At the northern edge of Tehran, where the city meets the Alborz mountains, a path climbs beside a rushing stream into the Darband valley. For Tehranis it has long been the classic weekend escape: the air is cooler, the noise of the city disappears, and the trail eventually continues towards the high peaks of Tochal.
The first kilometre or two is lined with tea houses and restaurants built on terraces over the water, many with carpeted platforms where you sit cross-legged to share kebabs, ash soup, tea and a water pipe. Stalls sell dried fruit, fruit leather (lavashak) and hot beetroot in winter. It is lively, cheerful and very Iranian.
Highlights
- Riverside tea houses on carpeted platforms
- The trail into the Alborz foothills
- Dried fruit and lavashak stalls
- Cool mountain air on hot summer days
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