Exploring Iran by Mountain Bike

Iran… the name of this Islamic republic does not sound so familiar in the MTB community. I especially understood that fact, when I decided to travel there for the first time some years ago, with the objective to discover this unknown country by my own, but also to scout all those remote mountains and valleys to form a new program for my MTB trip company Exoride.

Udo, Christian (Exoride guide & owner), Tobias and Fabien, part of the last group of Iran‘duro in may 2016…

I can’t forget how everybody was so scared for me, wondering if I had a good life insurance or if I am used to weapon use?! Hopefully, I had some good feedback from people who really know Iran in another way than their TV… Less than one minute after I landed for the first time in Teheran, I definitely forgot and laughed about such negative comments and criticism and simply lived what is for sure a lifetime experience…


Some flowy trails around Teheran… the adventure starts now.

Why Iran? From my western friends to Iranian people I met, I always had to deal with that question…

First of all, for the huge mountain range going from Teheran to the north of the country, Elbourz mountains, offering altitude from 5'670 meters high for the Damavand summit to -28 meters all along the Caspian sea. It’s all an MTB guide can dream… A great opportunity to enjoy historical, architectural and cultural aspects of this place who had a central place in the humanity history. And in general, because I always had great experiences visiting new and exotic destinations through mountain biking and Iran was definitely on the top of my list. I have been guiding in the Iranian mountains for two years now after the first stay of several weeks, I did many trips there with worldwide riders. Each trip is for me a real pleasure to enjoy Iran and discover more and more about new aspects of this country and meet new people. Iran’duro’s 10-day program is now at its best and here is a short summary of what mountain biking in Iran looks like…



Day 1 and 2 Teheran area

Our trip starts in Teheran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran with 14 million people living in this huge city. Traffic jam is totally busy, but what is the most exceptional, is a unique sympathy, kindness, and interest we receive from all the Iranian people. Everybody wants to speak with us, invite us for a meal, tea or to stay in their home.

Udo, Christian, and Tobias finishing the ride in the streets…

To be honest, I never met such lovely people during all my trips and what we are living here is definitely far from what we hear about Iran in Western media.

Nice view, but always better to stay focused on this rocky section.

Alban rides a nice trail close to Teheran which allows you to realize the immense size of the capital.

Alban and Hansueli searching the best line on slopes close to Teheran…

We start the trip on a nice ride around Teheran offering dry and flowy singletracks, with a unique point of view on Tehran city. We use some local strong pickups for shuttling. That’s a good warm up for our ten-day trip and this terrain reminds me of some Moroccan rides in some aspects.

Technical section for Tobias.

Fabien and Tobias hitting some local jumps around Teheran…

Stunning view of the city…

Sara, Fabien trying to catch a local rider…

Day 3 - Kelardasht area

We leave from Teheran to go to the north of the country and have a stop in Kelardasht area to hit our first 4000-meter run. For this time, before riding, we should join the start of our trail, we use some mules to carry our bikes, to let us breathe to acclimate such altitude.

After a long experience of this unique lift in Morocco, it was easy to manage it here in Iran…


Going up to the trail in a remote valley…

A long hike in a beautiful valley is necessary to start the ride. The riding is more technical than the first days, but this trail is a great mix of flow and technical riding. It is not so easy to stay focused on the trail at such altitude, but that sounds good training to hit the 5670 meters of Damavand summit we will try to reach in the last days.

After a 4-hour hike, we can start the ride on this high altitude trail…

Somewhere in the middle of Elbrouz mountains……

Technical switchbacks for Sara, Fabien and Cyril…

Flow and rocky section in a stunning landscape… Iran offers all that a rider can dream.

Day 4 - Transfer to Caspian sea




During our transfer to Golestan area, we can enjoy the beach and have a swim in Caspian sea. Caspian sea is, in fact, more like a big lake under the sea level, at -28 meters of altitude. Beaches are pleasant and there are plenty of activities all around… boat rental, quad, restaurant… a good way to relax after the effort of the first days, except that we are kindly contracted every time by Iranian tourist for a talk, selfies and email exchange. That give us the opportunity to learn more about Iranian lifestyle and have an interesting exchange about our respective lives and culture.


Day 5 & 6 – Golestan area

Golestan is a northern area offering green places and wild forest. It feels like swiss alps, with the same kind of terrain and trees, except the nonesuch view on the sea. Those two days offered an incredible mix of riding. The first one is a long run, starting with a portage all along a ridge, over the clouds, to continue on one of the most perfect trails I ever rode. The flow at its maximum, crossing the forest until a typical village bottom the valley.



Meeting some locals and the traditional picture…

Cyril is finishing the portage, but how loose the smile with such perfect weather conditions and view…

Sara and Fab in a technical section to start this new trail up to Gorgan…

Alban above the clouds… our trails finish 2000 meters down this point…



Sara and Cyril near a remote sheepfold…

The second day we shuttle with a local pickup to shred more than 10 km down the trail in a beautiful forest offering a unique view on the Caspian sea. We can do it several times a day using the road to go up with our shuttle, and this singletrack has nothing to envy to what we ride in The Alps… pure flow…We finish the day as usual with some local food, a delicious grilled kebab, salads or grilled fresh fish from the sea before taking the road to Damavand.


A last view on the sea before shredding 10 km of pure flow…

Day 7 & 8 – Damavand

Now it’s time to challenge ourselves with the ascent of this summit at 5670 meters. Damavand is the highest point of Iran and the highest volcano of Asia. A lot of Iranian people hike on this symbol of Iran and we also meet some Asian and Russian tourists. They all look at us like aliens when they see us with our bikes and kindly encourage us.

Hansueli preparing to climb to Damavand…

To hit the summit and go down, we have two days. The first one is dedicated to going from the 2100m to 4200m shelter, where we will spend a night to acclimate to the altitude. Hopefully, mules are here again to carry our bikes and stuff, but the next day, we will be alone to carry our bikes to the summit for the most courageous, or simply hike to the summit and back to 4200m for those who are tremulous to ride the summit. In general, the decision is quickly made at the bottom of Damavand. This mountain is impressive, and the summit looks unreachable under the clouds. Carrying a 15 kg bike at such altitude is definitely the hardest thing you can do. Every step seems to be a marathon, especially on the sandy terrain and the rest of the snow.

A new attempt and new portage technique to hit the summit of Damavand for your devoted guide… still so hard…

Fabien, May 2016 finisher, takes the picture with a local climber on the Damavand summit, 5670 meters. More than 3000 meters vertical drop are waiting for him.

Down the Damavand slopes…





Dusty and slippery trails of Damavand…

Day 9 & 10 – Teheran

The ride is officially over and we go back to Teheran. After so much riding and effort, we leave the bikes to visit some attractions in the capital and enjoy this time to explore the real local life, remembering the stunning places and unforgettable memories of this unique experience.



Mosque in Teheran…


Biking and sports is very present in Iran… A BMX freestyle contest in a skatepark in Teheran.

Teheran offers a lot of public parks around the city where you feel that you are not so far from nature…

For those who want to discover Iranian trails, Exoride offers departures from the middle of May to end of October. This trip is for riders with good physical and technical skills. Please visit the page of our enduro mountain bike trip in Iran to discover the upcoming open departure, or book this trip as private for 5 riders and more groups. Thanks to all the riders who join us on this exclusive trip, and also to all the Iranian people and friends that makes this adventure so amazing ! See you soon.

(Pictures, videos & text – Exoride)
Website: www.exoride.net

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