Mount Derak

🧭What kind of place is it?

The north face of Derak is usually covered in snow from early December to about 20 March. The mountain's plants are varied, with wild almond, wild pistachio, oak and rhubarb growing here. Jackals, foxes, partridges and falcons are among the animals of the area.

🏛️What was it built for?

Derak is a place for hiking and recreation for the people of Shiraz, but it was also once a source of ice. People dug round pits and filled them with water in winter to freeze. The stored ice was carried from the mountain to the city for the hot season.

👀What you will see

• On the summit stands a small structure with a plaque giving details of the mountain and the peak.
• On the north side of the mountain, winter snow usually lasts until late March.
• Wild almond, wild pistachio and oak make up part of the trees on Derak's slopes.
• Thyme, rhubarb and gundelia grow here, along with flowers such as poppies and crown imperial lilies.

💡Something interesting

In the past people kept Derak's snow in pits and used the cool water from its melting in summer. One explanation of the name Derak also goes back to this role of water in the lives of the people of Shiraz.

🎒Good to know before you go

• Photograph the mountain's plants rather than picking them.