hiking along the Mahrasa Temple – Amirvar trail

Following this trail connecting the Dashkasan and Gadabay regions, you can see the Maiden Tower, Mahrasa Temple and enjoy magnificent views of the Shamkir river.

Mahrasa Temple – Amirvar trail

Mahrasa served as a magnificent temple of fire worship and was originally known as a sacred place for the worship of celestial bodies. This ancient temple was one of the central temples in the Albanian province of Girdiman. Next to the temple there is a building that resembles a caravanserai.

DISTANCE - 10.4 KM

ELEVATION GAIN - 909 M

ELEVATION LOSS - 545 M

MAX. ALTITUDE - 1443 M

MIN. ALTITUDE - 1001 M

DURATION - 3 H 05 MIN

The entire trail has been marked and the paths are mostly clearly visible everywhere. Follow the directional signs along your way. After 2km you can walk up to the left to reach the Maiden Tower after 550m or, alternatively, continue on the marked trail to Amirvar village. After 2km from this point, you need to cross the Shamkir river and go uphill through the forest. After going 4.2km through the forest (note that this part is mostly uphill) you will reach Amirvar village. You can walk 350m to the left from the village entrance to reach the Amirvar waterfall or continue for 1.8km to the village exit.

Only the road in Amirvar village is suitable for vehicles. The route is primarily uphill except for the part to the place where you cross the Shamkir river.

It is also possible to hike this route the opposite way.

Nearby trails

This trail can be connected with the Soyugbulag – Mahrasa trail.

Seasonality

It might be difficult to cross the Shamkir river in rainy seasons (autumn and spring).

Food and accommodation

There is a small shop in Amirvar village. There are small cafes at the exit of the village where the road separates off towards the Amirvar waterfall.

Stay: Ismikhan’s Guesthouse (+99455 482 8691) - Amirvar

Water

There is no spring along this route other than in Amirvar village.

Transportation

You need an off-road vehicle to get to Mahrasa Temple from Gadabay. However, please note you need to cross the Shamkir river several times on the way and in rainy seasons, when the water level is high, this may not be possible.

Permits & Specially Protected Areas

No special permissions are required to hike this route.

Warning

There is no bridge to cross the Shamkir river. As the river is fairly wide you will need to enter the river in order to cross to the other side. It is not recommended to do so in rainy seasons, when the river level rises.

The path to the Maiden Tower is quite steep and might be slippery, so be careful when ascending and descending.

GALLERY