Rail Destinations in Iran offer travelers a poetic journey through mountains, forests, and misty valleys, especially during the enchanting season of autumn.
Autumn in Iran is a season of transformation and tranquility. As it arrives, leaves turn golden, orange, and crimson, and train journeys become poetic experiences. Nothing refreshes the soul quite like sitting by the train window, listening to the steady rhythm of the wheels on the rails, and watching landscapes fade in and out of the morning mist. Iran is a land of breathtaking rail routes, and in autumn, these routes turn into living canvases of beauty. Ahead, discover Iran’s most scenic autumn rail routes—journeys designed not only for travel, but for feeling the pure essence of life itself.
Autumn is one of the best seasons to explore Iran by train. Traveling by rail during this time offers a unique opportunity to witness the colorful transformation of Iran’s natural scenery—from the yellow and orange forests of the north to the mild, serene plains of the central regions. Routes like Tehran–North (shomal of Iran), Mashhad–Gorgan, or Tabriz–Zanjan turn into living paintings in this season.
Iran’s train stations themselves are often part of the nation’s architectural and cultural heritage—like Tehran Railway Station with its classical architecture, or the historically rich Tabriz Station. In autumn, the atmosphere around these stations takes on a poetic tone.
Traveling by train in autumn also evokes a sense of shared calm—the quiet companionship of passengers in their compartments, creating collective memories. Rail tours in Iran, especially during autumn, see a rise in popularity. Moreover, many stations become tourist attractions themselves, such as Zanjan Station or the old stations in Lorestan and Khorasan, where historical architecture beautifully blends with the autumn mood.
If there were to be only one route selected as Iran’s most beautiful autumn railway, it would undoubtedly be the Tehran-to-North line. Departing from Tehran, the train heads toward Firouzkuh, gradually climbing into the Alborz Mountains. Through the windows, the Hyrcanian forests unfold like moving frames—colorful trees, mist dancing between mountains, and the rhythmic echoes of tunnels blending with the hum of the train.
Notable Stations along the Route:
Highlights:
This route is a paradise for photographers—each curve of the rail unveils a new composition of color and light. And perhaps the sweetest part of the journey is that cup of hot tea in your hand, as you gaze through the misted glass at a world painted in autumn hues. Among all Rail Destinations in Iran, the Tehran–North route is often called the “Queen of Autumn Journeys.”
If you seek a route that surprises you at every turn, the Lorestan Railway is the journey to take. Stretching from Khuzestan to southern Lorestan, it winds through the Zagros Mountains, where the train snakes through valleys and tunnels, revealing ever-changing landscapes.
When autumn arrives, the golden and crimson tones of the trees, the damp earth, and the sound of flowing rivers turn this line into one of the most dreamlike train routes in Iran.
Departing from Khuzestan or Andimeshk, the train climbs steadily into the heart of Lorestan’s mountains. Along the way, the sound of the wheels harmonizes with the rush of rivers. Endless tunnels, stone bridges, and deep valleys make it feel like you’re inside a real-life nature documentary.
Autumn here is a season of light and reflection. The soft sunlight filters through the morning mist, casting a dance of light and shadow across the Zagros cliffs. All you need to do is sip your tea and let the silence and grandeur of nature sink into your soul.
Lorestan and the Zagros line stand out as the most dramatic Rail Destinations in Iran, where mountains and waterfalls meet the sound of the train.
Without a doubt, Bisheh Station is the heart of this journey. Located near Bisheh Village and beside the famous Bisheh Waterfall—about 48 meters high—it cascades through rocks and joins the Sezar River below. In autumn, the yellow and red trees surrounding the waterfall create a striking contrast against the blue water. The sounds of falling water, rustling leaves, and the slow passing train form a harmony that no traveler forgets.
It takes only a few minutes’ walk from the station to reach the waterfall, and many passengers disembark here to step directly into the untouched nature of Lorestan.
