Best trails in Aghveran National Park

Description of the Trail This ski trail starts at ‘Arthur’s Resort’, in the Aghveran National Park, of Kotayk province. The trail is covered with soft snow, and is safe during the winter. There are also several other stunning trails from the different sides of this mountain. All of them are perfect, with stunning natural views from the top. Description of the Monument Heading for Mount Teghenis 1 from Yerevan or vice versa, you can visit along the way: Garni Temple The pagan temple of Garni is situated in the village of Garni, in Kotayk province, on the right bank of the Azat River. The temple was founded by Patriarch Hayk’s great grandson, Gegham, and was named Garni in honor of his grandson. Garni was also known as the Temple of the Sun, as it was dedicated to the God of the Sun, Mihr. King Trdat the First, on a high triangular cape in 76 BC, constructed the fortress as a Hellenistic building. Garni fortress was damaged several times over the centuries. However, the kings of Armenia reconstructed the fortress using it as a house, a place for military exercises and an Episcopal residence. Now you can see the Temple of Garni with its majestic architecture attracting numerous tourists and visitors with its beauty. The temple is open to everyone all year round and is illuminated at night. Geghard Monastery (Village of Geghard) Geghard Monastery is one of the ancient monasteries of Armenia. It includes two-storied stone temples and a church. Located 35km from Yerevan, the Monastery is situated on the right bank of the Azat River, in historical Geghardadzor. The Geghard Monastery is a complex of cave structures consisting of the main temple, two vestibules and two churches. It also has several chambers and tombs. The entrance of the cave, indoor walls and columns are decorated with beautiful carvings. High rocks surrounding the monastery make the site uniquely attractive and majestic. Geghardavank was founded during the early years after declaring Christianity as the state religion of Armenia (IV c.), by Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator). Geghardavank was one of the religious and cultural centers of medieval Armenia. Now there are numerous manuscripts, some of which are kept in the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) of Yerevan, even though the monastery was repeatedly raided over the centuries. Geghardavank has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the top sights in Armenia. Fauna While passing through the Teghenis 1 Mountain ski trail, at a height of 2,500m, you might come across evidence of wolves and bears. Safety Ucom and VivaCell-MTS networks are partially available between ‘Arthur’s Resort’ and the Teghenis 1 Mountain. In the case of an emergency, call 911, a service available throughout Armenia. Technical Specifications of the Ski Trail The best time for skiing is: January- April Yerevan is 51km away from ‘Arthur’s Resort’, so the road there takes 55min. and costs 5,100-5,500 AMD (by taxi). The duration of skiing is 5 hours and 12min. The distance of the ski trail is 10.8km. The area is located at an altitude of 1,950-2,851m above sea level. The best drink to have on hand is warm tea. How to Reach the Ski Trail To reach the above-mentioned ski trail, you need to get to ‘Arthur’s Resort’, in the Kotayk province. It is most convenient to travel by taxi. Taxi services are quite affordable throughout Armenia. It is suggested you take a cab with a taximeter. Show more