What are the most spectacular roads in Iran?
Situated in the heart of Western Asia, on the Persian Plateau, Iran is a country covering 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq mi). While the country hosts hundreds of challenging roads to enjoy, travelling there is currently not safe, due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest of citizens. Any military action could escalate quickly and could pose risks for the wider region. If you are in the region, or considering travel to the region, for your safety monitor news updates.
The country is bordered by seven countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Turkey. Due to its geography, ranging from mountainous regions to deserts, there are about 30 roads listed as the most spectacular in the world. The most remarkable roads are Kandovan Pass, a mountain pass at 2,989m (9,806ft) asl located between Alborz and Mazandaran provinces. At this elevation it’s one of the highest roads of Iran. Another popular drive is the road to Dizin resort, at 2.695m (8,841ft) above sea level in the Alborz mountain range. And you can’t miss driving the Chalus Road, which, despite its consistent traffic, offers mesmerizing scenic views. Iran experiences a variety of climates, from arid and semi-arid in the central regions to subtropical along the Caspian Sea coast.
Chalus Road is a busy scenic drive in Iran
Chalus Road (Road 59) is a stunning drive located in Chalus, a suburb of Tehran, the Iranian capital. It is one of the busiest roads in the country
Driving the high mountain road to Kandovan Pass in Iran
Kandovan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,989m (9,806ft) above sea level, located on boundary between Alborz and Mazandaran provinces in Iran. It's one of the highest roads in the country.
The Wild Road to Dalani Pass in Iran
Dalani Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,601m (8,533ft) above sea level, located in the Kurdistan Province of Iran, near the border with Iraq.
Driving the dangerous Haraz Road in the Alborz mountains
The Haraz Road, known as Road 77, is a treacherous road linking Tehran, the capital of Iran, and Mahmudabad, a city on the southern Caspian Sea.
Mount Damavand: Driving the 3,000m Base Camp Track in the Alborz Range
Reaching an elevation of 3,025m (9,924ft) above sea level, the southern access track to Mount Damāvand is one of the highest roads in Iran. Located in Amol County, Mazandaran Province, this stratovolcano is the highest peak in the Middle East, and its lower slopes are crisscrossed by technical service roads used by mountaineers and local logistics teams.
The Road to Salambar Pass: A Deep Abyss to the Right Hand
Salambar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,204m (10,511ft) above sea level, located in Iran. The road to the summit is a narrow dirt road, a steep serpentine, with a deep abyss to the right hand. It's one of the highest roads in the country.
How to Get to Dizin Ski Resort by Car in the Alborz Mountains?
Dizin Ski Resort is situated at an elevation of 2,695m (8,841 ft) above sea level, in Iran's Alborz Province.
An Iconic Road to Amir Kabir Dam in the Alborz Mountains
Amir Kabir Dam is a high mountain dam at an elevation of 1,610m (5,280ft) above sea level, located in Alborz Province of Iran.
How to get by car to Shemshak, the second largest ski area in Iran?
Shemshak is a ski resort at an elevation of 2,600m (8,530ft) above sea level, located in Rudbar-e Qasran District of Shemiranat County, Tehran Province, Iran.
The Volcanic Road to Mount Sabalan: Navigating Iran's Majestic Stratovolcano
Mount Sabalan, situated in Meshgin Shahr County, Ardabil province of Iran, stands as a semi-active stratovolcano. A rugged gravel road leading north of its summit reaches an impressive altitude of 3,675m (12,057ft) above sea level. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
A curvy paved road to the top of Kazerun Pass in the Zagros Mountains
Kazerun Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,203 m (7,227 ft) above sea level, straddling Kazerun and Shiraz counties in Iran.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Maranjab Caravansary
The Maranjab Caravansary is located in the most northern part of Isfahan Province, in Iran.
Driving the scenic but intense Hormuz Island Loop Road
The Hormuz Island Loop Road is a coastal route that encircles the entire volcanic island of Hormuz, located in the Persian Gulf, southern Iran. This 20-kilometer drive is a journey through one of the most surreal and hostile geological environments on Earth. While the road has been recently paved to provide access to the island's famous red and ochre beaches, the physical reality of driving here is dominated by extreme heat, high salinity, and a total lack of infrastructure. This is a high-exposure route where the mineral-rich mountains reflect the sun directly onto the asphalt, creating a high-load environment for any vehicle's cooling system.
How to drive the high-altitude road to Sahand Ski Resort?
Sahand Ski Resort is located at an elevation of 2,942m (9,652ft) above sea level, situated in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran. Within the northwestern Sahand mountain range, the infrastructure consists of a main paved access and an extreme high-altitude gravel track that ranks among the highest roads of Iran. Driving in this volcanic massif requires specific mechanical preparation for low-oxygen combustion and steep unpaved gradients.
Dag Mountain Road
Dag mountain range road is a scenic high mountain road located in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran.
