About
Halgurd-Sakran National Park is located in the Kurdistan Region of northeastern Iraq along the border with Iran and covers approximately 440 square miles (1,140 sq km). Officially established in 2012, it became Iraq’s first national park and represents a major milestone in the country’s modern conservation efforts.
Situated northeast of Erbil within the Zagros Mountain Range, the park protects some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Iraq. The park takes its name from two prominent peaks, Mount Halgurd and Mount Sakran, with Mount Halgurd reaching approximately 11,165 feet (3,403 meters), the highest mountain in Iraq. Halgurd-Sakran National Park preserves a remarkable environment of rugged peaks, alpine meadows, forests, rivers, and high-altitude ecosystems that are unique within the country.
Halgurd-Sakran National Park is best known for its dramatic mountain scenery and exceptional biodiversity. Visitors are drawn to its snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, alpine grasslands, waterfalls, and panoramic vistas. The park offers outstanding opportunities for hiking, trekking, mountaineering, wildlife observation, photography, and nature tourism.
During spring, wildflowers blanket many of the mountain slopes, creating vibrant displays of color across the landscape. Remote valleys and high ridges provide visitors with opportunities to experience some of the most pristine wilderness remaining in Iraq. As ecotourism continues to develop within the region, the park has become an increasingly important destination for outdoor recreation.
The geography of Halgurd-Sakran National Park is dominated by the rugged terrain of the Zagros Mountains. Elevations range from fertile valleys and foothills to some of the highest peaks in Iraq. The landscape includes steep ridges, rocky cliffs, alpine meadows, glacial remnants, mountain streams, and seasonal wetlands.
Snowfall during winter supplies water to rivers and springs that support ecosystems throughout the region. Vegetation varies with elevation and includes oak woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, juniper stands, and alpine plant communities. The diversity of habitats supports a wide range of species adapted to both mountain and semi-arid environments.
Wildlife within Halgurd-Sakran National Park is among the richest in Iraq. Mammals found within the park include Persian leopards, wild goats, wild boar, wolves, red foxes, striped hyenas, and numerous smaller mountain species. The park provides critical habitat for several threatened and regionally important animals.
Birdlife is equally diverse, with golden eagles, griffon vultures, chukar partridges, wheatears, falcons, and numerous migratory birds utilizing the mountain habitats. Reptiles, amphibians, and endemic plant species further contribute to the ecological significance of the park. The varied elevations and habitats make the region one of the most important biodiversity strongholds in Iraq.
Halgurd-Sakran National Park plays a vital role in protecting Iraq’s mountain ecosystems and preserving one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the Zagros Mountains. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, wildlife conservation, watershed management, and sustainable tourism development. The park also serves as an important ecological corridor linking mountain habitats across the Iraq-Iran border region.
Halgurd-Sakran is often compared to Golestan National Park and Kazbegi National Park because of its mountain scenery and ecological importance. However, its status as Iraq’s first national park and its protection of the country’s highest mountains give it a distinctive identity. Today, Halgurd-Sakran National Park stands as one of Iraq’s most significant conservation achievements, preserving a remarkable landscape where mountains, wildlife, forests, and alpine ecosystems continue to thrive.
