Hiking Project Logo

A beautiful trail that takes hikers to several historic sites along the slopes of the Tsaghkunyats mountains.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

3.7

Miles

6.0

KM

Point to Point

8,034' 2,449 m

High

6,679' 2,036 m

Low

1,358' 414 m

Up

1,355' 413 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

51%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Cell phone service (via Beeline, VivaCell-Mts and Ucom) is usually available in the areas between Lusagyugh village, the forest, churches, and the monuments. 911 emergency services operate throughout Armenia in case of any accidents. Be sure to bring bottled water!

Description

This trail takes hikers to several historic sites. The first site on on the trail is the Mkhei monastery which dates back to pagan times, and once served as an inn for travelers. Further down the trail is the Tukh Manuk shrine, which was once dedicated to the sun god Mihr, but is now a Christian monastery. Tukh Manuk is one of the rare places in Armenia where one can spot “equal-wing” cross stones.

Several different mountain ranges can be seen along the trail including the impressive Aragats mountain on the west, and the Tsaghkunyats mountains on the east. Beyond the pagan temples and the silk road, the trail leads to Fort Aver, which is almost completely in ruins. The trail then passes through pine and birch groves, as well as wild plum, pear, and apple trees before connecting to a road that will bring hikers back to the town of Lusagyugh.

Flora & Fauna

Flora: The area is full of yellow dandelions, chamomile, blue forget-me-nots, colorful violets, and blossoming thorn plants. Edible herbs including sickleweed, nettle, and Chaerophyllum also grow here.

Those who love mushrooms can bring small knives and gather them during the hike, between April and June. It is necessary to show the mushrooms to the locals to be sure they are not poisonous. There are 5,000 hectares of forest, where oak, maple, and birch trees, as well as pine groves, apples and pear trees grow.

Fauna: Vipers, adders, and lizards can be found in the beautiful meadows, cornfields, and the slopes leading to the summit. There are frogs in the swampy areas. The forests are home to many animals, including brown bears, hares, wolves, and foxes.

Shared By:

State Tourism Committee Repub…

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#1

in Lusagyugh

#4988

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Lusagyugh

#19

in Armenia

#4,988

Overall
2 Views Last Month
97 Since Nov 20, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Red Monastery (Mkhe Vank)
Nov 10, 2017 near Aparan, AM
Armenian ancient khachkar (cross stone)
Dec 4, 2018 near Aparan, AM
Khachkar (Cross stone)
Nov 10, 2017 near Aparan, AM

0 Comments

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.