Siahband Peak

Siahband Peak is one of the independent, high summits of the Tochal mountain range in Tehran Province. It lies between Darabad Peak and Piazchal Peak and forms part of the ridgeline crests of the eastern Alborz. The mountain has two summits, east and west, which differ in height by only about one metre. Its height, as recorded by the GPS devices of mountaineering clubs, ranges from 3327 to 3710 metres. The ridge blades of this peak are entirely rocky and prone to rockfall. From its northern slope you can see the Roodbar-e Ghasran area, and from its southern slope the Darabad area of Tehran.

There are many routes up Siahband Peak, and climbers can reach the summit from different directions. One of the main routes starts from Oshan village and follows a direct ridge all the way to the summit, about 5 kilometres long. Along the ascent there is a narrow, exposed blade of rock that must be crossed with caution, and some sections of the route have snow and loose, falling scree. At lower elevations the vegetation consists of mountain pastures and hardy shrubland, while higher up the route leads onto rocky ridges bare of vegetation.

For access and descent, the ascent usually begins at Oshan village, and the descent can continue to Darabad in Tehran or to Bagh-e Gol village. The descent along the northern ridge of West Siahband is more than 5 kilometres long and is estimated to take about 3 hours, including short breaks. In winter, take great care when descending the northern ridge, as the surrounding area has avalanche-prone routes and dangerous valleys. Following the principles of responsible nature tourism, such as collecting your litter, respecting the vegetation and using suitable mountain equipment, is essential for safety.