Toskestan Forest

Toskestan Forest lies in the northeast of the Alborz mountain range, 18 kilometres southeast of Gorgan. The forest, also known as Toskastan, takes its name from the first village on the way into it. A paved road also runs through the forest and ends at Shahroud. Toskestan Forest in Gorgan is a large part of the Hyrcanian forests, and has long been home to towering, ancient oak and alder trees.

Toskestan Forest lies between two mountain ranges, and a river with plenty of water flows through it. Although the Toskestan road is very scenic, it has sharp bends, so you need to be a capable driver to handle it skilfully. Wherever you find a suitable spot, you can park and head into the heart of the forest for a walk of a few hours.

Toskestan Forest is known for its rich plant diversity. In this area, oak and hornbeam are among the most important tree species. The differences in elevation and the varied slopes within the forest have led to a great diversity of plant species, including herbs, bushes and shrubs. Toskestan Forest is home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals and reptiles. Birds of the area include passerines, starlings, woodpeckers, Caspian pheasants, partridges, quails, wood pigeons, falcons, hawks, kites, eagles and owls. The forest's mammals include roe deer, wolves, wild boar, bears, foxes, jackals, martens, porcupines, forest mice, hares, wildcats and badgers. This variety of wildlife has made Toskestan Forest an attractive destination for wildlife and nature-tourism enthusiasts.

Toskestan Forest shows its own special beauty in every season. To make the most of it and avoid possible problems, plan to arrive before nightfall. Spring and summer, with their cool, pleasant weather, offer good conditions for visiting the forest and attract many travellers. Autumn, however, with its spectacular display of autumn colours and orange leaves, is also considered one of the best times to visit, especially for nature lovers and photographers. Because of the steep road and poor weather in winter, we recommend avoiding a trip to Toskestan Forest in that season to prevent possible problems and road hazards.