Lake Qaranohur: the lake hidden 12 kilometres away in Ismayilli

In Azerbaijan, the shore of any lake you can reach by car is always crowded. Qaranohur is not on that list — reaching it takes 12 kilometres of walking there and back.

The route

The start is the village of Talistan in Ismayilli. You arrive at the village around 09:30 and the walk begins there. The difficulty is moderate, but the tour description is honest about it: it can be a little hard for first-timers.

→ Ismayilli, Lake Qaranohur trek

When to go

Spring — the best. High water, green surroundings, cool air. The tour description says "to see it in spring" and there is a reason: by late summer the lake shrinks.

Autumn — the second best. The forest is in colour and the weather is stable.

Summer — possible, but hot. There are sections with little shade.

What "a little hard" means

The 12 km are not flat. There are ups and downs, muddy stretches and changing ground underfoot. Concretely, that means:

• You should be ready for at least 5–6 hours of movement
• You need shoes with grippy soles, not ordinary trainers
• You should carry at least 2 litres of water

A gentler route to test yourself first: Ismayilli, Qalajiq trek — 10.6 km, with forest and a waterfall.

The rule at the lake

Qaranohur is a protected natural area. A simple principle: take back whatever you bring in. That includes orange peel and eggshells — they do not break down naturally either and stay for months.

More: The leave-no-trace principle.

What else is in Ismayilli

Six different routes in one district: the Ismayilli guide.