Motalan Waterfall

Motalan Waterfall is one of the natural attractions of Astara County, Gilan Province, Iran. It lies in a green, mountainous area close to the villages of Holestan, Moshand and Baharestan. The waterfall sits at the bottom of a valley known as "Behesht Darehsi" (Paradise Darehsi). Although it is little known at the national level, it has become popular among local nature lovers and climbers as a beautiful destination for nature tourism. It is located in the central district of Astara County and is surrounded by green forests, a flowing river, and mountain slopes covered with pasture plants and the region's shrubs, presenting a charming picture of Gilan's nature.

Motalan Waterfall lies at the end of the valley's footpath. The route starts below the village of Holestan and continues for about 5 kilometres on foot through the valley, alongside a full-flowing river, to the waterfall. The trail is simple and fairly easy to follow, combining dirt tracks, crossings of small streams and forest scenery. The full round trip usually takes about 4 to 6 hours, and it is very well suited to family walks, light nature tourism and landscape photography.

To reach Motalan Waterfall, visitors can enter the mountain routes and local footpaths from the city of Astara or from the villages of Holestan and Baharestan. The starting point is near the villages of the area, and the trail continues to the waterfall through lush valleys and small streams. The best time to visit is spring and early summer, when the vegetation is greener, the water flow is stronger and the weather is milder, making for a more rewarding nature trip. During your visit, it is essential to follow the principles of responsible nature tourism, such as collecting your litter, respecting the natural environment and staying on marked trails to protect the region's ecosystem.