Among the most beautiful roads in Iran, especially in the north of the country, is the road from Asalem to Khalkhal. Located in Gilan province, this beautiful and famous road is recognized as one of the major natural and tourist Gilan attractions. You can find forests, plains, waterfalls, lakes and green heights on both sides of this spectacular road. Starting in Gilan Province, this road will take you on an exciting and memorable journey to the city of Khalkhal in the south of Ardabil Province. The untouched and spectacular nature as well as the healthy and pleasant air will delight you.
The road from Asalem to Khalkhal is unlike any other road in Iran. This road is a new experience even for those who have already traveled to Filband. A combination of unique colors, good and clean air, tranquility, and beauty of nature are all unique experiences you will have on this trip. Throughout this article, you will learn everything you need to know about this fantastic road.
Where is the Asalem to Khalkhal road located?
Asalem is a part of the city of Talesh which has about 10,000 inhabitants. The people of Talesh speak Taleshi and Turkish, and their products include carpets, pottery, animal products, wood, and paper. In the surroundings of Talesh, there are other tourist attractions, such as the Gisoum Forest and its resorts. Tourists who travel from Khalkhal to Asalem can get to the beautiful Gisoum Road, the forest, and the beach within a short drive.
Because of its proximity to Gilan province, the city of Khalkhal also has wonderful nature to offer; as a result, this region has cool weather even in summer, and this is one of the reasons why tourists visit Khalkhal during this time of the year. Aslam to Khalkhal road is a 70 kilometers long route that starts from Aslam city in Gilan province and ends in Khalkhal city in the south of Ardabil province between East Azarbaijan and Zanjan provinces.
How to reach Asalem to Khalkhal road?
Tourists who wish to travel to this region from Tehran should note that they must travel about 450 kilometers to reach Khalkhal, and if they travel this route normally and with no stops, they will reach the destination after about eight hours; but if you want your journey on this route to start from Asalem, you need to pass Qazvin, Rasht and Saravan Road Police station and drive from Foman Roundabout Bridge to Rezvanshahr and Chokar to reach Asalem.
Asalem to Khalkhal route is not regarded as the main route for travelers going from Tabriz and Urmia to the north of the country, so using this route will result in a longer journey. But unless they have a special plan, taking this route is recommended. Certainly, they will have to take one or more hours more driving time for it, but it is completely worth it.
Route necessary information and tips
Asalem to Khalkhal road is a remarkable and spectacular 70 km long road that starts from the city of Asalem in Gilan province and reaches the city of Khalkhal in the south of Ardabil province and between the provinces of East Azarbaijan and Zanjan. This road's location in the northern region of the country has had an impact on the particular climate of this region, resulting in rainfall during most seasons of the year.
The high altitude of the road near Khalkhal means that the air temperature is cold even in summer, making for a very different experience. The humidity and fog are also permanent features on this road, as the Caspian Sea is nearby, adding to the attractiveness of the road.
When you start this route in the city of Asalem, a winding road filled with forest trees lies ahead of you. When you move away from Asalem for about an hour, you will be surprised by the green plains and enjoy amazing views. This is the reason why the road is known as one of the most beautiful roads in Iran and is regarded as the most dreamlike forest road in Iran. In the following, we will tell you some essential points that you should know before starting the journey on Asalem to Khalkhal road.
On the road from Asalem to Khalkhal, there is no gas station, therefore, you should make sure that your car has a full tank of gas when you drive to this area.
Asalem to Khalkhal road is a winding road. Although it is very beautiful, you should watch out for deep gorges when driving, following safety tips, and driving slowly.
If you would like to travel to this area in winter, you are advised to check the weather and road conditions before leaving. There is a possibility that the road will be closed due to cold and snow during the winter season.
While this road is dangerous and there is a chance that urgent medical care is needed, there are no medical centers on the route from Asalem to Khalkhal.
