Eight hour round-trip

Cycling team conquers Mount Halgurd, Kurdistan Region’s second-highest peak

2024-08-10 | 18:43

CHOMAN — A cycling team has successfully reached the summit of Mount Halgurd, the second-highest peak in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, marking a first for such an endeavor on bicycles. The round-trip journey took eight hours, according to one of the cyclists.

Halgurd was previously considered to be the highest peak but Mount Cheekha Dar, straddling the border with Iran, was recently discovered to be four meters taller.

Zirak Zrar, a participant, shared with 964media that initially, four cyclists had planned to tackle the ascent, but only two completed the challenge.

Zrar, alongside Karwan Mohammed, faced significant obstacles due to the rugged terrain, at times having to carry their bicycles through certain sections before they could continue riding. Their descent was made in the dark, necessitating the use of lights to navigate the path.

“This is the first time a team has completed this challenge together. In the past, individuals have tried, but never as an organized team,” Zrar noted.

The journey began in the Shewe Zar area and took four hours to reach the summit. Zrar highlighted that while the climb typically takes six hours on foot from Shewe Zar, they were able to ascend more quickly by bike.

Mount Halgurd is the second-highest peak in Iraq, after Cheekha Dar, and the tallest entirely within the country’s borders, standing at 3,607 meters (11,834 feet). Located in the Choman District of the Erbil governorate, within the Kurdistan Region, Halgurd is part of the Zagros Mountain range.

The mountain is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and stunning views, especially when its peaks are snow-capped in the winter. It attracts hikers and mountaineers, particularly from the nearby town of Choman, which serves as a hub for various outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking, and camping.