Göygöl Lake is often hailed as the “pearl of Azerbaijan.” However, this natural gem is part of a larger, stunning collection of lakes in the region—each one a jewel in its own right, forming a beautiful, sparkling necklace.
In the autumn of 1139, the city of Ganja was devastated by a powerful earthquake. About 25 kilometers to the south, Mount Kapaz collapsed, blocking the flow of the Aghsu River. From this seismic disaster, a breathtaking lake was formed, its deep blue waters earning it the name “Göygöl”—meaning “Blue Lake.”
Today, the Göygöl National Park takes its name from the lake and encompasses several smaller lakes. Most of these hidden treasures lie shrouded beneath the thick canopy of ancient forests, and each is uniquely captivating, bearing distinctive names: Maralgöl (Deer Lake), Zeligöl (Leech Lake), and Garagöl (Black Lake), to name just a few.
The park was established in April 2008 to preserve this natural wonder. A ticket grants access to this serene landscape, where visitors can marvel at the glittering lakes and the majestic presence of Mount Kapaz. The park spans 12,755 hectares, with its main goals being the preservation of local ecosystems, the promotion of eco-tourism, and the sustainable management of the area’s natural resources.
Within the park, over 420 species of plants thrive. The surrounding deciduous forests are primarily composed of Eastern beech, Caucasian hornbeam, Iberian oak, and Eastern oak. At the forest’s edge, you can find birch trees, rowan, and wild rose bushes.
The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife. In addition to the noble deer, there are also roe deer, badgers, hares, and martens. The park is also home to subspecies of the Caucasian brown bear, the Eastern Caucasian tur, otters, and lynxes. Of the approximately 50 bird species found here, the bearded vulture, black griffon, partridge, Caspian grouse, and stone partridge—listed in the Red Book of Azerbaijan—are especially notable. In the clear waters of the lakes, trout swim freely.
Maralgöl Lake is like a mirror, reflecting the towering Mount Kapaz, which stands guard over the Aghsu Valley lakes. The mountain’s crown-like peak pierces the clouds, its jagged summits cutting through the sky, while a “fur hat” of mist often rests atop it. It is this majestic appearance of Kapaz, with its “headgear,” that adds grandeur to the entire landscape surrounding the lakes.
Garagöl, or the Black Lake, is nestled deep within the forest, hidden among trees and stones. The water appears dark, yet it remains strikingly clear, and the surface is eerily still, as if frozen in time, with no ripples or waves to disturb its placid mirror image.
Further below Göygöl, in the dense forest, lie Zeligöl and Güzgügöl. The road leading to Zeligöl, or Leech Lake, passes through a towering beech forest. Slightly smaller than Maralgöl, Zeligöl stretches 400 meters in length and 200 meters in width. Much of its shoreline is overgrown with reeds, but from the high southern shores, visitors can take in a panoramic view of the entire lake.
Just five minutes on foot from Zeligöl, hidden beneath the sheltering branches of tall trees, lies Güzgügöl—The Mirror Lake. The precision with which the local people have named these lakes is remarkable. Güzgügöl is nearly entirely veiled by overhanging branches, and sunlight is a rare visitor here. Though small and shallow, this lake has an almost magical quality, perfectly reflecting the world above, turning the surrounding landscape upside down in its crystalline waters.
