Hit the road and discover Iran the way it was meant to be seen — kilometer by kilometer. From misty mountain passes and terraced mountain villages to otherworldly coastal deserts and mangrove-lined shores, these routes turn driving into the main attraction.
Traveling and the joy of leaving home aren’t only about reaching a distant destination and settling into a new nest; they’re also about being on the road—kilometer after kilometer—an unhurried pleasure that those who love driving know down to the smallest detail. In this piece we introduce Iran’s most beautiful roads so that if you’re tempted to travel by car you can plan a route that passes them and add the sweet experience of a road-trip adventure to your nature escapes. Join us.
Among all Iran’s scenic roads, only one has become an attraction in its own right, equal in importance to both its origin and destination: Chalus Road. This 160-kilometer route from Karaj to Chalus is so extraordinary, beautiful and thrilling that despite other routes such as the Firuzkuh axis, travelers do whatever it takes to reach the Caspian Sea via this road.
Chalus Road (also known as Road 59) is roughly ninety years old, and because of the mountainous terrain its construction was a remarkable achievement not only for Iran back then but by global standards.
You feel that most clearly in the Kandovan Tunnel and the middle section between Chalus and Karaj—places where workers hollowed out the mountain with pick and shovel (about two kilometers long, six meters wide and high), avoiding a long detour and making the road thirteen kilometers shorter and far more spectacular.
Tight hairpins, fog, gorges, rugged mountain cliffs, endless layered forests, the strong sense of wildlife living deeply in the beech woods, repeated rises and falls, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, dams and handicrafts—these are only a fraction of Chalus Road’s vast attractions.
Beyond the joy of driving this heavenly road, nearby sights include Amir Kabir Dam (good for boating and fishing), the gorge and waterfall of Sepahsalar village, Nojan waterfall and inlet, Yakh Morad cave, Karchan peak, Harijan village and waterfall, Valesht and Kandochal.
Our advice: avoid entering this road during heavy rain or at night when possible, and be especially cautious at tunnel entrances and exits. Remember that the beauty is the route itself, not the place it leads to.
So there’s no need to rush to finish one of Iran’s most beautiful roads or to break speed limits. Also note that holidays and events like Nowruz put heavy traffic on Chalus Road; if you want a quieter experience, plan for midweek and off-peak days.
If the road that links Asalem in Gilan province to Khalkhal in Ardabil province doesn’t grab your attention, then probably no natural attraction in Iran will. Pleasant weather, gentle curves, unmatched greenery, wooden cabins tucked into the landscape, flower-filled meadows, dense forests, the fresh scent of the countryside and grazing herds in the distance combine to create a seventy-kilometer dream.
Like Chalus Road, it’s impossible to drive a few kilometers on the side roads here and not discover additional attractions. Highlights along this route include Qaleh Ashraf peak (near the village of Nahalestan), Kivi hot spring, Neor Lake, the pastures of Subatan village, late-summer poppy fields, beehives and the riverside scenery—special sights you’ll see through your car window. For these reasons Asalem → Khalkhal deserves its place among Iran’s most beautiful roads.
If you travel from Gilan toward Khalkhal the road climbs if you come from the west you’ll be descending. Keep in mind the route is often misty and lighting is limited at night, so plan accordingly. We suggest arranging to have lunch at a roadside eatery and enjoying freshly grilled meat.
If you want a terrestrial glimpse of paradise, drive the forty kilometers from the entrance of Ardabil tunnel to Astara. Heyran Pass is one of Iran’s most beautiful roads and time spent there feels timeless. You drive amid fog, forest and river; the beauty is such that before you know it the route ends and the dreamlike scenery gives way to ordinary nature.
We recommend taking this road on a warm summer day after servicing your vehicle. One side offers the border river Aras, the other mist-shrouded forests. Every time you try to guess the valley’s depth the fog clears and proves you wrong—Heyran’s name fits. If you’re lucky you’ll meet a friendly local seller offering dark, pure mountain honey. Watching galloping horses and contented herds grazing speaks to you—animals appreciate Heyran’s beauty too.
Unfortunately this pristine landscape is gradually threatened by development; consider prioritizing western destinations while they remain intact. For longer stays, the Heyran cable car and tourist village and the Fandghalu grass-ski slope can host you.
