Mid-December to March
Winter in Azerbaijan
Snowy villages, frozen waterfalls and quiet mountain trails, a short drive from the ski slopes. Private day hikes with pickup from your hotel.
Dec–Mar
Winter hiking season
1 day
Most winter hikes are day trips
Any hotel
Pickup from Shahdag, Guba or Baku
Private
Your group only, at your pace
A day off the slopes
Coming to Shahdag to ski? The mountains around the resort have far more to offer than the pistes. A short drive away, stone villages sit under snow, shepherd paths are marked only by footprints, and waterfalls freeze into walls of ice.
These hikes suit a rest day from skiing, the people in your group who do not ski, or anyone visiting Baku who wants to see the mountains in their quietest season.
Where we hike in winter
Our most-loved ways to spend a winter day
Every route is chosen a day or two before, based on snow and road conditions.
Right next to the resort
Kuzun–Laza
The trail starts by the Shahdag Ski Resort parking lot and drops into the valley above Laza, where waterfalls hang as ice in cold spells.
The easy option
Khinalig and Galaykhudat
A gentle walk between two high villages, our first choice when the snow is deep or the group is mixed. Continue to Griz for a longer day.
On request
Griz and the frozen Gur-gur waterfall
In the coldest weeks the waterfall near Griz freezes into a wall of blue ice. Fit hikers can add a climb of Mastdargah from the village.
Forest and a mountain lake
Garanohur Lake
A forest walk in Shahdag National Park to a quiet mountain lake, lower than the northern villages. How much snow there is depends on the week.
Culture and villages
Baku, Gobustan and a village trek
Four days: Baku and Gobustan first, then two days on foot between snowy Khinalig, Galaykhudat and Griz, with a night in a village home.
Best in cool, wet weather
The mud volcanoes
The mud volcanoes are at their best in the cool, wet months. The mud stays soft and runny, and the craters bubble and spill over, while summer heat bakes much of it into a cracked crust. An easy half day from Baku, and one of the strangest landscapes in the country.
“Have hiked plenty across the world and can say this was one of the very well organized ones.”
A Hike Away guest
How a winter day works
Winter days are short, so we keep them simple.
1
We plan the route together
Tell us what you would like to see and we recommend the best route for the snow, the weather and your group. We check conditions again the day before.
2
We pick you up
From your hotel at Shahdag, in Guba, in Baku, or anywhere else. Early, to make the most of the light.
3
On the trail
Private, at your pace, with a local guide who knows these villages well.
4
Back before dark
Down from the mountain before the light goes, and back to your hotel.
Bring waterproof boots with good grip, warm layers, a hat and gloves. We send a full packing list when you book.
Plan your winter day
Tell us where you are staying, your dates and how many of you there are. If you are already in Azerbaijan, message us and we will see what we can arrange.
Coming before mid-December? See Autumn in Azerbaijan.