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Kopet Dag mountains
A range stretching 650 km along the Turkmen–Iranian border, the mountain retreat of Ashgabat's people.
The Kopet Dag stretches 650 km from south-east of the Caspian to the Hari River; its highest peak in Turkmenistan is Mount Rizeh (2,940 m), south-west of Ashgabat.
Ashgabat stands right at its foot, and the valleys hold springs, orchards and green meadows where the capital's residents come at weekends to picnic and hike.
Sights at the foot of the range include the ruins of Nisa and the Kow Ata underground lake; the Kopet Dag was also the homeland of the ancient Parthians and of Turkmen tribes.
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Updated: October 3, 2026