Jangal-e Abr Cloud Forest

Jangal-e Abr, the cloud forest, sits on the southern edge of the Alborz where the range drops toward the Semnan desert, and its character comes from that position: humid air off the Caspian rises up the northern slope, crosses the ridge and spills into this forest, where it condenses among the trees, so the woodland is frequently full of cloud while dry country begins a short distance south. The forest is old, with hornbeam, oak, maple and yew, and it forms part of the southern fringe of the Hyrcanian woodland belt. The contrast is the point: within a few kilometres the landscape changes from desert to dense wet forest. Camping on the ridge for the cloud at dawn is the standard trip.

What you actually see

• Cloud spilling over the ridge - Caspian humidity condensing in the trees.
• Old broadleaf woodland - hornbeam, oak, maple and yew.
• Desert a short distance south - the abrupt change in landscape.
• Ridge camping - the standard overnight for dawn cloud.

When to go

May to October; snow and mud close the tracks in winter. A day, better overnight for dawn. Spring and autumn give the most reliable cloud. Weekends bring campers in numbers.

Honest expectations

The cloud effect is weather-dependent and often absent. Forest tracks are rough and become impassable after rain. There are no facilities. Camping litter and off-road driving are damaging the forest floor. Access needs a capable vehicle.

Nearby

Shahrud is south; the Caspian plain lies over the ridge to the north.