Shaft

Shaft (شفت) is a rural county seat in western Gilan Province, situated 25 km southwest of the provincial capital Rasht and 15 km southeast of Fuman. The town serves as an agricultural market center for surrounding farming villages, tea plantations, and forested mountain valleys that rise into the Talesh range of the Alborz Mountains.

Travelers visit Shaft primarily as a gateway to the Siahmazgi valley, known across Iran for its aged artisanal cheese (Panir-e Siahmazgi), and the pilgrimage villages of Imamzadeh Ibrahim and Imamzadeh Eshaq. These mountain settlements feature multi-story wooden houses built into steep forested ridges. Dense Hyrcanian forests, river cascades, and agricultural waterways characterize the countryside outside the town center.

The climate is humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa), featuring high precipitation throughout the year. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cool, overcast, and rainy, with snowfall occurring at higher elevations in the surrounding mountains.

By Air

No airport service exists in Shaft. The nearest facility is Rasht Sardar-e Jangal Airport (RAS), located 35 km northeast (45 minutes by car). RAS handles regular domestic flights operated by Iran Air, Mahan Air, Iran Aseman Airlines, and Kish Air from Tehran (THR, 50 minutes), Mashhad (MHD, 1 hour 30 minutes), Isfahan (IFN), Kish Island, and Shiraz. From the airport, take a private taxi or book a ride via Snapp directly to Shaft for roughly 1,800,000 to 2,500,000 IRR ($3.00 to $4.00 USD).

By Train

No direct train service exists in Shaft. The nearest rail hub is Rasht Railway Station, located 27 km northeast (35 minutes by car). Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI) operates daily passenger services from Tehran to Rasht via Qazvin (5 hours). Trains operated by Raja and Fadak offer 4-star and 5-star compartment classes, costing between 1,500,000 and 3,500,000 IRR ($2.50 to $6.00 USD). From Rasht station, hire a private taxi or Snapp to Shaft.

By Bus

Direct intercity buses from other provinces terminate in Rasht rather than Shaft. Major bus companies including Hamsafar, Royal Safar Iranian, and Iran Peyma run frequent VIP and standard coach services from Tehran's West Terminal (Terminal-e Gharb) to Rasht Bus Terminal (Meydan-e Gil). The bus ride takes 4.5 to 5.5 hours and costs between 1,200,000 and 2,000,000 IRR ($2.00 to $3.50 USD).

From Rasht, shared taxis (Savari) and local minibuses depart frequently from Meydan-e Razi (Razi Square) and the Yakhsazi intersection to Shaft. Minibuses take 40 minutes and cost around 100,000 IRR ($0.15 USD); shared taxis take 30 minutes and cost 200,000 to 300,000 IRR ($0.35 to $0.50 USD) per seat.

By Car

• From Tehran (330 km, 4.5 to 5 hours): Drive northwest along Freeway 2 (Tehran–Qazvin), then follow Freeway 1 (Qazvin–Rasht Expressway) north across the Alborz mountains. Near the southern outskirts of Rasht, exit onto the rural bypass road heading southwest toward Shaft via Mola Sara.

• From Rasht (25 km, 30 minutes): Take the Shaft–Rasht Road southwest through rural farmland.

• From Fuman (15 km, 20 minutes): Drive southeast along the direct paved Fuman–Shaft Road.

• Shared Taxis (Savari): The standard local transit option between Shaft town center, Ahmad Sargurab, Chobar, and Khorramkesh. Fares run 100,000 to 250,000 IRR ($0.15 to $0.40 USD) per passenger.

• Private Hire Taxis (Darbast): Taxis can be hired exclusively from central town stands to reach mountain shrines or trailheads. A round-trip journey to Imamzadeh Ibrahim or Doodvazan Waterfall including waiting time typically costs 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 IRR ($2.50 to $5.00 USD).

• Ride-Hailing Apps: Snapp operates in Shaft town and can connect riders with Rasht and Fuman, but coverage is unreliable deep in mountain valleys like Siahmazgi.

• Imamzadeh Ibrahim Village (Shazdeh Ibrahim): Located 30 km south of Shaft in a steep mountain valley. The settlement is notable for its wooden buildings, painted facades, and pilgrim market centered around the holy shrine. Free entry.

• Doodvazan Waterfall (Abshar-e Doodvazan): Situated near Khorramkesh village, 24 km south of Shaft in the Siahmazgi region. A paved, stepped stone path leads down through dense forest to the cascade base, where local vendors sell tea and snacks. Free entry; parking fee 200,000 IRR ($0.35 USD).

• Imamzadeh Eshaq: A pilgrimage shrine perched on a high forested ridge 25 km southeast of Shaft. The site offers wide mountain views overlooking the Gilan plain, flanked by traditional wooden guesthouses. Free entry.

• Saqalaksar Lake: Located 15 km northeast of Shaft near Saqalaksar village. A clean freshwater reservoir bordered by oak forest, featuring a perimeter walking path and paddleboat rentals. Vehicle entry fee: 150,000 IRR ($0.25 USD).

