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Medieval Monasteries Trail​

Medieval Monasteries Trail​

2h
3.5 km
​​1,530
1,419
Medium

Things to see

Jukhtak Monastery
Matosavank Monastery
Setting out from the western edge of Dilijan’s city limits, this hike loops around a valley and connects two historic monasteries – Matosavank and Jukhtakvank – both reclaimed by time and nature.

Although it is possible to hike this trail in either direction, we suggest you start from Matosavank and make a clockwise turn around the valley, for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. The trail takes off from a dirt road and fresh single-track trail through grassy meadows and dense groves of elm, oak and hornbeam trees. The animals there are wary of humans and are spread out over the area; when you look down from time to time, you'll find a variety of distinctive footprints beside yours! If you're hiking in autumn, make sure you taste the local fruit varieties of wild pear, plum and apples. You might as well collect some rose hip to make a traditional Armenian mountain tea.

In order to get the most out of this hike, take your time to explore the two medieval monasteries this trail connects. These 13th-century monastic complexes were once active cultural centers, and are currently consumed by nature. Take a moment to simply sit down at the stone tables outside and maybe enjoy a snack. You might get lucky and witness locals practicing traditional rites like tying pieces of cloth on nearby trees for good luck, or maybe even sacrificing small animals like roosters or lambs as an offering to God

How to get there

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Andrea Hermans
Good signs, even some info and qr codes. It's a sort, easy walk. You can even walk to the start from Dilijan, but it's a long straight road there. Monasteries are small but quite cool, the rest is just a forest hike.
Maat Leblanc
I took a taxi to the end of the road from Dilijan for 800 AMD. The entire loop can probably be done in 65 min. - 80 min. if you are constantly walking. Including two breaks of at least 20 min. at each sites, I did the loop in less than 2 hours. I walked back to Dilijan and this took an additional 80 minutes. Total: just over 3 hours, Approx distance.: 10km (including coming back to Dilijan). Easy walking. Went there a Monday morning at 11am at the end of September. I was the only person there. Very quiet. I loved the old buildings.
Кристина Саркисян
Очень красивая дорога, нам удалось совместить визит двух церковь : Двухаванк и этого монастыря. Дорога не очень сложная, везде стоят указатели... Природа во всей своей красоте! Рекомендую
Christopher Rainbow
Kuldeep Singh
It was an amazing hike experience through forest. We did with my 8 year old and 4 year girls. If you are with kids or elderly people , i recommend first starting the trail from Jukhtak Monastery and then Matosavank Monastery. It has less steep going up. After the Matosavank, steep down makes life easier when you are most tired or almost done with the trail.
Matt Jenkins
Very atmospheric stroll in the woods! Path well marked. If coming by car, make sure you don't try to drive to the monasteries themselves, but rather park by the information sign marked here as the start of the route. We made the mistake of trying to drive up to Jukhtak and start from there, which turned into an unexpected 4x4 adventure!
marjorie brottier
A beautiful hike allowing to discover two old medieval monasteries. Short, easy and well-marked.
Nicolas AZNAVOUR
A beautiful hike through water, nature and monsateries. Easily accessible, well marked.
Oleg Df
Great track! Not really hard, u can come here in the morning and be done by middle of the day. Except 2 churches, there are wonderful stream and cute cows nearby the second church.
Tom Schreeder
Hiked trail August 12, 2020. Nice hike but lost trail several times along the way. As app had it mapped we never got far off track but shortcut a few spots. Trail mostly follows old roads with very little trail preparation (i.e., no switchbacks). Monasteries were interesting and trail has great potential.
Anoosh Chakelian
This is a lovely hike, well signposted, with beautiful and fascinating monasteries. I just wish it had been longer! If you're staying in central Dilijan you probably won't want to walk the long straight road all the way to the start of the trail so I'd say ask your taxi driver to drop you off at where the road off the highway leads up to the trail, or if that's too complicated to explain you could ask to be dropped off outside the Riverside Guest house and walk up - this would make the hike longer and it's up a nice road that runs along a river. Also you could take bbq/picnic stuff with you and eat at the bbq spot when you've finished the trail.
Tatiana Nadyseva
Really nice and easy hike
Тата Септембер
Beautiful and easy road. This road going through forest and you can admire mountain's forest. And you can see the church and monastery. Good travel signs
Raffi Assadourian
An amazing hike, with beautiful nature and amazing monasteries.

CHOOSE YOUR GUIDES

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