The Haftad Gholleh Protected Area, established in 1973, is one of Iran’s oldest and most prestigious wildlife sanctuaries. Covering 97,437 hectares in the Markazi Province, this region is a masterclass in ecological diversity, serving as a premier destination for ecotourism, wildlife photography, and environmental research.

Geography and Climate

Located adjacent to the Mighan Kavir and near the Arak-Qom highway, Haftad Gholleh features a dramatic landscape of rolling hills, expansive plains, and rugged mountains.

• Altitude: Ranges from 1,580m to a towering 2,960m.

• Climate: A mix of temperate arid and cold semi-arid climates.

• Extreme Weather: Temperatures fluctuate from winter lows of -25°C to summer highs of 40°C, with an annual precipitation of 340mm.

Flora and Vegetation

The topographic complexity of the region supports a vibrant carpet of botanical life. Key species include:

• Medicinal & Aromatic: Mint, Borage, Milfoil, and Wormseed.

• Wildflowers: Fritillary, Tulip Papaver, Carnation, and Bleeding Heart.

• Desert Hardy: Astragal, Succory, Cousinia, and Summer Cypress.

Wildlife and Rare Species

Historically one of Iran’s most significant game parks, Haftad Gholleh is a sanctuary for a vast array of mammals, birds, and reptiles.

• Mammals: Wild Goat, Wild Sheep (Mouflon), Goitred Gazelle, Wild Boar, Wolf, Wild Cat, Leopard, Badger, and unique bat species like Kuhl’s Pipistrelle and Geoffroy’s Bat.

• Avifauna (Birds): A haven for raptors and songbirds, including the Golden Eagle, Kestrel, Buzzard, Hobby, Chukar Partridge, and the Black-bellied Sandgrouse.

• Reptiles: Notable for its venomous and rare snakes, such as the Saw-scaled Viper, Persian Horned Viper, and Levantine Viper, alongside the Monitor Lizard and Spur-thighed Tortoise.

Visitor Information & Accessibility

Thanks to its proximity to the Arak-Qom main road, Haftad Gholleh is highly accessible for those traveling from Tehran or Central Iran. Its combination of natural beauty, historical prestige as a hunting lodge for Qajar kings, and rich biodiversity makes it a top-tier site for nature-based tourism and ecological research.