Afratakhteh Village

Afratakhteh is one of the most beautiful and scenic highland villages in the east of Golestan Province, located 32 kilometers from the city of Aliabad-e Katul. The village has a mountain climate, and because it lies among lush green mountains and dense forests, it enjoys cool, pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The vegetation of this area is part of the valuable Hyrcanian forests, which are about 190 million years old and have therefore also drawn attention as part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The village of Afratakhteh consists of an upper and a lower section, and the traditional fabric of its houses has been preserved. The houses are built with pitched roofs and traditional materials such as wood, mud, stone and brick, although modern materials are also used in building new houses. Around Afratakhteh there are thousand-year-old yew forests, with trees that are sometimes more than a thousand years old, of which 150 hectares are considered a natural reserve. These forests, the perennial river, the mineral springs, and historical sites such as the Pir Ala stone well, the Gabri cemetery and the old bathhouse offer many cultural and environmental attractions. Animals including the brown bear, leopard, wolf, wild boar, fox and birds of prey live in the area, and hunting is prohibited here.

To reach Afratakhteh, take the paved road from Gorgan or Aliabad-e Katul; after about two hours of driving through forest and mist, you will arrive at your destination. The road is steep and often foggy, so you should drive or walk with caution. The best time to visit is late spring to early autumn, when the weather is mild and the routes are accessible, but winter, with its snowfall and severe cold, is also popular among those who love snow-covered scenery. During your visit, please do not leave the road, do not litter, and do not disturb the wildlife, so that this valuable ecosystem is preserved for everyone.