Top 7 Hiking Destinations in Armenia

Hiking is perhaps the best way of communicating with nature. Walking thousands of meters and overcoming the heights makes you feel like a part of nature. That’s why if you go hiking once it becomes a lifestyle. The more you discover the more enthusiastic you become about new destinations. Though Armenia isn’t the first country that comes to your mind when you think about hiking, it really has many extraordinary and breathtaking hiking places. So here are the top 7 hiking destinations in Armenia that will blow your mind and make you return.

1. Mount Aragats

Mount Aragats is the highest point in Armenia. Anyone who has ever heard about Armenia, heard about mountain Aragats as well. Aragats is a majestic natural monument with four peaks – Northern – 4090.1 meters, Western – 3995.3 m, Eastern – 3908.2 meters, Southern – 3887.8 meters.

The nature at Aragats is remarkably beautiful and attracts a lot of tourists. Byurakan Observatory is located on the southeastern slope of the mountain, meteorological stations for cosmic ray explosions studies lie on the sub-summit plateau of Aragats, and there is a huge water reservoir in the Mantash valley.

Climbing the Northern peak is more difficult than the Southern and requires more preparation. The Southern peak is more preferable for non-professional climbers. The most suitable period for climbing Aragats is from June till August, when mountain trails are dry and safe. In winter only professional climbers on skis are recommended to climb Aragats.

2. Mount Azhdahak

Mount Azhdahak is the highest point of Geghama mountain range and is located on the borderline of Kotayk and Gegharkunik regions. Azhdahak is an extinct volcanic cone. The absolute height of Azhdahak is 3597 meters.

In Armenian mythology Azhdahak is a man-dragon (Vishap), whose name is Azhidahaka. Azhi means – snake, dragon, who fights against the god of thunder Freydun. Vishaps live high in the sky, but sometimes they descend into the depths of the lake, while emitting a dreadful roar.

Ancient myths are reflected in the mysterious cave paintings and scientists from around the world climb the mountain to witness the petroglyphs on the rocks. But to this day, a mystery which they keep remains unsolved.

3. From Old Khot to Old Shinuhayr and Old Halidzor

One of the best hiking destinations in Armenia is from Old Khot to Old Shinuhayr. Khot is one of the oldest settlements in the province of Syunik. The village is located on the left bank of the river Vorotan, at 1500 meters above sea level, surrounded by gardens and inaccessible crags. The area was inhabited until the 1970s, after which the locals moved from the old village to the north, which is currently known as the village of Khot.

Another abandoned village is Old Shinuhayr (Father of settlements). Shinuhayr is one of the oldest villages of Syunik. However the exact age of the village is still unknown. The very last resident of the village lived here until 2017. In the XII century a strong earthquake destroyed the central monastery of the village, which was built in IV-V centuries. The monastery was restored after the earthquake and is standing today in the territory of Old Shinuhayr. And the hiking trail will end in Old Halidzor. Old Halidzor is known for its old dwellings, where the roof of the lower house serves as the floor and courtyard of the upper one. The walls of these houses are made of traditional white river stones.

4. Smbataberd Fortress

Smbataberd is one of the most-visited hiking destinations in summer and there’s nothing quite as magical as experiencing the famous summer hike when it is covered with snow. Off-season hiking is  one of the best ways to see the trail in a whole new light—and likely with a lot less people.

Smbataberd is an impregnable fortress of the V century. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Mount Teksar. People say, that Smbataberd was named after one of Orbelyan dynasty knights, which is buried near village-city Yeghegis.  But the more likely account is that the complex was named after Syunik duke Smbat, who lived in the 10th century.

The complex was built for defensive purposes. The gates made of bazalt divide the fortress into two parts: Southern and Northern. In 2007, the fortress was restored, and now you can see the castle in its original form.

5. Ukhtasar

Ukhtasar is the site of an important archaeological find: a large petroglyph field about 17.5 km NW of Sissian, near the lake of Ukhtasar. The site is reached only by four-wheel drive in good weather (the best time to visit is between mid July and the end of September). In ancient times people used to come here for pilgrimages, to make some rituals or even sacrifices. As there are many petroglyphs, it is considered to be the result of associative and creative thinking of the Armenians, the expression of their imagination about life, their psychology and faith.

Most of the petroglyphs are figures of goats, which is why another name for petroglyphs is “itsagrer”, which means “goat-writings”, or “aytskarer”, which means “stones of the goats”. In petroglyphs goats are also represented as symbols of God. There are also a lot of cosmic symbols, including one for the zodiacal sign Aries and rudimentary calendars carved like wheels for dividing time by using a cross and four circles for the seasons. Among the more complex carvings are what some say are among the earliest depictions of dance in the ancient world; scenes of ceremonial dance with two or more figures. If you study the petroglyphs deeply, you will understand that they are something more than just scenes of hunting.

6. Mount Apakekar

Mount Apakekar is located in Tavush region, between the villages Haghartsin and Hovk. The height is 1651 m. Apakekar literally means “glass stone”. There is no definite explanation of the name origin, but it is said that it got its name due to a pure and crystal view that appeared in front of people who looked from the mountain. Though mount Apakekar isn’t as famous as Aragats or Azhdahak it is a very interesting and unique hiking destination.

7. Mount Ayrikar

In Tavush region at the western part of Bovakar mountain chain there are two peaks called Ayrikar: Western (2781) and Eastern (2767). Between the eastern Ayrikar and Mount Andzavabacat there is a cliff that is seen from the town Dilijan. People call that cliff Ayrikar though it is not a geographical peak of the mountain, but it is more prominent  than the mountain itself. Besides being easily seen  the Ayrikar cliff is also very beautiful, that is why when people reach the cliff they become so enchanted by it, that they don’t even need to climb the real peak. By the way, on the Ayrikar cliff you can also have a very beautiful and impressive shots. 

In this article we introduced you top 7 hiking destinations in Armenia. Every hiker who is planing to visit Armenia, must have at least three of this destinations on his “must-see” list. These hiking destinations in Armenia will make you fall in love with the mountains and nature of Armenia and make it one of your favorite countries.

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