So far we’ve featured routes drawing beauty from the Alborz and the Caspian. Now we head to the rugged heights of the Zagros to admire the grandeur of Kurdish lands. About 90 kilometers west of Sanandaj a road from Hajij in Paveh leads to Uraman Takht. The view of the road is a perfect harmony between human settlement and nature: terraced villages perched on the slopes create a stunning spectacle, making this road one of Iran’s most beautiful.
The route is about forty kilometers long and offers frequent pull-offs where you can stop for a cup of tea and enjoy the scenery. If you ask us, plan a break at Zhalaneh pass before reaching Uraman Takht. Visit in summer to see poppy-filled meadows, Quri Qala cave, border town Zhalaneh, the valley and the shrine of Pir Shalyar and the village’s stepped architecture. Winter travel requires a specialized vehicle and particular preparations.
Before you go, consider watching documentaries by Farhad Varham and photographs by Nosratollah Kasraian to get a sense of Uraman. Local handicrafts here are exceptionally high quality, durable and unique.
Heading south, where the waves of the Gulf of Oman, rocky coasts, the Lipar lagoon, miniature mountains and the Hara mangrove forests combine, you find one of Iran’s most beautiful roads. From Chabahar to Beris the distance is about sixty kilometers and the scenery is so artfully arranged that it sometimes looks like a miniature painting.
To your right is endless blue ocean; to your left the gray, dry shapes of the desert. At first you’ll watch waves crashing on rocky shores; mid-route you’ll feel like an astronaut on Mars—miniature, otherworldly hills, similar to aerial photos of Mars, surround you and astonish. If you get here, visit the Hara mangrove forests: at high tide they submerge and a boat trip among them reveals unique wildlife. During migration season flamingos, eagles and many birds nest in the trees. If you love these kinds of sights, put Chabahar on your priority list.
We recommend winter for visiting this area, though coastal winds usually keep temperatures below about 30°C even in summer.
Are you familiar with Shahdad and its unique kaluts? A 300-kilometer road runs from Shahdad (Kerman) to Nehbandan (South Khorasan), connecting north and south. Although most of Iran is arid, this route stands out and is counted among the country’s most beautiful roads.
Shahdad’s kaluts, sand plains, multicolored dunes and the mirage that shimmers on the asphalt offer an experience you can’t easily pass by. When you drive this road you might feel like you’re in a Western movie: the soundtrack begins and picture-perfect frames form in your mind and camera.
As with all desert routes, we prefer the cooler six months of the year. If you do travel in summer to watch sunrise or sunset, make sure your vehicle can handle high-temperature conditions.
To complete our list we return to the north. Between Chalus and Tonekabon, along the shore, lies Abbas Abad, a place full of beauty. If you want a forested drive, set Kelardasht as your destination—about forty kilometers away. If you’re observant you can park and forage wild raspberries, cornelian cherries, pomegranates and sour plums. Nearby attractions include Mazichal heights, Abbas Abad Lake and Khoshkeh Daran National Park.
Note: this road also becomes hazardous during snow and heavy rain; if you visit in winter bring the appropriate safety equipment.
The Aras-Jolfa border road is an exceptionally beautiful route and has earned a well-deserved reputation. It runs parallel to the Aras River along the borders with Azerbaijan and Armenia and leads you to Jolfa. From the passenger window you can see villages in neighboring countries; near Jolfa you can visit Mahran waterfall, Kamtal National Park, St. Stepanos Church, Khajeh Nazar caravanserai and the Jolfa border market.
Given its geography, riverine companion and unique forest cover, the Aras-Jolfa road rightly ranks among Iran’s most beautiful.
The Shahroud–Gorgan road connects the northeast to the northern cities. In its curves it resembles Chalus but the forest character here is dominated by hornbeam (Toska). Nearby attractions include Colonel’s Garden spring, oak and Orus trees, Alangdareh forest park, Toushen Lake and Luh waterfall. Spring is lush, but autumn reveals the Hyrcanian forest’s spectacular colors.
Travelers from Mashhad bound for the north can, after the Golestan forest, turn left instead of continuing straight to Gonbad-e Kavus and Aliabad Katoul, and follow Shahroud. From Tehran and western cities you can reach Sari and Gorgan via Firuzkuh or Haraz and continue on to Shahroud.
In this piece we surveyed some of Iran’s most beautiful roads. We began with Chalus Road and then traveled the country to suggest routes tailored to different tastes for road trips. Naturally the collaboration between nature and road engineers extends beyond the routes listed here—roads such as Javaherdeh, Shahrekord → Izeh and Sepidan → Nourabad were left out. We eagerly await your comments and suggestions to complete and refine the list.
