Abbasabad Forest, a celebrated wooded corridor in Abbasabad County, Mazandaran Province, connects to Kelardasht via a 25-kilometre forest road and offers visitors a year-round blend of old-growth broadleaf forest, coastal plain views and rural teahouses; spring and autumn are particularly atmospheric.
Almost all of us Iranians share the same mental image of the northern road: a two-way, winding route enclosed by green trees, with a few teahouses and traditional restaurants along the way. The Abbasabad Forest road to Kelardasht is exactly that familiar and beloved picture of the northern road.
Abbasabad Forest is one of Mazandaran Province’s attractions and also one of the most astonishing forests of the north; it draws many tourists every year. A winding road cuts through the forest and connects Abbasabad to Kelardasht. In parts of the route you pass under a canopy of trees and can barely see the sky.
Along the entire route there are food stalls and traditional teahouses, some of which have decorated the trees with neon lights that attract attention. These colorful lights have become a symbol of this road and appear in most photos of Abbasabad Forest.
If you too intend to travel to this dreamy forest and want to learn more about the attractions of Abbasabad, stay with Saed News Travel Magazine until the end of this article.
As the name suggests, Abbasabad Forest is in Abbasabad County and in the eastern part of Tonekabon County, Mazandaran Province. Abbasabad Forest stretches along a 25-kilometre section of the Abbasabad–Kelardasht road.
Around Abbasabad Forest are villages such as Makarud, Derasara, Mazichal, Pishanbour, Kordi Chal, Pey Gholah and Lashsar.
The best vehicle for visiting Abbasabad Forest is a private car. To reach this magical forest you should take the Chalus Road, then enter the Marzanabad–Kelardasht road, continue toward Kelardasht until you reach Valt. Travel along the Sardab Rud road; after passing Makarud village you will arrive at the Abbasabad forest road.
The distance from Nowshahr to Abbasabad Forest is about 59 kilometres (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes).
The distance from Chalus to Abbasabad Forest is about 49 kilometres (approximately 1 hour 10 minutes).
The distance from Tehran to Abbasabad Forest is about 147 kilometres (approximately 3 hours 10 minutes).
The Abbasabad forest road is the place that captures your spirit and leaves a piece of your heart among the green trees and white clouds. The forest road connects Abbasabad to Kelardasht and it takes about 50 minutes to pass through the trees and reach your destination.
The scenery along this road is spectacular in every season and at any time. Tall trees, sometimes bent and intertwined above the sky, light rain on the asphalt, the colorful shop lights and cloudy, misty air — all combine to make the road feel like a dream.
Along the route you encounter tree tunnels that cover the sky and draw the eye. We are sure that at every step you will want to take photos and capture the stunning scenes of Abbasabad Forest. Still, photos cannot fully convey the beauty of the Abbasabad forest road — this wonder of nature should be experienced in person.
The road’s many twists and turns can become slippery on snowy or rainy days, but its popularity among tourists only grows. The scent of fresh damp earth and raindrops makes the atmosphere even more dreamlike. Another attraction along the road is the presence of cornelian cherry, wild plum, pomegranate, raspberry and wild cherry trees beside the way.
Also, several barns and dairy farms line the road selling fresh milk and honey daily, though purchases are not always possible for all visitors. The road surfacing is relatively good; the last repair work took place in late 2023 (the Persian year referenced was 1402). Nevertheless, it is recommended to drive with caution.
Along the Abbasabad forest road, besides enjoying the nature and scenery, you can visit regional attractions. There are many sights; below are some of the most well-known.
One of Abbasabad’s attractions is the Abbasabad public beach, which hosts visitors with multiple facilities and water activities. This beach is suitable for swimming and water sports such as boating.
The beach has facilities including cafes, restaurants, a supermarket, pavilions and restrooms. There are also small cabins for overnight stays. It includes separate private sections for women and men.
Address: Mazandaran Province, Abbasabad County, Moallem Boulevard, Caspian Sea coast.
Deep in Abbasabad’s forest, in the village of Sibin, the melodious sound of flowing water forms Sootrash Waterfall — an extraordinary sight of water dropping through nature. A small pool forms below the waterfall where many visitors swim and take refuge from the sun.
Part of the access route requires trekking and is not suitable for children or people with back or knee problems. Some sections grow deep, and sometimes you need to climb tree trunks or pull yourself up. The route is challenging but worth it.
