Sabalan Mountain: A Majestic Destination for Nature and Adventure Tourism

Are you ready for an epic adventure in Iran? Look no further than Sabalan Mountain! With its stunning natural beauty, diverse terrain, and moderate difficulty level, Sabalan is the perfect destination for both beginner and experienced mountaineers alike. Whether you’re seeking a challenging climb to the summit or a leisurely hike through lush forests and alpine meadows, Sabalan has something to offer everyone. So grab your gear, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to experience the magnificence of Sabalan Mountain! First off, for a trip to Iran, you need to apply for a prompt Iran Visa.

With its stunning natural beauty, diverse terrain, and moderate difficulty level, Sabalan is the perfect destination for both beginner and experienced mountaineers alike.

How to enjoy Sabalan Mountain?

Sabalan Mountain boasts a variety of attractions that are sure to leave visitors in awe.

Hiking trails

Mount Sabalan offers numerous hiking and mountaineering trails that vary in difficulty, from easy walks to challenging climbs. The most popular route is the Ganjnameh route, which takes hikers through the lush forests and alpine meadows to the summit of Sabalan. Select a Sabalan trekking package.

A permanent lake

At the summit of the mountain, lies a stunning permanent lake which freezes over for most of the year, except for a brief period during the summer. The view of the crystal lake is breathtaking and draws many visitors to the area.

Alvares ski resort

Another popular attraction is the Alvares ski resort located on the slopes of Sabalan Mountain. The resort offers a range of ski slopes suitable for skiers of all levels, making it an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The ski season typically runs from December to April. Read more about skiing in Iran.

Hot and cold springs

One of the unique attractions of Sabalan Mount is the hot springs that are located in the region. The most famous hot spring is the Sarein hot spring, which is located at the foot of Sabalan. The hot spring has healing properties and is believed to alleviate various ailments, making it a popular destination for wellness tourism.

Nomads

Visitors to Sabalan can also get a glimpse of the nomadic lifestyle by visiting the local Yurt tents, where they can interact with the friendly locals and learn about their traditional way of life.

Rock sculptures

The volcanic nature of Sabalan Mountain has resulted in unique rock formations that resemble animals, birds, and insects. The most magnificent of these formations is the eagle statue, which stands tall and appears to be keeping watch over the mountain from above.

Sabalan Mountain - Sabalan Mountain boasts a variety of attractions that are sure to leave visitors in awe.

Sabalan trekking trails

There are several routes to reach the summit of Sabalan Mount:

  • Sabalan Northeastern Trekking Trail: as the most popular route most mountaineers use it to conquer the peak. It starts at Meshkin Shahr toward Shabil hot spring. The 4WD cars are available at Shabil to Sabalan camp at 3650m high. Then a trekking 1160m trek takes you to the Summit.
  • Sabalan Western Trekking Trail: starting from Shabil village, it passes Qarah Gol Lake and Heram Glacier. The shelter on this route is 4200m high. The delayed sunrise and gritty areas make this route hard to proceed. The eagle-shaped rock is the feature of this route.
  • Sabalan Southern Trekking Trail: starting at Alvares ski resort, it is the most technical route and there are no huts or shelters available. Being a rocky trail, it is advisable to undertake this route during winter to avoid the likelihood of rockfall. so it necessitates mountaineers to be familiar with the fundamentals of snow trekking.
  • Sabalan Technical Northern Glacier Trekking Trail: is a challenging climbing route that involves ascending a glacier approximately 350 to 400 meters long. This route requires advanced technical skills and experience, as well as specialized ice climbing equipment such as crampons, ice axes, rope, helmet, harness, and other safety gear.

Sabalan Mountain - There are several routes to reach the summit of Sabalan Mountain.

What to do next?

After climbing Sabalan, you can enjoy a cultural experience with several historical and cultural sites located in the surrounding area, including the Ardabil Jameh Mosque and the Sheikh Safi al-Din Mausoleum or UNESCO-recognised Grand Bazaar of Tabriz.

Basic features of Mount Sabalan

Sabalan Mount is part of the Alborz Mountain range and is located near Meshkinshahr, west of Ardabil northwest of Iran. The mountain has three peaks, with the highest peak being Sabalan Summit with an elevation of 4,811 meters. The mountain is covered in snow for most of the year, and the surrounding landscape is characterized by lush forests, alpine meadows, and hot springs.

Sabalan is the third highest mountain and after Damavand is the second highest volcano in Iran. Dating back to millions of years ago, Sabalan is quite an old volcano. It has been active until 10,000 years ago.

Sabalan Mountain - Sabalan is considered sacred among the locals who believe it to be the location of Zoroaster's mission.

Sabalan and Mythology

Sabalan is considered sacred among the locals who believe it to be the location of Zoroaster’s mission. This belief is also reflected in “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” by Nietzsche, which references Zoroaster’s descent from Sabalan Mountain.

When is the best time to trek Sabalan Mountain?

The high season for trekking Sabalan Mount is from mid-June to mid-September when the weather is stable, and the temperature is at its highest, ranging from 0°C during the day to -10°C at night.

Where is Sabalan Mountain located?

Sabalan Mountain is located in the Ardabil province, 35km from the city of Ardabil and 25km from the city of Meshkin Shahr.

What is the elevation of Sabalan Peak?

The elevation of Sabalan Peak is 4,811 meters.

What is the difficulty level of Sabalan trekking?

The difficulty level of trekking to Sabalan is moderate.

How long is the distance from the shelter to Sabalan summit?

The distance from the shelter to the Sabalan summit is around four to five hours.

Let us know your experiences of Sabalan trekking or any questions you may have about this peak in the below comment box 🙂