This is the continuation of the Neghots-Haghpat (ANT2)  trail.

The trail connecting Haghpat village to Akner is 6.2 kilometers long. During this walk, you’ll encounter some of the most stunning landscapes of the Debed Gorge, passing through forests, rocky cliffs, and open fields. After exploring the medieval Haghpat Monastery complex, you can begin your walk right in front of the monument. Here, you’ll find a small grocery store, and the trail to the left descends alongside houses, revealing a few Soviet-era memorial fountains and landmarks along the way. As you leave the village, you’ll get a charming view of Haghpat Monastery from a unique angle, perfect for a photo. 

After descending 2.5 kilometers, the trail joins the main road, opening views of the Sherek River. Signs on the left lead to a bridge, from which a narrow path begins to ascend towards the medieval Kayan Fortress. Climbing over massive rocks, you can imagine ancient times and understand why such hard-to-reach and naturally protected strategic points were chosen. From Kayan Fortress, you get breathtaking views of the Debed Canyon, and the Dsevank Church within the fortress area that adds a historical and cultural dimension to the walk. 

From Kayan Fortress, you can reach the fields of Akner village via specially adapted stone steps. Unlike its neighboring villages Haghpat and Sanahin, Akner doesn’t receive many tourist groups, making it more modest in infrastructure but offering more authentic and fairy-tale-like atmosphere. In front of Akner are open pastures, and the road between the houses leads to the village center, from where you can continue your walk towards Sanahin. 

Water sources

Outside the walls of Haghpat Monastery, there is a medieval spring with cold water. Inside the valley, before ascending towards the Kayan fortress, you will find another spring after crossing the bridge over the Sherek stream.