Mount Dena

Dena is a ridge rather than a peak, running about eighty kilometres through the central Zagros with more than forty summits over four thousand metres, the highest at Bijan reaching about 4,409, and it is one of the longer high ridges in the Middle East. The eastern flank above Sisakht is the usual access, with oak forest on the lower slopes giving way to alpine meadow, scree and permanent snowfields in the corries. It is a protected area and holds Persian leopard, wild goat, brown bear and boar, though sightings are rare. Bakhtiari and Qashqai herders move flocks through the high pastures in summer. Routes range from day walks in the forest to multi-day ridge traverses that need mountaineering experience.

The landscape

• Forty summits above four thousand metres - a very long high ridge.
• Permanent snowfields - snow surviving the summer in the corries.
• Zagros oak forest - the lower slopes below the meadow line.
• Nomadic summer pastures - herders moving flocks through the high ground.

When to go

June to September for the high ground; snow lies late and returns early. Two days for a summit, up to five for a traverse. Guides are strongly advisable and weather at altitude changes fast.

Before you go

The high routes are serious mountaineering with altitude, scree and no rescue infrastructure. There are no huts. Water sources are limited above the meadows. Local guides are needed for route-finding. Litter around the popular camps is increasing.

Nearby

Sisakht is the main base; Yasuj lies south-east.

Key facts