{"id":2102,"date":"2018-11-12T11:50:28","date_gmt":"2018-11-12T10:50:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/?p=2102"},"modified":"2024-04-12T10:55:13","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T08:55:13","slug":"hiking-in-alamut-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/hiking-in-alamut-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking in Alamut Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fancy something more exotic? Iran is not one of a common destination among travelers \u2013 which simply isn\u2019t just. Next to marvelous desert expeditions the Middle Eastern country offers dozens of mountains and valleys to outdoor lovers waiting for discovery \u2013 hiking in Alamut Valley is no exception. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Iran\u2019s dreary north-western area, the legendary Assassins have their origin. There they started to terrorize whole Anatolia and Europe at the beginning of the second millennium. On the valley\u2019s summits history and archology fanatics are able explore about 50 castle ruins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Alamut Fortress (which gave name to the valley) is the best conserved of all the ruins and soars above the valley. It is situated on a rock at a height of about 2,100 meters surrounded by steep walls. Standing on top of the fortress makes you realize why that many monarchs of old preferred to build their strongholds on such peaks. It\u2019s not only almost impossible to impregnate such a fortress but also the view makes you believe you\u2019re the lord of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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\n\"Touring,\n\t<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\tBackpacks for all occasions<\/span>\n\t\t

At Tatonka you will find perfect companions for your next tour. No matter whether for day or multi-day hikes.<\/p>\n\t\t

To the products<\/a><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Next to its renowned fortress Alamut Valley offers above all one thing: wild, unspoiled nature. There\u2019s only ONE signposted trail \u2013 to the fortress, of course \u2013 but there\u2019s no fixed vie ferrate or hosted lodges at all. Other hikers are one thing for sure: very rare!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hiking<\/a>
The Assassin Rock in the Alamut Valley. \u00a9Malte Ostendorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Interesting too: <\/strong>Backpacker or flashpacker? 5 characteristics to check what kind of traveler you are<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you feel like exploring one of the valleys simply go for it! Walking cross-country appears like the fastest solution? There are no pasture fences or gates obstructing your way. You prefer hiking above the snow line? Well, that\u2019s possible too. Anyway, such freedoms have their downsides as well for there\u2019s no mountain rescue equipped with helicopters. The next hospital is in Qazvin \u2013 the medical facilities most probably don\u2019t equal what you\u2019re used in your home country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When is the best time to visit Alamut Valley?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since Alamut Valley is at a higher altitude than other Iranian areas it\u2019s quite cozy there in summer. But the best time visiting is early fall when the leaves are changing into all different colors crating a lovely contrast to the barren and rugged rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there\u2019s snow early in time and several villages are cut off for weeks and months. You better check the weather forecast thoroughly – before visiting Alamut Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Alamut Valley?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alamut Valley is situated to the North of Qazvin village but there are no bus or train connections operating on a regular basis. There\u2019s just one street leading to the valley and the only opportunity to get there is by Savari (a shared taxi) or by hiring a taxi yourself. If you\u2019re lucky you meet someone having family in the valley who could pick you up \u2013 since you\u2019re in Iran that\u2019s not that unusual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though the distance is quite moderate (from Qazvin it\u2019s 100 km to Alamut Fortress) the transfer takes the whole day. Your driver will race the car through winding roads up the mountain and down again. And when I say racing I mean it: modest driving is not very common among Iranians. If you\u2019re easily overcome by nausea you should take some medicine against travel-sickness beforehand to survive the ride. As soon as you\u2019re there, in Gazor Khan for example, which is at the very foot of Alamut Fortress, you\u2019re rewarded with a stunning view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hiking<\/a>
Hiking in the Alamut Valley – deciduous trees in different colours in Iran. Photo: \u00a9Malte Ostendorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Good to know:<\/em><\/strong> The packing list for your world trip \u2013 this is what you really need as a backpacker<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to sleep in Gazor Khan?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gazor Khan isn\u2019t particularly beautiful. It\u2019s simply an accumulation of huts which the locals are happy to rent. Shortly after you leave the taxi some of them most definitely will offer you a place for the night. As a matter of fact, some of those places really made it into Iran\u2019s more relevant guidebooks. Anyway, what you should do \u2013 what you should always do in Iran \u2013 is: do always bargain with the locals over the shelter\u2019s price. The villagers sometimes demand a horrific sum of money for a chilly room next door \u2013 if European travelers simply pay what they\u2019re ask for the price for both national and international visitors will subsequently increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And don\u2019t expect any comfort. The next shower waits back in Qazvin. The people there usually heat with diesel or \u2013 more traditionally \u2013 with coal fueled stoves standing in the middle of the room covered with several blankets. The advantage is: the warmth is maintained under the blanket and you can enjoy a cozy night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which are the most beautiful trails?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You better ask the locals! Though, most of them don\u2019t speak any English you can use some Farsi you picked up or non-verbal communication (or a dictionary to point at) to convey what to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trail to Alamut Fortress is the most common \u2013 but it\u2019s not an all-day activity. After 25 minutes of arduous stair climbing you\u2019re on top of the rock and free to enjoy the incomparable view. Afterwards you either go down again and choose a trail leading into the backcountry or you take a cap to Lamiasar Castle in Razmiyan. The canyon to the south of Gazor Khan, which is crossed by a wild river, is worth visiting as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hiking<\/a>
Hiking in the Alamut valley – canyoning with river. Photo: \u00a9Malte Ostendorf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reading tip:<\/strong> 7 Reasons why you should go on an adventure trip<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, by now, you might have realized that hiking in Alamut Valley is not about following trails or tours. It\u2019s the unspoiled and spectacular nature you\u2019re after. Bring a compass and some food and simply start walking. You will feel the wonderful sensation of being in one of the last untouched places in the word.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fancy something more exotic? Iran is not one of a common destination among travelers \u2013 which simply isn\u2019t just. Next to marvelous desert expeditions the Middle Eastern country offers dozens of mountains and valleys to outdoor lovers waiting for discovery \u2013 hiking in Alamut Valley is no exception. In Iran\u2019s dreary north-western area, the legendary […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5532,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[49,53],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2102","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hiking","8":"category-traveling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tatonka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}