Div Cheshmeh

Div Cheshmeh (Div Spring) is one of the natural attractions of Nowshahr County in Mazandaran Province. It lies in the mountainous Kojur region, near the village of Astanehkarud. With its clear, fresh water, the spring sits in the heart of the dense, green forests of the Central Alborz and is known as an important source of water for farming and fish breeding in the area. Div Cheshmeh is about half a metre deep, five metres long and three metres wide, and its water bubbles up from a stone opening. The water flows down in steps over decorated paving stones around the spring, which gives the surroundings a distinctive and beautiful look. The spring's high discharge, which varies between 186 and 270 litres per second, shows how much it contributes to the region's water supply.

About 100 metres from its source, the water is channelled along a stone-lined stream to a turbine, and as it sets the turbine turning it creates a captivating and memorable scene. Attractions near Div Cheshmeh include the Opach (Zanus) Waterfall and the Dar Gorge. The area around Div Cheshmeh is covered with dense, ancient Hyrcanian forests, which are among the oldest forests in the world. Plant species found here include beech, oak, maple, alder, ironwood (Persian ironwood), yew, mint, borage, wild barberry, and, in the rainy seasons, a variety of edible and poisonous mushrooms. Because of its remoteness and dense forest cover, the area is home to many kinds of animals and birds, including jackals, wild boars, jungle cats, woodpeckers, nightingales, pheasants, and non-venomous snakes such as the water snake, as well as lizards.

To reach Div Cheshmeh, take the Chalus Road and turn onto the Kojur route. After about 24 kilometres you will see the spring on the right-hand side of the road. With its varied vegetation and beautiful natural scenery, the area is a good place for nature tourism and photography. There are also facilities around the spring where visitors can rest and relax. The best time to visit Div Cheshmeh is spring and summer, when the landscape is at its most beautiful and the mild weather makes for pleasant travel. At this time the spring flows more strongly and the surroundings are greener. Autumn is not a good time to visit because of heavy rain and slippery paths, and neither is winter, because of snow and ice on the road.