TOURING ITINERARIES
Possibilities for scientific-educational and ecological
tourism in Dilijan National Park
Strong with its wealth of historical and cultural patrimony, Dilijan National Park offers vast opportunities for the development of wildlife safari. Its unequalled forestry and wonderful highland sceneries make the Park open for sightseeing at any season of year and can entertain visitors with such interesting pastimes as hiking, riding and biking during spring, summer and autumn, as well as skiing in winter.
Some of Dilijan National Park's historical monuments, like Haghartsin's monastic complex, Goshavank, Joukhtak Vank, Mathosavank, the Monastery of Akhnabat and others may attract several thousands of tourists. The harmonious co-existence of cultural and historical patrimony and natural wonders is an important asset for tourism development.
There are no serious impediments for ecotourism development in the national park with the latter being known as a recreational and holiday zone.
There is an expanded network of well-conserved hiking itineraries available in the Park.
The following itineraries are offered for tourist expeditions of cognitive character across the territory of Dilijan National Park:
Dilijan National Park Visitor Information Center
Located at the Dilijan National Park office, the Visitor Information Center is a great place
to stop for valuable information about the National Park and its hiking trails. The friendly
and multilingual staff will help you also find supplemental material on flora and fauna,
high quality GPS maps, and even local guides to accompany you on hikes. The Center
has internet access, available for guests to use.
Dilijan- Matosavank (E-1)
Overview:
This short 30 minute hike will get your blood pumping as you hike up a dirt
trail to visit a 13th century monastery. Set deep in the woods and
surrounded by khatchkars (cross-stone carvings), Matosavank has been
largely overtaken by nature.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road to Vanadzor. You will drive
approximately 3 km. On your right, there will be brown road signs for
Matosavank and Jukhtak Monasteries. Turn right onto the dirt road.
Travel down the dirt road for 3 km. You will see signs for Matosavank on
the left and Jukhtak on the right. You have arrived.
Liaising with holiday-homes, motels and other tourist organizations is key to promoting tourism and ecotourism in the national park.
Dilijan- Jukhtak Monastery - 11th Century Chapel (E-2)
Overview:
You will begin this hike just below the 12th century Jukhtak monastic
complex and continue uphill towards an ancient burial ground. From here,
you will descend towards a farming settlement and end up at the small 11th
century chapel.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road to Vanadzor. You will drive
approximately 3 km. On your right, there will be brown road signs for
Matosavank and Jukhtak Monasteries. Turn right onto the dirt road. Travel
down the dirt road for 3 km. You will see signs for Matosavank on the left
and Jukhtak on the right. You have arrived.
Haghartsin Monastery - Shamakhyan Village (E-3)
Overview:
Beginning at Haghartsin Monastery, this hike takes you along footpaths
used for centuries by shepherds and woodsmen. You'll follow a stream
and crisscrossing trails uphill through the forest, eventually ending up at a
clearing with a magnificent view of Shamakhyan village and the
surrounding region. From here, you will wind your way down to the
village.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road north to Ijevan and drive
approximately 8 km. On your left, there will be a sign for Haghartsin
Monastery. Turn left underneath the railroad tracks and follow the road for
6 km. On the road, you will pass a half-built Soviet era aerial ropeway and
a fish farm. 100 meters before the road ends you will arrive at a chapel
with khatchkars (cross stones) adjacent to it. This is the beginning of the
trail.
Parz Lich - Goshavank (E-4)
Overview:
This trail begins at Parz Lich (Clear Lake), a small, picturesque lake in the
Dilijan highlands. From here you will trek through lush, dense woodlands,
suddenly emerging in a vast grassy meadow from which you will descend
to Gosh village, concluding your hike at the breathtaking medieval
monastery; Goshavank.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road north to Ijevan. You will drive
approximately 7 km. On your right, there will be a sign written in Armenian
(Parz lich). Turn right. Cross the bridge bearing west and take the left
fork. Follow the road for 8 winding km as you ascend through the forest.
The road ends at the small green lake. You have arrived.
Dilijan - Ttu Jur - Parz Lich (E-5)
Overview:
This is a beautiful and varied hike. You will begin in Upper Dilijan, walk
through rolling hills of grazing fields, meadows of endless wildflowers,
and the lush, deep forests of the Dilijan Highlands to end up at Parz Lich
(Clear Lake). Along the way, you will pass by Ttu Jur, a natural mineral
spring.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road up towards Dilijan town center.
