Dakal Forest

Dakal Forest in Sari is one of the most pristine and peaceful natural areas in Mazandaran Province. It lies in the mountainous part of Sari County, in the heart of the dense Hyrcanian forests. Set at mid-level altitudes with broad views over the plains of northern Iran, it has a truly special location. The access route follows winding forest roads, and along the way tall oak, beech, hornbeam, alder and maple trees surround travellers like a green wall. The forest takes its name from a telecommunications tower on its heights, which serves as a landmark for climbers and nature lovers on the trail.

This forest is part of the precious heritage of the Hyrcanian forests, which are millions of years old and are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In spring and summer, the floor of Dakal Forest is covered with a green carpet of moss and ferns, and the songs of native birds such as woodpeckers, wood pigeons and nightingales echo among the trees. Among the foliage, you can sometimes spot the tracks of animals such as wild boar, roe deer and red fox. Morning mist and dewdrops on the leaves give the area a dreamlike look and have made it a favourite destination for photographers and nature lovers.

The best time to visit Dakal Forest in Sari is from Ordibehesht to early Mehr (roughly late April to late September), when the weather is pleasant and the trails are passable. In autumn, too, the forest turns into one of the most spectacular landscapes in northern Iran, with a range of yellow, orange and red colours. On a forest walk, visitors can see clear springs, ancient trees and high viewpoints. At night, a deep silence and a starry sky settle over the forest, offering a pure experience of tranquillity and closeness to nature. Dakal Forest in Sari combines the beauty, calm and authenticity of northern Iran.