Alvares Village

Alvares is a village in Abgarm Rural District, in the Central District of Sarein County, Ardabil Province. It lies on the high slopes of Mount Sabalan, at an altitude of roughly 2,000 to 3,200 meters above sea level. Its permanent population is about 800 to 1,300 people, most of whom live there in spring and summer; fewer locals stay in the village during the cold seasons. Alvares has many springs, such as the Minbolagh spring (Mahikhiz) and the Gorgor Waterfall (12 meters high, at an altitude of 2,420 meters). In spring and summer, the meadows also fill with wildflowers such as poppies, red tulips, marshmallow (khatmi) and astragalus (gavan), which give the landscape of the area a unique beauty.

Twelve kilometers from Alvares village is the largest natural ski slope in Iran, with facilities including a 1,250-meter chairlift, a ski lift, a parking lot, restrooms and a restaurant. The slope can be used for 6 to 8 months of the year and has cold winters with plenty of snow, while in summer the area is a pleasant highland pasture for the Shahsavan nomads.

To reach Alvares, you need to drive about 12 to 13 kilometers from Sarein along a winding mountain road. Along the way, natural springs, beautiful forest scenery and nomads living a traditional lifestyle make the route even more appealing. The best time to visit Alvares is from spring to early autumn, when the lush greenery, meadows of flowers and the lively flow of the springs make the area an attractive destination for nature tourism. In winter, heavy snowfall makes access to the village difficult, and it is suitable only for skiing at the Alvares ski slope. Visitors are advised to move carefully along the marked route, avoid leaving the trail, pick up their litter, and respect the life of the local nomads and the environment.