Also known as: Tangeh Shabikhoun, Makhmal-kooh, Tang Shabikhon, Makhmal Kooh Recreational Place

Makhmal Kuh, literary meaning velvet mountain, is an eye-catching and popular mount that dominates Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan province, western Iran. This beautiful area is located to the north of Khoram Abad, in the valley of Makhmal Kooh. It is so called due to abundance of small stones and flowers in the way to the same.

Makhmal Kuh is a chain of mountains in Luristan measuring 2900 meters at its highest point. It is in northeastern Khorramabad. As part of the Khaydalou valley, this chain of mountains houses part of the city of Khorramabad in its foothills. Makhmal Kuh has a sedimentary texture and most of it is covered by moss and lichen. With the start of the rainy season, these grow on parts of the mountains where there is less sunshine and multiply into a green and black velvety texture.

Makhmal means Velvet in Persian. The name “velvet” comes from what the natural scenery induces its passersby to think about, “A foothill beneath velvet blankets”!

Such conception stems from the fact that Makhmal Kuh, which has a sedimentary texture, is heavily dominated with lichen and moss that range from green to black colors.