Even if you travel in summer, you should take the right equipment because of the foggy and rainy sections of the road and ensure that the car's fog lights are in working order.
Also Read: 7 Interesting Places for a Day Trip from Rasht by car
Climate & Weather
No matter what time of the year you travel from Asalem to Khalkhal; this road is invariably cooler and even colder than other places. During spring, when we are expecting mild weather and spring rains, Asalem to Khalkhal road is very cool and usually rainy and sometimes foggy. This is why more tourists visit Asalem to Khalkhal road in summer than at any other time of the year. Imagining a green summer, which is cool unlike other places, is very sweet and pleasant.
You are likely to experience hot and humid weather on the way there. In case you are a professional and are not driving, you can catch the dance of light among the leaves. Even if you are driving yourself, make sure to stop and enjoy what your eyes are seeing. The weather might not be as humid as in Bushehr and Ahvaz, but if you are a bit sensitive, you may feel weary. If you love nature, then you surely will visit the Asalem to Khalkhal road and not be afraid of anything.
On some sections of the route, the road slowly twists and turns in the fog. Trees in the fog are probably an interesting shooting location for a horror movie. In such cases, you need to concentrate more. Be careful driving and pay attention to the road. As you know, in this region one of the cloud oceans of Iran gets formed, and all this fog is the foreplay for the formation of this beautiful and unique cloud ocean.
As we get closer to Khalkhal, the altitude increases, which means colder weather. Even in summer, this part of the route can become a winter experience in terms of cold, so take proper clothing with you. Maybe having a travel blanket is a good idea.
Attractions of Asalem to Khalkhal Road
The Asalem to Khalkhal road consists of different sections. When you start this route from the city of Asalem, you first come across a road covered with forest trees, very curvy and beautiful. Moving away from the city of Asalem and driving for about an hour, the scenery changes to green plains and you will enjoy a variety of views.
This road's nature is very pristine and beautiful, and if you are planning to drive this route, you must take some time to rest and walk through the forests. As the Caspian Sea is near this road, it is always humid and foggy, and this, of course, gives it a very beautiful appearance. In the following, we present some of the sights that await you on this road.
Shaghayegh Plain
Driving the road from Asalem to Khalkhal in May and June, what you will see along the way are plains covered with red flowers. Daffodils grow during these months and greatly enhance the beauty of the road from Asalem to Khalkhal. Just imagine that you are watching a landscape of green and red plains, which becomes even more spectacular with the presence of fog in the sky.
Neor Lake
In between the high and green mountains on the way from Asalem to Khalkhal is Neor Lake. Located amid high mountains, this lake is a cold and rainy region. Many tourists visit Neor Lake during their trips to Gilan and Ardabil provinces. This lake is composed of two separate parts that join together in the spring and with the snow melting in the mountains, creating Lake Neor. In spring, the depth of the different parts of Lake Neor ranges from five to 13 meters. A smaller part of the lake is about 40 hectares, while the larger one covers about 180 hectares.
Nomads and villages on the road from Asalem to Khalkhal
There are villages and nomadic areas on this beautiful route, and you will undoubtedly wish to be in their place and open your eyes in the morning in such a beautiful area. There are small huts, beehives, flower meadows, and the like that make the journey to this area more enjoyable. Among the places of interest on the Asalem to Khalkhal road that you can visit are the villages of kharjgil, Shorshor, Yala Pich, Shavandal, Madan, Varge Dareh, Asb Boni, Matash, Larzareh, Charah Su, Kerman, Majra and Khojin.
Larzeh Yeylaq
Larzeh Yeylaq is among the famous Yeylaqs on the road from Asalem to Khalkhal. Located near the road, the green plains of this Yeylaq are surrounded by plains full of colorful flowers. Arriving at the Larzeh Yeylaq, it is best to get out of the car with your fellow travelers and take some great photos. There are a lot of agencies organizing a Rasht one-day tour to this area.
