Zagatala State Reserve, Nature reserve in northwestern Azerbaijan

Zagatala State Reserve covers 25,200 hectares on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, from 650 m up to 3,646 m. It is made up of three sections, Belokan, Jar and Katekh, with beech forests covering more than 75% of the wooded area and trees averaging 150 years old. Three rivers, the Mazimchay, Balakanchay and Katekhchay, rise on its peaks and flow down to the Alazan-Haftaran valley.

The reserve was established in 1929 to protect the mountain landscapes and wildlife of the region. Over the decades, the protected area has been adjusted and modified to better serve its purpose.

The reserve's staff use Piçigel Cave, near the ruins of an old church on a small plateau by the Kilsəçay, as a dry overnight shelter; it holds 200–250 people. A sulphurous mineral spring rises where the Roçigelçay and Kilsəçay meet, and the reserve runs a small nature museum.

The reserve is split into three sections: Belokansky, Dzharsky and Katekhsky. The Katekhsky section holds the Piçigel cave and the Qəbizdərə waterfall, reached on foot from the Kilsəçay valley. The reserve has a nature museum; access to the protected zones is arranged through the reserve administration.

The Piçigel cave, about 800–1,000 metres from the ruins of an old church along the Kilsəçay stream, is used by reserve staff as a place to spend the night. Its overhanging monolith rock is draped with evergreen ivy, and the cave stays dry and can hold 200–250 people.