Armenia Hiker

[armeniahiker]

[54] Smbataberd - Tsakhats Kar Trail. Nov 23, 2025

Distance 12km, Altitudes 1550-2050m, Elevation gain~600m

One of the most visited places in Armenia—for me, it was my fourth time at Smbataberd—but it always gives me a new perspective and joy with every season and weather. I love it!

[armeniahiker]

[53] Mt. Apakekar. Nov 9, 2025

Distance 10km, Altitudes 1150-1650m, Elevation gain~550m

Beautiful fall hike in Dilijan. Walking on the dry leaves always feels therapeutic. The village we passed looked like it came straight out of a picture book, with charming houses and roaming animals.

[armeniahiker]

[52] Pink Gorge Loop. Nov 2, 2025

Distance 15km, Altitudes 1050-1550m, Elevation gain~700m

[armeniahiker]

[51] Mt. Yeranos. October 26, 2025

Distance 22km, Altitudes 1250-1800m, Elevation gain ~1000m

We started from Garni village, and two dogs followed us the entire 18 km. They looked like a mom and her pup—so cute, playful, and made the hike even more enjoyable.

It was a beautiful fall day, but by the end, we ran into a huge wind and rain storm. When we got back to town, the dogs’ owner scolded them, saying, “Where were you all day? I was worried!” They looked like mischievous kids caught doing something they shouldn’t.

[armeniahiker]

[50] Aragats North (2) August 30-31, 2025

Day 2: Distance 14km, Altitudes 3000-4065m, Elevation gain ~1150m

Aragats North trail isn’t very long, nor does it have huge elevation gain, but it’s technically very challenging. Big boulders, snowfield crossings, and steep gravel sections meant I had to use both hands and feet—all while dealing with the thin air.

Oh man… I still can’t fully describe how hard it was. I honestly can’t believe I finished it unscathed (well, maybe a little mental and emotional “damage”). Coming down, I was completely drained—physically and mentally—super cranky, and almost in tears. It took over 9 hours. A special thank you to the team members who walked alongside me—it meant so much.

Now, whenever I see the top of Aragats from my window, I think, “I was there.”

Click the link to see the story of day 1...

[armeniahiker]

[50] Aragats North (1) August 30-31, 2025

Day 1: Distance 9km, Altitudes 3000-3460m, Elevation gain ~580m

Finally, conquering the highest peak in Armenia… (drumroll please) Aragats North! It was also my first overnight camping trip. I was excited, but also a bit nervous about sleeping outdoors and climbing to 4065m.

The team was amazing—small, strong, and patient—and since we’d hiked together many times before, I felt much more at ease starting the journey.

First day, we off-roaded to Rapi Lake (3000 m) and hiked between three lakes—Rapi, Mtnalich, and Astghkan. It was a great start, taking in the scenery and cooling off with a quick dip in the lake. My excitement for the next day kept growing.

Camping was way, way better than I expected. The idea of setting up a tent and sleeping in a sleeping bag always intimidated me, but it turned out to be much more comfortable than I thought.

The locals treated us to BBQ meats, homemade vodka, and fresh fruits—we didn’t even need the food we had prepared. As night fell, we had a beautiful campfire under a sky full of stars, with Mount Aragats in the background.

It got cold very quickly, and one member didn’t even have pants… sleeping bag to the rescue! Also, it was completely off the grid—no toilet, no internet—which made it a truly unique experience for me.

Click the link to continue to day 2...

[armeniahiker]

[49] Aragats West & South. August 17, 2025.

Distance 13km, Altitudes 3200-3995m, Elevation gain ~850m

August 2025 was all about Aragats! First, we hiked the West and South peaks. It’s a very popular route, and because the terrain is made up of loose rocks that can easily shift, we started early to avoid the crowds—definitely the right choice.

We began at Kari Lake (around 3200 m) and climbed to 3995 m (West Peak). I could feel the altitude right from the start—my breathing was heavy, and scrambling over rocks wasn’t easy. But the views, with dark volcanic rocks and fast-moving skies, made it all worth it.

The descent was even trickier—you basically slide your way down. Honestly, that part was kind of fun! And the sparkly blue Kari Lake was waiting for us at the finish line.

[armeniahiker]

[48] Mt. Armaghan. August 10, 2025

Distance 14km, Altitudes 2200-2830m, Elevation gain ~630m

[armeniahiker]

[47] Gegharot Waterfall. August 3, 2025

Distance 12km, Altitudes 2500-3075m, Elevation gain ~600m

One of the most beautiful hikes of the year. A must-do in summer for the stunning pink flowers and a freezing, refreshing waterfall. The hike itself is easy, though getting there requires a bit of a bumpy 4x4 ride. It’s truly amazing how diverse and untouched the Armenian mountains are.

[armeniahiker]

[46] Aghveran - Tsaghkunyats Lake. July 27, 2025

Distance 12km, Altitudes 1950-2450m, Elevation gain ~550m

[armeniahiker]

[45] Jukhtak - Matosavank Monastery Loop, Dilijan. July 20, 2025

[armeniahiker]

[44] Mt. Bovakar. July 13, 2025

Distance 22km, Altitudes 1900-3016m, Elevation gain ~1400m

One of the most memorable hikes of 2025. It was my longest hike ever (22 km!!) and not an easy terrain. We walked through endless green fields filled with wildflowers and crossed water several times. But 22 km was a bit too long—my pace slowed down a lot, and it took nearly 7 hours to finish. Thanks to the small but mighty team for being patient and sticking with me.

[armeniahiker]

[43] Gnishik - Noravank Trail. July 5, 2025

Distance 12km, Altitudes 1400-2000m, Elevation gain ~600m

I finally got to see the famous Noravank! It’s one of the most popular destinations in Armenia, known for its beautiful monastery. The surrounding area is just as impressive—unique red rock formations, earthy tones, and countless natural caves to explore. And of course, we (again) stopped by a winery… is this a hiking group or a drinking group? I’m not sure, but I love it!

[armeniahiker]

[42] Spitakavor - Proshaberd Trail. June 8, 2025

Distance 17.5km, Altitude 1550-2350m, Elevation gain ~870m

Spitakavor is one of my favorite monasteries—small, but surrounded by beautiful mountains and scenic trails. The climb up to Proshaverd is very steep and a bit dangerous, so a few members had to turn back and wait below. On the way down, we got lost because the trail was overgrown with grass and trees, which made the hike much longer than planned. But we all made it back safely and celebrated with wine and cheese at the end.

[armeniahiker]

[41] Mt. Yeghnasar, Kakach Lake. June 1, 2025

Distance 12km, Altitudes 2100-2600m, Elevation gain ~470m

Summer hiking season has begun! The sun was strong, so we loaded up on sunscreen. One of us overdid it and looked like he was covered in white paint :) We met lots of calm, gentle cows (and their farmer) along the way. Kakach Lake was smaller than expected with low water levels, but overall, it was a great hike with beautiful greenery.

[armeniahiker]

[40] Debet - Chkalov - COAF Loop. May 25, 2025

Distance 14km, Altitudes 1050-1400m, Elevation gain ~450m

[armeniahiker]

[39] Mt. Wolf's Ears. May 18, 2025

Distance 15km, Altitudes 1300-2450m, Elevation gain ~1250m

Second time ascending Wolf’s Ears! This mountain is very tough due to the elevation and distance. It was easier than my first attempt last year, but still a real challenge. The summit looks like a wolf’s ear, just like the name suggests, and the view from the top is absolutely worth it. We rushed down because of the changing weather, but made a stop at Old Bridge Winery for fresh cheese and wine.