Altyaghach National Park

Altyaghach protects a block of broadleaf forest on the southeastern end of the Greater Caucasus, and its value is largely that it is there at all: this corner of the country is dry and open, and the beech, hornbeam and oak here are an abrupt change from the semi-desert on the coastal side. The park has marked trails, picnic areas and a good deal of weekend traffic from Baku. Roe deer, wild boar and brown bear are present, though the picnic areas are not where you will meet them.

What you actually see

• The beech forest - closed broadleaf woodland, unusual for this end of the range.
• The trails - marked walking routes of a few kilometres from the park entrance.
• The autumn colour - beech and hornbeam turning through October, the park's best month.
• The contrast - forest immediately above the dry semi-desert country towards the coast.

When to go

May to October is the season, and October is the best of it for colour. Weekends bring picnic crowds from Baku; midweek is quiet. Winter brings snow and the roads up can be difficult.

Honest expectations

Facilities are limited to picnic areas and basic trails, and litter around them is a persistent problem. Wildlife sightings are unlikely on the main routes. The road from Baku is longer than the distance suggests.

Nearby

The Candy Cane Mountains are on the road towards Khizi, and Beshbarmag is nearer the coast.