Cape Zhigylgan

The slide zone itself is 2–3km wide and extends over 4km north before terminating on the Caspian shore. Backed by a steep and crumbling cliff line dozens of metres high, hundreds of rocks and boulders dot the area. Some blocks have 10–15-million-year-old fossilised footprints of hipparions – which are three-toed prehistoric horses – and sabre-toothed tigers.

If you like boulder-hopping, there are a couple of footpaths weaving right through the slump zone. There are also dirt tracks leading down to the sea, which is 2.5km away, on the eastern and western edge of the cliff line. Kuzdakary, a mini soccer-pitch-sized lake, lies in a depression on the eastern path. It’s near an abandoned water well that’s over a hundred years old, from a time when people lived in the area. Stretching 10–15km on either side of the cape – between Cape Bagardzhik and Cape Ashchymuryn – are a half dozen more ancient coves to explore.