Hyrcanian Forests

Snow blankets Iranian northern province of Mazandaran

The photo album depicts the stunning scenes of snow-covered forests in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, during winter. (IRNA photos/January 14, 2025)

Autumn beauties in Iran's Hyrcanian forests

The Hyrcanian forests are the second largest natural monument and the densest forest area in Iran, which begins in the southern region of the Caspian Sea, starting from the Hyrcanian region of Azerbaijan and extending to Gorgan. The diversity of plant species and their vibrant colors make autumn one of the most beautiful seasons in these forests, giving the region the appearance of a painting filled with a thousand colors.

Photo: Mohammad Ataei

The Hyrcanian forests during fall

The Hyrcanian forests, a verdant expanse of lowland and montane forests, are a sight to behold. The forests, which span over 55,000 square kilometers (21,000 sq miles) along the Caspian Sea coast and surrounding areas in Iran and Azerbaijan, are a natural wonder that have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2019. In autumn, the Hyrcanian forests offer some romantic and breathtaking landscapes. The lush greenery of the forest is replaced by a vibrant palette of oranges, yellows, and reds as the leaves change the entire scenery in the forests. A carpet of fallen leaves covers the ground, creating a symphony of colors as you walk through the woods. The crisp and cool air fills your senses with the fragrant aroma of the forest. The branches of the majestic towering trees reach the sky while the sunlight filters through the leaves, casting a warm glow on everything around you. The Hyrcanian forests, a unique and ancient ecosystem that dates back to 25 to 50 million years ago, are home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. Over 3,200 vascular plant species have been documented in the region, making it one of the most biodiverse forests in the world.

Hyrcanian Forests natural heritage in northern Iran

The Caspian Hyrcanian Forests are a green belt of predominantly temperate deciduous forests stretching over the northern slopes of the Alborz mountain range, along the southern borders of the Caspian Sea. They stretch across three provinces of Iran (Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan) from Astara in the northwest to the vicinity of Gorgan in the northeast of Iran, and also include a small western portion in the country of Azerbaijan. Sari, Mazandaran Province, Iran. July 31, 2022. IRNA/ Nazanin Kazemi Nava