Gardaneh Almas
One of the highlights and most beautiful attractions of this road is Almas Pass, located in the middle of the road. When you drive the Asalem to Khalkhal road in spring, you will be delighted by the green and beautiful nature of this pass. There are bungalows, flocks of sheep, and local people and the beauty of this area is a great blessing for the city dwellers. What is interesting to know is that this pass is considered one of the most famous tourist areas on the road from Asalem to Khalkhal.
Things to eat in Asalem to Khalkhal Road
When you drive on the Asalem to Khalkhal road, you will be passing by small restaurants and cafes; however, the interesting thing that will catch your attention on this journey is the butcher shops along the way. There are no refrigerators in these butcher shops and they hang fresh meat in front of their stores. All you do is pay for the amount of meat and ask them to grill the meat for you either in the same store or in another place. They do not charge a separate fee for grilling meat.
The Amoo Mehdi Restaurant Cafe is one of those restaurants where you can enjoy freshly grilled meat. Go ahead and get the meat from the store downstairs and taste one of the most delicious kebabs of your life. There are tables and chairs at the back of the restaurant facing nature, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal from an attractive view.
Ploukbabi Majid is yet another restaurant on the way from Asalem to Khalkhal, where they grill and serve fresh mutton and veal. In addition, there is Koobideh, grilled chicken, and different types of Gilani food. You can also enjoy all kinds of grilled meat with local rice in Kados restaurant. The nice view that this roadside restaurant offers you will further enhance the pleasure of your delicious meal. We can say that Kados Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Asalem to Khalkhal road.
Besides the food and restaurants we have presented, the locals will offer you their products on the way from Asalem to Khalkhal, of which honey is the most famous. Do not forget to try it. Besides honey, you can also taste local bread and agricultural and dairy products.
Where to stay in Asalem to Khalkhal Road
The Asalem to Khalkhal road is a pristine and untouched road where there is no room for multi-star hotels; instead, travelers have all kinds of residences, villas, wooden huts, and country houses. For a memorable night in this dreamy area, you can book these affordable accommodations and appreciate the unique beauty of this area. Renting a hut here can be the best option, as staying in a small wooden hut in pristine nature may give you a dreamy and hassle-free time.
Lots of tourists prefer to spend the night in the heart of nature and experience a different stay. You better take the necessary equipment, as suitable campsites are easy to find on this road, especially in rural and nomadic areas.
Best Time to Travel the Asalem to Khalkhal Road
The road from Asalem to Khalkhal is foggy, rainy, and a bit cooler than expected in spring. So remember to dress warmly if you are traveling this scenic route at this time of year. This region's winter season is marked by heavy snowfall, so driving on this road can be a bit dangerous.
Just imagine driving in a world of orange, yellow, red, and purple colors and enjoying the misty rain and pleasant weather! The ride from Asalem to Khalkhal in autumn will provide you with such feelings. On the Asalem to Khalkhal road, the weather is pleasant and comfortable in summer, so many travelers flee from the heat in summer. This area comes back to life in spring and summer, so the rivers, lakes, and waterfalls in the area are roaring and the plains are full of flowers and greenery.
Conclusion
Rather than sitting and dreaming and imagining heavenly places, pack your bags and get into the heart of this dream and touch it firsthand. Asalem to Khalkhal road will be one of your dream experiences that you will not forget. In any case, if you are looking for an interesting driving experience on one of the most beautiful roads in Iran and maybe even in the whole world, we recommend you to go on the Asalem to Khalkhal road.
If you are in Rasht and have been to all of the places to visit in Rasht you are looking for an interesting experience, you can embark on this fascinating road after you rent a car in Rasht. If you need a suitable car to travel on the Asalem to Khalkhal road, Navaran Company, one of the best car rental in Iran companies, can offer you some great services. For example, if you want to rent an SUV in Iran, you can rent your desired car from Navaran and enjoy this beautiful road. With its easy car rental terms, Navaran has made it easy for you to rent a car in Iran.
