Lisar Protected Area

Lisar Protected Area covers 31,044 hectares in western Gilan Province, 13 kilometres north of the city of Talesh. Part of the Talesh–Astara road passes through it. The area includes coastal zones, plains, mountains and forests. It has been under environmental protection since the Iranian year 1348 (1969). With its varied vegetation, rich wildlife and stunning scenery, it is regarded as one of the country's natural treasures. Thanks to its unspoiled nature and beautiful landscapes, Lisar Protected Area and Lisar Forest are popular destinations for nature lovers.

Lisar Forest has diverse vegetation, including many species of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Characteristic trees of the area include Cappadocian maple (shirdar), beech, hornbeam, Persian maple (pelet), maple, Caucasian wingnut (lerg), alder, silk tree (shab-khosb), poplar and others. Shrubs include wild pomegranate, wild plum, bramble and lilaki, and herbaceous species include hamishak, clover, nettle, reeds and luyi. The forests of the area are Hyrcanian broadleaf forests. The area is home to a wide range of animals. Mammals include red deer (maral), roe deer (shuka), bear, leopard, wildcat, lynx, wild goat and ibex, wild sheep and mouflon, wolf and fox. Birds include chukar and rock partridges, among others.

Because Lisar Forest lies close to the Caspian Sea, its climate is the temperate Caspian type. Its location on the slopes of the Alborz Mountains also gives it cool, humid weather in spring and summer, and cold, rainy weather in autumn and winter. The hottest months of the year in this area are Tir and Mordad (July and August), and the coldest are Dey and Bahman (January and February). The best time to visit is spring and summer, when the weather is usually mild and pleasant and nature is at its best.