Hallgurd mountain, Mountain summit in Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Halgurd is a mountain in the Hasarost range of the Zagros, in Choman district of Erbil Province, near the Iranian border. Its summit reaches 3,607 metres, making it the second-highest peak in Iraq after Cheekha Dar and the highest lying entirely within the country. Snow stays on the mountain through much of the summer, and high lakes such as Bêrme Sard and Bêrmî Garm lie around it.
Halgurd lies in the Choman district of Erbil Province, near the Iranian border. The surrounding area is affected by military operations and shelling, and landmines remain in parts of the terrain, which has discouraged plans, backed by an Austrian organisation, to create Iraq's first nature reserve in the border mountains.
Kurdish name Hêlgûrd is used for the peak, and the valley between the summit and Nawanda village is the summer pasture of nomadic Kurdish herders, the rewends, who bring flocks up for seasonal grazing. Villages on the slopes grow vegetables and keep livestock, and the mountain keeps snow through much of the summer.
The summit sits in Choman district of Erbil Province, near the Iranian border, and is usually approached from the valley above Nawanda village, where Kurdish pastoralists keep summer pastures. Snow stays on the mountain through much of the summer, so check conditions before setting out. Parts of the surrounding area contain landmines; stay on known routes and ask locally.
Halgurd keeps snow on its upper slopes through much of the summer, feeding high mountain lakes such as Bêrme Sard and Bêrmî Garm. The valley below the peak and above Nawanda village is the summer pasture of nomadic Kurdish herders, the rewends.
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