Emam Zadeh Hashem (Mosha)

Emam Zadeh Hashem, also known as Mosha, launches from 2,730 m along the Haraz road northeast of Tehran, near the shrine the site is named after and not far past the Ab-e-Ali ski resort. It's a proper cross-country launch — pilots regularly log long XC flights here through spring and summer, though the site goes quiet in winter, when snow closes the access road. Southeast, south and southwest winds work the ridge, and reaching the top from the car park is only a short hike once the road runs out. Landing takes some local knowledge: private gardens, houses and farmland surround the valley and are off-limits, so pilots commonly come down at the military parachuting school site south of takeoff instead, where the guards are used to seeing paragliders land there. From the landing area, the main road is a short walk away, and onward transport back into Tehran is easy to arrange locally. Flight rules here shift from year to year, so check with pilots who have flown recently before you commit to the trip.

Launch & conditions

The road up is closed by snow in winter — in season, park below and hike roughly 200 m up to the takeoff, tucked behind and above the shops near the shrine.

Getting there & local rules

Reached by car or rented taxi from Tehran, along the Haraz road past the Ab-e-Ali ski resort.

Local rules & hazards

Flight rules here can change from year to year, so check with local pilots for the latest before you fly. Expect strong wind in spring and autumn.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Emam Zadeh Hashem (Mosha), read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Emam Zadeh Hashem (Mosha) with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.