The northern mountains of Azerbaijan have always attracted the attention of travelers. The Guba region stands out with its nature, ancient culture, and rare ethnic groups. One of the most interesting and unique villages in this region is Haput. Part of the Shahdag group, Haput village distinguishes itself from other mountain villages in Guba and Azerbaijan with its unique language, customs, and culture.
The residents of Haput village, like those of Khinalug and Alik villages, belong to the Shahdag ethnic group. They call themselves "Harer" and are linguistically distinct from neighboring villages. The village is located at an altitude of approximately 2000 meters, nestled in the mountains as if in a hidden corner of nature. Haput people are the second largest ethnic group in the Shahdag cluster, after Khinalug.
The village has around 100–200 houses. During the winter months, some villagers move to lower-altitude winter pastures. Their main occupation is livestock farming, which suits the harsh mountainous environment.
Haput people speak the Haput language, which belongs to the Caucasian language family. According to historical records, their ancestors were the "Hars," residents of Caucasian Albania. Even today, they call themselves "Har." Haput people mainly live in Guba, Khachmaz, Gabala, Ismayilli, and Agdash regions, as well as in the cities of Baku and Sumqayit.
Nature and Surrounding Highlands
There are many famous highlands around Haput village:
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Tayduz Highland – in front of the village
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Çiye Highland – on the right side
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Qarabulaq Highland – at the top
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Tanta, Petan, and Cemetery Highlands – towards Ismayilli
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Gurbulag plateau – in the upper part of the village
The mountain scenery is truly impressive. From Tayduz Highland to the right, Lion and Tiger mountains rise, and to the west of the village stands Shikhmammad Baba mountain with an altitude of 3323 meters, called "Qibla Mountain" by locals. These mountains make Haput village’s nature even more magnificent, creating a true photo paradise for tourists.
Historical Monuments and Shrines
Haput village is rich both in nature and history. There are several historical and religious sites:
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Babadilim Tomb – dating back to the 11th century, formerly served as a Sufism center.
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Gızdırma Pir – one of the village’s religious shrines.
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Ancient cemetery – contains historical traces with many graves deteriorating over time.
Babadilim Pir is also known as "Xalça Pir" and "Dil Açan Pir." Inside the shrine are the tombs of two saints, surrounded by a small stone enclosure. The walls feature Arabic inscriptions from various periods, one of which states:
“There is no God but Allah. Muhammad is His messenger...”
The building was originally constructed during the Safiaddin period by Sultan Farrukh and restored in 1623–1624 through the efforts of Qarqichay and Kükcə Badkui.
Haput – Nature and History Together
Haput village is a true paradise for nature lovers as well as culture and history enthusiasts. Here, visitors can:
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Enjoy the mountain scenery
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Visit ancient shrines
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Explore historical cemeteries
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Hike to surrounding highlands
Past caravan and shepherd paths passing through the village offer interesting trekking routes for tourists:
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Khinalug – Haput
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Haput – Garkhun
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Khinalug – Haput – Qaraburga Qalajig village
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Haput – Babadag – Lahij
These routes are not only for nature walks but also help understand the region’s historical trade and migration culture.
