Estakhr Posht Lake

The natural Estakhr Posht Lake lies in the village of Estakhr Posht, in Hezar Jarib District of Neka County, Mazandaran Province. The lake is 35 kilometres from the city of Neka and is regarded as one of the region's major tourist attractions. It takes the form of a large, circular depression surrounded by rice paddies and reed beds. The central pool covers more than half a hectare, and the surrounding margin covers about 6 hectares. The lake is fed by springs on its bed, and for many years its water has been used to irrigate at least 50 hectares of paddy fields in the neighbouring villages.

With its unspoiled and picturesque scenery, Estakhr Posht Lake is a popular destination for nature lovers. It lies in the valley of the Zarem River, and because of its particular geography and climate it has cool summers and cold, snowy winters. The vegetation around the lake includes alder, maple, beech, fig, pine, oak, walnut, persimmon, blackberry bushes, hawthorn, wild cherry plum, wild medlar, wild grape, hornbeam, Caucasian wingnut (zulang) and hawthorn-like anarjeh shrubs. Animals such as bear, leopard, wild boar, jackal, wolf, deer, pheasant, partridge, duck and wild duck are also found in the area. There are no accommodation or rest facilities around the lake, but its peaceful natural setting is well suited to family picnics and walks.

To reach Estakhr Posht Lake, take the paved road from the city of Neka towards Hezar Jarib. The road continues for about 30 kilometres and reaches the village of Estakhr Posht. The road is forested and mountainous, but since Estakhr Posht sits on an almost flat plain, you can see the lake from the road before reaching the village. There is an area around the lake where you can stay and set up camp, but it has no services or facilities. The best time to visit Estakhr Posht Lake is spring and summer, when the weather is mild and ideal for nature tourism. When visiting this area, it is essential to follow the principles of responsible nature tourism and protect the environment: do not litter or damage the plants and the natural surroundings, and take due care when using natural features such as the lake and the green spaces.