One of the first things travelers to Armenia typically learn about the country is that it’s the first one on the planet to have adopted Christianity as the official state religion (yes, even before the Romans, an Armenian will probably assure you).

Here in Armenia, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by natural beauty, so you don’t necessarily have to climb the tallest mountain or traverse the most taxing terrain in order to experience stunning views. But, if you’d like to, you certainly can! Maybe you’ve been cooped up over the colder months and now that spring is peeking out at us, announcing its long awaited return, you are hoping to put your strongest foot forward as you reacquaint yourself with hiking.

At the outset of summer, HIKEArmenia announced a monumental goal: to create an almost 1,000 km trail that runs along the length of Armenia. Crossing five of its most naturally abundant regions, the Armenian National Trail is set to join the ranks of globally renowned thru-hikes.

As human activity continues to pose a growing concern for the natural world, it’s crucial to address the preventable damage that threatened ecosystems and wildlife. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to outdoor adventures, this article will help you navigate a short list of principles and guidelines that will make a positive difference. Let’s dive in and discover how we can protect our planet together.

Armenia’s monasteries are pretty well-known, so well known that you’d be hard pressed to find a visitor to Armenia who didn’t visit one or two (or three, or four, or five…). But monasteries aren’t the only historical monuments hikers can experience while in Armenia.

From the time of its inception in 2015, HIKEArmenia has developed over 800 km of trails throughout Armenia’s countryside. Drawing in locals, travelers, hiking enthusiasts, and nature lovers, we’ve provided the resources and the means to get everyone into the wild. Creating more trails is what we do, so what’s so special about building THIS one? Setting our goals high, an exciting new endeavor is in the works, and we couldn’t be more excited to tell you about it!

Smack dab in the middle of Eurasia, Armenia has for centuries been at the crossroads of many trading routes, including the ancient Silk Road. Marco Polo is said to have travelled through Vayots Dzor, and it's thanks to folks like him and centuries of foot travel that many ancient footpaths still exist in the region today. They just needed some modern, professional mapping and trail building to bring them back to life for you to use!

We’re kicking off the hiking season with a trip to the region of Vayots Dzor. This province is known for its rugged terrain, with red jagged rocks and orange hued mountains jutting out of the ground. Medieval ruins, archeological digs of ancient caves and wineries, along with picture-worthy wildlife make Vayots Dzor distinguishable from other areas in Armenia.

Armenia’s monasteries are pretty well-known, so well known that you’d be hard pressed to find a visitor to Armenia who didn’t visit one or two (or three, or four, or five…). But monasteries aren’t the only historical monuments hikers can experience while in Armenia.

Released in September 2017 by the Public Television of Armenia, "The Road" follows Armenian-American horticulturist and repatriate Roffi Petrossian as he embarks on a journey across Armenia in search of what it means to be Armenian. Starting on July 31st, the popular reality documentary series is being re-released in English so that non-Armenian speakers too can experience the beauty of Armenian nature. In tandem with the show’s re-release, we will be uploading, in parts, the entire route Roffi hikes across Armenia on a special trail that will be available to view and navigate using our website. Though we don’t recommend following his exact path due to safety concerns, there are plenty of trails in several regions on our app and website to try out should you find yourself inspired to get hiking!

Whether you’re looking to take a break for a day or simply can’t get enough of Armenia’s beautiful countryside, we’ve got you covered. More seasoned trekkers looking for a challenge can check out these delightfully difficult trails. But if you’re new to hiking and are looking for something a little less intimidating, we’ve got just the thing for you. Last year, we told you about 5 easy hikes to greet spring. Now, we give you 5 more just in time for summer!

While the perks of hiking have widely been discussed, lost in the limelight of its mental and physical health benefits is a very rewarding opportunity that is rarely acknowledged — the experience of maintaining and preserving the health of hiking trails.