SAEDNEWS: Heyran Tourist Village, located along the Astara–Ardabil route, is one of northern Iran’s most appealing travel destinations. Surrounded by pristine nature and dreamy mist-covered landscapes, it offers attractions such as a cable car and alpine coaster for an enjoyable escape.
According to Saednews, There are many forest roads where driving through them leaves us amazed by their beauty—the cool weather, refreshing air, dense greenery, and towering trees.
These images may remind many of us of the Chalus Road or the Asalem–Khalkhal Road. But a little farther away lies one of Iran’s most beautiful mountain roads: part of the Astara–Ardabil route, with a name that perfectly suits its scenery—Heyran Pass.
Heyran Pass lies along the road connecting Astara to Namin in Ardabil Province, about a 45-minute drive from Ardabil. In fact, Heyran is the name of a village in Astara made up of three settlements: Lower Heyran, Central Heyran, and Upper Heyran. All three are located at the far northern edge of Gilan Province, next to Ardabil Province. The name may have been inspired by the breathtaking scenery of the area.
On one side, Heyran overlooks mountains covered in dense forests, while on the other, it overlooks a valley that appears incredibly deep because of the persistent mist. In reality, neither the area itself nor the valley is particularly deep.
The highest point of the pass is about 1,500 meters above sea level. The main reason for the almost permanent mist is the humidity coming from the Caspian Sea, rather than the high elevation of the pass. At the bottom of the valley flows the Astara River, which forms part of the border between Gilan Province and Azerbaijan.
The pass stretches for about 35 kilometers, and its scenery is as astonishing as its name suggests. Along the way, there are places where you can stop, enjoy the fresh and exceptionally cool air, and buy tea, ash-e doogh, or honey from roadside stalls. Honey is particularly abundant here and is considered one of the region’s valuable souvenirs.
The roadside restaurants also serve delicious kebabs, as well as grilled heart and liver. One of them is Golestan Restaurant, known for its tasty shish kebabs. It is located slightly below the Heyran cable car.
Heyran is beautiful in every season, with each time of year offering a different experience. However, the best period to visit is generally from mid-May to late September.
Of course, this also depends on the weather and a bit of luck. For example, you might visit in July and find yourself counting the minutes until you can escape the humidity and heavy air.
In autumn, the trees turn into a beautiful mix of colors. In winter, the pass is often closed because of heavy snowfall and persistent fog. Winter temperatures here can sometimes drop as low as -23°C, making the area surprisingly and incredibly cold.
The pass itself is the main attraction. Covered in mist, it offers views of the dense forests of the Hircan National Park in Azerbaijan on one side, while on the other side, meadows gradually appear. Cows and sheep grazing among the grass and small cottages create a scene that looks like a painting.
The villages in the area are also among its attractions. About 30 kilometers from Astara lies Heyran Village, which has a population of only around 70 people and covers approximately 22,000 hectares.
With its cool mountain climate, the area is an ideal refuge from hot weather. Long ago, during the Sasanian era, the khans of Astara used to spend their summers in this village.
At kilometer 18 of the Astara–Ardabil road lies Meshend Village. In the Talysh language, “mesh” means bee, so Meshend means “the place of bees.” The village also has spectacular natural scenery.
Kashfi Village is located about 15 kilometers from Astara. It is peaceful, pleasant, and blessed with a mild climate. The foothills are suitable for hiking, while the villages and highlands in the area are covered with wild raspberry bushes.
If you are looking for entertainment and a little adventure as well, you can visit the Heyran Tourist and Recreational Complex at kilometer 35 of the Astara–Ardabil road, in an area known as Haji Amir.
The complex began operating in 2011. It is located along the mountainside, with its upper station reaching the Fandoghlu forests.
Perhaps the most popular attraction here is the cable car, which travels through the Fandoghlu forests. From inside the cabins, you can even catch a distant view of Babak Castle, a historic fortress dating back to the Sasanian period.
The Heyran Cable Car is 1,752 meters long. It has six standard cabins and three VIP cabins equipped with leather seats, a refrigerator stocked with refreshments, a music system, and tinted windows. However, with scenery this spectacular, you may wonder why anyone would want to view it through tinted glass. The cable car can transport up to 1,350 passengers per hour.
Other facilities at the recreational complex include a go-kart track with 50 cars on a 1,000-meter course, as well as a trampoline area.
You can also experience what is described as Iran’s longest and highest alpine coaster-style sled ride. On the outbound journey, the sled climbs only 120 meters, but it returns from an elevation of 1,200 meters. The complex also has restaurants, cafés, and a shopping center.
The distance from Tehran to Heyran Pass is about 632 kilometers, taking roughly 7.5 hours by car. If you are traveling from Tehran, you can take the Qazvin–Rasht Freeway and then continue from Rasht toward Astara.
If you are traveling from Ardabil and do not have a private car, taxis at the first entrance roundabout of Ardabil can take you to Heyran Pass.
