Stop At: Qalaalti, Siyazan

After driving for approx. 2 hours we arrive to Galaalti village.

From here we will start our 2 km hike up through the green forests. Galaalti village is located at the foot of a medieval fortress. The population: 200 citizens.

The name of the village means ‘the village under the castle (Chiraggala)’.

The residence is named because of building on the bottom of the Chiragqala fortress belonging to IV-VI century AD.

Chirag Gala Fortress Defense Tower - it is an ancient castle was built back in 4-5th cent-s. It was part of the huge and long Gilgilchay defense wall. We start our hike in the village of Galaalti as mentioned before.

Most of the trail distance is going uphill through the forest area. After completed last part we find ourselves in the area of the castle, with breathtaking spectacular views.

We hike up further to get that famous panoramic scenery at the Chirag Gala. Later we are going to have a lunch in rainy small cafe between trail and Defense Tower.

We can discuss the food to be included to itinerary. On time we are able to get delicious yogurts, milks, cheese, juice and fresh meet directly from village.(options for participants upon request).

After the healthy lunch we back to the village by the same route.

Start altitude: 630m

Max altitude: 1015m Ascend: 484

Difficulty: 2/5 (easy-average)

Brown and humic carbon forest mountainous, steppe grassland. The climate here is moderately warm and dry both in winter and summer.

The major part is composed of areas covered with green forests. The trees: Caucasian oak, oriental beech, Caucasian hornbeam, ash, and birch.

Animals and birds you can see: eagle, thrush, fox, squirrels, donkey.

The animals exist in this area: roe deer, brown bear, wild boar, partridge, hair, wolf of mammals, thrush, goatsucker, lynx, raccoon.

Chirag Gala is a renovated ancient fortress which overlooks the Caspian coastal plains north of Baku city.

It is located north of the capital of the country. It is an ancient fortress and was built by the Azerbaijanians in the 5th century AD.

This meant it could function as a Watch Tower to warn of sudden enemy incursions or guests by lighting its torches. The origin of its name “Chirag Gala”, which means “lamp castle or homelight" in Azerbaijani.

Chirag gala consists of 17 towers. The fortress was part of a huge defensive system that included fortresses in Baku and Derbent.

Chirag Gala was used as late as the 18th century as a defensive structure. Nowadays it is a historic site in Azerbaijan. Climbing to the top of the mountain through forests is rewarded with great breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Chirag Gala Defense Tower and Galaalti village are a two hour drive from the capital city of Baku.