivers at Zard Kuh area included of Karoon and Zayandeh Rude. 

Karun river:

Karun River is the most watery and largest river in Iran. With a length of 950 km, this river is the longest river that is located only in Iran and is also the only river in Iran, part of which is navigable. Drinking water of Ahvaz metropolis is supplied from Karun river.

Zayandeh Rood River:

Zayandehrood is the most important central river in Iran, which originates from the 3 to 4 thousand meter long snow-capped river of Zardkooh Bakhtiari and Koohrang in Chaharmahal Bakhtiari province. This river enters this province from the west of Isfahan province after a winding route in Shahrekord city.

 The name of Zayandehrood river is always tied to the name of Isfahan city, so that wherever a name is mentioned from Isfahan, everyone knows this beautiful city with its famous river.

There are five glaciers in thus mountain included of:

• Chaal Mishan.
• Ill Beig.
• Poor Soo nun.
• Koleh Khjadang.
• Khersan. 

Due to climatic conditions and other natural factors, various vegetation can be seen in the Zard Kuh region such as Oak forests, wild pistachios, almonds, coriander, hawthorn astragalus and shrubs.

These kinds of animals are living in Zard Kuh area:

Leopards, birds of prey and carnivores, brown bears, eagles, rams, ewes, vultures ,Gypsy Rooster, Bazmcheh, Turtle, Horned Viper,  Salmon,  Golden Eagle and Gohakhari.

Zard Kuh is climbed mainly from three routes of East, North and Northeast routes but the classic route is the Eastern valley. 

Eastern valley is the shortest route for climbing Zard Kuh. 

The Northern ridge got deep steep and it is a technical climb. 

The Eastern ridge is suitable for winter climbing due to existence of Khersan shelter. 

There is a shelter on the Eastern route of Zard Kuh known as Khersan Shelter that is mostly used for winter ascends. 

The Bakhtiari tribe consists of two large tribes called Haf-talang and Chahar-lang. The inhabitants of Chelgard are from Babadi tribe and the inhabitants of Birgan and Ab Barik are from Behdarvand tribe. Both of these tribes are Haft-lang. The population of Bakhtiari people is estimated at about 3 million.The Bakhtiari people have been the most powerful and influential people in the fate of the Iranian government in recent years and are known as the defenders of Western borders of Iran.

There are few climbers that can lead to to the top of this mountain specifically in winters. If you are about to climb this mountain please contact Discover Persia Land office.