Mountain tours like Mount Damavand Tours are considered to be one of the most enthralling tourist attractions, which have occupied most of the leisure time of tourists in mountainous areas since ancient times, and have increased their interest and request to do exciting sports and visit mountain ecosystems and their attractions every day.
Introducing Shir Kuh Yazd
Shir Kuh also spelled Shirkooh, is the highest peak in Yazd province with a height of 4075 meters above sea level, and is a vast mountain range that is actually part of the Zagros mountain range. Bagh-e Mehdi village is located in the west, Bardestan village is in the southwest, Deh-e Bala village is in the east, and Shir valley village is also located in the northwest of Shirkuh peak.
Why Shirkooh?
There are two reasons for the name Shirkooh of Yazd; Firstly, the peak of this mountain is covered with snow and the color of a white lion for most of the year, and secondly, due to its resemblance to a sleeping lion on its hands, this name makes one believe that, as if in the distant days, It was really a lion with mane and copal and now it has gone to hibernate in this country.
To see this magnificent mountain, people go to the summer village of Deh-e Bala; A village that is always green and cool with kind and accommodating people who have never left this pure milk alone despite the harsh winter cold of the village.
Shirkooh, the Water Supplier of Yazd
The villages of Pushtkoh and Pishkoh are also part of the underground water of Yazd city, and other rainfalls in the surrounding cities are also due to the role of Shirkooh in creating obstacles for the rain-producing masses. In general, mountains are considered the richest centers of biodiversity, and Shirkooh is the only safe haven of favorable habitats in Yazd province during periodic droughts.
Geological Features of Shirkooh Yazd
Shirkooh Yazd has a granite base that geologists have not reached an agreement on its age yet, and more than 1000 meters of dolomite and limestone belonging to the Cretaceous period are placed on these granites. A huge part of these limestone formations, especially in the southern parts of Shirkooh Yazd, has been eroded and destroyed. Cretaceous dolomite and limestone sediments found here are sedimentary rocks. They are made up of a mixture of minerals and chemicals. These sediments were deposited in the cretaceous period from about 144 to 65 million years ago.
Under the cretaceous dolomite and limestone sediments, scattered red multilayers, and on the southern edge of the mountain, igneous formations can be seen that belong to the late 3rd and 4th periods; Of course, together with the formation of these sediments, layers of travertine have also been formed.
It should be mentioned that among the geologic phenomena of Shirkooh, river terraces have attracted the most attention of visitors. A river terrace is a linear, raised, step-like landform created by the erosion of a river on either side of a valley, that descends down the valley. These steps are created in order to create better pathways to move dirt and rocks downstream without getting in the way of the water. They are also created so that, if there is a sudden rise in water levels, the water can spill over to create new lowlands.
The Way to Climb Shirkooh Yazd Peak
At the end of Deh Bala village and next to Sheikh Alishah neighborhood mosque, the starting point of the climb to the Shirkooh peak of Yazd begins. But the rest of the path is dirt and must be covered on foot. From this point, the climbing height is about 2500 meters. On the way up, there are three springs that are always full of water, and tasting their cool and clear water provides energy to continue on the way. The first spring is located next to tall Tabrizi trees and has made this area famous as a summer house among the locals.
The survey of the entire route is horizontal and without changing the route (traverse) from the side of the stone walls, and it is clean and completely clear, and its end reaches the Najib valley (also known as Dareh Najib). Only in Dareh Najib, due to its rocky nature, the path is a little unclear because this valley is located between Hosseiniyeh and the shelter, and it is the most challenging part of the path. At the end of the valley to the west, the path is entirely transverse and has a slight slope. There are three shelters equipped with toilets, one of which is newly made and metal with three sections suitable for sleeping 40 to 45 people and its floor is covered with carpet. 2 large concrete shelters with a capacity of 20 people and small concrete shelters with a capacity of 8 people are also furnished with carpets and blankets, which are warmer and more insulated than the metal ones.
The continuation of the ascent to the peak of Shirkooh, from the shelter to the peak, is a well-defined path with a gentle slope, and only the very high wind speed and the distance of 5.4 kilometers covered in snow make the journey a little uncomfortable. But reaching the peak removes all the fatigue from a person’s body, and the joy of conquering the mountain is indescribable, like the right to discover a precious treasure.
How to go to Shirkooh Yazd?
The nearest cities to Shirkooh are Yazd and Taft, which can be accessed by air, land, and rail, and Taft is 30 km away from Yazd. After Taft, you should reach the Dehbala area, which is a large summer village consisting of several small villages and villages and start the ascent route from Sheikh Ali Shah village, one of these subordinate villages. The primary way to climb to the peak is through Najib valley. Many local people and professional climbers consider the Najib (meaning noble, descent and gentle) valley to have been named ironically as the path of the valley is rocky and relatively tricky. After Dareh Najib, the Pakub route continues with a gentler slope. Another feature of the Najib Valley route is the way to be equipped with route boards and climbing guides.
You can also climb to the peak from the south wall of Shirkooh, which is not recommended due to the difficulty and steepness. The shelters are located at an altitude of 3520 meters, and include one metal shelter and two concrete shelters, which have a total capacity of 70 people. Another shelter with a capacity of 20-30 people is also located on the peak, and there is also a camping area. As mentioned, the presence of several drinking water springs along the route satisfies the needs of the climbers for drinking water. However, it is suggested to get your food and other essential items from the city center because there is no store to buy supplies along the way.
Hotels and accommodations near Shirkooh
If you plan to spend the night, or if a two-day or one-and-a-half-day ascent plan is designed, you can spend the night in ten high places. In addition to Salar Eco Lodge and Shir Yazdani Dehbala Hotel, suites and garden villas available for rent are also suitable options. Also, the mountaineer’s house, located next to the Zainabiyah Mosque in the Sheikh Ali Shah neighborhood, is ideal for mountaineers and nature hikers due to its close distance to the starting point of the ascent.
Deserts are another form of the iconic natural landscape in Iran, so make sure to check out our Iran Desert Tours for more information.
