Arzefun Forest

The Arzefun forests are the wooded natural area surrounding Arzefun village in Sari County, Mazandaran Province, and form part of the green landscape of the Kolijan Rostaq region. They lie along the side road from Pahneh Kola to Arzefun and offer an unspoiled natural setting of broadleaf trees typical of northern Iran, inviting visitors to enjoy nature tourism and forest walking. The forests sit beside villages such as Arzefun and close to the forests of Shirgah and Savadkuh, together creating a series of lush woodland environments and natural scenery.

The Arzefun forests have varied vegetation, including maple, hornbeam, alder, oak (mazu) and wild fruit trees such as apple and cherry plum. Besides forest scenery, the area includes springs, natural footpaths, small rivers and the surrounding rice paddies, providing good opportunities for walking, nature photography and observing local biodiversity. The cool northern breeze and the shade of the forest trees in spring and summer make these forests an appealing destination for nature lovers.

Access, best time to visit and responsible nature travel: To reach the Arzefun forests, first travel to the city of Sari (Mazandaran Province), then take the Sari–Kiasar/Semnan road and continue along side roads toward Arzefun village. The forests around the village can be reached from the side road, and you will usually need to walk along footpaths to get into the heart of the forest. The best time to visit is from spring to early autumn, when the weather is mild and the vegetation is at its lushest. In winter, with rain and snow, the trails may be slippery and require extra care. While exploring, it is essential to follow the principles of responsible tourism, including not leaving litter in nature, respecting wildlife, staying on marked footpaths and avoiding lighting fires, so as to prevent damage to the forest ecosystem.