World Heritage Trail

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Accommodation
Things to see

Sanahin to Haghpat Monasteries

10.9 km

1,090m

788m

Medium

Things to see

Mikoyan Brothers Museum

Sanahin Monastery

Haghpat Monastery Complex

Haghpat Bridge

Kayan Berd

Who are the Mikoyan brothers? They were kind of a big deal back in the Soviet Union, and they were born in Sanahin village. Anastas Mikoyan was a Soviet revolutionary who eventually became Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet—the Soviet Union's de jure head of state. His younger brother, Artem, was an aeronautical engineer who together with Mikhail Gurevich designed many of the MiG fighter jet. The museum is located downhill from Sanahin Monastery, and a ticket costs just 200 AMD.

Constructed sometime in the 10th century, Sanahin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Armenian, “sanahin” literally translates to “this one is older than that one,” in reference to Haghpat Monastery, another World Heritage Site nearby. Both monasteries are in plain view of each other, and both were important centers of learning in the middle ages. Sanahin is particularly rich with medieval khachkars (cross-stones). Prepare to be impressed by the fine detail of these uniquely Armenian monuments!

<p dir="ltr">Built in the 10th century, Haghpat Monastery was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996. UNESCO says that Haghpat and the nearby Sanahin Monastery “represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture, whose unique style developed from a blending of elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the [...] region.”</p>

Stone bridge built in the XIII century crossing the Zhivank river in the Sherek Gorge.

Kayan Berd (also known as Kayanberd or Dsevank, Կայանբերդ or Դսեվանք) is a fortress and a former monastery which between the monasteries Haghpat and Sanahin. The Kayan Berd was strategically built at the edge of the ridge between two canyons above the Debed River. The exact year of construction of the castle is unknown. It was possible that King Ashot II. Yerkat built it at some point in the 10th century. The Church Surb Astvatzatzin (or Dsevank) is the most visible structure you will see besides the fortress walls and about 15 defensive towers. It was built of black tuff. Its blue, red, white dome was damaged in an earthquake in 1827. Ruins of several buildings and remains of pools and clay pipes that provided the fortress with water can can also be seen on the site.

This trail in the northern Lori Province connects the monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and arguably Armenia’s most important monasteries.

NOTE: Updated August 2023 to include then segment that connects this trail to "Kayan Fortress".

The World Heritage Trail starts at the Sanahin Monastery Complex, located in the village of Sanahin (within the city limits of Alaverdi), overlooking the Debed River Canyon. Take your time exploring the complex’s many chapels, the academy building (once a medieval high school), book depositories, refectories, galleries, and other structures.

From Sanahin, the trail will lead you to another one of Armenia’s iconic monasteries—Haghpat. Both monasteries were built in the 10th century, and were once important centers of scholarship. Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore both sites! Between Sanahin and Hagphat, a short spur trail going north will take you to the ruins of the 13th century Kayan Fortress, also known as Aknaberd. FYI, autumn is a great season to hike this trail—the mountains surrounding the Debed Canyon are painted in vivid colors and are often crowned by low-lying clouds.

You will find stone pillars guiding you along the trail, installed by the Armenian Hikers Association (AHA) team.

Note: this trail is not a loop, and that you’ll have to either walk or find transport to get back to where you started (see the HOW TO GET THERE for transport options). Transportation to Sanahin is easier to navigate, which is why we recommend you start your hike there, though you can start at Haghpat.

Second Note: it is possible to do only the Kayan Fortress portion of this trail here: Kayan Berd Trail

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Adam Frisk

Great hike, but be careful if you take it when the snows are melting ;)

Mantis Toboggan

Wonderful and easy hike.

Tatiana Nadyseva

Really nice trail going through picturesque terrain.

Zoe Harris

Beautiful and cultural walk with canyon views! It was easy to get to Kayan Fort using maps.me; a nice scramble if you come over the ridge through the hotel. I also added in Zarni Parni Cave Castle. And the blackberries were out!

Miranda Heneghan

Great hike, the trail is well marked and easy to follow. Nice mix of forest trails and open landscape. We started in Haghpat in the morning and finished in Sanahin. There are shops in both of those towns and there is a small shop in Akner and a water fountain by the church

Diego Hernandez

Highly recommended, perfectly marked. Beautiful views and quiet easy. You can do it in 3 hours, even stripping to steal berries. At Haghpat, a taxi returning to the starting point will ask you 2000 AMD and you can stop at the beautiful bridge for pictures

Matthew Steer

This is a lovely hike, passing through all kinds of landscape: forest hillsides, flower meadows, high crags, sleepy villages, rural lanes.

Taline Nichanian

Nice and easy, well-marked. Can get very muddy on humid days

Mars Va

I loved this trail, I really did!

Kristin Foss

I think labeling something “super easy!” Should mean my 67 year old mother with bad knees could do it. She couldn’t do this hike, it’s definitely a medium level. It’s stunning though! Had the whole trail to myself. Very well marked throughout and all sorts of scenery - pastures, craggy paths, a small village. If you’re in the area, it’s a fantastic choice!