GUNUNG · Iran

Mount Sabalan

Sabalan / Savalan / سبلان

Information

Elevation: 4.811 m
Country: Iran (IR)
Location / Range: Iranian Azerbaijan Mountains, Ardabil Province, northwestern Iran
Mountain type: Inactive stratovolcano (andesite, Pliocene–Pleistocene)
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: 38.3000, 47.8170
Difficulty: Non-technical in summer (standard route); requires ice/snow gear in winter or spring
Best Season: Late June–mid-August (the dry season in northwestern Iran)
Permits & Rules: No special permit required; the gravel road to the Sabalan shelter is accessible by 4WD vehicle; the Alvares ski resort is available on the western slope
Hazards: Sudden thick fog, early snow in autumn, hypothermia on icy trails out of season; the crater lake can become misty when the weather changes

Description

Sabalan (4,811 m) is an inactive stratovolcano in Ardabil Province, northwestern Iran, and the country's third-highest peak after Damavand and Alam Kuh. Its summit holds a permanent crater lake at around 4,784 m — Iran's highest crater lake, roughly 1 hectare in area and frozen for nine to ten months of the year. The mountain holds deep cultural significance in Zoroastrianism as the site where Zoroaster is believed to have meditated and communed with Ahura Mazda. Seven glaciers descend from its flanks, and hot springs at its base attract visitors. The standard route to the summit begins at Shabil Hot Springs (2,700 m) and takes about four to five hours from the mountain shelter without technical equipment in summer. The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program lists Sabalan as a volcanic system under number 232002.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Rute Selatan — Lewat Kawasan Ski Resort Alvares

Tidak teknis di musim panas; cocok untuk ski touring di musim dingin/semi

1 hari (lebih panjang dari rute timur laut)

The southern route approaches Sabalan from the Alvares ski resort area on the southwest flank, which operates as a ski area in northwestern Iran during winter. This line is more popular for ski touring in spring when the slopes are still snow-covered, and is recommended by several Iranian tour operators as a variation. In summer it is longer and less well-marked than the northeast route.

Source

Rute Timur Laut — Jalur Standar (dari Shabil Hot Springs)

Tidak teknis di musim panas; memerlukan crampon dan trekking poles bila masih bersalju

1 hari (4–5 jam dari shelter menuju puncak, pulang ~3 jam)

The northeast route is the most popular and standard line to climb Sabalan. From Ardabil or Meshginshahr, climbers drive to Shabil Hot Springs (2,700 m) where a gravel road passable by 4WD vehicles leads to the Sabalan mountain shelter. From the shelter, a waymarked trail heads south toward the south slope and up to the crater rim at 4,784 m. The permanent crater lake sits just below the highest point at 4,811 m. No technical equipment is needed in summer (July–August), making Sabalan one of the most accessible 4,000ers in Iran.

Route Segments

1

Shabil Hot Springs → Shelter Sabalan

3.500 mdpl

Dapat dicapai dengan kendaraan 4WD via jalan kerikil; tersedia juga pendakian jalan kaki dari Shabil (2.700 m)
2

Shelter → Lereng Selatan Atas

4.200 mdpl

Jalur berkerikil mengikuti tanda/bendera; pemandangan terbuka ke lembah Azerbaijan Iran
3

Lereng Selatan Atas → Bibir Kawah

4.784 mdpl

Sedikit lebih curam; di awal musim masih ada salju yang memerlukan crampon; danau kawah mulai terlihat
4

Bibir Kawah → Puncak Tertinggi (4.811 m)

4.811 mdpl

Beberapa menit dari tepi kawah; pemandangan danau kawah beku dan panorama 360° Azerbaijan Iran

Source

Climbing Experiences

Sabalan (4,811 m), an inactive stratovolcano in Iranian Azerbaijan, is Iran's third-highest peak and a popular mountaineering destination for Iranian and international climbers alike. Its appeal includes Iran's highest crater lake (~4,784 m), a non-technical standard route in summer, ski-touring lines in winter, and its sacred significance in Zoroastrianism. The records below present real climbing videos from various seasons.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.