Although Armenia is a small country, its diverse landscape attracts numerous nature enthusiasts willing to explore its hiking trails. The best option for ecotourism lovers is to choose between various hiking tours in Armenia to plan an unforgettable adventure.
The importance of ecotourism in Armenia cannot be overstated. With its lush forests, mountainous landscape, and rich biodiversity, the county is an ideal place for sustainable tourism development. Armenia used to be more popular as a country where people were mainly traveling to key destinations by car. However, with the growing ecotourism demand much has changed.
Hiking in Armenia offers numerous advantages. First, the trails here are often less crowded than in other popular ecotourism destinations. Secondly, hikers can explore a country’s cultural heritage by trekking through ancient monasteries, churches, and historic sites located somewhere high in the mountains.
Although there are some popular trails, you can always find something new and will need a knowledgeable guide to accompany you during this journey. Let’s explore one of the hiking tours offered by Levon Travel to see what you can expect from such an adventure.
Khosrov Natural Reserve
Once tourists spend a day in Yerevan to visit its landmarks such as Cascade, Matenadaran, History Museum, and other sites, they can start with the nearest trekking destination. Traveling to the Khosrov Natural Reserve starts with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery and the pagan temple of Garni. The trail starts from Azat River Canyon to a symphony of stones. Once we cross the 11th-century bridge, we enter the Khosrov Natural Reserve founded by one of the Armenian kings in the 4th century to serve for royal hunting. The trail leads to the final destination which is the monastery complex of Havuts Tar.
Details
Trekking Distance – 13 kilometers
Altitude
Garni Temple- 1400m
Azat River Canyon 1250 m
Havuts Tar Monastery 1590 m
Noravank
The road leading to Noravank Monastery in Vayots Dzor province surprises tourists with marvelous scenery surrounding masterpieces of medieval architecture. The trail starts from visiting the monastery nestled above a breathtaking gorge. Hiking continues to Spitakavor, a 14th-century monastery, with stops at local villages. The first is Gladzor, a center of science and calligraphy in medieval Armenia. The trail leads through Vernashen village to the Proshaberd Citadel, crowning a rocky peak and offering sweeping views of the mountains and valley below. The final stop here for an overnight stay is Hermon Village.
Details
Trekking Distance – 14 kilometers
Altitude
Vernashen village 1529m
Spitakavor 2180 m
Proshaberd Citadel 2380 m
Tatev Monastery – Goris
The next trail takes us further south on a captivating journey through the rugged landscapes of Syunik Province. We reach the world’s longest cable tramway to the 9th-century Tatev Monastery overlooking the Vorotan Gorge. This medieval monastery was among the most important spiritual and educational centers in Armenia.
Continuing our trek, we make our way to the mystical limestone caves of the Devil’s Bridge, nestled in a gorge so narrow that even the sun struggles to penetrate its depths. The hiking tour takes us to Khndzoresk, a ghost town at an altitude of 1,580 meters with hundreds of uninhabited caves. The road continues to Goris, a charming city, and a perfect place to immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Armenia’s south.
Details
Trekking distance – 6-7 kilometers
Altitude
Tatev Monastery 1565 m
Devil’s Bridge 1026 m
Mt. Aragats
Any travel agency offering hiking tours in Armenia is sure to offer a trail to Aragats. The towering peak has captured the hearts of mountaineers from different countries. Of course, conquering the peak of a crown jewel of the Lesser Caucasus requires skills and experience. However, there are less difficult trails for beginners. Aragats has four peaks and is surrounded by sub-alpine and alpine zones.
If you are lucky to visit Armenia in spring, you’ll be greeted by a mesmerizing view and a sea of poppies and mountain flowers covering its slopes. The journey usually starts at Kari Lake and is a 3-hour hike of steady ascent. For those looking for tougher challenges, there is the western summit at an altitude of 4,080 meters.
Details
Trekking distance – 14 kilometers
Altitude
Kari Lich (Stone Lake) 3200 m
South summit 3879 m
Western summit (4,080m)
Hiking Tours in Dilijan
The Dilijan National Park covering a vast area of protected forested land is an ideal place for hiking lovers. Located in Tavush province, the town of Dilijan and the nearby territory is one of the most popular resorts renowned for its stunning natural beauty and trails for beginners and experienced hikers.
One of them is the popular Parz Lake Trail which leads to the beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. Another option is a Monk’s Trail leading to the medieval village of Gosh.
Extreme lovers can take a road from the center of Dilijan through the Drunken Forest and climb to the place connecting three summits above 2,500 meters. All details about hiking routes, difficulty levels, altitude, and distance are available on the website of Dilijan’s Tourist Information Center.
Hiking with Levon Travel
With a variety of crafted tours, Levon Travel offers something for every adventurer. In addition, we are free to collaborate with beginners to provide tours tailored to individual preferences with a personalized approach.
Keep in mind that hiking is also an opportunity to learn more about Armenian culture. The tours are designed to create connections with locals, engage with the village communities, and get insights into their lifestyle. The stopover in charming villages transforms hiking into an enriching cultural adventure and is a unique way to explore the essence of Armenia.