Best trails in Azerbaijan

Start point: Talıstan village End point: Garanohur lake Start altitude: 911m End altitude: 1533m Ascent: 651m Descent: 54m Duration: 3 hours Lake Garanohur is a mountain lake located in the Ismayilli district. The lake is 12 km north-east of the city of Ismayilli at 1,533m above sea level. The lake is in the Shahdagh National Park and roads lead to it from the villages of Talistan, Diyally and Kekhna-Dakhar. The main tourist route begins in the village of Talistan. The total distance from the entrance to the Shahdag National Park to the lake is 5.5km and the trail runs all the way through wooded areas. 4km of the total distance is a steady incline while the remaining 1km is steeper. The route is marked from beginning to the end, allowing for safe walking all the way. Lake Garanohur is very pleasing on the eye with views that change every season. In summer it mirrors the surrounding trees, while in winter it ices over enough to be able to walk on it, and the surrounding area is completely white. In autumn the lake is surrounded by colourful trees. On the way to the lake you have to cross a river several times. During summer, the river’s water level increases and may flood in times of heavy rainfall. As a result, it is recommended that you double-check the accuracy of weather forecasts before visiting. Note that since the lake is located within the national park, you need to pay a small fee when entering.Show more

Difficulty level: medium hard Start point: Laza village (1650 m) End point: Kuzun village (1250 m) Ascend: 350 m Descend: 660 m Duration: 3.5 hours Laza village (Laza) is a popular tourist destination situated between Gizilgaya (Qızılqaya) and Shahdag (Şahdağ) plateaus on the banks of the Gusar River (Qusarçay). The village is settled by Lezgin people, a north-eastern Caucasian ethnic group. There are more than 25 families living in the village and they operate a few guest houses. Routes to surrounding lofty mountains and peaks go through Laza and this feature creates favourable conditions for development of mountain tourism. There is a new asphalt-covered road connection to the village. A major tourist attraction is Twin waterfalls (Ekiz şəlalələr) discharging from high rocks near Laza village. These waterfalls freeze in the winter and become a large ice formation. So there is an excellent opportunity for ice climbing as well. Besides, the village is located about 4 km from the Shahdag Mountain Resort. Low-budget travellers using services of the resort may stay at Laza at affordable prices and taste local dishes. There are many possible hiking trails starting at Laza and the most convenient one is the eco tour trail between Laza and Kuzun villages (Kuzun). You can witness spectacular views during the hike – gigantic cliffs of Gizilgaya and Shahdag, as well as the waterfall discharging into the Gusarchay gorge. Kuzun village is a traditional settlement also inhabited by Lezgin people and it is bigger than Laza. More than a hundred families reside here. Locals are employed in Shahdag Mountain Resort. However, there is no asphalt-covered road connection and the village is located at 6 km from the main road.Show more

Difficulty level: easy Start point: Khinalig (2200 m) End point: Galakhudat (2270 m) Ascend: 150 m Descend: 100 m Duration: 3 hours Located in a gorge next to Shahdag peak (Şahdağ) of the Great Caucasus Mountain Range, Khinalig village (Xınalıq) is at 57 km south-west of Guba district centre (Quba). The village is 2200 meters above sea level. The 5,000-year-old settlement is the hometown of Khinalig people, who are remnants of ancient Caucasian Albanian tribes. Khinalig people, who call themselves “Ketish” (ketiş), belong to the Shahdag group of language families with their unique mother tongue. Currently, the main economic activity in the village is animal husbandry but terraced landscape on the banks of nearby Gudyal River is a testimony of once widespread dry farming practices. Khinalig village has huge tourism potential, especially for mountain tourism due to its favourable location in a mountainous area. Routes leading to the highest peaks of Azerbaijan (Bazardüzü, Bazaryurd, Şahdağ, Tufandağ, etc.) goes through Khinalig. There are numerous waterfalls, caves, and natural springs around the village setting the stage for active tourism. Guest houses and other tourism facilities operated in the village has become a major source of income for local population. Located at about 9 km east of Khinalig, another mountain settlement – Galakhudat village (Qalaxudat) is also an interesting destination to visit. Galakhudat is located on the left bank of the Gudyal River to the south-east of Gizilgaya massif. The village is just 2 kilometres away from main Guba-Khinalig road. The name of Galakhudat means “the ruler’s fortress” in Persian and it is thought that the area was one of main residences for the rulers of Guba khanate. The village is inhabited by ethnic Azerbaijanis who engage in animal husbandry. However, in recent years, local people show increased interest in tourism, and offer accommodation and catering services to tourists. Khinalig – Galakhudat eco tour trail is an easy hiking trail and it is very convenient for beginners and amateur hikers. The hiking trail follows old Guba-Susay-Khinalig road. In the beginning of the trail, whole ancient section of Khinalig village is visible to hikers. Later during the hike, the rocky landscape and subalpine meadows of Gizilgaya massif are visible on the left, while the Gudyal River and the Great Caucasus Mountain Range with the magnificent peaks of Khinalig (3713 m) and Tufandag (Tufandağ, 4191 m) – on the left. There is another settlement nearby on the banks of the Gudyal River – Bostankesh village (Bostankeş). The inhabitants of this village are also Khinalig people who have migrated to this area in not so distant past.Show more

