SAEDNEWS: The Saghalehksar Lake of Rasht is one of the most beautiful lakes in Iran. It is said that in Saghalehksar, special respect is given to the cleanliness of nature and the protection of the environment.
According to Saednews, About 15 kilometers south of Rasht, in the Lakan rural district, there is a village called Sakalaksar (Sakalsar).
It is a tourist-friendly village in all seasons, and you can enjoy its beauty with about a 15-minute drive from Rasht. It features a beautiful lake covering around 15 hectares, located 64 meters above sea level, approximately 600 meters in length and 500 meters in width, formed behind an earthen dam.
The Sakalsar Dam is an earthen dam. Earth dams, or rock-fill dams, are structures built using natural materials from the same region where they are constructed.
These dams prevent water seepage and transmission, effectively acting as a kind of barrier or insulation.
The Sakalsar earthen dam created this beautiful lake. The water in Sakalsar Lake is supplied by rainfall, snowfall, and local springs.
With its mountainous scenery and pristine nature, the Sakalsar Dam is one of the popular tourist destinations in northern Iran. The dam and the lake behind it provide a suitable environment for walking, fishing, and photography. It is a modern structure, but its role in water supply and flood control has long been important for the region.
Sakalsar Lake is essentially formed by an earthen dam fed by regional waterways. It was originally used for irrigating rice and tea fields. The geographical features of the area also played a significant role in the formation of the lake. Initially, there was a small water body here where migratory birds would stop to rest during seasonal migrations.
Since many of these birds were storks and starlings, the lake became a place where these birds (in Persian, “sâqâ-ye lak and sâr”) would drink water. Over time, locals named the area “Sakalsar.”
The lake sits 64 meters above the Caspian Sea and measures about 600 meters in length and 500 meters in width, although these dimensions vary depending on the season and rainfall. In front of it lies the view of the Shft mountain range, which is a great location for hiking. The region, where tea plantations, rivers, and forests meet, is home to pristine highlands that attract tourists from all over the country every year.
Local settlements and farming activities exist on the slopes of these mountains, and visitors can learn about the region’s history and lifestyle by interacting with local residents. Near the lake, a forested area surrounds the water, mostly covered with oak trees, adding to the lake’s beauty.
These trees create stunning and unique landscapes. The reflection of orange and yellow foliage in autumn, as well as the lush green surroundings in other seasons, makes summer and autumn the best times to visit Sakalsar Lake.
The exact route to Sakalsar Lake is as follows: after entering Gilan Province and the city of Rasht, head to Entezam Square. Then, after the tomb of Mirza Kuchak Khan Jangali, continue about 14 kilometers along the Jirdeh road to the Aqasayyed Sharif area. After passing the shrine of Aqasayyed Sharif, you will enter the tourist village of Sakalsar.
To reach Rasht, air travel or bus transport are the main and reliable options. The best way to travel within the Sakalsar area is by private car, as accommodation and supplies are located in nearby villages several kilometers away. Since the area is not on the main highway, taxis do not usually serve this route, and walking may be required for long distances.
In the middle of Sakalsar Lake, you may notice a submerged house with many stories attached to it.
In the rainy season, when the water level rises, part of this house appears half-submerged. In dry seasons, it looks like a boat anchored in the water.
There are different stories about this sunken house. Some say there was a villa here before the dam was built, and when the dam was constructed and the lake filled with water, the house became submerged. Others believe it was once a tourist attraction that gradually fell into disrepair and ended up partially submerged over time—though this explanation seems less likely.
Some people even call it the “Sakalsar House” and believe it is actually a boat-shaped structure floating in the lake. Whatever the truth, this red-colored house has been in the lake for years and has become a popular subject for tourists’ photographs.
The natural attractions of northern Iran are so numerous that even after days of exploration, many untouched places remain undiscovered. One of the most beautiful natural destinations in Gilan Province is Sakalsar Lake in Rasht, which is well worth visiting and brings a refreshing sense of peace and renewal.
