This dreamy road is about 70 Km and starts from Asalem, in Gilan province, and ends in Khalkhal, in the south of Ardabil and between east Azerbaijan and Zanjan. As soon as you get out of the city of Khalkhal, all you see is green mountains and pastures. People on this road usually live on cattle breeding and they live in villages that are built on the mountainside or deep down the valley.

Because of Khalkhal-Asalem direction, most of the time in a year it is Rainy, cloudy, snowy even in summer especially at night you should wear perfect. So in other season except summer, keep yourself warm and never forget to put appropriate clothes. Until you want stay there, It’s better to camp near villages and nomadic region. Asalem is a part of Talesh with around 10000 populations. Best place to find wooden handicraft, pottery, fresh livestock product and Gelim. Gelim is something like carpet with some differences. Part of making expensive movie in Iran “profit Suleiman” took place here. They believe this city is like Jerusalem

Part of making expensive movie in Iran “profit Suleiman” took place here.

One of the most famous places on this road is the “Yeilaq of Matash”. This place is one of the genuine regions of Talesh which is also known as the “Almas (Diamond)” mountain pass 35 kilometers from Asalem to Khalkhal. This location is 1787 meters above sea level. they are mostly Sunnis but they have always peacefully. Coexisted with the Shiites, they marry their women and so do Sunnis.  and because they have always interacted with the Azaris, Gilakis and the Persians, many of them speak several languages. they have many relatives among those tribes and they are living happily together.

One of the most famous places on Khalkhal asalem road is the “Yeilaq of Matash”.

After Matash, this part of the road really takes your breath away. The forest of Talesh are one of the most unique natural places of Iran. To the eyes of many the distance between Khalkhal and Asalem is regarded as the symbol of natural and cultural diversity in Iran but perhaps the most important feature of this rout is that it is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Some 30 kilometers away from Khalkhal is the city of Asalem. The green pastures and valleys give their place to the dense forest of tallish, situated on the heights of the southern Greenbelt of the Caspian Sea. The temperature here is some 10 degrees warmer than pervious location, some 15 kilometers behind.

 beautiful forest around khalkhal

you've never forget this scens!

The people in Khalkhal come from an Azari ethnical background. The language is Turkish but slightly different than that turkey. This is one of the cold regions in Iran with temperatures reaching a maximum of 27 degrees during summer time. In winter a cool weather force villager to keep livestock and leave Alborz mountains to live out the winter but during Yeylagh, the old Persian name for warm season, locals back. Shepherd live here in cottage that’s really like mushrooms especially when you see from the top of the hill which grow in the valley. Unfortunately, these days’ urbanization threats bucolic villages. new concrete foundation catches your eyes on the top of the hill but Asalem and Khalkhal are still remote.

Shepherd live here in cottage that’s really like mushrooms especially when you see from the top of the hill which grow in the valley.

Khalkhal is an ethnically diverse region. This part of Iran is home to the Azaris, Herds and the Tots who are believed to be one of the successors of ancient midians. each one of this ancient groups speak their own language. When you arrive at Khalkhal don’t forget to try Givi spa.  Unlike other spas in Iran, Givi is quiet and calm. Best place for peacefully relaxation.

Many believe that pure honey is one of the things that you shouldn’t miss when traveling to Khalkhal. The city and its suburbs are one of the main beekeeping centers of Iran. Honey shops are seen everywhere around town. Sometimes honey sellers show off by displaying health certificates from European laboratories in order to win the customers trusting.  Amazing point is milk-honey! One of the rarest honey’s in the world. After the bees feed on flowers, they also feed on a mixture of milk and Jensen. The final product is called milk honey. Promise you that you’ve never taste anything like this before!

At the suburbs of Khalkhal you can see unique nature of beech, chestnut, ors, pulm and hawthorn trees. Mesmerizing village near Khalkhal called Kazaj where is at an altitude of two thousands of five hundred meters above sea level in one of the mountainous areas near Khalkhal city. Find the hill and feel yourself at the top of the world! Kazaj is one out of three villages in Iran that has a terrorist architecture meaning that the roof top of each house serves as a courtyard or an alley for the upper level.

At the suburbs of Khalkhal you can see unique nature

A short but colorful trip between two of the most picturesque areas of Iran to a place where winter and summers meet. Asalem to Khalkhal is the way to your dreams. Attractive way at the north of Iran can surprise you with fascinating scenes. just drive and hit the road!