Description
Chitgar Lake is an artificial reservoir located in western Tehran. Covering 130 hectares, the area consists of an open water body surrounded by a 5-kilometer shoreline and the adjacent Chitgar Forest Park, which contains pine and cypress trees. Although the project was initially proposed in the 1968 Tehran Master Plan, construction only began in September 2010, and the lake was officially filled and inaugurated in 2013.
The site serves as a significant habitat for over 80 bird species, primarily as a stopover for migratory birds from Siberia and Eastern Europe. In winter, the lake is populated by large numbers of Riječni Galeb. It's a good place to spot ducks like Glavata Patka, Zviždara, Divlja Patka and Patka Lastarka.
Details
Access
Since Chitgar Lake is on the western edge of Tehran, it is not very easy to reach by public transport. However, if you choose to go that way, the closest metro station is Chitgar; from there, you should take a taxi and then walk for a few minutes to reach the lake. It is easiest to visit by private car, and there are usually plenty of parking spots along the streets as well as a designated parking lot, though these can fill up quickly on weekends. Walking a full circuit around the lake takes more than an hour. It is better to plan for a few hours, especially since there is a shopping mall and many restaurants where you can relax whenever you like.