Aragats village - Gegharot waterfall - Aragats North Peak / Armenia

Aragats mountain Northern peak ( Արագած հյուսիսային գագաթ) with the height of 4090 m is the highest point of Armenia.
Aragats has 4 peaks, the most famous are South peak and North peak.
The southern peak is famous for its availability, ease and the view.
The Northern peak is the highest and the most challenging one.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TRAIL

Gegharot waterfall ( Գեղարոտի ջրվեժ ) is the highest located spectacular waterfall in Armenia. It's situated at 3000 m above sea level running down from the height of 17 m.
What makes this place more fascinating, that it's located in Aragats mountain slopes and when you get there through Gegharot gorge you have fantastic view of mount Aragats ( Արագած լեռ ).

The best season for the waterfall is summer:
*** In June it's still cold there with some parts of the snow.
*** July is the most beautiful season for the fall, the area is green and full of flowers.
*** August is the hottest season for hiking Aragats but the area is dry that period of time.
--- Even if you get to the waterfall in the middle of summer, the water is still cold. Don't forget to take warm clothes . And sunscreen is another must here, as you can easily get sunburn at the altitude of 3000 m in Armenia.
--- ATTENTION: Be careful while getting under the waterfall, there are rocks above which tend to fall from time to time.
--- You can head from Aragats village to starting point through Gegharot gorge either by 4 x 4 vehicle (about an hour driving) or on foot (need one more day if you choose hiking)
--- When you reach the slopes of the North peak (when it's only 300 m to the summit), chances are that you might confuse the going up way with the going down one. Here it's essential, take the left path as it is in this GPS for the way to go up and the right one for going down.
--- We have skipped recording the descent of Gegharot gorge as it is the same way as going up.
--- Normally when we head to the North peak, we hike The False one as the True peak (about 7 meters higher) is not just about hiking, but also climbing.
--- The true Northern peak can be dangerous if you decide to climb it without an instructor, though it's doable but it has unjustified risks even when you have a guide.
--- I won't recommend climbing The True Northern peak when the way is snow blocked, if it's icy it's still doable with the help of crampons, but when it's snowing there, it's a "slippery slope" in the literal sense.

~~~What you need to know about Aragats in general ?~~~

--- Season for Aragats starts from July till mid October. Best month to get there is August!
--- It's better to have hiking poles for all the peaks, it's 100 % must have for the Northern peak.
--- Sunscreen and sun hat is must have here in all seasons, the sun would not spare anyone without protection.
--- Always consider starting time and weather conditions while planning a hike. It is essential here.
--- All the peaks of Aragats except the Southern Peaks' classic route have some climbing parts (East peak, West peak, True North summit).
--- If you don't plan to hike only the Southern peak, it would be better to have a helmet to be on the safe side.
--- There may be wild animals in Gegarot gorge (yes, we have bears living there), so be careful while hiking there alone. (don't forget to make some noise periodically in order not to meet them accidently).
--- If you want to hike Aragats you either start from Kari lake or from Aragats village:
*** If your aim is Western and Southern peaks, you have to start from Kari lake.
*** If you aim to get to the North peak or East one, you'd better start from Aragats village side. You don't start hiking directly from the village, you drive by 4 x 4 to the Gegharot gorge and start from the height of 2900 m.