Jangal Abr (Cloud Forest) - English Version

There is another version of this hike on wikilok, but this one has a description in English and may help out the more adventurous hiker in their travels of Iran.

This is a one day hike in the mind blowing Jangal Abr in Semnan Province of Iran. Be sure to start this earlier in the day. Once the clouds roll in in the early afternoon it can reduce visibility to about 20m in the higher altitudes which can lead to disorientation. Once down in the river valley this is not a problem. Also be wary of bears and wild boars in the forest, I saw both closer to the river.

It is easy once in Sharoud to hitch hike to Qualeno then on to Abr. I walked across the low lands between Qualeno and Abr, which has some beautiful tussock lands and old ruins. Then I hitched from Abr to the start of the 4WD track. This can save on a few miles of road walking.

Walk up through the grass lands and then into the river valley. Keep west and skirt along the edges following an animal path and you will see an old shepherds shelter made of stone. The path drops down towards the river through beech forest. You will most likely lose the track here, but use your sense of direction or a GPS to find you way to the river. Keep an eye out for wild animals here. The river has steep sides and you may have to walk in the water and cross a few times, but nothing is too deep in the late spring and summer period. Eventually the gorge opens up and there is an established track which leads to Shirinābād. Talk to the locals for a place to camp the night, or you may end up being invited to one of their houses for a hearty meal after your hike.