Cheekha Dar Mountain

Cheekha Dar is a high mountain peak in Erbil Governorate in Iraqi Kurdistan and is widely regarded as the highest point in Iraq. The summit rises to an elevation of approximately 3,611 metres above sea level.

The peak offers alpine terrain with steep slopes and rocky ridgelines; excursions are typically undertaken by experienced hikers or mountaineers accompanied by local guides. Scenic highland landscapes and long approaches through remote valleys characterize visits.

As a regional high point, the mountain has been noted in modern geographic surveys and mountaineering reports; it has no recorded long-term habitation but is part of the broader cultural landscape of the Kurdish highlands.

Situated in the mountainous borderlands of northeastern Iraq close to the frontier with Iran, the peak is in a remote sector of Erbil Governorate and accessed from nearby Kurdish towns and border routes.

• Elevation and status: At about 3,611 metres above sea level, it is commonly cited as the highest point in Iraq and a prominent summit in the Zagros/Kurdish highlands.
• Access considerations: Remote, near the Iraq-Iran border in Erbil Governorate; climbs require local logistical support and appropriate permits depending on access routes.

• Aim for late spring or early autumn and start your climb at dawn - snow is less likely and you get calmer winds plus the best light across the Zagros ridges, while afternoons can be windy and hazy.
• Arrange a local Kurdish guide and confirm access with regional authorities before you go; the peak sits on a sensitive border area and local knowledge is essential for safe routes and current access rules.
• Avoid large groups by using less-common approach paths used by shepherds (ask your guide); many visitors concentrate on the main summit route and miss broader panoramic views into adjoining valleys and across the border.