Harandeh Village

Harandeh is a village with a pleasant climate and plenty of charm, located in the Central District of Firuzkuh County, Tehran Province. It lies in a lush mountain valley and offers visitors unique natural attractions. The village has a compact residential layout and sits on the steep slopes of the mountain, surrounded by green garden lanes, tall poplar trees and beautiful views of the plain and the surrounding mountains, which present an unrivalled picture of unspoiled nature. The full-flowing Qezqanchay and Namrud rivers pass through the area and double the freshness and beauty of the village's scenery.

Thanks to its excellent location in the northeast of Tehran Province, next to the Firuzkuh road, Harandeh is a popular destination for nature-loving travellers. The nearby Bornik Cave, one of the region's appealing natural caves, along with scenic valleys, surrounding mountains and lush garden lanes, makes for a different kind of rural tourism experience. Besides enjoying the natural scenery, many visitors also sample local products such as traditional dairy, fruit and handicrafts. The villagers speak Gilaki, and much of their livelihood comes from farming, orchard-keeping, animal husbandry and fish farming. Historically, Harandeh is very old: archaeological finds such as pottery and stone remains show that the area was inhabited as far back as the Median and Achaemenid periods. In the Safavid era Harandeh was also one of the favourite summer pastures of the kings, and historical sites such as a watchtower, old houses and the Imamzadeh Yahya tell the story of the village's past.

To reach Harandeh from Tehran, follow Shahid Babaei Expressway east until you reach the Tehran–Pardis Freeway, then join the Firuzkuh road. About 12 kilometres before Firuzkuh, the sign for the Harandeh side road is on the right-hand side of the road, and the paved road from the main road to the village is less than one kilometre long. The best time to visit is spring, summer and autumn, when the weather is pleasant, the orchards are lush and the natural colours are at their most appealing. Practising responsible nature tourism, including keeping the area clean, respecting wildlife and staying on designated trails, helps preserve the beauty of this region.