Stretching from the green hills of Lori to the rocky highlands of Syunik, this long-distance hiking trail is quietly changing the way people see Armenia. It winds through villages, forests, and open valleys, connecting places that were once far apart and inviting travelers to experience the country up close.

Now, that same path has caught international attention. The Armenian National Trail (ANT) has been named a finalist for Best Wider World Tourism Project at the 2025 British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) International Tourism Awards. The nomination places Armenia among the world's most inspiring travel destinations and celebrates the growing movement for sustainable, community-based tourism across the country.

Shortlisted by members of the UK's leading association of travel writers, photographers, bloggers, and broadcasters, the award honors projects that make an outstanding contribution to tourism. This year, the ANT appears alongside Cairo's Grand Egyptian Museum and Iraq's Kurdistan Region's Zagros Mountain Trail. For a young, non-profit project created and built in Armenia, the recognition marks a significant milestone and reflects the work of HIKEArmenia and the many stakeholders: guides, volunteers, and villagers who have helped turn a national dream into a living trail.

Launched in May 2023, the ANT was designed by HIKEArmenia as a village-to-village route that invites hikers to explore Armenia not only through its landscapes but through its people. The ANT connects communities, guesthouses, and everyday life, and allows walkers to move at their own pace while supporting local economies along the way.

When complete, the trail will cover nearly 1,000 kilometers and pass through more than 100 villages and towns across five provinces: Lori, Tavush, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik. Sections built to international standards are already open. With a light pack and a sense of curiosity, hikers can travel from village to village, each evening ending the day with a warm meal and a new story.

The trail's logo, introduced in late 2023, captures that sense of openness. A blue arch suggests an inviting doorway, framed by stylized symbols of mountains, forests, water, and the sun. Together, they represent what makes the ANT unique: hospitality, natural diversity, and the spirit of welcome that defines Armenia.

Why the shortlist matters

The ANT stands among projects on the BGTW shortlist, ranging from billion-dollar museums to humble community initiatives. It proudly represents the latter—a trail built by local hands and maintained by people who live along it, supported by hikers who choose connection over luxury.

Every stage of the ANT tells a story. The route moves from mountain passes to orchards, from forests to quiet village lanes. Along the way, hikers meet farmers, artisans, and families whose hospitality is as unforgettable as the scenery.

The ANT also embodies HIKEArmenia's core mission of environmental stewardship and rural development. The organization invests in trail development, maintenance, signage, and guide training, while helping local guesthouses improve services. These practical steps protect nature, support livelihoods, and create a model of tourism that benefits both visitors and hosts.

British travel writer Olly Beckett, who nominated the ANT for the BGTW award, shared why it stood out to him: "I nominated the Armenian National Trail because of how the route opens up more of Armenia to visitors, creates jobs for locals and provides a world-class trail for hikers, and it's clear how much passion those involved with the trail—including my guide Shushan Rubenian—have for the project."

Winners will be announced at the BGTW Annual Gala in London on November 3, 2025, the evening before World Travel Market. There's reason for excitement, but even reaching the final stage is a milestone worth celebrating, as it shows that Armenia's trails have earned their place on the global map.

Rising international attention

Armenia's profile as a hiking destination has been growing steadily. Earlier this year, Lonely Planet Italy featured the Armenian National Trail in an article titled "L'Armenia a piedi: nella natura, senza folla" ("Armenia on foot: In nature, without the crowds"). The piece describes the ANT as a mosaic of landscapes and cultures stretching from the forests of Lori and Tavush to the vineyards of Vayots Dzor and the monasteries of Syunik. It also notes that the Lori segment is already open, with Tavush to follow by 2026.

"In recent years, Armenia has invested in marked trails, eco-lodges, guesthouses, and services designed for hikers. This network makes the country a sustainable and welcoming trekking destination," Lonely Planet's Italy Editor writes in the piece. In its feature, the storied travel guide also highlights how easy it is to reach Armenia from Italy, with direct flights from Milan, Rome, and Venice, as well as convenient connections from other European airports.

This kind of coverage helps reveal what those who have walked here already know: Armenia offers the perfect balance of natural beauty, cultural depth, and genuine warmth, far from the crowds of mainstream tourism.

Since 2015, HIKEArmenia has helped shape the country's modern hiking culture. Supported by the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, the organization has developed or improved more than 70 trails, launched a free app and website, and opened an information center in downtown Yerevan. It also leads volunteer maintenance programs, trains guides, and provides grants to rural guesthouses.

The ANT is HIKEArmenia's most ambitious project to date, bringing together a decade of experience and a vision of a connected Armenia where nature, culture, and community thrive side by side.

What’s next for the ANT?

By 2030, travelers will be able to walk the length of Armenia in a single continuous journey, crossing forests, highlands, and lakeshores while meeting the people who call these places home. The trail will serve as both an artery of exploration and a living example of what sustainable, community-driven tourism can achieve.

The BGTW shortlisting is a moment of pride—and a promise of what is still to come. It tells the world that Armenia's open doors, open landscapes, and open hearts are ready for all who come to walk its paths.

Plan your next hike and learn more about the Armenian National Trail at hikearmenia.org.