Gahar Lake is one of the tourist attractions of Durud city and is located in Oshtorankew (Oshtoran Kuh) protected areas in southeastern Durud in Lorestan province of the East part of Kurdistan. Gahar Lake is located west of Oshtorankew, south of Panbe Kal and Tapale Strait, and northeast of Sarsawz Mountain. The lake is 120 kilometers from Khoramawa (Khorramabad), the capital of Lorestan province, and 35 kilometers from the city of Durud.
Gahar Lake is one of the most important tourist attractions in Lorestan province of the East part of Kurdistan. This lake is 2,360 meters above sea level and some geological studies say that it was formed by an earthquake because this lake is located on the main gap (fault) of the Zagros.
Gahar Lake consists of two parts, the Great Gahar and the Little Gahar. The Great Gahar Lake, which is between 400 and 800 meters wide and 1,800 meters long, hosts many domestic and foreign tourists every year.
The annual rainfall is mostly in the form of snow, about 500 to 900 mm, which causes glaciers in winter, freezing the lake's surface and creating a unique view. The Little Gahar Lake with 5 5-hectare width is located about two kilometers from the Great Lake. Little Gahar isn’t too shallow and if you look closely, you can see the fish underneath. The depth of the Great Gahar is between 4 and 28 meters and the depth of the Little Gahar is 1 to 3 meters.
Swimming in the lake is very dangerous and dozens of people have drowned in it. Therefore, the tourism department of the lake and the environmental department of Lorestan province have banned swimming in the lake.
The source of the lake's water supply is the Tapale River, which has very clear and cold water. This river first flows into the Little Gahari and then into the Great Gahar. The water in the lake is also very clear so that the bottom and fish are visible in some places. Lake Gahar is also one of the main habitats for rainbow trout and Brown trout.
The shores of the lake are covered with gravel and in some parts rocks on the west and east. One of the most attractive views of the lake is overlooking a dense forest that has a unique view from the bottom and top of the lake.
On the other hand, near Lake Gahar is a very attractive valley called Neygah Valley, which is filled with various flowers and butterflies in spring. This adds to the beauty of the area.
Among the reasons that most attract tourists to Lake Gahar are boating on the lake and mountaineering in the surrounding mountains. Because this lake is located in the mountainous region of Oshtorankew, many climbers come to this area in all seasons of the year and in addition to climbing, also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake. The path to the lake is also a hike and takes several hours.
There are dozens of species of plants, flowers, and trees in the nature around Lake Gahar, including trees of Oak, poplars, almonds, figs, apples, hawthorns, and flowers of Gulakhandaran, fritillaria, and lilies.
The best seasons to visit the lake are late spring and mid-summer, although each season has its beauties. The nights in this area are also very cold and you must carry the necessary equipment during your stay. Because until mid-spring, the peaks of Oshtorankew are still covered with snow, which has cooled the climate.