Difficulty level: Easy Start point: Griz village End point: Gur-Gur waterfall Start altitude: 2016 m End altitude: 2280m Ascent: 354m Descent: 90m Duration: 2 hours The village of Griz is located 30km from the center of Guba region and is at an altitude of 2016m above sea level. Griz village is on the slopes of the main Caucasian Range. This village is the main village of Griz people who speak the language belonging to the Shahdag subgroup of Lazgi group of Dagestan languages. There are currently 30-40 houses in the village of Griz. The population of the village is about 200 people. Griz village lies on the tall cliffs on the left bank of Gudjalchay. There is only one way to the village - this way is only possible with mountain cars. The highest bridge across the country is the path to this village. From the village of Griz to the Great Mountains of Caucasus (Khinalig, Babadagh, Mastdargah mountains and Gizilgaya range) opens a marvelous landscape. Griz village is one of the most snow falling settlements in Azerbaijan. Gur-Gur waterfall is located 2km from the village of Griz. The water flowing from the rocks takes the waterfall froth and creates a small basin where it falls. In the winter, this waterfall is a cave forming ice. The distance from the village of Gur-Gur to the waterfall is 2 km. After returning to the Gur-Gur waterfall, we return to Griz village again. It is one of the easiest routes in the between hiking tours. It's a fairly interesting, picturesque and comfortable route for beginners.Show more

Start point: Hirkan NP End point: Hirkan NP Start altitude: 30m End altitude: 20m Ascent: 222m Descent: 267m Duration: 3 hours Lake Khanbulan is a reservoir located in the Lankaran region. The lake is located 17km south-west of Lankaran city and at is 73m above sea level. The lake is located in the Hirkan National Park and footpaths lead to it from Hirkan village. Surrounded by amazing scenery, Lake Khanbulan was created as a reservoir in 1976 and is approximately 5km long and over 2km wide, and is surrounded by forests on all sides. The village of Apu, Dashtatuk, Parakend are located near the lake. The populations of these villages are Talysh and have their own Talysh language and culture. The Hirkan National Park is extremely rich in flora and fauna. Along the route you will see oak and Iron trees of up to 300 years old, as well as many different bird species. Moreover, more remote areas offshore areas of the national park have different animal species, the most notable of which is the Caucasus Leopard. The lake is accessible in every season, with the main tourist season being spring, summer and early fall. However, this is the area of the country with the most rainfall and it is not advisable to visit during rainy weather. Therefore, it is recommended that you check the accuracy of weather forecasts in advance. Note that since the lake is located within the national park,you need to pay a small fee when entering. This is one of the easiest hiking routes - it is very interesting, scenic and comfortable for beginners. The route is marked by colours from start to finish.Show more

Difficulty level: Easy Start point: Kechmadin village End point: Khalit waterfall Start altitude: 825m End altitude: 1104m Ascent: 425m Descent: 146m Duration: 3 hours Kechmadin and Galadarasi villages are 22 km from the center of Shamakhi. Its population is Turkic. Villages are surrounded by forests and mountains on all sides. Mountain villages of Shamakhi are located in the territory of Shahdag National Park. There is almost no road to the villages because the road is in the river bed and every year, as a result of the overthrow of the Agsu river, the road is destroyed. There are remains of Bugurd fortress belonging to XII-XV centuries in Kechmadin village. The fortress dates back to the time of Shirvanshahs, which had existed in that area at that time. The tower was a shelter for Shirvanshah during the Mongol invasion. The treasury of the Shirvanshahs state was kept in this castle. The route ends with the Khalit waterfall, which is drawn from tall rocks. The road leading to the waterfall crosses the great cliffs covered with moss. Khalit Waterfall is located 2km from the village of Galadarasi. The route starts from the village of Kechmadin and goes to Bugurd Castle, Galadarasi village and Khalit Waterfall by a queue. We go from the Khalit waterfall to the village of Galadarasi. To go to the village of Kechmadin, and to come back from the village of Galadarasi, there are used an offroad car.Show more