• Siahmazgi Valley: A long river valley south of Shaft lined with walnut trees, tea plantations, and pastoral settlements where traditional Gilaki cheese-making takes place. Free access.

• Visrud (Vazgah) Waterfall: A forest waterfall located along the Visrud river in southern Shaft county, accessible via a short hike through woodland paths. Free entry.

• Trek to Doodvazan Falls: Hike the stone steps descending through the Hyrcanian forest canopy to the pool below Doodvazan Waterfall.

• Shop for Artisanal Cheese in Siahmazgi: Visit dairy farmers in Khorramkesh and surrounding hamlets to buy freshly made and aged Panir-e Siahmazgi, a regional sheep and cow milk cheese cured in animal skins.

• Paddle on Saqalaksar Lake: Rent a two-person pedal boat to tour the calm waters of the lake with views of the surrounding tree-covered hills (approx 800,000 IRR / $1.30 USD per 30 minutes).

• Hike Ridge Trails from Imamzadeh Eshaq: Follow forest footpaths along the mountain ridges surrounding the hilltop shrine for views extending across southern Gilan.

• Afshar Traditional Restaurant & Cafe (رستوران سنتی افشار): Located on the Jirdeh–Shaft road. Known for regional Gilani dishes using local produce, including Mirza Ghasemi (smoked eggplant with garlic and eggs), Baghali Ghatogh (dill, bean, and egg stew), and Kebab Torsh (beef marinated in pomegranate paste and crushed walnuts). Price tier: Mid-range (800,000 to 2,000,000 IRR / $1.30 to $3.30 USD per dish).
• Peyman Restaurant (رستوران پیمان): Located on Emam Hossein Street in central Shaft. A traditional dining room serving classic Persian grilled meats, Chelow Kebab Koobideh, Joojeh Kebab, and Kateh rice with butter. Price tier: Budget to mid-range (600,000 to 1,500,000 IRR / $1.00 to $2.50 USD).
• Kamyaab Mumtaz Restaurant (رستوران ممتاز کامیاب): Positioned along the western road toward Fuman. Serves Chenjeh (marinated lamb skewers), saffron chicken, and local side dishes such as Zeytoon Parvardeh (pomegranate-walnut marinated olives). Price tier: Budget (500,000 to 1,200,000 IRR / $0.80 to $2.00 USD).
• Salari Restaurant (رستوران سالاری): Situated on Ayatollah Taleghani Boulevard. A casual eatery offering homestyle Gheimeh, Ghormeh Sabzi, and grilled fish served with northern Iranian rice. Price tier: Budget (500,000 to 1,100,000 IRR / $0.80 to $1.80 USD).

• Imamzadeh Ibrahim Village Guesthouses: Budget wooden rooms rented directly by village residents in multi-story houses surrounding the shrine. Facilities are basic, featuring shared bathrooms and traditional floor bedding (tokhoshak). Rates: 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 IRR ($2.50 to $5.00 USD) per night.
• Alatiti Ecolodge (اقامتگاه بوم‌گردی الا تی تی): Mid-range accommodation located in the rural outskirts of Shaft among rice paddies and orchards. Features traditional regional architecture, private rooms, outdoor courtyard seating, and homemade Gilaki breakfasts. Rates: 5,000,000 to 9,000,000 IRR ($8.00 to $15.00 USD) per night.
• Chamiso Ecolodge (اقامتگاه بوم‌گردی چمی‌سو): Mid-range lodge in Dorudkhan village on the road to the southern mountains. Offers wooden guest chalets, garden spaces, and on-site cooking. Rates: 4,500,000 to 8,000,000 IRR ($7.50 to $13.00 USD) per night.
• Rasht and Fuman Hotels: Upscale travelers should stay in nearby cities. Moin Hotel in Fuman (18 km northwest) offers 4-star rooms and indoor pools (25,000,000 to 45,000,000 IRR / $40 to $75 USD per night), while Kadous Grand Hotel in Rasht (25 km northeast) provides full 5-star hotel amenities (35,000,000 to 60,000,000 IRR / $55 to $95 USD per night).

• Fuman (15 km northwest, 20 minutes by car): Famous for its traditional sweet pastries (Kolucheh-ye Fuman) and tree-lined city streets.
• Rudkhan Castle (Ghaleh Rudkhan) (28 km west, 40 minutes by car): A massive medieval brick fortress situated on a forested mountain ridge above Fuman, accessed via a hike up 1,000 stone steps.
• Rasht (25 km northeast, 30 minutes by car or taxi): The provincial capital and a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, home to the bustling Rasht Bazaar, Municipal Square, and the Gilan Rural Heritage Museum.
• Masuleh (45 km west, 1 hour by car via Fuman): A historic stepped mountain village built into the slopes of the Talesh Mountains, where the flat roofs of houses serve as walking streets for the level above.