Qamishlu National Park

Qamishlu National Park is located 45 kilometres northwest of the city of Isfahan, in Tiran and Karvan County. Covering an area of 29,886 hectares, it is considered one of the oldest protected areas in the world: about 150 years ago, Zell-e Soltan, son of Naser al-Din Shah, declared it a royal hunting ground and banned livestock grazing there. In 1386 (Solar Hijri; 2007 CE), the area was upgraded to a national park with the addition of parts of the Qamishlu Wildlife Refuge. The park's elevation ranges from 1,687 to 2,767 metres above sea level, and it encompasses a combination of broad plains and mountain highlands.

Qamishlu National Park is a rich habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including gazelles, wild sheep (mouflon), ibex and wild goats, wolves, foxes, jackals and birds of prey such as eagles. The area also has valuable historical remains, including Qamishlu Castle, built in the Qajar era and used as a lodge for the royal hunting ground. In addition, numerous ancient rock carvings have been discovered in parts of the park, especially in the Moursiyah and Qaleh Yavar areas, some of which date back more than 3,000 years.

To reach Qamishlu National Park, you can take the roads leading to the cities of Tiran, Najafabad, Khomeyni Shahr and Shahin Shahr. The best time to visit is spring and early autumn, when the mild weather and green landscape create ideal conditions for nature tourism. When visiting the park, it is recommended to follow the principles of responsible nature tourism, including not damaging vegetation or wildlife, carrying out your rubbish and using the designated trails.