An amazing scenic mountain road, Route 59 or Chalus road passes through varying scenic segments, from semi-arid to snow covered and rocky to lush green mountains in the north, Iran

Chalus road starts off from the city of Karaj along the Karaj river and snakes through the mountains with varying scenery, Alborz province, Iran

One of the many riverside picnic and garden restaurants along the Karaj river, Chalus road, Alborz province, Iran

Popular Iranian carpeted siting platforms (Takht in Persian) alongside the Karaj river, Chalus road, Alborz province, Iran

Lake formed by Amir-Kabir or Karaj dam, along the Chalus road (Route 59), Alborz province, Iran

Lakeside village of Varian, Karaj lake, Alborz province, Iran

Lakeside village of Varian next to Karaj lake, photo was taken in autumn, Alborz province, Iran

Main stream along Chalus road, flowing into the Karaj lake, Alborz province, Iran

Streams along Chalus road, join into the main river flowing toward Karaj lake, Alborz province, Iran

Roadside soup restaurants in Kandevan-Pass, at the hights of Chalus road, with an elevation of 2,863m (9,393 ft), Alborz province, Iran

Right after Kandevan Pass, Chalus road starts its descent, offering a stunning view over the gorges, streams and waterfalls, Mazandaran province, Iran

A deep gorge viewed from the Chalus road, right after the Kandevan Pass, Mazandaran province, Iran

A closeup view of the gorge from Chalus road, Mazandaran province, Iran

A cascading waterfall, viewed from Chalus road, Mazandaran province, Iran

After a significant elevation drop and series of hairpin turns, Chalus road reaches the bottom of the canyon and countinues along the river, Mazandaran province, Iran

A local specialty vendor in Chalus road stop, Masandaran province, Iran

A souvenir and local specialty store in a Chalus roadside stop, Mazandaran province, Iran