Overview
Introduction to Central Alborz Mountains
One of the ridgelines on the west slopes of Dohezar valley is a semi circular one consisting of Mount Kashdan, Mount Gerdkouh, Mount Zard-e-Sar, Mount Bil-e-kouh and Mount Sor-e-Gol. The Classic route for all these peaks starts from Shanehterash village at the end of Dohezar Road. After some time you need to choose differnt routes for different peaks. Mount Kashdan and Mount Sor-e-Gol are on the same route untill Kashdan Shepherd House(elevation2730m-lat36.63843 lon50.66771), There you need to go south for Sor-e-Gol while For Kashdan summit you should ascend toward west.
Getting ThereWell lets say you are in Tehran. You can easily get to Tonekabon by bus or cab from west terminal beside Azadi Square. Or drive to Chalus from Karaj on the extremly beautiful road of Kandavan(Karaj-Chalus road). Form Tonekabon its quite hard not to find Dohezar road!! At the end of Dohezar main road you should start hiking. You should have a guide or atleast a GPS with the route saved in it from here.
Red Tape
Like most of the areas in Iran mountains there is no red tape here. Also no fees or permits.
Camping
Camping is allowed everywhere but you will be more comfortable if you dont camp so close to the shepherd houses on spring and summer. So noisey by the dogs, cats, sheeps and cows. Also dont get so far because you will miss their water and delicious milk, butter, cheese, etc.
If you just want to climb one of the peaks in the area you can do it in one day on spring and summer so you wont need to camp. But you should start early in the morning and be in a good shape.
It takes about 11 hours to climb Sor-e-Gol and get back to the start point while climbing Kashdan will need more time and Climbing Gerdkouh and Zard-e-Sar less.
Sor-e-Gol
Although it's not a very high peak but it is a great mountain to climb. It's located beside many nice peaks and offers a great view of Dohezar Valley and Siyalan area.
Also places like Gerdkuh Area, Siga shepherd house and kashdan shepherd house are passed while climbing this peak. These two shepherd houses are from the most famous ones in Dohezar mountains. Also The slopes arround Siga(elevation2160m-lat36.64911 lon50.70445) are covered by wild tulips and offer a unique scenery on may.
The name Sor-e-Gol was at first Sorkh-e-Gol which means red flower. Then it became easier and is now Sor-e-Gol. Its called with this name because of the trees having red flowers on it's western slopes. That's what local people say.
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