There are two lakes within 100 meters (330 feet) of each other named the Upper Gahar and the Lower Gahar on the southern summit of Mount Ashtaran.
The lower lake is the larger of the two and its altitude is 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) lower than the other. The Upper Gahar Lakes is situated at an altitude of 2,300 meters (7,545 feet).
Altogether they are 2,100 meters (1.3 miles) long and 355 meters (1,164 feet) wide. The lake is situated between the towns of Aligoudarz and Doroud.
There is no motorway to the lakes and the best way to get there is a climb to the Tpaleh Straight from Aligoudarz and from there a hike to the lakes. Although you may alternatively climb up to the lakes from Doroud, if you setout from Aligoudarz you will pass through a forest and enjoy the scenery.
The Gahar Lakes are dubbed “The Jewel of Mount Ashtaran,” and are considered as two of Iran’s most stunning lakes. There is a no hunting/fishing policy in the vicinity of the lakes, since they fall under the Ashtaran protected area. With the exception of their eastern shore, which has a sandy beach, the lakes are not suitable for swimming. The only means of accommodation is a tent erected by campfire.
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