The South Face of Mount Damavand is the most accessible route for climbers, requiring only basic trekking skills. The descent is simple, and even seasoned climbers who take on tougher routes often choose this path to come down. Along the way, you’ll find several base camps and shelters, and you can even arrange for mule support to carry your backpacks— a service not always available on other routes. Additionally, rescue teams can reach this route more quickly in case of an emergency. However, because this is the most popular route, it can become crowded, putting extra strain on the available facilities.

Southern Route Climb of Damavand

Reaching the summit of Damavand Peak is a unique experience, offering a mix of pride and satisfaction that comes with completing the climb and standing at such an impressive altitude.

The South Face is the easiest and most popular route for ascending Damavand, making it the top choice among the mountain’s four main paths. A significant number of climbers reach the summit via this track, including both seasoned mountaineers and beginners who are drawn to its accessibility.

Overview

The South Face route is one of the oldest paths to reach the summit of Damavand Mountain. You can access this trail through Plour and Rineh. Between these two points, a rough dirt road marked by a small sign leads north. This road takes you to Gosfandsara and the Sahib Al-Zaman Mosque, situated at 3,000 meters above sea level. This part of the journey can also be done by car.

From there, the route continues to Bargah-e Sevom at 4,250 meters. You can use livestock to carry your backpacks along this stretch. After passing Bargah-e Sevom and continuing along the left side of the icy waterfall, you’ll arrive at the sulfur hill, a reminder of Damavand’s most recent volcanic activity.

In this area, sulfur gas is released from cavities in the scattered sulfur rocks, which can irritate your eyes and throat. To reach the summit, you’ll need to climb a relatively steep slope. On average, it takes about 4 hours to ascend from Gousfandsara to Bargah-e Sevom, and another 6 hours from there to the summit.

Quick Summary

The South Face route of Damavand starts on the southeast side of the mountain, passing through Plour, Rineh, Gousfandsara, and Bargah-e Sevom. It is the most popular and busiest route to the summit. The climb begins at Do Raahi, where the dirt road to the mosque branches off from the asphalt road between Plour and Rineh. After the mosque and Gousfandsara, you’ll reach Bargah-e Sevom. From there, the path follows a straightforward southern ridge, passing an icy waterfall, leading to the sulfur hill, and finally to the summit. The trail is well-marked due to heavy traffic and is free from rockfalls.