Candy Cane Mountains: Azerbaijan's Striped Surprise

The Candy Cane Mountains present a unique and surreal landscape, approximately 100 km north of Baku, in the Khizi region of Azerbaijan. These mountains are part of the Greater Caucasus range and are characterized by their striking red and white stripes, a phenomenon that has captured the attention of travelers and photographers alike.The distinctive coloration is a result of the geological composition of the mountains. Formed from shale, a sedimentary rock with thin layers, the colors are produced by groundwater altering the oxidation state of iron compounds within the earth. Layers rich in iron have oxidized, resulting in red hues, while those without iron have remained white or gray. This natural process has created the eye-catching striped effect that gives the mountains their 'Candy Cane' nickname, coined by travel writer Mark Elliott.Visitors can explore the area via small trails, discovering fossils of belemnites, ancient squid-like creatures from the Cretaceous period. The best times to visit are during the autumn or spring, as summer can be intensely hot.