Address: Mazandaran Province, Abbasabad–Kelardasht forest road, Sootrash village.
Tanghe Behesht (Heaven Gorge)
Tanghe Behesht is another attraction in Abbasabad popular with many visitors. The gorge sits within a valley and is surrounded by tall cliffs and dense trees. A strong river flows through the gorge.
Tanghe Behesht lets you escape city noise: the only sounds you hear are birds and flowing water. When mist fills the gorge it becomes even more dreamlike, as though walking through a movie set.
Location: Mazandaran Province, Abbasabad–Kelardasht forest road, near Dorvak village.
Abbasabad Forest is ideal for photography, nature walks, picnicking and horseback riding. Below are some popular activities.
Photography
Anyone visiting Abbasabad Forest will likely want to photograph the scenes and moments they encounter. Charge your camera and phone, clear storage, and be ready to capture the forest’s stunning views.
Nature walking
Nature walking among tall trees and quiet air is a primary activity here. You can prepare a small picnic and even make campfire tea — just be sure to take care of the trees and vegetation.
Horseback riding
Along the road people often rent horses. If you’re interested, you can hire a ride for a short period.
Most facilities are located along the road. Numerous restaurants, cafés, teahouses and stalls sell local foods, fast food and snacks, and usually provide restrooms.
There are many sights near Abbasabad Forest you can combine in a day trip. Two examples:
— Mazichal village (cloud village)
Mazichal is a dreamlike village near Kelardasht where you can stand above the clouds — a vantage point offering either an ocean of cloud or, weather permitting, a view stretching from Chalus toward Ramsar.
Mazichal in summer is cool and popular; facilities and accommodation are scarce, so bring supplies from nearby towns. The distance from Mazichal to Abbasabad Forest is about 28 kilometres (1 hour 30 minutes).
— Valasht Lake
Valasht Lake is hidden in the Kelardasht mountains and is a pristine attraction near Abbasabad Forest. It sits in the Takht-e-Soleyman area of Alam Kuh; on its southwestern side you can view that majestic mountain.
Valasht Lake is one of Iran’s top ten freshwater lakes and is listed among Iran’s natural heritage sites. Cafés, restaurants and water activities exist around the lake to enrich your visit. The distance from Valasht Lake to Abbasabad Forest is about 13 kilometres (1 hour 10 minutes).
Camping and overnight stays near Abbasabad Forest are limited. If you prefer hotels or eco-lodges, nearby towns provide options. Below are some hotels and eco-lodges near the forest.
Hotels near Abbasabad Forest
Almas Hotel
Papillon Hotel
Gol Hotel
Vesta Hotel
Eco-lodges near Abbasabad Forest
Parchin Cottage Eco-lodge
Savaran Cottage Eco-lodge
Damoun Eco-lodge
As noted, Abbasabad Forest lies within Abbasabad County, Mazandaran Province, and thus bears the county’s name. Historically, Abbasabad County has been mentioned as “Lenga” in older texts and remains known locally by that name. According to the book History of Lenga by Ali Asghar Yousefi, the name derives from Abbas Khalatbari, who founded the settlement.
The Abbasabad–Kelardasht forest road is part of the ancient Hyrcanian forests, which are over 40 million years old. These forests are among Iran’s richest ecosystems due to their high biodiversity and foothill location.
The vegetation is primarily Caspian broadleaf forest species: tall, centuries-old broadleaf trees dominate. You can also find oak, beech, hornbeam, maple, alder, wild plum and hawthorn in abundance. Depending on the season, wildflowers such as poppies, violets and irises, ferns, wild mushrooms, mosses and alpine shrubs may appear.
The forest is also home to many animals including brown bears, wild boar, foxes, gray wolves, roe deer, red deer and wild hares. Birds such as the Caspian pheasant, partridge, woodpecker, sakhalin falcon and forest owl are common. With care you may spot reptiles like Caspian snakes, local lizards and amphibians near springs and streams.
Holidays and weekends are the busiest times; expect traffic on the forest road.
Wear season-appropriate clothing and sturdy hiking shoes for nature walks.
The road is lined with cafés and restaurants, so you don’t necessarily need to bring all supplies.
The winding forest road can be slippery when rainy or snowy — drive carefully.
