Photograph of Tufandag Mountain Resort — to be added
Tufandag Mountain Resort
Gabala's cable-car resort, climbing from the town into alpine meadows and ski slopes above.
Included in 2 tours
Gabala
Nohur Lake
A still forest-ringed lake outside Gabala, with paddle boats and drowned trees standing in the shallows.
Photograph of Nohur Lake — to be added
Nohur Lake lies a short drive from Gabala, held in a bowl of forested hills. It is calm, shallow at the edges, and best known for the bare tree trunks standing in the water where the level rose — the detail that makes it one of the most photographed spots in the region.
It is an easy, low-effort stop, and it is the natural fallback on a Gabala day if the Tufandag cable car is closed for wind.
The setting
The lake sits at around 700 metres, ringed by dense forest that comes right down to the water. On a still day the reflection is close to perfect, and the drowned trunks standing in the shallows give the surface a distinctive broken texture.
It changes character sharply with the season. Summer is green and mirror-flat; autumn turns the surrounding forest gold and russet and is arguably the best time to come; late autumn and winter are stark, with the bare trunks dominating.
What to do there
Paddle boats and small pedalos operate from the shore, and catamarans are available in season. There is a walking path around part of the perimeter, and cafés and tea houses along the accessible shore.
Horse riding is usually available nearby. None of it is elaborate — the appeal is the setting rather than the activities.
An hour is enough for most visitors. It works well as a relaxed counterweight to a morning at Tufandag.
Highlights
- Bare tree trunks standing in the shallows
- Near-perfect reflections on still days
- Paddle boats, pedalos and catamarans
- Lakeside tea houses and cafés
- Spectacular in autumn colour
Tours that visit Nohur Lake
- Valley & Vineyard 2 Days / 1 Night from 410 AZN (≈ $241)
- Grand Azerbaijan Tour 5 Days / 4 Nights from 1060 AZN (≈ $624)
Not included: Entry tickets to all attractions, museums, cable cars and activity venues · Hotel / accommodation · Meals & drinks. Entry tickets are set by government authorities or venue operators and are payable directly on-site.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there dead trees in Nohur Lake?
The water level rose and submerged trees that were previously on dry ground. The bare trunks still standing in the shallows are what gives the lake its distinctive appearance.
What is there to do at Nohur Lake?
Paddle boats, pedalos and catamarans operate from the shore, there is a lakeside walking path, and cafés and tea houses along the accessible side. Horse riding is usually available nearby.
More to see in Gabala
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