hiking along the Galakhudat – Griz trail

Although the route is partly tiring, the trails are clearly visible everywhere and the entire route is marked. Follow the signs and walk along the dirt road. At the exit of the village you will take the path to the Kokosh gorge, 400m ahead of the cemetery on the right. Continue along the rocky terrain that descends steeply into a ravine. After walking for 1.3km, crossing a small river and walking a little through the ravine, you will reach a viewpoint over the canyon on a small hill. About 2.5km ahead (near the Gurgur waterfall) you will cross a more turbulent river and 2.8km later reach the village of Griz.

Nearby trails

You can connect this trail with the Khinalig-Galakhudat and Griz-Grizdahna trails.

Seasonality

It is important to have appropriate outdoor clothing as this is a moderately difficult hike. You have to be especially careful on snowy days in winter because the descent to Kokosh gorge is quite steep. If you want to enjoy green nature this route is ideal for May-July, and in December-February to see snowy mountains. It is recommended to check the weather forecast before your trip as foggy, rainy or snowy weather will make the trail significantly more difficult. In windy weather, the descent to Kokosh gorge might be dangerous.

In May and September, during the migration of flocks of sheep, you might encounter shepherd dogs guarding the sheep as they graze in the Kokosh gorge. Be careful when passing here and call the shepherd from a distance for help.

Food and accommodation

There are no restaurants or cafes in Galakhudat or Griz villages. However, there are guest houses in both villages that offer food and accommodation. You can find the location of guest houses, hotels and other accommodation facilities on the map.

Water

You can fill up your water bottles in the yards of local villagers before leaving the village. There are springs in two places along the route. After descending to the Kokosh gorge and walking along a dirt track you cross a small river with clean and drinkable water, except during rain or snowmelt. It is recommended to take 1.5-2 litres of water, depending on the temperature. The second source of drinking water is the river into which the Griz waterfall flows, except during rain or snowmelt.

Transportation

You can reach Galakhudat in an off-roach vehicle. Taxis (Niva or UAZ jeeps) can take you there from the centre of Guba city for 50 AZN. If you intend to return to Guba from Galakhudat on the same day, you can ask the driver to wait for you and take you back for no extra payment. If you intend to return to Guba from Griz, you can ask the same driver to collect you and take you back for an extra 30 AZN.

Permissions and Special Protected Areas

No prior permission is required to hike along this route. The trail does not pass through a special protected natural area or border protection zone.