Trails
From Janapar
Backbone (Himnakan Janapar)
| Section | Description | Distance | Difficulty | Offshoots | Maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nor Manashid -> Zuar | Over a mountain crest to Zuar village and hot springs | 16km | Medium | No | XX |
| Zuar -> Dadivank | Follow the river down to Dadivank Monastery | 19km | Easy | No | |
| Dadivank -> Vaghuhas | Hike along the Tartar River to Vaghuhas | 22km | Easy | No | |
| Vaghuhas -> Vank | Hike over the hills to Gandzasar Village then up to Gandzasar Monastery and back down to the village. | 14km | Medium | No | |
| Vank -> Kolatak | Hike along rivers and forested mountains. See old church 2km above Kolotak. | 20km | Medium | No | |
| Kolatak -> Ptretsik | Hike directly into the wilderness and forested mountains the whole day. | 17km | Difficult | No | 1 |
| Ptretsik -> Stepanakert | Hike through the foothills and villages to reach the Capital. | 17km | Easy | No | 1 |
| Stepanakert -> Shushi | Explore Stepanakert, and hike up to Shushi. | 14km | Medium-Difficult | No | |
| Shushi -> Mkhitarishen | Explore Shushi, then hike through gorgeous Karkar Canyon, stopping at the Zontik Waterfall and Hunot ruins | 10km | Medium-Difficult | No | |
| Mkhitarishen -> Avetaranots | through forested hills and fields | 16km | Medium-Difficult | No | |
| Avetaranots -> Karmir Shuka | Skhtorashen has a massive tree nearby thought to be 2,000 years old. | 15km | No | ||
| Karmir Shuka -> Azokh | Explore the Azokh Cave. | 11km | Medium | No | |
| Azokh -> Togh | Walk around Mount Togh to Gtichavank, then on to Togh Village | 18km | Medium | No | |
| Togh -> Hadrut | Hike the last stretch to Hadrut, and make a trip up to Spitak Khach Vank to light a candle upon completion. | 16km | Medium | No |
The Forbidden Monastery
We recommend taking a car/taxi to get to the region where you can visit the forbidden monastery of Yerits Mankants. Because it is in a military zone, behind multiple checkpoints, you must first get permission. Much of the surrounding areas saw serious fighting, and should not be explored without serious inquiries into safety issues. Information on permission is on the Tonashen village page. You may however visit Mataghis Village nearby without prior permission and hike an hour or so to Yeghishe Arakyal Monastery.
Notes
Difficulty is a range from Easy to Difficult. Difficult usually indicates a good deal of elevation during the days hike. Easy indicates a smooth, clear trail, probably dropping in elevation.
Distance is the full days hike, including the trips up to Monasteries that are considered a part of the trail. Optional offshoot/side trails however, are not included in the figure.
Maps are being prepared. They are being linked to upon completion.
