Hiking in Armenia is for adventurous souls. Wildflowers smother meadows, woodlands, and forests where dappled sunlight plays amidst the leaves; there are sharp escarpments where a solitary monastery proudly sits, quaint villages that are picture-postcard perfect, steppes, marshes, and wetlands—the ecosystem is mindboggling. Along with the sights and sounds to be experienced, you will have plenty of opportunities to camp in the wild if doing overnight treks. The locals you may encounter along the way are friendly and hospitable, so don't be shy when invited to join them for tea, coffee, or a meal. If offered the renowned potent homemade fruit vodka, take into consideration the altitude you are at, as you will become inebriated quite quickly, which is not a good thing when hiking. Maybe learn a few simple Russian words so that hand language is kept to a minimum—‘please' and 'thank you' are always good to know wherever you are in the world.

The other 'locals' you may come across will be those you don't wish to hang out with. Back away from shepherd dogs, as they guard their flock and won't entertain the idea of your intrusion into their domain. Never creep quietly through woodlands as you want your human presence known by any nefarious critters such as bears or wolves. Four highly venomous snakes slither around in Armenia during the months of Spring when it's mating season, so wear long pants and don’t poke or annoy a snake enjoying its time in the sunshine.

A few of the more notable hikes are below:

Kasagh Gorge

Only forty-five minutes by car from the capital of Yerevan, this 8 km trail is between the villages of Ohanavan and Saghmosavan, passing through the stunning scenery of the Kasagh Gorge, where the river gushes and dramatic cliffs will leave you in awe. You can follow the trail between two historical monasteries, Hoyhannavank, dating back to the 5th Century, and Saghmosavank, which was built in the 13th Century, with the canyon spreading out in all its glory at your feet. There are two trails—one will take you along the top of the canyon, with the alternative route meandering down into the canyon. A fantastic trek for a day of strolling through the scenic country and tuning into the natural world around you—the rustle of leaves, the gurgling of water, and the cry of native birds.

Treks in Armenia - The Wise Traveller - Lake Sevan

Dilijan National Park

Following the contours across five mountain ranges cloaked in gushing rivers and mirror-like lakes, Dilijan National Park is one of four national parks in Armenia. It's a wonderland of rare plants, woodlands, meadows, and fruit trees, while displays of the creamy petals of Caucasian rhododendron flowers litter the Pambak Mountains. The park's abundant wildlife scurries in the undergrowth, birds flock in the skies, and scary critters such as brown bears, wolves, wild boar, and lynx have made their homes here. Located on the northern tip of Lake Sevan, a hike may lead you to some of the most iconic sites in Armenia, such as the Haghartsin and Goshavank monasteries. There is a trail network of short to medium-sized and long hikes, from moderate in time and effort to long and challenging, with many wild camping opportunities. There are guesthouse accommodations for those needing some homey comforts along the way.

Treks in Armenia - The Wise Traveller - Caucasus mountain

Transcaucasian Trail

A long-distance hike of over 3,000 km, the Transcaucasian Trail will take you through the amazing countryside of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia—definitely not a trek for the fainthearted. If you don't want to do the whole trail, it's possible to do the Armenian section before collapsing. This section is only 827 km long. Developed by locals, it's been open for the last five years, giving you jaw-dropping sights of the Caucasus Mountains. The scenery literally takes your breath away as you trudge through remote villages, out onto lonely escarpments where the landscape falls into picturesque valleys, stroll through thick and luxuriant forests, and scramble along vast mountainous trails. Time will be taken up meandering around time-worn monasteries predominantly constructed over the sites of ancient pagan temples. Some of the structures disappearing back into the earth are incredible examples of architecture, from pointed domes to stone vaulted ceilings, ornately decorated with frescoes and carvings of foilage and grapevine. Christianity was proclaimed to be the religion of Armenia in the early 4th Century.

When trekking anywhere in the world, live by the quote from 19th Century Native American, Chief Seattle:

‘Take only memories, leave only footprints.'


Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.