The wild unpaved road to Lake Maralgol in Azerbaijan
Lake Maralgöl is a high mountain lake situated at an elevation of 1,910m (6,266ft) above sea level in the region of Ganja-Gazakh, Azerbaijan. It stands out as one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in the country.
Is the road to Lake Maralgöl unpaved?
Nestled in the Murovdag Mountains, within Göygöl Milli Parkı (Goygol National Park), the lake was formed by a powerful earthquake in 1139. The road to the lake is generally well-sealed, occasionally steep up to Lake Göygöl. However, the 7km stretch to Maral Gol is notably rough, with the initial 500m presenting a challenging mix of steep mud and large loose rocks. It later transitions into a bumpy segment of a severely degraded old road. Nevertheless, it remains drivable for most passenger vehicles in dry weather conditions.
How long is the road to Lake Maralgöl?
Situated to the west of Azerbaijan, the road leading to the lake is named Goygol-Maralgol Road. Stretching over 11.1km (6.89 miles), it starts from R19 Road, near Toghanali, and concludes at a spacious parking lot near the lake. The ascent is very steep, with an elevation gain of 743 meters and an average gradient of 6.69%.
Pic: Sadanatha