Muju - Lahij trail

Start point: Muju village (1140 m)
Highest point: 2000 m
End point: Lahij town (1220 m)
Distance: 10 km
Ascend: 1030 m
Descend: 700 m
Duration: 5 hours

Surrounded by scenic mountains, Muju village (Mücü) is located in the piedmont of Mount Fit (Fit dağı) at 7 km from historic Basgal town (Basqal). Muju was once settled by Mountain Jews and a Jewish cemetery in the village is a testimony to its Jewish heritage. Currently, about 15 families (not Jewish) reside in the village. The village is accessible with off-road vehicles via Basgal.
Lahij town (Lahıc) is a well-known tourist destination with its historic houses, mosques and public baths. Its monuments are restored and well maintained, and its population still engage in traditional crafts and produce handmade artefacts coveted by tourists. Lahij is settled by Tat people, an ethnic group speaking a local Iranian language. Lahij is also a historic market town and centre for villages spread across the Niyaldag Mountain Range (Nilyaldağ). Even today some residents of Muju come to Lahij to pay a visit to farrier and have their horses fitted with horseshoes. The proposed hiking trail is based on this mountain track used by local villagers.
The hiking trail goes through protected forests of Shahdag National Park (Şahdağ Milli Parkı), crosses over small streams and reaches a summer pasture at 2000 m above sea level. At this vantage point, there are breathtaking views of Lahij and surrounding villages, snow-capped Great Caucasus Mountains dividing Guba (Quba) and Ismayilli (İsmayıllı) districts, as well as Babadag peak (Babadağ, 3629 m). While approaching the pasture, the trail goes into a rocky landscape and gets narrower. Therefore, it is recommended that this part of the trail be carefully followed. This interesting trail is recommended for those people who like hard and long mountain hikes.