Tala Peak

Tala Peak, also known as Mount Sorkh ("Red Mountain"), is one of the most scenic and popular destinations for climbers and nature lovers in Iran. It gets its name from the red color of the mountain. The peak lies in a hot, dry region and is easy to reach. This beautiful summit is located southeast of Varamin, overlooking the highlands of the Varamin Plain on one side and the Makaresh Plain on the other. The route up Mount Sorkh is long and exhausting, but its natural beauty, including colorful hills and valleys eroded by seasonal rainfall, is striking and enjoyable.

Tala Peak has two main ascent routes, the eastern route and the western route, and the western route (the Yal-e Sorkh route) is about 2 kilometers longer. The peak has no mountain hut, and the last source of drinking water is in the village of Shurghazi. Fortunately, there is mobile phone coverage along most of the route, but we recommend parking your car in Shurghazi village, because climbers' vehicles have recently been stolen from or damaged, so be sure to take the necessary precautions. The weather in this mountain area is highly changeable and can pose challenges. With a suitable route and the essential gear, Tala Peak is rated as easy in difficulty. However, the trek covers a long distance, which means you need enough stamina to cover long distances in order to climb Tala.

Because of the heat and the lack of drinking water in this area, the best time to climb Tala Peak is from Mehr to Ordibehesht (roughly October to May). The clay soil of the region can turn into bogs and mud on rainy days and make the climb difficult, especially if it has rained in the area. Also, given the steep valleys and the complexity of the route, it is best to climb this peak with a local guide or by using reliable GPS waypoints.