The nature of Mazandaran is full of wonders and Lake Valasht of Marzanabad is one of them. Every year, it attracts thousands of tourists and shows all the beauty, tranquility and magic of nature.
The Valasht Mountain Lake is located in the southwest of Chalous city and in the northeast of Kelardasht. Marzanabad city is located at km 25 of Chalous-Karaj road. In the eastern and western parts of Marzanabad, there are two summer areas called Kojoor and Kelardasht, which have spectacular and attractive natural and cultural landscapes. Kelardasht is located in the western part and 12 km from Marzanabad in a straight line. This region is mentioned in ancient historical and geographical sources as Kelar and Kelarabad. Kelardasht is located at latitude 36 degrees and 29 minutes north longitude and 51 degrees and 6 minutes east longitude and is located on the northern slopes of Alborz mountain range. In the southwestern part of this region, there is the famous and nearly high mountain of Alam Kooh. The climate of the region is cold mountainous. Another attraction of Kelardasht is its small and large lakes, which adds to its natural attractions. The Valasht Lake is one of the 10 freshwater lakes in the country, which is located in this region and has provided a suitable environment for birds and aquatic animals. Kelardasht plant and animal species are also among its other features. The Valasht Lake is located at an altitude of one thousand meters above the Caspian Sea level.
The lake measures about 400 to 600 m2 and covers an area of about 150,000 m2. The maximum depth of the lake is 22 meters, the average depth of the surrounding area is 9 meters and the average depth of the middle of the lake is 18 meters. The volume of water in this lake is about three million m3.
Around this lake, there are villages named Samaa, Sarka, Jalajur, Valasht and Arzavodimo. You can start from Chalous to reach the beautiful lake of Valasht and enjoy the nature around it. You can travel from Kandovan route to Chalous axis to Tehran and after 23 km you will reach Kajour Bridge. After crossing the bridge before Marzanabad, the asphalt road will guide you to the west and the Kurdish village of Chal. There is a short dirt road from Kurdi Chal village to the lake.
The best time to visit the Valasht Lake is spring and summer, but nature has its own attractions in all seasons. Due to the greenery of the area, many people go to the lake in spring and summer. The weather is pleasant and despite the lack of shade and sunlight, the lake is still popular in these seasons, but high humidity can be annoying. As the weather cools, the temperature drops to minus 30 degrees and even the lake freezes. In autumn and winter, only winter and snow lovers go to The Valasht and accept its difficulties.
The Valasht Lake is one of the fishing hangouts that attracts those who are interested in it. Of course, there is not any fishing facilities, and you have to bring your own equipment to experience it. Remember to go to the authorities near the lake to get a permit. Keep in mind that Lake Valasht does not have carp, and you should bring equipment with which you can catch whitefish, gypsies or fish ducks. You can spend hours fishing on Lake Valasht and enjoy life, or cycle around this spectacular sight and carry oxygen to your lungs. Swimming can also be a good offer for fun in this dream frame if you are professionally familiar with this sport.
Kelardasht’s collection of natural features has provided conditions that have long been considered by man and his residence. Today, there is a lot of evidence in the fields of archeology, anthropology, handicrafts and traditional arts, which indicates the cultural richness of this region.
Due to its green landscape and unique nature, The Valasht Lake is one of the most spectacular natural heritage of Iran, which attracts many tourists to visit this area every year. Of course, the presence of tourists, without supervision over the past years, has changed the nature of this vulnerable area and its natural ecosystem. This lake was registered as the seventy-first natural monument in Iran by the Cultural Heritage Organization on September 6, 2009 and was included in the list of protected areas of the Environmental Protection Organization. The Valasht Lake is also one of the 10 freshwater lakes in Iran.
The water of this lake is fed and supplied by rain and the water of underground springs. One of the most important rivers flowing into the lake is the cold Abrud River. This watery river originates from the heights of Kelardasht. This has been the reason why the lake is so fresh. There are no rivers or outlets from this lake and the lake is such that only its surface goes up and down and water does not flow.
Due to the location of Lake Valasht near the mountainous region of Takht-e Soleiman and its location among reeds and a large pit of low hills, it is hidden from view. These reeds are considered a place for spawning and fertility of the lake aquatic animals. Their destruction has affected the life chain of this lake.
In terms of vegetation, only a few trees can be seen around the lake. Most of the plants are small shrubs and a large number of sugarcane plants whose roots have penetrated to a depth of 6 meters. The special location of the area makes it a safe haven for migratory birds and aquatic animals. White fish, duck fish, blue snakes, frogs and herring are some of the lake’s aquatic species.
Lake Valasht has different oxygen and temperature from other parts of Kelardasht, and the entry of environmental pollutants threatens the lives of aquatic species such as whitefish, duck fish, kingfishers and even algae and plankton.
