Tochal

The Tochal gondola runs from Velenjak on the northern edge of Tehran up the flank of the Alborz to station seven at about 3,740 metres, a climb of some seven and a half kilometres in one of the longer gondola lines anywhere, and it takes visitors from a city at 1,200 metres to genuine high mountain in under an hour. At the top there is a hotel, a small ski area with a chairlift, and the route on to the summit of Tochal peak at 3,964 metres, which is a walk of an hour or two for the acclimatised. The main value for most visitors is the escape: temperatures at the top are far lower than the city, the air is above the pollution layer, and the view over Tehran is the best available.

What you actually see

• A seven-kilometre gondola - from the city edge to 3,740 metres.
• Above the pollution layer - clean air and long views over the city.
• A high ski area - lifts and slopes at the top station in winter.
• Tochal summit - a walk of an hour or two beyond the top station.

When to go

Year round; winter for skiing and summer for walking and the temperature difference. Half a day. The gondola does not run every day and closes in wind, so check before going. Fridays are very busy.

Honest expectations

The gondola runs on limited days and closes for wind and maintenance without much notice. Queues on Fridays are long. Altitude affects people coming straight up from the city. Facilities at the top are basic and expensive.

Nearby

Darband is east along the mountain front; northern Tehran lies below.