Nohur Lake

Nohur sits in a shallow basin just outside Gabala, ringed by wooded hills, and its distinguishing feature is the stand of dead trees rising out of the water at one end, left when the level was raised. The water reads green rather than blue, taking its colour from the hills, and a track runs round the shore for walking or cycling. Rowing boats, pedalos and a small cluster of cafés work the eastern end, which is busy at weekends and largely empty otherwise.

What you actually see

• The drowned trees - bare trunks standing in the shallows, the image the lake is known for.
• The colour - green water taking its tone from the wooded slopes around it.
• The shore path - a track around the lake, walkable in under an hour.
• The boats - rowing boats and pedalos hired from the eastern shore.

When to go

May to October is the season, with October the best month for colour in the surrounding forest. Mornings are calmest, when the water holds a reflection. Winter freezes the edges and closes the boats.

Honest expectations

It is small, and an hour covers it comfortably. Weekend crowds from Baku change the atmosphere completely, with music from the cafés carrying across the water. There is no swimming.

Nearby

Gabala is five minutes away, and the Yeddi Gozel waterfall is a short drive up the valley.