Discover Tavush: Forests, Trails and Wine

Forests, Elevations, and the Landscape of Tavush

About 50 percent of Tavush is covered by forests, which are known for their great diversity of flora and fauna. Dilijan National Park covers 33,765 hectares and lies mainly in Tavush Province; smaller sections extend into Lori and Gegharkunik provinces. At the regional level, this brings together a specific protected-area size and a landscape where forests cover a large part of the territory.

Elevation is also part of the geographic picture: at 2,992 meters above sea level, Mount Miapor is the highest point in Tavush. Together with the high proportion of forest, this gives a sense of a region where mountains and forest areas are important landmarks. If you are looking for a vacation rental, you can consider whether hiking trails and natural landscapes should be a focus of your stay.

Lastiver in the Khachakhbyur Gorge of Tavush features waterfalls, picnic spots, and dense forest in the Sarnajur River valley. These landscape features come together there, while Dilijan National Park—with its size and the trails that cross it—offers a different point of reference for nature and hiking interests.

Hiking Trails and Outdoor Activities

A marked hiking trail connects Lake Gosh with Lake Parz and continues on to Dilijan. In addition, dozens of Transcaucasian Trail routes run through Dilijan National Park in Tavush. These details offer two different ways to orient your hiking plans: the marked trail passes named lakes and has a named continuation, while the Transcaucasian Trail routes show that numerous paths cross the national park.

There are no facilities at Lake Gosh. From the village of Gosh, the lake can be reached by jeep via unpaved roads, which can become muddy after rain. If the lake is part of your plans, take these conditions into account; especially after rain, it is a good idea to check the road conditions before setting out.

In Yenokavan, Yell Extreme Park offers zip lines, via ferrata climbing tours, off-road tours, and horseback rides. Alongside the hiking trails described above, there are several different types of activities to consider when planning your trip. Which ones matter most to you can also help you focus your vacation-rental search on a suitable location for your planned stay.

To narrow down your options, you can consider specific highlights: a marked trail between two lakes, routes through the national park, the landscape of Lastiver, or the activities at the park in Yenokavan. These are different starting points for planning your trip; first decide which experience in Tavush interests you most.

Wine and Regional Food Culture

Tavush is one of Armenia’s five major wine-growing regions. The region is home to large wine factories, small wineries, and private wine producers. Homemade wine is served at guesthouses. The range therefore extends from large businesses to smaller and private forms of wine production; guesthouses add another aspect, with homemade wine at the center of their offerings.

For choosing what interests you, this offers a different way to experience the region than hiking or outdoor activities.

Explore More of Tavush

Tavush destinations: Dilijan, Ijevan, Yenokavan, Azatamut, Gosh and Gandzakar.

Discover more destinations: Lori, Aragatsotn.

Back to the main travel overview: Armenia.