Namak Abrood
Namakabrood is a touristic village in the Mazandaran province of Iran. Namak abrood has an aerial tramway which starts at the sea level near the shores of the Caspian Sea and ends on the top of the Alborz heights crossing dense forest area of northern Iran. There are numerous villa cities around it which form a vacation region for the people of Tehran.
Between the coastal towns of Ramsar and Noshahr, the Alborz Mountains literally drop into the Caspian Sea. In some places, the distance between the mountains and the sea is only one Kilometers. These coastal mountains are generally around 1000 meters high. Their proximity to the Caspian Sea creates a virtual steam bath on their northern slopes and the coastal plain. Steep muddy/slippery slopes along with dense forests create many obstacles for those who wish to climb these peaks. The quick change of scenery in the Central Alborz is amazing. Traveling 40 Km south, will take you from this sub-tropical paradise to the permanently snow-capped peaks of Central Alborz , while another 50 Km, will get you into the arid central plateau of Iran.
Namak Abrood is a resort town that sits at the base of a mountain with the same name. Among the many attractions of this town, is a 2050 m long gondola line that goes from sea level to near the summit of the mountain clearing a path through the forest (a second line has also become operational since I visited the area is 2005). A trail that makes a seemingly endless number of switchbacks goes up the path under the lift through a dense growth of ferns and other bushes. This trail is roughly 4.5 Km long and can be muddy/slippery.
From the top of the gondola, you will have a superb view of the Caspian Sea and the narrow strip of land between the sea and the mountain. The area on the top is fenced and you will not be allowed to venture beyond the fence into the virgin forest. A restaurant, picnic tables and short hiking trails are provided in the forest on the top. This is a touristy place and is often crowded but you will find few people on the trail below the gondola line.
Namak Abrood by Hooman Baradaran