The magic of Lorestan’s rail journey isn’t only in what you see—it’s in what you feel. From the misted window of your compartment, mountains fade into fog and reappear in new light. The echo of the train through tunnels, followed by a burst of sunlight, is a rhythm of wonder.
When the train departs from Qazvin Station, it soon leaves the urban area behind and enters the colorful nature of the Alborz Mountains. At the beginning of the route, the plains around Qazvin are still painted in shades of golden yellow, but as the train moves northward, the scenery begins to change—the land becomes more sloped, the number of trees increases, and the air turns cooler and more humid. In autumn, the western Alborz Mountains dazzle the eyes with a spectrum of yellow, orange, and red hues. The train winds through numerous valleys and tunnels, and at times crosses high bridges over rivers and deep gorges. The sound of the train wheels blending with the mountain echoes intensifies the feeling of traveling through the silent autumn nature.
One of the most beautiful parts of the route lies around Rudbar and Manjil. When the train emerges from the tunnels, the sight of olive trees and Manjil’s famous wind suddenly takes you by surprise. During this season, the cool breeze passes through the olive trees, setting their silvery leaves into dance. After Rudbar, the route enters a more forested area again. Tall beech and alder trees line both sides of the track, and sometimes their branches grow so close together that they form a tunnel of autumn colors. The thin mist spread among the trees makes the scene even more dreamlike. Near Rasht Station, the air becomes noticeably more humid, carrying the scent of damp soil and wet leaves. The dense trees and lush green fields of the north are signs that the destination is near.
The Qazvin–Rasht railway in autumn is a combination of mountains, forests, rivers, and mist — a journey where it feels as though the train is moving through a painting.
Autumn here isn’t just about color—it’s about atmosphere. The smell of fresh tea, the sound of rain tapping on station roofs, the sudden rise of fog from the valley. Everywhere you look, light and shade are changing. Oaks and poplars dance in the autumn breeze, and the ground is carpeted with dry leaves rustling softly. This journey is a passage through color—from the yellow and orange of the plains to the green and gray calm of Gilan.
For travelers seeking color, calm, and culture, the Qazvin–Rasht route is one of the most photogenic Rail Destinations in Iran.
Iran’s longest railway routes are more than just journeys from one point to another. On these routes, time passes more slowly, conversations grow longer, and the train window turns into a frame of life itself. It makes no difference whether you travel from Tehran to Bandar Abbas or from Mashhad to Ahvaz — what matters is that you have stepped onto an iron road where every kilometer tells a story of Iran.
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Autumn is the best season to travel by train in Iran—a time when nature dresses in a thousand colors, and every railway tells a story of beauty. Whether it’s the Tehran–North route with its historic bridges and colorful forests, Lorestan’s waterfalls and mountains, or Qazvin–Rasht’s misty plains of Gilan, each journey is an opportunity to feel life through the rhythm of the rails.
If you love travel, photography, and soulful experiences, mark these routes on your autumn calendar. Once the train begins to move, the destination no longer matters—it’s the journey itself that gives meaning.
In every season, but especially in autumn, Rail Destinations in Iran transform into moving paintings filled with light and color. 🚆💛
Without a doubt, the Tehran–North railway route (through Savadkuh to Sari and Gorgan) is the most beautiful rail journey in Iran during autumn.
This line, which passes through the slopes of the Alborz Mountains, offers travelers a stunning combination of mountains, forests, mist, and autumn colors.
Along the way, the train passes through the Hyrcanian forests — woodlands that glow in shades of yellow, orange, and red during autumn.
You travel through a series of tunnels and across historic bridges such as Veresk Bridge and the “Three Golden Lines,” while the morning mist gently settles over the valleys and the echo of the train fills the mountains.
Stations like Firouzkuh, Gadook, Simindasht, Pol-e Sefid, and Shirgah are among the best stops for photography and enjoying the scenery.
This route is not only remarkable for its natural beauty but also stands out as one of the most impressive feats of railway engineering in the Middle East.
If you are passionate about photography or enjoy peaceful autumn trips, no route in Iran captures the feeling of a “journey through colors” like the Tehran–North train line.
