Chalak Waterfall

Chalak Waterfall lies in the lush, mountainous area of Lafur Rural District, in Savadkuh County (North Savadkuh), Mazandaran Province. This scenic waterfall is about 50 kilometres from the city of Shirgah and is located near the villages of Ghouzak-Roudbar and Riku. Chalak sits in the forested highlands upstream, and it is part of the well-known Chalak–Jelsang group of waterfalls. Thanks to its proximity to the Hyrcanian forests, it offers fresh, unspoiled views of the pristine nature of northern Iran.

Chalak Waterfall flows in a stepped, cascading form, and its total height is given in various sources as between 30 and 50 metres. The powerful fall of water over the rocks fills the air with a delicate mist of water droplets, which creates a dreamlike scene, especially in the early hours of the day. The route to the waterfall begins at the village of Ghouzak-Roudbar and continues for about 2 to 3 hours of walking on moderate to steep slopes. Along the way, nature lovers encounter forest scenery, a river crossing, handmade wooden bridges and a few herders' huts. The trail has no engineered tourist infrastructure and is best suited to those who enjoy trekking through untouched nature and have a moderate level of fitness.

To reach the waterfall, first travel from Tehran or other cities to Shirgah in Mazandaran, and from there go by private car or off-road vehicle to the village of Ghouzak-Roudbar. After parking, follow the dirt track along the river towards its source, walking against the direction of the water flow. After crossing a few simple bridges and walking through the forest, visitors reach the waterfall after about one to two hours. The best seasons to visit are spring and early autumn, when nature is at its greenest and the weather is mild. Summer is hot and humid, and in winter the slippery trail makes visiting more difficult. Responsible nature-tourism practices, such as not lighting fires, avoiding damage to vegetation and taking your rubbish back with you, should be observed in order to protect this valuable ecosystem.