Start point: Museum of Mikayil Mushfig End point: Top of Baybayim mountain Start altitude: 198m End altitude: 917m Ascent: 545m Descent: 60m Duration: 3.5 hours The start point of the route is 91 km north-west of Baku and 11 km from Khizi. Baybayim Mountain is made unique by the colourful stripes surrounding the area where it is located. The mountain is 917 m high and has views of the Caspian Sea, the surrounding mountains and even the 4,000m high mountains in the north of the country when the weather is clear. A semi-desert climate prevails in this mountainous area. The best time to ascend to the top of Baybayim Mountain is during spring and early autumn, as the landscape is covered with meadows. It is extremely dry here in summer, and because of the heavy rainfall during the other months, it becomes much more difficult to progress along the clay-mud trails. Note that it is not advisable to walk between May and the end of summer because of the abundance of snakes. The mountain’s famous coloured stripes are mainly found on the lower slopes, and this section is suitable for walking throughout the year. The colours become even more vibrant after rainfall and when the soil is wet.Show more

Difficulty level: Easy Start point: Galaalti village End point: Chiraggala (castle) Start altitude: 640 m End altitude: 1025m Ascent: 380m Duration: 2 hours The village of Galaalti is 43 km from the Shabran district center and is 640 meters above sea level. The name means ‘the village under the castle’. The residence is named because of building on the bottom of the Chiragqala fortress belonging to IV-VI century AD. Near the village treatment of important mineral water comes out. Chiraggala, the highest point of the Gilgilchay wall of defense was built in the IV-VI centuries to protect the Great Silk Road. From the main tower rising above a cliff, which is about 100-120 meters high, it was possible to control 100 km along the seashore Beshbarmak wall on one side, and till Demirgapi Derbent on the other. Chiraggala consisted of 17 constellations. The heights of the walls were about 8-10 meters and their thickness is 3-4 meters. A unique dungeon jail of the castle and a refrigerator story for 180-200 meters away from itself has remained. The Gilgilchay defense shield was a rare piece of art founded by Sassanid ruler Yazdegerd II and called "Abzud-Kavad" with its center of Chiraggala. The distance to Chiragqlay from Galaalti village is 4 km. After returning to Chiragqala, we return to Qalaalti village in another way. Throughout the road is a forested area. From the Chiragqala to Shabran and the Wooden bridge, a wide view opens.Show more

Suspension Bridge – Zarnava Difficulty level: relatively difficult Duration: 2 hours Distance: 4 km Ascend: 580 m Descend: 180 m While driving to historic Lahij town (Lahıc) many people think of what is behind those steep cliffs surrounding the road. One may be surprised to learn that in fact those cliffs are not impassable and you can reach behind-the-cliffs Zarnava and Mushkamir villages on foot! Zarnava village (Zərnava) is located in the piedmont of Niyaldag mountain range (Niyaldağ) and surrounded by forests. Sitting at 1360 metres above sea level, the village is settled by tat people, an ethnic group speaking a local Iranian language. Life in the village is traditional and villagers are engaged in animal husbandry and charcoal making. There are no paved roads leading to the village and one must cross the Girdiman stream (Girdiman) in off-road cars to reach it. There is a famous suspension bridge for pedestrians (asma körpü) over the Girdiman stream and the proposed hiking trail starts at this point by crossing this bridge.Show more

Difficulty level: Easy Start point: Sundu village End point: Aglayan rock Distance: 5 km Start altitude: 933 m End altitude: 1186m Ascent: 260m Descent: 243m Duration: 2 hours Sundu village is 18 km from the center of Gobustan and is located at an altitude of 933 m above sea level. The history of the Sundu village dates back to our era. Sundu is one of the oldest settlements in Azerbaijan. The history of this village is over 5,000 years old. According to the material and cultural examples found in his territory, it is likely that the village will be buried in the Bronze Age. Historical sources and place names confirm it. One of the facts proving the ancient history of this village is the Sundu Mosque. This mosque built in 920 is currently operating. The 'Sundu' which means ‘the village on the slope’ is very attractive with comprehensively surrounded caves in the Kuhuldagh and Gazanfar mountains. There are many caves in the area; on our way, there are caves of the medieval citadel with several rooms in three different places. The route also includes Sundu waterfall. The surrounding areas are covered with meadows and mountainous terrain and are used as terrain for summer months. The total distance from the Sundu village to the Crying Rock is 5 km. After reaching the crying castle, go back to Sundu village with another way.Show more