Gtchavank Monastery and Toghasar Mountain

Hiking trail description
This trail is located in the province of Hadrut, in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (also called Artsakh). There are many sights not only in this region, but also in the whole of Artsakh, which has resulted in an annual increase in tourism.
Tourists usually rent cars or ask villagers to take them to Gtchavanq Monastery. Gtchavanq is an old monastic complex, the walls of which, according to an inscription, were built in the 5th century. Now the building is in ruins, due to centuries of earthquakes and enemy attacks.
The trail climbs from the monastery to Toghasar Mountain, passing through mossy forests and rocky outcrops. From the summit of Toghasar, the peaks of the Kirs and Dizapayt mountains (two of the highest peaks in Artsakh) are visible, alongside mountain villages and pastures. There are village ruins on the way up to the summit, evidence of people living here around two hundred years ago,which may serve as encouragement, as they would easily walk up and down this trail every day.
Almost on the summit are the ruins of a white stone, church-like building. This is an ideal place to rest whilst enjoying the beautiful scenic views of the raw, foggy mountainous highlands and the small villages perched upon them.

Monuments description
The medieval monastic complex of Gtchavanq, near Togh village, has been mentioned in writing as early as the 5th century. The bishop brothers, Sarkis and Vrtanes, built the main church of the extant monastery, in 1241. The complex, rich in khachkars (cross stones) and epigraphs, is currently under reconstruction, due to its status as a prime example of medieval Armenian architecture. Some of the manuscripts created in the monastery have been preserved.
The monastic complex consists of two churches and one gavit (similar to a narthex, or entrance to the church). The exterior of the main church is rectangular, whilst the interior has a domed roof. It was built using polished felsite. The decoration of the church is quite modest, void of excessive decorative sculptures. To the west of the church, the semi-vaulted gavit made out of basalt stone, also serves as a magisterial mausoleum.
Togh village is famed for its ancient gardens and the relics, such as clay jugs, of many small ancient wineries. According to tradition, when a child was born, the parents buried jugs of red wine (between 150-300 litres) in the ground that were then opened, up to twenty years later, on the child’s wedding day. Another tradition saw to the rise of the gardens, as every time a son was sent to war, a tree was planted in his honour. Over the course of centuries, the sum of these individual trees has turned these slopes into forests!

Flora
In Karabakh and Armenia, the landscapes are rich and varied. Throughout the course of the hike, high rocky peaks stretch out across the horizon, covered in dense mountainous forests. About 40 species of valuable trees grow here, including hornbeam, oak, beech and eighteen kinds of shrub. Thick trees – maple, birch, ash, willow, lime, elm and others – are also common. Over 180 species of herb – perennial, mint, thyme, shandra, bryony, and others – grow alongside the wide range of mushrooms on the forest floor, many of which are consumed for their nutritional and medicinal properties.

Fauna
The fauna of Karabakh is also quite rich. Roe deer, European badger and Caucasian bear, and species of wild boar, hare, fox, hedgehog, jackal, field mouse, lynx, marten, dormouse, and squirrel inhabit the woods and birds, both large and small, as well as reptiles and insects are in abundance.

Safety and Security
Mobile telephone coverage (via Karabakh Telecom) is not great around Gtchavanq and Toghasar, but the 911 emergency service operates throughout Armenia in case of any accidents.
Be aware of rapid changes in weather, especially in spring, as lightning storms are common. Hiking on the mountain in gloomy and rainy weather is not recommended.
Be sure to bring bottled water!

Technical parameters
Best period: April -November
Distance: 310 km from Yerevan
Duration: 6 hours
Hiking trail length: 4 km
Walk duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (do not rely on the GPS-derived time)
Altitude from Sea Level: 801 – 1,280 m
Existing Trail Surface: 95% existing, 5% easily discernible

How to Get There
In order to reach Gtchavanq from Yerevan, the most convenient option is to take a taxi to Togh Village. It is advisable to take a taxi with a working meter (be sure the driver uses it), or agree on a price beforehand.
This hike can also be enchained with the hikes around Tatev.