Sea-like lake, forest lungs and adventure tracks — Chitgar Park packs a full weekend outside Tehran into one sprawling, family-friendly destination.
Sometimes you don’t need to leave the city for a great nature day. Chitgar Park is one of those places inside Tehran where greenery and fresh air meet a broad range of activities. If you crave a short weekend escape toward the north but want to stay in the city, Chitgar provides a pleasant alternative. Below is a full introduction to Chitgar from Alibaba’s travel magazine.
Chitgar Park, established in 1963 (1342), is among Tehran’s largest forest parks. Because of its size and greenery it acts like one of the city’s lungs. The park sits in District 22 and has gradually gained amenities such as the Chitgar Lake to become a popular leisure destination for families from Tehran and nearby Karaj.
Because a river passes through the park, Chitgar divides into western and eastern sections. The relatively untouched western area covers about 658 hectares, while the eastern portion spans about 253 hectares.
The park has a notable elevation range: the difference between its lowest and highest points reaches roughly 88 metres. Tree species include acacia, maple, ash (linden), pine, silver cypress, elm, oak varieties, and purple-flowered Judas tree (arghavan). These trees create the park’s pleasant wooded character.
Chitgar Park lies in west Tehran, inside District 22, between Shahid Hamedani and Shahid Kharazi highways. Because several major highways lie nearby, driving to the park is straightforward from many directions.
How to reach Chitgar:One practical route is via Shahid Hamedani Highway, then enter Bolvar Giyahshenasi, continue to Bolvar Mi’ad and reach Chitgar Lake. From Hemmat or Azadegan highways you can also access Shahid Kharazi and take the Chitgar Lake exit. The park is also close to the Chitgar metro station, though internal movement to lake areas may require local shuttle buses.
If you travel by metro, Chitgar station is near the park. For access to the lake and the park’s facilities, use the special city buses that serve the park.
By car — main vehicle entrances
Entrance 1: Bolvar Kuhak (near Chitgar Metro station)
Entrance 2: Tehran–Karaj freeway exit, next to park management
Entrances 3 & 4: Bolvar Dastvareh (after the gas station)
Entrance 5: Azadshahr (western phase)
Iran Khodro metro station entrance: western phase
By metro
Entrance 1: Bolvar Kuhak (Chitgar Metro station)
Entrance: Iran Khodro metro station (western phase)
Chitgar offers a broad range of activities — arguably it’s easier to list what you can’t do. Below are the park’s main pastimes and attractions.
No list of Iranian weekend plans is complete without a picnic. If you plan a weekend picnic at Chitgar, arrive early: weekends attract heavy traffic and the park fills quickly. The park is patrolled and secure, and there are designated areas for barbecues — but do not collect firewood or make ad-hoc bonfires; the park enforces rules and designated barbecue points exist. If you prefer not to cook, several restaurants inside the park serve meals.
Cycling is a major draw. Chitgar has three dedicated cycling tracks: a speed track (1,700 m), an endurance track (5,000 m, for more experienced riders) and a women-only track (1,300 m). Bike rental stalls near the tracks offer over 1,000 bikes of various sizes. Rentals require ID (driver’s licence, national ID or military card). Late returns incur a one-hour charge as penalty. The tracks are signposted and reserved for cyclists — pedestrians are not permitted on cycle tracks — and a medical team is always on site.
Chitgar Lake is roughly 130 hectares and is Iran’s largest artificial lake. It is fed by the Kan River and cools the surrounding microclimate. The lake area supports water sports clubs, rowing docks, training islands, recreational piers, an amusement park and a water park. Around the lake you’ll also find a man-made tubing slope and a nearby safari park.
In winter, migratory birds increasingly visit Chitgar Lake — species such as the mandarin duck, wild finch and various gulls now stop by, adding bird-watching interest.
The park features dedicated walking paths and the so-called “Wave Path,” a 5,000-metre undulating trail that at times feels like walking on a ship’s deck. Night lighting makes this route especially attractive after dark.
Fishing is available by joining the lake’s fishing club. For boating, head to the north-east or south-west docks. Options include two-person pedal boats, four-person pedal boats, six-person motor boats and 15–20 seat tour boats; prices vary by craft and duration. Larger boats depart when full.
Reyhaneh Garden is an 18-hectare women-only section offering open-air amphitheatre, gym halls, ping-pong, a skating rink, table football, covered gazebos, morning exercise platforms with music and multi-purpose halls. It hosts festivals, sporting events and classes. The entrance is on Bolvar Sarv.
Visit the Mishezar area to watch sheep, rams and rabbits living in semi-natural conditions; enclosures keep visitors a safe distance of at least 30 metres from animals. West of the park lies the Raz-e-Hasti garden — about 18.5 hectares — which includes a medicinal-plants garden, native rose collections, grain and alfalfa plots, a pond, a bird sanctuary and animal enclosures with horses, goats, camels, llamas, peacocks and other birds. There is also a pond with ornamental fish.
The eastern park offers paintball fields for team play — games start once a minimum number of players is reached (usually 10). A riding club and track offer horseback riding lessons and short paid rides; pony rides are available for children. Non-members can access rides by paying per half-hour.
Park hours: 06:00–24:00 (6 AM–midnight)
Main entrances: see list above (Kuhak / Tehran–Karaj exit / Dastvareh / Azadshahr / Iran Khodro metro)
Facilities: women’s park (Reyhaneh), cycling tracks, paintball, riding club, bike rental booths, beach volleyball courts, multiple restaurants (Tashrifat, Morvarid, Shabha-ye Golestan, Barad), cafes, kiosks and snack stalls
Support infrastructure: library, conference hall, emergency accommodation and radio office, fire station, clinic and Red Crescent station, parking, prayer room, toilets, children’s playground, Mishezar animal area
If you enjoy long walks, cycling, boating or picnics, Chitgar Park is among Iran’s most equipped and greenest forest parks. Given its proximity — about a half-hour from central Tehran — you can easily plan a half-day or an entire afternoon at the park without a long journey.
