Not far from the city of Lankaran lies another fascinating attraction: Gyrkan National Park, established in 2004. Spanning over 40,000 hectares, the park is predominantly covered by subtropical forests. Visitors come here to catch a glimpse of the Persian leopard, a species considered to be endangered. While guided tours are available, many locals prefer to explore the park on their own, engaging in activities such as fishing, picnicking, and hiking.
During the Soviet era, the southern regions of Azerbaijan held a unique status due to their proximity to the Iranian border, making access to Lankaran possible only with special permits. Today, visiting the area poses no such challenges; a mere four-hour drive brings you to this lush subtropical paradise. The region’s unique climate has preserved ancient forests, which are a primary draw for tourists.
Gyrkan National Park features dense woodlands alongside a small river, serving as a habitat not only for leopards but also for a variety of rare plants, animals, and birds native to Azerbaijan. Visitors may spot black storks, golden eagles, and pelicans, while the park is home to populations of spotted deer, lynxes, eagles, and even badgers. The flora includes fig trees, grapevines, alders, wild rose bushes, and vines. The best time to visit is late spring or early summer when the park’s natural beauty is at its peak.
Approximately 65 million years ago, a global climate shift led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Following this event, the Earth underwent a significant transformation in flora and fauna over millions of years, evolving into the ecosystems we recognize today. This period in geological history is known as the Tertiary.
What makes Gyrkan National Park particularly unique is that many of the plant species found here are relics from that distant era. About two million years ago, the last Ice Age began, and as glaciation reached the borders of modern-day Azerbaijan, many warm-loving plants faced extinction. However, these plants found refuge in the shade of the Talysh Mountains, where they have survived to this day.
The botanical diversity of Gyrkan Forest continues to captivate and intrigue scientists. Out of more than 400 species of trees and shrubs found in Azerbaijan, 174 species thrive in this park. Overall, the national park boasts around 1,900 plant species, with approximately one-third being relics or endemics.
The vegetation within the park is diverse and layered. Each plant species occupies its own niche: tree canopies reach for the sunlight, while creeping stems cover the forest floor. Additionally, the plants share the eastern slopes of the Talysh Mountains based on their elevation. Below 600–700 meters, dominant species include chestnut oaks, Caspian honey locusts, boxwood, and ironwood. At higher elevations, the eastern beech takes precedence.
Among the diverse flora of Gyrkan, one of the most notable endemics is the Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica), known for its exceptionally hard and heavy wood. This tree can reach heights of up to 25 meters with trunk diameters of 90 centimeters, though most specimens grow to about 8–10 meters.
The ironwood has a fascinating characteristic: it typically forms several heavily branching trunks that intertwine and fuse together, creating whimsical shapes. Remarkably, the branches of the Parrotia can fuse with those of other trees, with some bending to the ground and sprouting as separate shoots. Consequently, areas densely populated with ironwood often become impenetrable thickets.
Another unique feature of the ironwood is its flowering time. Small spike-like flowers appear on the branches in January, with the blooming period extending into April. However, the true beauty of the Parrotia is revealed in autumn when its leaves transform into vibrant shades of yellow, red, and purple, creating a stunning visual display reminiscent of a colorful illumination. Where ironwood grows in clusters, fallen leaves form colorful carpets—an incredibly beautiful sight.
Overall, autumn is arguably the best season to visit Gyrkan National Park. The weather is cooler than in summer, the forest shifts from green to a kaleidoscope of colors, and after rainfall, the moss covering the tree trunks turns a brilliant emerald green.
