Oshtorankuh Protected Area

Oshtorankuh Protected Area covers about 104,355 hectares in the south and southeast of Dorud County and the west of Azna County, and the Dorud–Azna road runs through it. In 1961 (1340 SH), the Oshtorankuh area was declared a no-hunting zone under the name of the Tian private reserve, which included the Oshtorankuh mountain range and the Nei Gah valley. This ban remained in force until 1970 (1349 SH). With an average annual temperature of 4 to 12 degrees Celsius and average annual rainfall of 500 to 900 millimetres, the area has climates ranging from mild to humid Mediterranean to cold. Oshtorankuh Protected Area is regarded as one of Iran's most important natural resources, and in addition to Gahar Lake, it contains the Snow Tunnel, the Qolqol Spring and the Takht Valley. The springs and waterfalls around Gahar Lake, the forest along the lake's shore, wildlife with unique species, the high altitude above sea level and more make it one of the rarest environments in the country.

Oshtorankuh Protected Area has very rich plant and animal biodiversity: 600 plant species and 274 animal species have been identified there. These plants include oak, terebinth (wild pistachio), wild fig, wild pear, wild sour cherry, blackberry, giant fennel (jashir) and various kinds of milkvetch (gon). Other plants such as mountain sainfoin, Lorestan shirkhesht, crown imperial (fritillary), buttercup, Oshtorankuh mint and annual grass also grow in this area. The mammals of the area include the Persian leopard, brown bear, wild goat and ibex, mouflon (wild sheep), wild cat, hyena, wolf, fox, jackal, Indian mongoose, lynx, the Mediterranean horseshoe bat and the white-winged bat.

The best time to visit this area is spring and summer. In these seasons nature is beautiful and green, and the weather is mild. Since this is a protected area, you must take the utmost care to preserve its environment and not cause it any harm.