Paloon Gardan & Palvan

Overview

Click for Introduction to the Central Alborz Mountains.

Click for Introduction to Kholeno Massf.

Click for a detailed map of the Central Alborz Mountains.

Click for a detailed map of the Kholeno massf.

Name Alert: Many sources use the name “Paloon Gardan” in reference to the “Kholeno Massif” and give it a rounded figure of 4375 m (which is an approximate figure for the elevation of Mt. Kholeno the Great, the highest peak of the massif). In this discussion, “Paloon Gardan” refers to the specific peak identified in this page.


Paloon Gardan Peak 4256 m

Kholeno Massif refers to a series of connected ridgelines in the geographic heart of the Central Alborz Mountains of northern Iran that give rise to tens of 4000 m plus peaks the highest of which is the 4387 m Mt. Kholeno the Great. Paloon Gardan sits in one of the remotest parts of this massif. To the north, Paloon Gardan is connected to the 4206 m Narges Peak and to the west it connects to the 4126 m Palvan Peak. The eastern slopes of Paloon Gardan form a branch of the Noor River (known as Bataherkala) and its southern slopes drop down to the upper portions of the Lar River Valley. To the west, Paloon Gardan gives rise to the Varengeh Rood River. The fact that Paloon Gardan is higher than its nearby mountains, make it appear as a prominent peak.


Paloon Gardan is a very long way from any trailhead. Reaching its summit will take 1.5-2 days. For this reason, you are sure to find solitude on its summit. Those who climb Paloon Garadan, usually first climb the Kholeno Peaks and then follow the ridgetop past the Meeshchal (4253 m), Sarkharsang (4203 m) & Palvan (4126 m) Peaks before reaching Paloon Gardan. This ridgetop is rocky and will require route finding/Class III climbing. Another option is to start at the village of Varengeh Rood (2450 m) to the west and hike along the Varengeh Rood River to set up base camp in the upper river valley where you could access many of the local peaks. The river hike will take you through beautiful alpine meadows and provide you with spectacular views of snow-capped mountains.




Views from the summit of Paloon Gardan

Narges

Azad

Kaman

Sehchal

Kholeno

Kholeno/Borj

Varzab

Jahneston

Kharsang

Damavand

Palvan Peak 4126 m

Palvan sits to the west of Paloon Gardan and its summit can be reached from Paloon Gardan by following a rocky ridgetop. From the north, Palvan appears as a sharp triangular peak, from the south, however, it might look like nothing more than a bump on the ridgetop between Paloon Gardan & Sarkharsang Peaks.

Northeast Face

Nortwest Face

Paloon & Palvan

A few pictures from upper Varengeh Rood Valley

Kholeno

Alergeno

Asbichal

Asbichal

Getting There

Directions to Varengeh Rood Village:
From downtown Tehran drive the Tehran-Karaj Freeway 40 Km west to the town of Karaj and take the Chalus Road exit. Drive the Chalus Road up the mountains roughly 70 Km till the junction of the road that goes to Dizin Ski Area (2250 m). Turn onto this road and follow it a few Km till you see a side road on the left that goes to Varengeh Rood Village (2325 m). Turn onto this road and follow it a few Km till the end of it at the village (2450 m).

Red Tape

No fees/permits required.

Camping

Anywhere.

Images

View Paloon Gardan & Palvan Image Gallery - 34 Images