From Tsaghkahovit village to the northern wall of Aragats

Description of the trail
The ski trail is located in Aragatsotn province, the last settlement in Tsaghkahovit village. It isn’t one of the easiest trails, as it is located on the northern wall of the highest peak of Mount Aragats. The best period is January, February, March and also April months, due to the northern position. The presence of powdered snow on the trail prevails skiing in gorges. A magnificent view of the 600-meter wall leading to the Aragats northern peak opens up from the end of the route (up to the top).

Monuments description
Tsaghkahovit is a rural community in Aragatsotn province of RA, on the northern slope of Mount Aragats, on the shore of Tsaghkahovit river.The height from sea level is 2100m. The St. Grigor Lusavorich church (19th century) and the Tukh Manuk chapel (19th-20th centuries) are located in Tsaghkahovit. Many Urartian mausoleums and settlements have also been found near the village.

Mount Aragats is considered to be the highest point of the Republic of Armenia at 4090 m from sea level. The circumference of the base is about 200 km, and the mount occupies 4,000 km2 with its roaring slopes. Aragats has been one of the largest volcanoes in the world. On the inclines of Aragats have been preserved old traces of ancient culture: irrigation network, fishing rocks called "dragon" symbolizing water cult, and remarkable structures of medieval architecture (Amberd, Byurakan, etc.). It has a 400 m deep and 3 km diameter giant crater and four pillars. The highest is the northern peak with 4090 m height on the sea level. The second is the western peak (3995.3m), the third is the eastern peak (3908.2m) and, finally, the fourth peak(the South 3887.8m).

On the way back it is recommended to visit Armenian Alphabet Monument, Saghmosavank, Hovhannavank Monasteries, the other sights of Aragatsotn province.

The Armenian Alphabet Monument after M. Mashtots is located on the eastern slope of Mount Aragats, near Artashavan village in Aragatsotn province, on the left side of the Yerevan-Aparan highway. The Armenian alphabet was created by Mesrop Mashtots, a prominent linguist, religious and political leader between 405-406 and has been used for Armenian writing ever since. His goal was to make the Bible accessible for Armenians to spread Christianity. The monument was built in 2005 to commemorate the 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet. It features 39 beautifully ornamented letters of the alphabet and statues of key Armenian figures. Each letter is 1.5m-2m high.
According to tradition, anyone who visits this monument takes a photo with the first letter of their name. By the Monument, you can see the statues of the great minds of Armenia – Mesrop Mashtots (with the letters in his hands), Grigor Lusavorich (holding the cross beyond), Anania Shirakatsi (a symbol of the earth and the universe in his left hand), Mkhitar Gosh (with the book in his hands), Khachatur Abovyan (writer) and Hovhannes Tumanyan (writer).

Saghmosavank Monastery is located in Saghmosavan village of Aragatsotn marz. It is located in the edge of the deep Kasakh river canyon. Gigantic Mount Ara is on the back side of Saghmosavank. Mount Ararat is on the western side of the church. Mount Aragats, which is the highest mount in Armenia (4095m), is on the northern side of the church. The Saghmosavank manuscript repository was built in 1255 and there are khachkars (cross-stones) on the western facade of the monastery. The complex is comprised of the St. Sion and St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) churches, a book depository, and a narthex.

The St. Sion church is the main church of the complex. It is a cross-shaped, domed church that differs from other churches built in that epoch by the layout of the narthex. The eastern part of the church features an altar and niches inside the walls.

Hovhannavank Monastery is located in Ohanavan village of Aragatsotn marz. It is beautifully perched on a gorge, high above the right bank of the Kasagh river. The monastery overlooks Mount Ara and the Geghama Mountains in the south. Over different periods of time, the monastery used to maintain vast plowlands, gardens, pastures, mills, and villages. Hovhannavank was built in the 5th - 13th centuries. It also used to be a significant center for Armenian writing, with a rich library. Some of the manuscripts created there are still preserved to this day.

Fauna
In winter bears, wolves, foxes, and wild rabbits are sometimes encountered on the slopes of the mountains.

Safety and Security
From Tsaghkahovit village to the highest point of the northern wall of Mount Aragats, Ucom and Viva Cell-Mts mobile connections are available․ In case of an accident, 911 rescue services operate in Armenia 24/7. Beware of dogs in the village.

Trail technical parameters
Best period: January – April
Distance: 76 km from Yerevan, by taxi
Duration: 1 hour 20 min
Ski trail length: 17.8 km
Skiing duration: 7 hours
Altitude from sea level: 2100-3380m
The best drink is hot tea

How to get to the trail
To pass the above mentioned trail should be reached to Tsaghkahovit village of Aragatsotn province. The most convenient option is to take a taxi. Taxis throughout Armenia are quite affordable. Please use the taxis, in which counters are installed.