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 3,376 meters (11,076 ft) above sea level in Chalus County, Mazandaran Province, Iran. Located east of Alam-Kuh within the Alborz mountain range, the unpaved mountain track ranks among the highest roads of Iran, connecting Vandarbon with the high-altitude trailhead.
| Road facts: Tang-e Galu Pass | |
|---|---|
| Location | Kelardasht District, Mazandaran (Iran) |
| Elevation | 3,376 m (11,076 ft) |
| Length | 12.3 km (7.64 miles) from Vandarbon |
| Elevation Gain | 1,190 m (3,904 ft) |
| Average Gradient | 9.67% |
| Surface | Unpaved gravel and riverbed rock track |
| Vehicle Requirement | High-clearance 4WD mandatory |
Where is Tang-e Galu Pass located?
The pass sits in the Kelardasht-e Gharbi Rural District of Mazandaran Province, running along the eastern flanks of Alam-Kuh (4,850 m) in northern Iran. The track serves as the main vehicular access to the eastern climbing routes of the Takht-e Suleyman massif.
Is the road to Tang-e Galu Pass unpaved?
Yes. The entire 12.3-kilometer route is completely unpaved, consisting of loose gravel, broken rock, and unshielded shelf-road sectors along deep gorges. Driving requires a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle to navigate the steep ramps and uneven rock steps.
How steep is the road to Tang-e Galu Pass?
The climb is steep and sustained, gaining 1,190 vertical meters over just 12.3 kilometers from Vandarbon. This results in a heavy average gradient of 9.67%, with individual inner-curve switchbacks exceeding this angle.
How long is the road to Tang-e Galu Pass?
Starting from the mountain junction at Vandarbon, the unpaved track to the 3,376-meter pass measures 12.3 kilometers (7.64 miles). Navigating the narrow mountain hairpins and riverbed passages takes over an hour of continuous low-range driving.
Pic: Adam Bilinski