deserts, salt flats, forests, waterfalls, canyons.
Maharloo Lake (Pink Lake) is nicknamed for its seasonally rosy hue, caused by high salinity and pigment-producing algae and microorganisms. The shallow salt lake near Shiraz can shift from pale blush to vivid magenta, leaving bright salt crusts along its shores.
Badab-e Surt is often dubbed Iran’s “orange steps” for its naturally layered travertine terraces. Mineral-rich springs deposit iron oxides and carbonates that tint the pools from rust-red to pale yellow, creating a distinctive stair-step landscape on the Alborz foothills.
Tehran offers nature and wildlife close to the city via Darband/Darakeh trails, Jamshidieh and Lavizan parks, and the Tochal area—go early, dress for changeable weather, and follow low-impact hiking habits.
