Gatteh Deh Village

Gatteh Deh is a beautiful, cold-climate village in Alborz Province, Taleqan County, in the Upper Taleqan district. At an elevation of about 2,230 to 2,340 meters above sea level, the village lies in the heart of the Alborz mountain range, beside the Kahar Kuh valley and the Gerab River. In the Tabari language, the name of the village means "large settlement", but despite this grand name, it has a small, quiet population. According to the 2016 census (1395), only 256 people live in this lovely village.

Gatteh Deh has unique natural features: two branches of the Gerab River and the nearby Kahar Kuh valley join to form the Taleqan River. The area has mountain vegetation, with conifers and shrubland. Historical remains, including a Safavid cemetery with Islamic-era potsherds and Dokhtar Castle (Ghaleh Dokhtar), are also found around the village. The valley south of Gatteh Deh extends to Darband Waterfall, which is 2 kilometers south of the village.

To get there, take the Taleqan road toward Upper Taleqan; Gatteh Deh is about 35 kilometers east of Taleqan, after the junction leading to Gachsar. The road is paved up to near the village, but the internal route is a dirt mountain track, so careful driving and a vehicle suited to mountain roads are recommended. The best time to visit Gatteh Deh is from late spring to early autumn, so that, in addition to mild weather, you can see the waterfall and the historic castle. Please visit responsibly: do not leave litter, do not stray from the marked paths, and respect nature and the historical heritage.