Sport & Adventures

For skiing enthusiasts tired of the traditional slopes, Azerbaijan’s two ski resorts in the Caucasus Mountains are a spectacular change of scenery. The luxury resorts at Shahdag have world-class amenities, 14 well-prepared slopes, friendly instructors and diligent staff. Piste quality is ensured by state-of-the-art snow guns and accessed by a brand new network of world-class cable cars and ski lifts. For more advanced skiers, black runs await at the Tufandag Mountain Resort in Gabala. But even for non-skiers there’s plenty to do: besides rental and repair shops, both resorts are well equipped with cafes, bars and restaurants; and both are open in summer, allowing visitors to soak in the fabulous scenery all year round and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and paragliding.

For skiing enthusiasts tired of the traditional slopes, Azerbaijan’s two ski resorts in the Caucasus Mountains are a spectacular change of scenery. The one at Tufandag, just 4 kilometres from Gabala city centre, offers 12 kilometres of slopes, with a mix of challenging reds and blacks for experts and easy options for beginners. The slopes are kitted out with state-of-the-art snow guns and accessed by a network of cable cars, which offer gorgeous views of the Caucasus Mountains. There's also an a ski school and a range of accommodation options including several luxury and upper-mid level hotels. In summer visitors can enjoy plenty of outdoor adventures, from hiking and cycling to paragliding and jeep tours.

Just 260 kilometres away from Baku, Gabala, located at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, is Azerbaijan’s prime outdoor activities hub. The city offers great skiing in winter at the Tufandag Mountain Resort and adrenaline-fueled adventures in spring and summer. Paragliding is also available at Tufandag Mountain Resort, as are jeep safaris that whisk you off into the spectacular Caucasus Mountains with stops for traditional Azerbaijani breakfasts, or lunch and dinner in authentic country villages. Rafting can be enjoyed in the village of Savalan on the banks of the Turyanchay River where local company Gabala Rafting operates between May and September, offering rides along a scenic 11-kilometre stretch of the Turyanchay river.

Surrounded by such outstanding mountain vistas and unique flora and fauna, there is no better way to appreciate the magic of Guba’s many mountain villages than on foot. Visitors are more than welcome to join eco-friendly hiking tours through settlements such as Griz, Galakhudat, Laza and Khinalig located near the Shahdag National Park and its iconic peak, Mount Shahdag. You’ll be able to experience the majestic landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains and its multi-ethnic peoples accompanied by experienced guides who will be happy to share local stories and traditions.

Located on a plateau 1,602 metres up in the Caucasus Mountains is a historic village called Saribash, which is so remote that at some times of the year it can be completely cut off by a fast-flowing river. Even at the best of times you’ll need a 4x4 to get there, but it’s well worth making the effort in order to explore the village’s unique stone architecture and stunning mountain views. The village today is only home to about 30 people in winter, with many having left in recent decades due to its hard-to-reach location, but they’ll happily show you around and treat you to tea with delicious local jams. This is also a great place to try surhullu, a dried-meat dish unique to the Gakh region. Locals claim that nowhere does it better than Saribash.

Azerbaijan is home to many wonderful waterfalls, but the 25-metre high Ilisu Waterfall (also known as Ram-rama), which shoots over a dramatic cliff face in the Caucasus Mountains is Azerbaijan’s highest waterfall and considered something of a hidden gem by locals – the mountain views from here are wonderful. Reaching it requires hiking for about an hour up a fairly steep incline, although if you don’t fancy walking villagers in Ilisu will be happy to take you up the rocky road in a 4x4. Tip: visit in winter to see it dramatically frozen over.

Nestled in a valley flanked by rolling hills, Jar presents a wonderful rural landscape and is probably scenic Zagatala’s most picturesque village. It’s also the start of a lovely hike to a plateau called Shamilovka which is covered in alpine meadows and overlooks the Katekh River that weaves its way through rugged mountains and thick forest. The route up takes about five hours during which you’ll pass natural springs, where you can fill up your water bottles, and the local shepherds that spend summers on the plateau with their flocks. For the full experience, spend a night at the campsite at the top before returning to Jar the following day via an alternative route through dense beech forest.