If you’re currently enjoying a getaway in Baku or planning your visit, make sure to include a trip to Masazir Lake on your itinerary. This unique destination is a true gem, even on a global scale. There aren’t many pink lakes in the world, and Masazir Lake (Masazirgöl) ranks among the top ten for its stunning hues. Depending on the lighting and the concentration of salt, the water can display a variety of pink shades, making it a fantastic spot for capturing magical photographs. It’s important to note that Masazirgöl is more accurately described as a salt quarry rather than a traditional lake, yet its pink waters are undeniably captivating.
It’s essential to manage your expectations; while the lake is intriguing, the surrounding landscape isn’t particularly picturesque. However, the peculiarities of Masazir will leave you with lasting memories.
The first striking feature is, indeed, the lake’s vibrant pink color. It’s common for names to misrepresent reality, but here, the name holds true. That said, don’t expect to arrive and see an entirely pink lake like the edited images you might find online. The second unusual aspect is the salt deposits along the shore, which from a distance resemble snow stubbornly resisting the arrival of spring. Although still abundant, the salt appears brownish-white. As you approach, you’ll notice a thick crust of salt.
To reach the pink waters, you’ll need to remove your shoes and tread across these salt flats, which is an unusual experience in itself. Where else can you walk barefoot on salt? If you have any cuts on your feet, you’ll feel a sting, but in small doses, such exposure can even be beneficial. Plus, you can breathe in the therapeutic salty air—something that people in urban areas pay to experience in salt rooms.
The lake is rich in both liquid and solid salt, including iodized table salt. For centuries, locals harvested salt using traditional methods. However, a salt processing plant has now been established at the lake, which is unfortunate news for tourists. Access to the lake has become restricted, with many areas fenced off and even security personnel present. What was once a national treasure is now private property.
On a brighter note, with the help of someone knowledgeable about the area, you can still find your way to the shore. And when you do, you’ll likely have the entire lake to yourself.
The lake sits in a low-lying area, requiring a descent down a small cliff. Once at the bottom, you’ll need to remove your shoes and walk across the salt to reach the water. The salt layer near the shore is not loose but resembles a springtime snowpack. As you step, you may sink into a salty slush. The water in the lake is only knee-deep, and the bottom is also soft and salty, pulling at your feet.
Unfortunately, despite the beauty of this location, the shores of the pink lake are littered with trash. It’s disheartening to see such a stunning place marred by waste, and one can only hope that it will be cleaned up and that visitors will take greater responsibility for preserving nature.