Ogat Gatteh Gorge

Ogat Gatteh Gorge, in Galikash County, Golestan Province, is a lesser-known but appealing destination for lovers of technical canyoning and careful, low-impact nature travel. The canyon offers a multi-rappel route with pools of water and rock walls, set deep in the forests of northern Iran, where the surrounding greenery combines with multi-tiered waterfalls to create a unique environment.

The Ogat Gatteh canyoning route has more than 11 technical descents, some of which require rappelling on rope, and its difficulty ranges from moderate to advanced. The route passes through dense alder forest, with vegetation similar to that of other canyons in Golestan. The trek is about 14.5 kilometres long, and crossing several deep pools, rock descents and small waterfalls makes for a varied and exciting experience. The vegetation around the gorge includes forest trees such as alder, oak, maple and yew, whose dense greenery in spring and summer gives the area a lush, humid forest character. Moss and ferns on the rocks and along the gorge bed also point to high humidity and a healthy ecosystem. Around the gorge you may see migratory birds, foxes, wild boar and occasionally the fallow deer (shouka), a sign of the area's rich biodiversity.

To reach the start of the route, visitors need to go to Galikash and then continue to the village of Shafi'abad or Darkalateh; from there they enter the forest and usually reach the canyon after about 20 minutes' walk. The best time to visit Ogat Gatteh Gorge is from spring to early autumn, when the trails are drier, the river is less dangerous and the temperature is more suitable for trekking through the forest and mountains. Because the area is not yet widely known to general tourism, it has no special facilities, and a visit requires preparation, suitable outdoor equipment and, preferably, the company of a local guide. Practising responsible nature travel is essential, especially when passing through pools and environmentally sensitive areas.