Mohammad Ali Khan Fort is one of the beautiful natural and historical attractions of Khuzestan province in Iran, which will surprise you with its grandeur.
Dezful with a history of several thousand years in Khuzestan province, is one of the most ancient cities in Iran. There are many natural and historical attractions in and around the city that should not be missed while traveling to this amazing area.
Mohammad Ali Khan Natural Fortress and the beautiful road leading to it is one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in Dezful. This fort, also known as Ali Mardan Khan Fort, is one of the most magnificent and oldest places that can be visited during a trip to Dezful.
Mohammad Ali Khan Fortress or Sardasht Fortress in 1232 was the site of the struggles of Mohammad Ali Khan I and Mahmud Saleh Chaharlang Bakhtiari against the tyranny of the then ruler of Lorestan and Khuzestan and his son Ibrahim Mirza during the Qajar rule. Some historians believe that this fort was named after Mohammad Ali Khan Fortress for this reason.
Following the history of this fort, it is stated that Ali Mardan Khan, brother of Mohammad Ali Khan, the owner of this fort in 1307, formed a group called the Bakhtiari Social Council and after many Bakhtiari tribes joined this delegation, he revolted against Reza Shah.
Reza Shah also sent troops to the area to suppress the insurgent group. Ali Mardan Khan and his allies, after a year of guerrilla warfare, escaped through some houses and went to Tehran. After some time, he was arrested in Tehran and taken to Qasr Prison, and finally executed on one of the last days of 1313.
According to local guides, the mountain’s very high walls and difficult access to the summit have led to the creation of a natural fortress that has been used in the past as a refuge or military base. They also say that there was a castle-like building on top of it in the past.
The twin waterfall of Mohammad Ali Khan Fort is located at the foot of the fort. The waterfall on the right, with less water flow, is hidden behind a tree, but the waterfall on the left is quite clear. The color of Mohammad Ali Khan fort is brown and, in some parts, black and dark, and this issue multiplies the grandeur of this huge wall in the eyes of the viewer. The vegetation around the fort and the waterfall add to the beauty of the natural appearance of this area. The camp in front of this twin waterfall is one of the best accommodation options recommended for people interested in nature.
You can go to the foot of the fort from both sides of the twin waterfalls of Mohammad Ali Khan and watch the beautiful views of this beautiful area from above. The length of this path is about 20 minutes to half an hour, and whether you move from the right side of the waterfall or from the left side of it, there is no significant difference in time.
In this part of Mohammad Ali Khan Fort, there are several small roofed stone chambers that the nomads used to stay or rest in the past. These rooms can be used as shelters in suitable weather conditions and according to safety points. Of course, you should know that the night cannot be spent in these rooms and their ceilings do not completely prevent raindrops.
If you want to include a complete view of Mohammad Ali Khan Fort in your photo frame, you have to start shooting from a distance. Because the dimensions of this fort are very large and by getting closer to it, it is not possible to place it all in the photo. You will need help from a local guide to find the right starting point for mountaineering. You can also use the map to navigate.
You can travel more distances according to your mountaineering plan and reach this fort from different places. The way to reach Mohammad Ali Khan Fort is easy and smooth in most parts. For this reason, climbers and nature lovers take this route easily. The only thing that might make it a little harder to get to the top of the fort is rain or wind. Remember to check the weather in the area beforehand.
There are no shops on this mountain trail. So remember to bring all your essentials and personal belongings with you. Be sure to put sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water and the necessary medications in your backpack. Note that to reach the Mohammad Ali Khan Fort, you have to go there by car or tours, because there are no buses or taxis on this route.
The height of the road near Mohammad Ali Khan Fortress is 850 meters above sea level.
December to early May is the best time to visit Mohammad Ali Khan Fort. The plains full of yellow flowers are one of the most beautiful attractions of this region in spring that you should not miss. Watching the fort in foggy weather is a unique experience compared to visiting it on sunny days; But climbing the fort in foggy conditions has its dangers.
