What are the most spectacular roads in Iran?

Situated in the heart of Western Asia, on the Persian Plateau, Iran is a country covering 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq mi). While the country hosts hundreds of challenging roads to enjoy, travelling there is currently not safe, due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest of citizens. Any military action could escalate quickly and could pose risks for the wider region. If you are in the region, or considering travel to the region, for your safety monitor news updates.

The country is bordered by seven countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Turkey. Due to its geography, ranging from mountainous regions to deserts, there are about 30 roads listed as the most spectacular in the world. The most remarkable roads are Kandovan Pass, a mountain pass at 2,989m (9,806ft) asl located between Alborz and Mazandaran provinces. At this elevation it’s one of the highest roads of Iran. Another popular drive is the road to Dizin resort, at 2.695m (8,841ft) above sea level in the Alborz mountain range. And you can’t miss driving the Chalus Road, which, despite its consistent traffic, offers mesmerizing scenic views. Iran experiences a variety of climates, from arid and semi-arid in the central regions to subtropical along the Caspian Sea coast.

Chalus Road (Road 59) is a stunning drive located in Chalus, a suburb of Tehran, the Iranian capital. It is one of the busiest roads in the country

Kandovan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,989m (9,806ft) above sea level, located on boundary between Alborz and Mazandaran provinces in Iran. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Dalani Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,601m (8,533ft) above sea level, located in the Kurdistan Province of Iran, near the border with Iraq.

The Haraz Road, known as Road 77, is a treacherous road linking Tehran, the capital of Iran, and Mahmudabad, a city on the southern Caspian Sea.

Reaching an elevation of 3,025m (9,924ft) above sea level, the southern access track to Mount Damāvand is one of the highest roads in Iran. Located in Amol County, Mazandaran Province, this stratovolcano is the highest peak in the Middle East, and its lower slopes are crisscrossed by technical service roads used by mountaineers and local logistics teams.

Salambar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,204m (10,511ft) above sea level, located in Iran. The road to the summit is a narrow dirt road, a steep serpentine, with a deep abyss to the right hand. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Dizin Ski Resort is situated at an elevation of 2,695m (8,841 ft) above sea level, in Iran's Alborz Province.

Amir Kabir Dam is a high mountain dam at an elevation of 1,610m (5,280ft) above sea level, located in Alborz Province of Iran.

Shemshak is a ski resort at an elevation of 2,600m (8,530ft) above sea level, located in Rudbar-e Qasran District of Shemiranat County, Tehran Province, Iran.

Mount Sabalan, situated in Meshgin Shahr County, Ardabil province of Iran, stands as a semi-active stratovolcano. A rugged gravel road leading north of its summit reaches an impressive altitude of 3,675m (12,057ft) above sea level. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Kazerun Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,203 m (7,227 ft) above sea level, straddling Kazerun and Shiraz counties in Iran.

The Maranjab Caravansary is located in the most northern part of Isfahan Province, in Iran.

The Hormuz Island loop road is a very scenic drive located in the south of Iran, in the Persian Gulf.

Sahand Ski Resort is located at an elevation of 2,942m (9,652ft) above sea level, situated in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran. Within the northwestern Sahand mountain range, the infrastructure consists of a main paved access and an extreme high-altitude gravel track that ranks among the highest roads of Iran. Driving in this volcanic massif requires specific mechanical preparation for low-oxygen combustion and steep unpaved gradients.

Dag mountain range road is a scenic high mountain road located in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran.

Kūh-e Asbī is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.766m (9,074ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Isfahan, in central Iran. The average gradient is 11.56%.

Kandovan Tunnel is a high mountain tunnel at an elevation of 2.662m (8,733ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Alborz and Mazandaran provinces, in Iran.

Almass Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,360m (7,742ft) above sea level, located in northwestern Iran. Connecting the lush, green forests of Gilan with the rugged mountains of Ardabil, it is the centerpiece of the legendary Asalem-Khalkhal Road, widely considered the most beautiful driving route in the country.

Ganjnameh pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.801m (9,189ft) above the sea level, located in Hamadan province of Iran It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Mount Gargash is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.578m (11,738ft) above the sea level, located in Isfahan province, in central Iran. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Situated at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, Iran is defined by a fierce and dramatic interior topography. As the second-largest nation in the Middle East, its vast expanse is dominated by enormous, active mountain chains—the Alborz in the north and the Zagros in the west—which cradle arid central deserts like the Dasht-e Kavir.

Kelashin Pass (Gardaneh-ye Kalashīn) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.942m (9,652ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Iran and Iraq. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Gardaneh-ye Bijan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.215m (10,547ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Isfahan Province and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, in the Isfahan Region of Iran. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Cheekha Dar is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,592m (11,784ft) above sea level, located on the border of Iran and Iraq. A military road to the summit has been recently built.

Gardaneh-ye Galeh Badush is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,954m (9,691ft) above the sea level, located in Iran's Lorestan province.

Siyah Kamar is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.335m (10,941ft) above the sea level located in Alborz province of Iran. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Shahi Road, also known as Rahi Shahi, is one of Iran’s most perilous and spectacular mountain roads. Nestled in the wild and remote terrain of Lorestan province, this unpaved cliffside path is infamous for its narrow width, hair-raising drops, and breathtaking views. Combining natural beauty with real danger, it offers a driving experience that’s not for the faint-hearted. This road is a relic left over from the construction of the national railway, which was built for the purpose of logistics. 

Gardaneh-ye Garin is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,357m (7,732ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between the Lorestan and Hamadan provinces of Iran.

Gholleh Siah Sang is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,527m (11,571ft) above sea level, located in Iran.

Imamzadeh is a high mountain shrine at an elevation of 2,766m (9,074ft) above sea level, located in Mazandaran Province, Iran.

Mount Tochal is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,966m (13,011ft) above sea level, located in Iran. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Located in the heart of the Alborz mountain range, Ashkourat Pass is a high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 3,076m (10,091ft) above sea level. Situated in the Central District of Ramsar County, within the Mazandaran Province, this pass is one of the highest roads in Iran, offering a raw and technical driving experience through some of the country's most dramatic northern landscapes.

Mount Espi Kouhak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,315m (10,875ft) above sea level, located in the Mazandaran Province of northern Iran. This ascent is recognized as one of the highest drivable roads in the Alborz mountain range, leading to critical communication facilities at the summit. The route is a brutal test of vehicle endurance and driver skill, far removed from any paved infrastructure. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Tang-e Galu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,376m (11,076ft) above sea level, located in Kelardasht-e Gharbi Rural District, Kelardasht District, Chalus County of Iran. The pass is known for its steep and winding road. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Lavash Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,151m (10,337ft) above sea level, located in Mazandaran Province, Iran. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Reaching an elevation of 3,686m (12,093ft) above sea level, Samamous Peak (also known as Somamous) is the highest point in the Gilan Province of Iran. Situated on the border between Mazandaran and Gilan, this peak is a landmark of the Alborz mountain range, offering a high-altitude driving challenge that is considered one of the highest roads in the country.

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