Soyugbulag waterfall: the 9 kilometres of Gabala that few people know

When people say Gabala, most think of the same three or four places. Soyugbulag waterfall is not on that list — and that is exactly what makes it valuable.

The route

It starts from the village of Vandam: 9 km there and back, moderate difficulty. Most of the way follows a forest trail, so there is shade even in summer.

→ Gabala, Soyugbulag waterfall

Why few people know it

You cannot drive to the waterfall. That is a simple filter: anyone not ready for a 4–5 hour walk does not get there. As a result you end up standing beside the falls with only a handful of people — a rare thing at Azerbaijan's popular natural sites.

The rhythm of a forest walk

In the forest the view never opens up, so for the first half hour there is a "when do we get there" feeling. That is normal. Forest routes work through sound rather than scenery: the noise of water grows steadily, and the contrast when you reach the falls is all the stronger.

What to wear

• Long trousers. There are thorny bushes and crawling insects in the forest.
• Non-slip soles. Wet roots and stones are the most common cause of slips on a forest trail.
• A light rain jacket. Summer rain in the Gabala region arrives suddenly and passes in 20 minutes.

A one-day plan

The walk to the waterfall takes most of the day, but local honey and walnuts are sold around Vandam — worth a 20-minute stop on the way back.

A lighter option in the same direction: Shabran, Ambil lake forest hike.