hiking along the Khinalig – Galakhudat trail

Walking along this route, you can enjoy views of the steep cliffs of Mount Gizilgaya, the vast Gudyalchay river valley and the terraces of land previously used for farming - in short, magnificent views of the Greater Caucasus Mountains.

Hiking alongthe Khinalig – Galakhudat trail

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Khinalig – Galakhudat trail

Khinalig is one of the highest villages in Azerbaijan and its territory is protected by the government as part of the Khinalig Historical, Architectural and Ethnographical Reserve. The Khinalig people are considered one of the most ancient ethnic groups in Azerbaijan and have their own unique Khinalig language, spoken exclusively in the village.

DISTANCE - 8.2 KM

ELEVATION GAIN - 370 M

ELEVATION - 350 M

MAX. ALTITUDE - 2300 M

MIN. ALTITUDE - 2155 M

DURATION - 3 H 10 MIN

For those who like easy walks, this route taking you to the neighbouring village of Galakhudat is an excellent choice. The paths are clearly visible everywhere and the entire trail is marked. There is an information board for the Galakhudat-Griz trail at the end of this trail. Follow the signs and after crossing a small river you will go uphill for 800m. The road to the left from here leads to the foot of Mount Gizilgaya, but you need to continue straight along the main road towards the village of Galakhudat. After just over 6km you will reach a small mountain pass. You can see the village of Bostankesh in the distance on your right before the pass. Once you reach the top of the pass, you will see Galakhudat village on your left below the steep cliffs. Follow the signs towards the centre of the village.

Nearby trails
You can connect this trail with the Galakhudat-Griz trail.

Seasonality
You can hike this trail in all seasons. However, it is best to go between May and July if you want to enjoy green scenery. If you want to see snowy mountains, then go between December and February. It is always highly recommended to check the weather forecast before your trip as the trail is more difficult in foggy, rainy or snowy weather. You might encounter some shepherd dogs in the flat area before the small mountain pass between May and September. You can call the shepherd from a distance to help you pass safely.

Food and accommodation
There are no restaurants or cafes in either village, only a small tea house in Khinalig. 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
The only spring is in Khinalig at the beginning of the trail. There are no springs directly on the trail in Galakhudat village, but you can ask the locals for water. It is recommended to take 1.5-2 litres of water depending on the temperature. During the walk, you will cross a small river with water which is drinkable, except on rainy days when it turns cloudy. In summer, it is also not recommended to drink this water as it is used by shepherds for their livestock further upriver.

Transportation
There is no public transport to either of the villages. Local taxis in Guba city centre (Niva and UAZ jeeps) can take you to Khinalig for 60 AZN. If you intend to return from Galakhudat to Guba, you can ask the same driver to collect you from Galakhudat and take you back for no additional payment.

Permits & Special Protected Areas
There is no need for any permission in order to hike along this trail. The trail does not pass through a special protected nature area or border protection zone.

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