Kūh-e Asbī
Kūh-e Asbī is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.766m (9,074ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Isfahan, in central Iran. The average gradient is 11.56%.
The Ultimate Road Trip on the Kandovan Tunnel
Kandovan Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 2.662m (8,733ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Alborz and Mazandaran provinces, in Iran.
Driving the scenic Road 319 through Almass Pass
Almass Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,360m (7,742ft) above sea level, located in northwestern Iran. Connecting the lush, green forests of Gilan with the rugged mountains of Ardabil, it is the centerpiece of the legendary Asalem-Khalkhal Road, widely considered the most beautiful driving route in the country.
Ganjnameh Pass
Ganjnameh pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.801m (9,189ft) above the sea level, located in Hamadan province of Iran It's one of the highest roads of the country.
Mount Gargash
Mount Gargash is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.578m (11,738ft) above the sea level, located in Isfahan province, in central Iran. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
What are the highest roads in Iran?
Situated at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, Iran is defined by a fierce and dramatic interior topography. As the second-largest nation in the Middle East, its vast expanse is dominated by enormous, active mountain chains—the Alborz in the north and the Zagros in the west—which cradle arid central deserts like the Dasht-e Kavir.
Dare to drive the dangerous Kelashin Pass
Kelashin Pass (Gardaneh-ye Kalashīn) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.942m (9,652ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Iran and Iraq. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
Navigating Bijan Pass: A Scenic Road through Iran's Mountainous Heart
Gardaneh-ye Bijan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.215m (10,547ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Isfahan Province and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, in the Isfahan Region of Iran. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
Driving a military road to the summit of Cheekha Dar in Kurdistan
Cheekha Dar is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,592m (11,784ft) above sea level, located on the border of Iran and Iraq. A military road to the summit has been recently built.
The unpaved road to Gardaneh-ye Galeh Badush in Iran's Zagros Mountains
Gardaneh-ye Galeh Badush is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,954m (9,691ft) above the sea level, located in Iran's Lorestan province.
Siyah Kamar Summit: Unveiling Iran's Mountain Road in Alborz
Siyah Kamar is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.335m (10,941ft) above the sea level located in Alborz province of Iran. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
Is the Cliffside Shahi Route the Most Dangerous Road of Iran?
Shahi Road, also known as Rahi Shahi, is one of Iran’s most perilous and spectacular mountain roads. Nestled in the wild and remote terrain of Lorestan province, this unpaved cliffside path is infamous for its narrow width, hair-raising drops, and breathtaking views. Combining natural beauty with real danger, it offers a driving experience that’s not for the faint-hearted. This road is a relic left over from the construction of the national railway, which was built for the purpose of logistics.
The road to Gardaneh-ye Garin offers a chill-out experience in high mountains
Gardaneh-ye Garin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,357m (7,732ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between the Lorestan and Hamadan provinces of Iran.
A truly outstanding 4x4 adventure to Gholleh Siah Sang
Gholleh Siah Sang is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,527m (11,571ft) above sea level, located in Iran.
How to Get by Car to the Scenic Imamzadeh of Mazandaran Province?
Imamzadeh is a high mountain shrine at an elevation of 2,766m (9,074ft) above sea level, located in Mazandaran Province, Iran.
How to get to the summit of Tochal Peak?
Mount Tochal is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,966m (13,011ft) above sea level, located in Iran. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
Ashkourat Pass: Driving the rugged 3,000m ridge of the Alborz Mountains
Located in the heart of the Alborz mountain range, Ashkourat Pass is a high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 3,076m (10,091ft) above sea level. Situated in the Central District of Ramsar County, within the Mazandaran Province, this pass is one of the highest roads in Iran, offering a raw and technical driving experience through some of the country's most dramatic northern landscapes.
How to drive to Mount Espi Kouhak? A 15-hairpin 4x4 challenge
Mount Espi Kouhak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,315m (10,875ft) above sea level, located in the Mazandaran Province of northern Iran. This ascent is recognized as one of the highest drivable roads in the Alborz mountain range, leading to critical communication facilities at the summit. The route is a brutal test of vehicle endurance and driver skill, far removed from any paved infrastructure. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
How to get by car to Tang-e Galu Pass on the way to Alam-Kuh?
Tang-e Galu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,376m (11,076ft) above sea level, located in Kelardasht-e Gharbi Rural District, Kelardasht District, Chalus County of Iran. The pass is known for its steep and winding road. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
Driving the paved road to Lavash Pass in the Alborz Mountains
Lavash Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,151m (10,337ft) above sea level, located in Mazandaran Province, Iran. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
Driving to Samamous Peak: The 3,686m ascent from Javaher Deh
Reaching an elevation of 3,686m (12,093ft) above sea level, Samamous Peak (also known as Somamous) is the highest point in the Gilan Province of Iran. Situated on the border between Mazandaran and Gilan, this peak is a landmark of the Alborz mountain range, offering a high-altitude driving challenge that is considered one of the highest roads in the country.