The Alamut Valley is very popular with hikers and quite rightly so. It is a spectacular valley filled with high summits such as Khashechal 4180m, Siyalan 4250m and the grand Shah Alborz 4100m as well as many canyons and waterfalls and remote isolated settlements.
The departing point for shared communal taxis is the Gharib Kosh square in Qazvin. These "savaris" will take you to Moalem Kelayeh which is where you need to get off if you are heading for Lake Ovan or Garmarood if you are going to do one of the impressive treks to the Caspian side.
The side valleys and canyons such as Gazorkhan where the main Assassin's Castle is located are not served by shared taxis and you are better off getting a taxi to yourself.
If you are coming from the Caspian coastline then the Sehezar road ( under construction) is your best option. However, you should note that this road is closed in winter months. There is a minibus that leaves Tonekabon early in the morning and goes as far az Khoshkechal village. You need to arrange with the driver beforehand. The best place to find him would be the Khorramabad Junction of Tonekabon from where shared taxis go to Maran and Darjan. Note: this option is for people on a very low budget and with plenty of time to spare.
Day Hikes and one day summits from Khoonegeli 1. Lemira : - is a summer settlement of some 50 odd adobe houses in an alpine pastureland above the forest line in an altitude of some 2300m in the Goleyjan district of southern Tonekabon. It is one of the most picturesque summer villages in the area within easy reach of Khoonegeli. It has an amazing panoramic view of the Caspian Sea, the forest below, and the coastal towns from Ramsar to Chalous of some 70km radius. There are 3 trails to reach Lemira a) Khoonegeli (altitude 80m ASL) – Beysar a tiny settlement at an altitude of 600m ASL 15 minutes by car then trek via an old forest trail, hardly used these days as a dirt road to Aghuzhal has shorten the journey to Lemira, the return can be via Aghuzhal (1200m ASL) to Khoonegeli 17km 45 minutes. Approximate hiking time : 8 hours b) Khoonegeli- Aghuzhal –Lemira, return ...