Dadukola Village

Dadukola is one of the scenic villages in the Do Dangeh district of Sari County, in Mazandaran Province. The village lies in Banafet Rural District and, like many mountain villages in Mazandaran, offers lush nature, a mild climate and warm, hospitable people. Its natural setting is forested and foothill terrain, and because of its elevation it enjoys a mild mountain climate: summers are short and cool, while winters are cold and snowy, which gives the region's scenery a special charm.

Dadukola sits in the heart of the pristine nature of the Do Dangeh region, and since long ago its people have worked in farming, animal husbandry and orchard keeping. The mountain environment and the flowing water sources around the village make it possible to grow local crops such as wheat, barley and local vegetables. Its closeness to the forest has also made the village a good place for walking, photography and short nature-tourism stays. Its geographic position is striking as well: it borders the Mohammadabad forests of Savadkuh to the north, the villages of Sangdeh and Darzikola to the south, Valikchal to the east and Sudkola to the west. In addition, the Eshtok River, which flows southwest of Dadukola, gives the settlement a special vitality and freshness and adds to its natural beauty. According to the 2006 census (1385 SH), Dadukola had a population of 208 people in 52 households. Because young people have been moving to the cities, the population has probably declined in recent years. Even so, Dadukola still preserves the spirit of Mazandarani village life and is regarded as one of the calm, pleasant spots in the heart of the Do Dangeh mountains.

There are two main routes to Dadukola. The first is the Soleyman Tangeh route, which starts in the city of Sari and reaches the village after about 80 kilometres. The second approaches from the Savadkuh side; it is roughly 95 kilometres long and offers travellers a mountain road that is nonetheless paved. Both routes pass through forest and foothill scenery and are an important part of the experience of travelling to Dadukola. The best time to visit is spring and early summer, when the landscape is green, the rivers are full and the weather is pleasant. Even so, in winter those who enjoy snowy scenery can see a different side of the village, although road conditions and severe cold can make access difficult. When travelling to Dadukola, responsible nature tourism is especially important. Visitors should help keep the environment sustainable by not leaving litter, respecting the natural surroundings and honouring the rights of the local people. Because the roads are mountainous, checking the weather forecast and driving with caution before setting out also play an important part in the safety and quality of the trip.