Kaboodval Forest

Kaboodval Forest is located in Golestan Province, a short distance from the city of Aliabad-e Katul, and is part of the ancient Hyrcanian forests on the slopes of the Alborz mountain range. The area lies along a lush valley whose river and permanent springs keep the forest alive. In the local dialect, the name Kaboodval comes from "kaboud," meaning blue, and "val," meaning water channel, and it aptly describes the clarity and purity of the area's streams. Its pristine natural setting has made this forest one of the most prominent nature-tourism destinations in northern Iran.

The forest has gained national fame thanks to a series of small and large waterfalls, especially the main mossy waterfall of Kaboodval. The water of these waterfalls is supplied by a clear, permanent spring in the heights upstream, which has made it one of the purest waterfalls in Iran. Dense vegetation, Hyrcanian trees, thick moss on the rocks and the constant flow of water create a humid, cool and vibrant atmosphere. The area's biodiversity is also remarkable, and it is home to a variety of animal and plant species. At the entrance of the forest, a reservoir lake and forest trails add further to the area's appeal for visitors.

Kaboodval Forest can be reached from the city of Aliabad-e Katul by an asphalt road up to the entrance of the complex, after which a paved, stepped walking path continues to the main waterfall. The best time to visit the forest is spring and summer, when the moss covering the waterfall is at its greenest and the water flows at its strongest. Practicing responsible nature tourism is very important here: keep the environment clean, do not enter the sensitive parts of the river, and respect the natural fabric of the Hyrcanian forests, which are among the most valuable forest ecosystems in the world.