Quba

Northern Azerbaijan 

November 6, 2012 

The Caucasus Mountains - my final road trip in the Caucasus region.

Driving northwest on a modern highway from Baku, past the industrial city of Sumqayit, my destination is the small city of Quba. (145k – 90 mi.)

By chance I found the Terrace Hotel.  The terrace overlooks the deep gorge of the Qudiyalçay River. It’s late fall, but the weather is mild so it’s dinner on the terrace.  At sunrise, the distant snow-capped mountains are rosy-red. After breakfast, I’m going!  

At the lower levels, the forests are thick with fall foliage.   Swift streams cut through the multicolored hills.  At the top, after about two hours, I reach Xinaliq. Pop. 800.  Elevation 2335m – 7660 ft.  Xinaliq is the highest mountain village in Azerbaijan.  The highest village in Europe? 

Please ride with me into the mountains.  We’ll stop along the way for a photo or two. 

Feel free to select your own adjectives to describe the village and the mountain scenery.