Tsakhats Kar - Smbataberd - Zorats / Classic Trail / Armenia
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 7.39 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,906 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 2,051 ft
- Max elevation
- 6,823 ft
- TrailRank
- 60
- Min elevation
- 5,286 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Moving time
- 3 hours 6 minutes
- Time
- 3 hours 48 minutes
- Coordinates
- 2132
- Uploaded
- April 10, 2023
- Recorded
- April 2023
near Yeghegis, Vayotsʼ Dzor (አርሜኒያ)
Viewed 586 times, downloaded 31 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
This is on the top hiking trails in Armenia.
It was very commonly hiking route even before hiking culture development here, as it leads to the historical settlements - Smbataberd fortress ( Սմբատաբերդ ) and Tsakhats kar monastery ( Ցախաց քար ) surrounded by picturesque valleys of Vayots Dzor region.
First we head to Tsakhats Qar monastery (13th century) which is a medieval monastery that is totally worth seeing.
Then we turn back and join the trail to Smbataberd - one of few Armenian fortresses founded in the 5th century and fortified in the 10th century, that somehow miraculously is preserved till nowadays.
We'll complete our hike near Zorats church ( Զորաց եկեղեցի ) which was founded in 14th century.
--- What you should know about this trail? ---
--- Most of the trail is a gravel road, so it's reachable by 4 x 4 vehicle till Smbataberd fort.
--- The only part of the trail that you hike the path is the way starting downhill from Smbataberd and leading to Yeghegis.
--- We start our trail from Artabuynk village ( Արտաբույնք ), and complete it in another idyllic village - Yeghegis ( Եղեգիս ) .
--- SEASON: Be careful with the season here. Though it's an all-season hiking destination, it's way better to hike in this area from mid April till June and in the snowy winter.
From mid June till the end of October it's quite hot and dry for this province.
--- The trail is not blazed. We have some directional signposts here, but they are missing in many intersections.
I've made some waypoints which may help to navigate in the area.
It was very commonly hiking route even before hiking culture development here, as it leads to the historical settlements - Smbataberd fortress ( Սմբատաբերդ ) and Tsakhats kar monastery ( Ցախաց քար ) surrounded by picturesque valleys of Vayots Dzor region.
First we head to Tsakhats Qar monastery (13th century) which is a medieval monastery that is totally worth seeing.
Then we turn back and join the trail to Smbataberd - one of few Armenian fortresses founded in the 5th century and fortified in the 10th century, that somehow miraculously is preserved till nowadays.
We'll complete our hike near Zorats church ( Զորաց եկեղեցի ) which was founded in 14th century.
--- What you should know about this trail? ---
--- Most of the trail is a gravel road, so it's reachable by 4 x 4 vehicle till Smbataberd fort.
--- The only part of the trail that you hike the path is the way starting downhill from Smbataberd and leading to Yeghegis.
--- We start our trail from Artabuynk village ( Արտաբույնք ), and complete it in another idyllic village - Yeghegis ( Եղեգիս ) .
--- SEASON: Be careful with the season here. Though it's an all-season hiking destination, it's way better to hike in this area from mid April till June and in the snowy winter.
From mid June till the end of October it's quite hot and dry for this province.
--- The trail is not blazed. We have some directional signposts here, but they are missing in many intersections.
I've made some waypoints which may help to navigate in the area.
Waypoints
Waypoint
5,522 ft
Intersection
Religious site
Fountain
Panorama
Comments (1)
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This trail is super nice. I've done this year in February but can imagine how it looks like during springtime.