Western Iran - Iran - page 223

Getting There & Around
Iran Aseman ( 322 5217; Karimi St, Noshahr; 7am-4pm) has twice weekly flights
to both Tehran (US$28) and Mashhad (US$50).
To Tehran, buses (US$8) and more frequent savaris (US$9) leave from a small terminal
on the Karaj road, 1.5km south of Mo'allem Sq. Savaris to Kelardasht (US$1, one hour)
leave from an adjacent yard.
Around Chalus
NAMAK ABRUDدوربآ كمن
For extraordinary Caspian views take the long Namak Abrudcable car (telecabine;
0192-246 2012; admission US$6; 10am-3pm) , up 1050m Mt Medovin. The ropeway
station is 2km off the main Rasht highway, 14km west of Chalus. Dress up warmly and
expect the unexpected from notoriously antisocial clouds.
KELARDASHTتشدراك
0192 / POP 23,100 / ELEV 1248M
Cupped between towering, broad-shouldered peaks, Kelardasht is nicknamed the
'Paradise of Iran'. It's probably the most popular Caspian-area getaway for nature-loving
Tehranis. Surrounding areas offer trout fishing, cross-country skiing, trekking, mountain
climbing and plenty of cool fresh summer air. The mountain panorama approaching
Kelardasht from Marzanabad is particularly impressive with several spectacular views of
snow-toothed Alam Kuh soaring behind the town. At Kaleno an 11km part-paved road
leads up to much-vaunted Valasht Mountain Lake .
Kelardasht's commercial centre is Hasankeif where most of the shops, banks and an in-
ternet cafe are clustered close to Hasankeif Sq. More traditional Rudbarak starts around
5km south of Hasankeif. It's closer to the mountains and the starting point for most hikes,
though with fewer direct views. Here, amid the holiday homes, you can still find a few old
log-framed barns and houses with slate or wood-slat roofs anchored down with rocks.