Niyaldag (2053 m): an 11-kilometre summit trek starting from Lahij

If you are looking for a summit that fits into one day yet is not a stroll, Niyaldag is the right size: 2053 metres, 11 km there and back, a trail that climbs from forest to meadow.

The rhythm of the day

You reach Lahij early in the morning (about 4 hours from Baku), the walk starts after 11:00 and you are on the summit around 15:00. After the descent there is a tea break in Lahij — the best possible ending to the route.

Programme: Niyaldag summit trek.

The three stages of the route

Forest. The first section is shaded and feels easy — which is exactly where many people speed up and then run out of strength on the climb that follows. Keep a calm pace in the forest.

Open ground. As the trees thin out, the wind picks up. This is the point to add a layer; the easiest way to get chilled is to stop while you are sweating.

Meadow and summit. From the Niyal plateau, Babadag and the surrounding peaks open up. Do not linger long on top — the weather changes quickly towards evening.

Lahij: the second half of the trek

Lahij is an old village known for its coppersmith tradition, with cobbled streets. If you have an hour after the tour, look into the coppersmiths' workshops. This is the cultural side of the route and it makes the tour far more interesting for families with children.

Nearby routes

To see the same region from a different angle:

• Mucu–Lahij mountain trek — 15 km, 1020 m of ascent, harder
• Sulut summit trek (Fit mountain) — 12 km, with an ancient fortress and an ice house
• Babadag Canyon — for summer, a route that goes through the water