Ab Esk Village

Ab Esk is one of the important and historic villages of Larijan District in Amol County, Mazandaran Province. It lies in Bala Larijan Rural District, along the Haraz Road. About 90 kilometres from Tehran and 76 kilometres from Amol, the village sits on the northern slopes of the Alborz mountain range, close to Mount Damavand. Its native population belongs to the Tabari people and speaks Mazandarani, giving Ab Esk an authentic, deeply rooted cultural identity. Its special geographic position, the Haraz River and its setting among the mountains have made the village one of the major destinations for nature and health tourism in northern Iran.

As a tourist destination, Ab Esk is widely known for its hot mineral springs, the Haraz River and the surrounding mountain scenery. The area has around 9 springs, rich in minerals and sulphur, which are used to treat skin, joint and respiratory conditions. One of the most important is the Ab-e Farangi spring (the iron water), which is recommended for treating anemia. Other major attractions of the village include the Ab Esk Cave, about 370 metres long, natural valleys, the beautiful Eskvosh pasture, a stone fortress and religious shrines such as Imamzadeh Ali, Imamzadeh Asghar and Imamzadeh Fazel. In addition, the Imamzadeh Ali Lake, formed by a landslide, is one of the region's distinctive natural features. The traditional «Barfchal» ritual is also among the village's most important cultural events; it has historical roots in the Buyid era and is still held with the participation of local people.

To reach Ab Esk, take the Haraz Road along the Tehran–Amol route. The village lies right beside this main road and is easily reached by a paved road. The route to the Ab Esk Cave and the surrounding mountain areas involves walking and requires a fair level of mountaineering fitness. The best time to visit is spring and summer, when the landscape is at its greenest and the hot springs, set in cool mountain air, offer visitors a relaxing experience. When travelling to Ab Esk, it is especially important to follow responsible nature-tourism principles, such as keeping the environment clean, not damaging the springs and respecting the local culture, so that this valuable natural and healing area is preserved.