From the deepest of gorges to the highest of mountaintops, Armenia is a land of natural beauty. While monasteries and ruined fortresses stand as stone testaments to the country’s medieval history, its land tells a tale that goes back much, much further, to the ancient and beyond. All you have to do is look around you, whether that be the golden cliffs of Vayots Dzor Province in the south, the dark, lush forests of Tavush Province in the north, and everywhere in between.
For a country that’s just under 30,000 square kilometers, you can find a staggeringly broad range of landscapes, like steppes, meadows, forests, woodlands, marshes, wetlands, and even deserts. There are 7 distinct climate zones made up of elevations that change very dramatically. With such a rich and robust ecosystem, it’s no surprise that its biodiversity is off the charts– Armenia boasts some 3,000 plant species alone!
Armenia may be small, but venture deep into its countryside, and it feels boundless. How do you do that? Go for a hike!
If you’re a hiking enthusiast who’s ready to get trekking, you’re in for a treat. Though it’s always been a land rich in natural wonders, Armenia is relatively new to the hiking scene.
Enter organizations like HIKEArmenia, Trails for Change, and the Transcaucasian Trail, whose work has built a number of new trails across the country, including the 827-kilometer Armenian section of the greater Transcaucasian Trail, which remains the first country-wide portion of the route to be completed. That means more accessible adventures in Armenia. You can learn more about the trail in this National Geographic feature.
But you don’t have to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy the natural beauty of Armenia. Thanks to these same organizations and others, the world of hiking has never been so accessible. Don’t know where to start? Head to HIKEArmenia, a free website and app with over 60 trails to try in the vast Armenian countryside. Originally a project created by our nonprofit arm, ONEArmenia, in 2017, HIKEArmenia has since grown, and operates today as its own independent nonprofit organization.
With hikes classified as easy, medium, and difficult, there’s something for everyone with HIKEArmenia. There are also several trails included – especially in Tavush in the north and Syunik in the south – that constitute portions of the larger Transcaucasian Trail in Armenia, so you can get a taste of adventure without committing to the entire 827-kilometer journey.
If you know what general part of the countryside you’d like to explore, you can search for trails on the HIKEArmenia site by region. If you aren’t sure what to try first, we recommend the easy Cosmic Trip trail, located just an hour north of Yerevan. Starting at the impressive Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, you’ll descend into a gorge and emerge on the other side, at the towering Radio-Optical telescope in Orgov village. For a medium hike, there’s the Old Bandit Road trail down in sunny Vayots Dzor province, which is thought to have once been part of the Silk Road. Mountain switchbacks and man-made steps connect the villages of Gomk and Artavan, affording spectacular views along the way. Finally, if you’re looking for a challenge, head north to lush Tavush, and try the Three Hawks Loop, which ascends the imposing cliffs near Hovk village just outside of Dilijan National Park.
When you download the HIKEArmenia app on your phone, you can also access GPS tracking for whichever trail you choose, and can read up on specific points of interest you will encounter on your hike, from human made wonders like churches and fortresses to natural features like rivers and mountains. Finally, both the site and app offer recommendations for accommodations (if you decide to spend the night in the area), transportation, and local guides.
Speaking of local guides, you might decide that you’d prefer to ditch the planning and embark on a guided hike, which you can arrange with the guides featured on the HIKEArmenia site. If you’re interested in a hike, but would rather not worry about planning and logistics, you can book a guided day hike to places like Mount Aragats with Armenian Geographic. If you don’t like any of the options offered, there are a number of other hiking groups on Facebook where hikes to different spots in the countryside are organized regularly, like ArmLand, North Peak Mountain Club, and Chanaparhord Hiking.
Armenia is also home to several national parks, like Dilijan National Park, Lake Arpi National Park, Sevan National Park, and reserves like the Arpa Protected Landscape and the Khosrov State Reserve. You can find trails in and around Dilijan National Park and Sevan with HIKEArmenia. In order to experience Khosrov, local rangers can lead you through the reserve for a fee – you just have to get there first. You’ll get to see the waterfalls of Astghik and Vahagn, who were named after the goddess of love and beauty and her lover, the god of fire and war. As the area has a delicate ecosystem, with its own endemic flora and fauna, visitors are not allowed to enter the reserve without a guide. Plus, with an expert leading the way, you’ll learn lots more about the spectacular nature around you.
If you’ve still got questions about your hike, you can message HIKEArmenia on Facebook or email them at info@hikearmenia.org, and they’ll typically get back to you within an hour during working hours (10 AM to 7 PM Monday to Friday and Saturdays during hiking season). Or you can visit their information center on Vardanants Street, not far from Republic Square in Yerevan’s center, and get real-time help planning your next hike. There you’ll also find hiking gear available for rent.
If you’re looking to hike specifically in Dilijan or the Tavush region, you can pay a visit to the Dilijan Tourist Information Center, which also has hiking advice and gear. There’s also the Visitor Center by COAF, which is located in Lori’s Debed village and can provide you with more info on hiking in the nearby Debed Canyon. For more information on what hiking essentials you’ll need for your little adventure, check out the HIKEArmenia blog.
So, what are you waiting for? Strap on your boots and get hiking!
