Chort Lake

Chort Lake, also known as Miyansheh Lake, is located in Mazandaran Province, in Sari County. The lake lies about 10 kilometers from Chort village and 50 kilometers south of the city of Sari, in Chahardangeh District. It covers roughly 2.5 hectares, and this body of water is enclosed in a steep valley amid pristine forests, which doubles its appeal. The silence of the lake, the mist that covers it on most days of the year, and the reflection of the trees in its calm water create a mysterious, poetic atmosphere.

This young lake was formed in 1318 SH (1939 CE) by an earthquake and landslide; the blocking of a spring's water channel created this natural lake. One of its unique features is the trunks of trees that stood here before the lake formed. When the water level drops in particular, they emerge, creating an eerie and unmatched view. Attractions for visitors include walking on forest trails, boating on the calm water, off-roading on the winding roads around the lake, photographing the misty landscapes, and even fishing. The vegetation around Chort Lake is very diverse and dense; trees such as hornbeam, beech, alder and oak grow around the lake and form part of the ancient Hyrcanian forests. Around the lake you can also see species of birds, amphibians and reptiles, and even mammals such as foxes and wild boar, which indicates the high biodiversity of the area.

To get there from Sari, first head southeast out of the city toward Kiasar. After about 45 kilometers you reach the fork leading to the lake; then it is about 14 kilometers to Chort village, followed by nearly 10 kilometers of forest dirt road. From Tehran, the route goes via the Firuzkuh road, passing through Shahmirzad and then Kiasar, and takes roughly 6 to 8 hours. The best time to visit is from late Farvardin (mid-April) to early Aban (late October). Autumn, with its warm colors and morning mists, and even winter, with its snow cover, give the lake a special look, but you should bring suitable equipment. Visitors are advised to practice responsible nature tourism and take their trash with them so that this natural attraction endures.