Day Trips Around Lahic: Zarnava, Basgal, Ivanovka
Government advice, October 2026: the UK FCDO warns against any travel within 5 km of the Armenian border and against all but essential travel to the south-western districts of Kelbajar, Lachin, Qubadli, Zengilan, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Khojavand, Shusha, Khojali, Khankendi, Aghdam and Tartar (mines and unexploded ordnance). The US rates Azerbaijan Level 3, reconsider travel. Every stop below is in Ismayilli district or on the road to it, outside those areas. Read gov.uk and travel.state.gov first.
Lahic is a day trip in its own right, 180 km from Baku and about 55 km beyond Shamakhi. If you sleep in the village, a few short excursions in Ismayilli district become possible. The list is short, because the mountains and the single gorge road limit what is within reach.
Reaching Lahic in a day
| Option | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Car from Baku | 3 to 4 hours |
| Minibus Baku to Ismayilli | About 4 hours, about 8 AZN, a morning departure; check Biletim |
| Van or bus Ismayilli to Lahic | About 5 AZN |
| Taxi Ismayilli to Lahic | About 60 AZN |
| Last van back to Baku from Ismayilli | Reported at 2:15 pm |
The last 20 to 22 km of road, about 40 minutes from Ismayilli, is sealed but potholed, narrow and steep. Reports from May and June 2026 describe rockfall and slide damage on part of it, and snow or ice can close it in winter. Ask your host or the traffic police how it looks before you go.
Short excursions from the village
Zarnava footbridge. A 74 m suspension footbridge crosses the Girdiman stream beside the Ismayilli to Lahic road. Turn off the sealed road onto a rocky dirt road down to Zarnava village. A small fee may apply. The 7 km Zarnava to Mushkamir walk, about 3 hours, begins here.
Basgal. The kelaghayi silk scarf village, listed by UNESCO in 2014, has a Silk Center with a small kelaghayi museum, plus a tower and a hamam. It lies about 40 to 45 km from Lahic through Ismayilli. Ask locally about Silk Center hours and fees.
Ivanovka. A village of Molokan Russians, founded in the 1830s, with a cultural centre and local honey, cheese and rye bread. Its collective farm, once the last kolkhoz in the Caucasus, is now Ivanovka Agropark.
Chabiant Winery. In Hajihatamli, in the Ismayilli lowlands, with tastings and a cellar tour of about 90 minutes and a guesthouse. Check opening hours first.
Garanohur Lake. A marked 5.5 km trail, about 3 hours, leaves from Talistan village in Shahdag National Park.
Shamakhi. The Diri Baba Mausoleum and the Juma Mosque make a full day by car, not a walk from Lahic.
Places that are too far
Gobustan, Naftalan, Sheki, Kish and Lake Goygol all lie more than 2.5 hours away. Gabala is a long drive through Ismayilli and is best as its own trip. Mount Shahdag is across the main crest and is not reached from Lahic.
Read more: Multi-day trips in Lahic suggests ways to combine these stops across nights.
Booking
Day tours from Baku that reach this area can be searched on GetYourGuide . Guides to nearby trails are on Silk Road Azerbaijan .