Khinalig – Galakhudat trail

Start point: Khinalig (2200 m)
End point: Galakhudat (2270 m)
Distance: 9 km
Ascend: 150 m
Descend: 100 m
Duration: 3 hours

Located in a gorge next to Shahdag peak (Şahdağ) of the Great Caucasus Mountain Range, Khinalig village (Xınalıq) is at 57 km south-west of Guba district centre (Quba). The village is 2200 meters above sea level. The 5,000-year-old settlement is the hometown of Khinalig people, who are remnants of ancient Caucasian Albanian tribes. Khinalig people, who call themselves “Ketish” (ketiş), belong to the Shahdag group of language families with their unique mother tongue. Currently, the main economic activity in the village is animal husbandry but terraced landscape on the banks of nearby Gudyal River is a testimony of once widespread dry farming practices.
Khinalig village has huge tourism potential, especially for mountain tourism due to its favourable location in a mountainous area. Routes leading to the highest peaks of Azerbaijan (Bazardüzü, Bazaryurd, Şahdağ, Tufandağ, etc.) goes through Khinalig. There are numerous waterfalls, caves, and natural springs around the village setting the stage for active tourism. Guest houses and other tourism facilities operated in the village has become a major source of income for local population.
Located at about 9 km east of Khinalig, another mountain settlement – Galakhudat village (Qalaxudat) is also an interesting destination to visit. Galakhudat is located on the left bank of the Gudyal River to the south-east of Gizilgaya massif. The village is just 2 kilometres away from main Guba-Khinalig road. The name of Galakhudat means “the ruler’s fortress” in Persian and it is thought that the area was one of main residences for the rulers of Guba khanate. The village is inhabited by ethnic Azerbaijanis who engage in animal husbandry. However, in recent years, local people show increased interest in tourism, and offer accommodation and catering services to tourists.
Khinalig – Galakhudat eco tour trail is an easy hiking trail and it is very convenient for beginners and amateur hikers. The hiking trail follows old Guba-Susay-Khinalig road. In the beginning of the trail, whole ancient section of Khinalig village is visible to hikers. Later during the hike, the rocky landscape and subalpine meadows of Gizilgaya massif are visible on the left, while the Gudyal River and the Great Caucasus Mountain Range with the magnificent peaks of Khinalig (3713 m) and Tufandag (Tufandağ, 4191 m) – on the left. There is another settlement nearby on the banks of the Gudyal River – Bostankesh village (Bostankeş). The inhabitants of this village are also Khinalig people who have migrated to this area in not so distant past.