Location and surroundings
Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī belongs to the chain Western Asia > Iranian Plateau > Zagros Mountains > South Central Zagros. It is in Iran, in Isfahan Province, within Jarqavieh County and the municipality of Jarqavieh Sofla Rural District. At 1,879 m, it is a modest summit for this part of the Zagros and sits among a cluster of higher hills and peaks.
The surrounding country is typical of the central Iranian highlands: open, dry slopes, broken ridgelines and broad spaces between summits. In the South Central Zagros, mountains often rise from arid or semi-arid ground rather than from forested valleys, so the landscape around Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī is likely to feel exposed and sparsely vegetated.
Neighbouring peaks
Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī is surrounded by several nearby peaks and passes, with Kūh-e Chakū the closest higher summit only 1.7 km to the west. The neighbouring high points are all a little to several kilometres away, which gives the mountain a place in a compact ridge-and-peak landscape rather than a solitary setting.
- Kūh-e Chakū (peak), 1,991 m, 1.7 km W
- Kūh-e Ḩowẕ (peak), 2,022 m, 2.9 km S
- Kūh-e Do Shākh (peak), 1,984 m, 4.0 km NW
- Kūh-e Ḩowẕ-e Yakhchāl (peak), 2,050 m, 4.4 km S
- Kūh-e Chahār Tāy (peak), 2,036 m, 4.6 km NW
- Tall-e Band-e Goz̄arī (peak), 1,808 m, 4.7 km N
- Kūh-e Qāshoqī (peak), 2,084 m, 5.3 km NW
- Kūh-e Band-e Mārī (peak), 1,757 m, 5.6 km NE
Compared with these neighbours, Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī is lower than most of the nearby summits and passes, and it is not the dominant high point in its immediate area.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest peaks are concentrated to the southwest and west, with a few other strong summits to the south and southeast. From Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī, the main distant high points in the broader skyline are Kūh-e Lāmīsh at 2,956 m, 14.6 km to the southwest, and Kūh-e Narmūnyā at 2,923 m, 12.8 km to the southwest.
Other notable peaks in the wider view are Kūh-e Naqd (2,885 m, 16.6 km W), Kūh-e Qollāt-e Āb Āsemānī (2,884 m, 15.3 km W), Sīāh Kūh-e Rāmsheh (2,799 m, 21.3 km SE) and Kūh-e Sefīd (2,794 m, 22.5 km S). These heights show that Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī sits below a much higher ring of Zagros summits.
The range
Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī is part of the South Central Zagros, where the highest peak is Dena at 4,413 m, about 128 km to the southwest. The range contains 3,402 named peaks, and Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī ranks 2795th by elevation among them.
This part of the Zagros lies in Iran and forms one of the mountain belts of the Iranian Plateau. In that context, Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī is a low summit within a large and varied mountain system, far below the major high points that define the range.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest that the summit is warm in summer and cool in winter for its elevation. The warmest month is July, at about 28 °C, while the coldest is January, at about 3 °C. The surrounding area receives about 200 mm of precipitation a year, with the wettest month in January at about 30 mm and the driest in June at about 0 mm.
At this height in central Iran, weather is usually shaped by dry air, strong sun, and large day-to-night temperature changes. Winter can bring cold spells and occasional snow or ice on exposed ground, while spring and early summer are generally the more settled periods. Wind, dust and rapid changes in visibility are common hazards in open mountain terrain.
Best time to visit
All months are estimated to stay above freezing at the summit, but the more comfortable periods are usually the drier and milder parts of the year. For Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī, that points to late spring, early summer and autumn, when temperatures are less extreme and the ground is less likely to be affected by winter cold or brief snow.
Because the area is dry, the landscape can be easier to move through outside the hottest part of summer. In midsummer, heat and sun exposure become the main concerns, while in winter the main issue is cold on exposed slopes and ridges. A visit should be planned around daylight, water supply and the length of the approach.
Nature and wildlife
The mountain lies in an arid part of the Zagros, so the natural cover is likely to be sparse: low shrubs, grasses after seasonal rain, and bare rock or gravel on the steeper ground. In this kind of terrain, wildlife is usually adapted to dry conditions and open slopes, with animals moving widely between feeding areas and shelter.
At 1,879 m, the summit is not high enough for alpine conditions, but it is still part of a mountain environment where exposure, thin soils and limited water shape the vegetation. Spring growth can be brief after winter rain, then the hills quickly dry out as temperatures rise.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī, a certified guide is not always necessary for experienced hikers, but it can be useful if you are unfamiliar with the terrain, travel in a group, or want help with route-finding in open ridges and dry valleys. In Iran, the national guide body is the Iran Mountain Guide Association, which is not an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national federation is the I.R. Iran Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation.
Examples of established guiding companies working in the mountains of Iran include Damavand Adventures and Adventure Iran, both based in Tehran. Guided outings in Iran usually depend on trip length, group size, transport, and whether equipment or extra support is needed. For this mountain, the main practical value of a guide would be local route knowledge and logistics rather than technical climbing support.
Safety and preparation
Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī is not a high alpine summit, but the terrain still calls for basic mountain preparation: sun protection, enough water, sturdy footwear and a plan for heat, wind and navigation across open ground. In dry Iranian hills, the main risks are dehydration, getting off route in featureless terrain, and exposure to sudden weather changes.
For mountain rescue in Iran, the emergency number is 112 for the Red Crescent rescue service. The ambulance number is 115, and police are reached on 110. Carry a charged phone, download maps before setting out, and do not rely on finding water on the mountain.
Interesting facts
Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī is ranked 2795th among the named peaks of the South Central Zagros. Its nearest higher peak is Kūh-e Chakū, 1.7 km to the west, which makes the local relief fairly close-packed. The range high point, Dena, lies about 128 km to the southwest and rises far above this summit.
Although Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī is a named peak, it is part of a much larger mountain system where many summits exceed 2,000 m. That contrast is typical of the Zagros, where local peaks can be numerous and closely spaced, but only a few reach the major heights that define the range.
FAQ
How high is Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī? It rises to 1,879 m.
Where is Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī? It is in Isfahan Province, Iran, in Jarqavieh County and Jarqavieh Sofla Rural District.
Which mountain range is it part of? It belongs to the South Central Zagros, within the Zagros Mountains of the Iranian Plateau.
What is the nearest higher peak? Kūh-e Chakū, 1,991 m, lies 1.7 km to the west.
Is there water on the way to Kūh-e Gol Sorkhī? The area is dry, so plan to carry your own supply. For a day out, take about 1.5-3 litres per person depending on heat and route length.
How do I get mobile coverage there? Coverage in the hills is likely to be patchy and depends on the operator. On open ground a signal may be available, but it can fail behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you go.
When is the best time to visit? The more comfortable periods are usually late spring, early summer and autumn, when temperatures are milder and the weather is generally less harsh than in winter or the hottest part of summer.