Takht-e Soltan Protected Area

Takht-e Soltan Protected Area is one of the valuable natural areas of Razavi Khorasan Province. It is located in Sarakhs County and was officially added to the country's list of protected areas in 1389 (2010–11 CE) to conserve biodiversity and the pristine habitats of its animals and plants. The area covers about 20,095 hectares and includes parts of highlands and rolling plains, whose natural landscapes and varied ecosystems range from semi-arid rangelands to open land. With its pristine, untouched scenery, the area offers an excellent opportunity for responsible nature tourism.

Takht-e Soltan is home to a wide variety of animal species, some of which are on conservation lists. These include the Asiatic cheetah, whose presence was one of the main reasons for declaring the area protected. Populations of wild sheep (urial), gazelle, marten, wild boar, leopard, wolf, fox, hare and other mammals have also been reported here, which points to its high ecological value. The vegetation includes ash trees, wild pistachio, and herbaceous and shrubby species such as wild sour grape (angooreh), fumitory (shahtareh), thyme-like wild herbs (kakuti), marshmallow (khatmi) and borage (gol-e gavzaban). These plants grow adapted to the semi-arid climate of the hills and form a diverse ecosystem.

To reach Takht-e Soltan Protected Area, you can travel from Mashhad or Sarakhs toward the natural areas to the west and north of Sarakhs County, then enter the area via rural roads and side roads. These routes give visitors views of natural and mountain scenery. The best times to visit are spring and autumn, when the weather is milder and conditions are good for wildlife watching and enjoying the scenery. In summer the heat, and in winter the severe cold, can make a visit difficult. Practising responsible nature tourism is important for protecting the area's ecosystem. This means keeping a distance from wildlife, taking your rubbish with you and not lighting fires in nature.