Altiagaj and Absheron: the two national parks closest to Baku

For anyone who wants to leave Baku and be home by evening there are two national parks, and they are complete opposites: one is forest and hills, the other flat coast and semi-desert.

Altiagaj National Park

Between Xızı and Şamaxı, on the eastern foot of the Greater Caucasus. Roughly 100 km from Baku — under two hours by car.

What is there: oak, hornbeam and beech forest, rolling terrain, small rivers. The area was also created to protect against erosion, so forest restoration is clearly visible here.

Wildlife: roe deer, brown bear (rare), wolf, wild boar, squirrels and a rich variety of birds.

Routes: there are no hard summits — the point here is gentle forest trails from hill to hill. Ideal for beginners, family walks and autumn photography. The nearby coloured mountains of Xızı offer a completely different landscape and fit easily into the same day: Xızı, Bəybəyim mountain and the coloured mountains.

When: April–May (greenery and flowers), October–November (colour). In summer the forest shade earns its keep; in winter it is beautiful under snow.

Absheron National Park

Towards Şüvəlan and Türkan, half an hour from the city. One of the smallest national parks in the country, offering an entirely different environment: semi-desert, salt lakes and sea coast.

What you can see:

• Gazelle. The park's signature animal; the chance of seeing one in open terrain is high, especially in the morning.
• Caspian seal. Found along the shore, particularly in the colder months, resting on rocks. It lives only in the Caspian and its status is seriously threatened.
• Migratory birds. During the autumn and spring migrations the coastal strip is a good birdwatching point.

Format: this is not a long hiking route — you drive in, then take short walks along the shore and observe. A programme of a few hours.

When: October–April. In summer the area is very hot and there is no shade.

A short comparison

Altiagaj: ~100 km from Baku, forest and hills, a hiking format, best in spring and autumn.

Absheron: ~35 km from Baku, semi-desert and coast, observation plus short walks, best in autumn and winter.

The same rules apply to both: entry is paid, do not leave the trail, do not feed the animals, waste goes home with you.

For other one-day options from Baku: Escaping Baku for a day.