Hirkan National Park: a forest left over from the ice age

The Hirkan forest is not an ordinary forest. When forests retreated across most of Europe during the ice age, this narrow strip between the Caspian and the Talysh mountains became a climate refuge. As a result, plant species from the Tertiary period still live here.

What makes it special

• Ironwood (Parrotia persica). A tree that sinks in water — its wood is denser than water. Trunks fuse into one another as they grow and appear as a wall inside the forest.
• Caspian gleditsia, silk acacia, the Hirkan fig and dozens of other rare plants.
• The forest is subtropical in character: lianas, a dense understorey, humid air, green all year.

In terms of wildlife, the headline name is the Caucasian leopard. Seeing one is effectively impossible, but it is the main reason for the park's strict protection regime. There are also roe deer, jungle cats, badgers, squirrels and a rich bird fauna.

Routes

Hirkan hikes are forest hikes, not summit hikes: gentle ascent, shade, the sound of water, a great deal of plant life. The most-visited points:

• Lake Xanbulan — in the park's entrance area, an ideal base for camping and short routes.
• The lower slopes of the Talysh mountains — trails starting from the villages.
• Mushroom season — a separate attraction of the forest in autumn.

Route difficulty is usually low to moderate, which makes Hirkan one of the best regions for first hikes.

When to go

• April–June: the greenest and wettest period.
• September–November: mushroom and colour season, settled weather.
• Summer: possible — the mountain part is cooler than the coast, but humidity is high.
• Winter: rainy, trails turn to mud; you can go, but footwear choice is critical.

The region has one particular characteristic: humidity. Even when the temperature is not extreme, the sensation of sweating is strong. Increase your water supply accordingly.

Practical notes

• Entry to the park is paid; the entrance is on the Lənkəran side.
• Part of the area is a strictly protected zone — leaving the trail is both prohibited and a genuine risk of losing your bearings in dense forest.
• Tick season runs April–June: long trousers, light-coloured clothing and the habit of checking yourself after a hike.
• The local food is a reason in itself — ləvəngi, turşu aş and Lənkəran tea.

Routes in the region on the site: the Hirkan tour (Lake Xanbulan), the mushroom-picking tour, the mushroom-picking and camping tour.