
The Wild Road to Dalani Pass in Iran
Iran, asia
68.2 km
2,601 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just tackled Dalani Pass, a seriously epic mountain road hitting 2,601m (8,533ft) up there in Iranian Kurdistan, practically spitting distance from Iraq.
Locals call it Tateh Pass, and you’ll find it marked as Road 15. Now, it IS paved, which is a plus, but don’t get complacent. Think narrow stretches, seriously steep climbs, and switchbacks galore. This isn't a Sunday drive, folks. We're talking major drop-offs that'll test your nerve.
But trust me, the views! Driving through this valley is insane, and you’ll cruise past authentic Kurdish villages. Keep your eyes peeled, though; the area's known for being a bit shaky – both literally (earthquakes are common) and figuratively (there have been reports of rebel activity).
Heads up: Mother Nature has a say here too. Snow and gnarly storms shut this bad boy down for about half the year.
The whole shebang runs for about 68.2 km (42.37 miles), connecting Nowsud (in Kermanshah Province) up to Biakara (in Kurdistan Province). Seriously unforgettable.
Where is it?
The Wild Road to Dalani Pass in Iran is located in Iran (asia). Coordinates: 31.2414, 53.3618
Road Details
- Country
- Iran
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 68.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,601 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 31.2414, 53.3618
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