Yas Forest Park

Yas Fatemi Forest Park, covering about 1,400 hectares, is one of the largest forest parks in Tehran. It lies in the northeast of the city, within Shemiranat County, in Lavasanat District. The park has a northern and a southern section; the northern phase is in District 1 and the southern phase in District 4 of Tehran. The Shahid Babaei Expressway runs through the middle of the park and divides it in two. Before it opened to the public, the area was known as Quchak Forest. Yas Fatemi Park officially opened to the public on 13 Farvardin 1394. The park is a continuation of the Lavizan forest area, and thanks to its large size and beautiful scenery, it is a popular destination for holidays, especially Nature Day (Sizdah Bedar).

The vegetation of Yas Fatemi Park consists of tree species that tolerate Tehran's semi-arid conditions. Trees such as cypress, pine, acacia and ash, together with shrubs and ornamental greenery, create a pleasant landscape. Visitors have access to a wide range of facilities: children's playgrounds, table tennis tables, table football, gazebos and benches for resting, numerous restrooms, a snack bar and large car parks. Parts of the park are well suited to athletes, and some areas have sports facilities and public trails. Because the park is on the outskirts of Tehran and very large, its opening hours are shorter than those of city parks, and it is closed earlier in the evening. Even so, Yas Fatemi Park is one of the most valuable natural and recreational assets in the capital, offering visitors a calm and different experience of nature.

Yas Fatemi Forest Park is very easy to reach from different parts of Tehran. For those travelling by private car, the best route is the Shahid Babaei Expressway; you can join it via the Shahid Bagheri Expressway or the Hemmat Expressway exit and drive on to the park. If you prefer public transport, the nearest option is Nobonyad metro station. From there you can take bus line 16 to Pol-e Estakhr, or cover the rest of the way by taxi. The best time to visit is on spring and summer mornings, when the weather is milder and nature is greener and fresher. In autumn, the changing colours of the leaves also make a stunning view for photography. On hot summer days, it is advisable to bring enough drinking water and to rest in the gazebos and shaded areas of the park. In winter, nature lovers can also enjoy the different scenery and clean air of the area. In every season, responsible nature tourism is essential: do not leave litter in nature, do not light fires outside designated areas, stay on marked paths, and do not harm the park's plants or wildlife.