Gavkeshan Peak

Gavkeshan Peak, at 3,818 meters, is the highest peak in Golestan Province and is therefore counted among the Simorgh Peaks. It lies in the Gavkeshan mountain range, also known as Kahkeshan or Shahkuh. The Gavkeshan ridge is about 15 kilometers long, runs from west to east, and forms part of the eastern Alborz. It is, in effect, the natural border between Golestan and Semnan provinces.

There are two common routes to the summit of Gavkeshan. The first goes through the village of Shahkuh toward Sang-e Ghul (the Giant Rock), the Sang-e Bon Spring and the Zin-e Asbi Pass. The second goes through the town of Dibaj, Sarcheshmeh and the Zendan Gorge. The second approach starts from Shahroud, on the Mojen road toward Gorgan. After about 65 kilometers you will reach a fork, where you can head to Lower Shahkuh.

The vegetation along the climbing route includes shang, wormwood, bindweed, harmal (wild rue), soapwort, cress, wild almond, iris, various kinds of milk-vetch (gon), various kinds of sainfoin, sage, bridal flower, tulip, poppy, fescue, parand, shir-khesht, kolah-e Mir Hasan, tamarisk, kandar, jashir, juniper, wild rose, kakuti (germander) and stachys. The wildlife you may see includes pheasant, falcon, vulture, owl, crow, sparrow, pigeon, chukar partridge, see-see partridge, saker falcon, ibex, wild goat, wild ram, wild sheep, wild boar, hare, field mice, hedgehog, wildcat, leopard and bear.