A full-day guided bike tour from Baku to Gobustan: 25–35 km of riding at an easy-to-moderate level, ₼200 per person, with transport between Baku and Gobustan included. You ride through the semi-desert south of the capital to the UNESCO-listed petroglyphs and on to the mud volcanoes, stop for lunch, and ride back before the transfer returns you to Baku.

Tour overview

Gobustan lies about 64 km south of Baku, and most visitors see it through a car window between two stops. On a bike the space in between becomes part of the day: wide, dry semi-desert, low hills and long views towards the Caspian. The riding happens there, not on the highway — a vehicle takes the group and the bikes from Baku to the start and back again at the end.

The two landmarks are very different. The rock carvings are part of the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, which UNESCO added to its World Heritage list in 2007. The mud volcanoes, by contrast, are alive: small cones that bubble and push out grey mud. Seeing both by bike gives the day a steady rhythm of riding, stopping and looking.

Quick facts

  • Duration: a full day
  • Riding distance: 25–35 km
  • Level: easy to moderate
  • Format: group departure, ₼200 per person
  • Transport: Baku – Gobustan and back, included
  • Guide: English or Russian
  • Age: from 12, for riders who are confident on a bike; same price for everyone
  • Meeting point: central Baku; the exact spot and the start time are sent after booking
  • Cancellation: no charge if you cancel 24 hours or more ahead

Route and stops

1. Departure from Baku

The group meets in central Baku and travels south to Gobustan with the bikes.

2. Bike briefing

Bikes are fitted to each rider's height, helmets go on and the guide explains how the day will run.

3. Riding the Gobustan semi-desert

The main stretch of the day, through open, dry country with very little shade and wide views.

4. Gobustan petroglyphs

Thousands of years of carvings on the rocks of the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. The reserve and museum ticket is not included and is bought on the day.

5. Mud volcanoes

The bubbling cones of grey mud a ride away from the rock art.

6. Lunch stop

A break to eat and rest; lunch is paid by you.

7. Return ride

The group rides back to the vehicle.

8. Transfer to Baku

Bikes are loaded and everyone returns to Baku.

What's included

  • Return transport Baku – Gobustan
  • A quality bicycle matched to your height
  • Helmet
  • Guide in English or Russian
  • Bottled water
  • Technical support on the ride
  • First-aid kit

Not included

  • Lunch and any food or drinks other than water
  • Entrance tickets, including the Gobustan reserve and museum
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance

Who this ride is for

Travellers who already ride from time to time and want a day outside the city with some effort in it, families with teenagers aged 12 and over, and anyone curious about Gobustan who would rather cover the ground under their own power.

Practical information

When you book, give each rider's height so the right frames travel with the group. The start time and the meeting spot in central Baku are confirmed after booking. You can cancel at no charge until 24 hours before the ride begins.

Prefer to go by car? Our day trip by car to Gobustan, the mud volcanoes, Ateshgah and Yanardag covers the same ground without a bike. Shorter rides inside the city are on the Azerbaijan bike tours page.