
Vardahovit – Vernashen Trail is located in Vayots Dzor Province. The Province is home to several ancient landmarks and tourism attractions including the Areni-1 cave complex and Areni-1 winery of the Chalcolithic period, Tanahat Monastery (8th-century), Smbataberd fortress (10th-century), and Noravank monastery (13th-century). The village of Gladzor used to be the home to the 13th and 14th-century University of Gladzor. Do not forget to visit Jermuk – the spa-town, whenever you are in Vayots Dzor.
You will be impressed with amazing scenery, especially the mountain ranges all around Vayots Dzor. Beware of the diverse wild life specially birds; there are several sites for bird and animal watching along the Trail.
Overall trail data
Trail Length: 52.5km
Elevation: 2719m
Ascent: 3040m
Descent: 3547m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Rescue Service: 911, 112
Trail Functionality Symbols: Hike, Horse
Section 1: Vardahovit - Sevazhayr - Arates
Trail Length: 11.5km
Trail Duration: 5-6 Hours
Elevation: 2719m
Ascent: 783m
Descent: 874m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Trail Functionality Symbols: Hike, Horse
Section 2: Arates - Yeghegis
Trail Length: 14km
Trail Duration: 5-6 Hours
Elevation: 2418m
Ascent: 631m
Descent: 938m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Trail Functionality Symbols: Hike, Horse, Bike
Section 3: Yeghegis - Smbataberd - Artabuynq
Trail Length: 7km
Trail Duration: 5-6 Hours
Elevation: 1913m
Ascent: 395m
Descent: 488m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Trail Functionality Symbols: Hike, Horse
Section 4: Artabuynq - Shatin
Trail Length: 6.2km
Trail Duration: 2-3 Hours
Elevation: 1552m
Ascent: 115m
Descent: 396m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Trail Functionality Symbols: Hike, Horse, Bike
Section 5: Shatin - Shatinavank - Spitakavor - Vernashen
Trail Length: 13.4km
Trail Duration: 5-6 Hours
Elevation: 2148m
Ascent: 1123m
Descent: 849m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Trail Functionality Symbols: Hike, Horse
How to get there?
Considering the fact that you will start the trail somewhere and will finish it somewhere else, you will need a car-support to pick you up from 'end-points'.
Where to stay?
Accommodation is relatively easy to arrange in vayots Dzor, both hotels and B&B's are very well managed. Do not forget to check in at Areni Wine Art in Areni Town, and Arevi Hotel in Yeghegis; you will be amazed with the hospitality and amazing views of Teqsar Mountain Range.
What to see around?
Arates Monastery
Yeghegis Monastery Complex
Smbataberd Fortress (V C.)
Spitakavor Monastery
Boloraberd (Proshaberd) Fortress (XIII c.)
Nearby destinations
Areni-1 cave complex
Areni-1 winery
Noravank Monastery
GPS track
To be published shortly