A couple hundred meters after you pass the town square, take the right
fork. Continue until it turns into a dirt road. This is the highest point in the
town. You have arrived.
Aghavnavank Village - Redwood Grove (E-6)
Overview:
This is a short, easy and pleasant hike, ideal for a picnic with the family. It
is a partially-marked trail that takes you along a creek in a fenced area of
Dilijan National Park. You will end up at Aghavnavank (Monastery of the
Dove); a small medieval monastery that has been almost completely
overtaken by nature.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road north to Ijevan. Drive
approximately 16 km. On the right, you will see a sign for Gosh &
Chambarak. Take a right and drive 11 km along the road to Chambarak.
Immediately after crossing a bridge, you will find a green sign on the left
marking the trail beginning.
Haghartsin Village - Abeghakar Peak (E-7)
Overview:
This trail begins in the quaint village of Haghartsin. You will pass a
cemetery, some khatchkars (cross-stones), and lush grazing fields to
eventually climb the Abeghakar Peak. From here, you will have a
stunning view of the region. You are sure to meet some friendly locals
along the way.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road north to Ijevan. Drive
approximately 10 km. Once you have passed Haghartsin village, on your
left you will see a small picnic area, an ascending dirt road, and a green
sign marking the beginning of the trail.
Dilijan- Ayridash (E-8)
Overview:
This trail takes you through fields and pastures, unlike other hikes in the
Dilijan area, which mostly cover dense forests. You will climb Astkhakar
peak located in Ayridash area, from where, on a clear day, you can see as
far as Lake Sevan.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road towards Vanadzor. Drive 2.5
km. On your right, there will be a road that bends back and ascends to
Shamakhyan village. Take the road to Shamakhyan village and drive for 3
km. Keep right at the fork and continue to ascend to the highest point in
the village. Once you've passed the last farm, you will see a green sign
indicating the beginning of the trail.
Goshavank - Gosh Lich (E-9)
Overview:
After a short walk down from Goshavank Monastery, this hike takes you
up a winding dirt road towards Gosh Lich (Lake). You'll hear Gosh Lich
before you see it. This small lake (more of a large pond really) is brimming
with life - a frog sanctuary of sorts. There is a nice picnic area here, ideal
for a lunch break. Gosh Lich is a popular fishing spot, so you're sure to
bump into some friendly locals if you lose your way.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road north to Ijevan. Drive
approximately 16 km. On your right, you will see a sign for Gosh &
Chambarak. Follow the arrow towards Gosh (take a right). Keep following
the signs for Gosh. At the end of the road, you should see the large
Goshavank monastic complex on your right. You have arrived.
Dilijan National Park Office - Waterfall (E-10)
Overview:
This trail takes you to a recently discovered small and beautiful waterfall,
located not so far away from Dilijan town. It is surrounded by beautifull
forests and a rocky landscape.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road north to Ijevan and drive
approximately 500m. On your left, you will see a turning to the Dilijan
National Park administrative building. This is the beginning of the trail.
Dilijan - Dilijan Mountains - Dilijan (E-11)
Overview:
This circuitous trail begins in Upper Dilijan. You will hike past Ttu Jur (a
natural mineral spring) and up into the Dilijan Mountains. From the peak
(one of the highest points in the area) you will have a breathtaking view of
the region. The trail takes you down the mountain by a different route, and
you will end up back at your starting point in Upper Dilijan.
How to get there:
From the Dilijan roundabout, take the road up towards Dilijan town center.
A couple hundred meters after you pass the town square, take the right
fork. Continue along until it turns into a dirt road. This is the highest point in
the town. You have arrived.
Considering that as from 1958, Dilijan has been one of Armenia's leading recreational zones and there are currently sufficient conditions for tourism promotion in the town of Dilijan and neighboring rural communities which, as attended by the emerging base services, might well provide an effective framework for the development of national park-bound ecotourism. The town abounds in holiday-homes and motels with a daily intake of 500 visitors charged an average of AMD7000 for each day of accommodation. There are numerous restaurants, taxi services, rent-houses operational in the town with private horse-owners residing in neighboring villages who can provide holiday-makers with horses. For its part, the national park is ready to offer to eventual visitors a broad range of tents, sleeping-bags, small gas-cookers. At the same time, touring guides will be available to get visitors familiarized with the region's history and geography.
Specialized services and diversified information will be available from:
Directorate of Dilijan National Park - Tel: +374 268 (2-70-32, 2-71-71).
Dilijan National Park is looking forward to hosting you and stands ready for eventual cooperation with you.
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