Alborz

Alborz is a mountain range in northern Iran that runs along the Caspian Sea coast and forms a natural boundary between the plateau and the coastal region. The chain spans roughly 600 kilometers from west to east and shows peaks above 5000 meters in the central section.

Prehistoric finds from caves in the region show people lived in these mountains for thousands of years. Trade routes along the valleys later connected the areas north and south of the chain and allowed exchange between different cultures.

The name of this chain comes from Avestan texts and links the peaks to old stories about gods and heroes. Hikers today encounter villages on the slopes where local communities tend walnut groves and terraced fields.

Winter sports sites on the northern slopes give access to higher elevations when snow covers the peaks. Summer visitors find trails through forests and alpine meadows, with early morning hours offering cooler conditions.

The highest elevation reaches 5610 meters and ranks as the twelfth most prominent standalone summit on Earth. Fumaroles near the summit release sulfurous vapors and show volcanic activity beneath the surface.

Elevation above the sea: 5,610 m

Part of: Alpide belt

GPS coordinates: 35.95600,52.10860

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:00