Akhtala monastery - Haghpat monastery / Armenian National Trail / Lori

𝐀𝐤𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚–𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬–𝐇𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐩𝐚𝐭 is a long trail that combines two sections of the Armenian National Trail.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 ( Հայաստանի ազգային արահետ ) is a long-distance hiking route that stretches across the country from north to south, connecting over 100 villages and showcasing Armenia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

The Akhtala–Neghots section marks the first hiking day of the trail—or the final stage if you're starting from the south. It’s a beautiful introduction to a long adventure, passing through hidden trails and cultural landmarks.

The Neghots–Haghpat section is a moderate hike through the gorges and forests of Lori, continuing the journey with scenic views and a strong sense of local character.


◤What you should know about this trail ?◥

--- The first trail is an easy-moderate trail with a lot of ups and downs. It passes through the idyllic villages, Lori gorges and woods with the mighty scenery of Debed canyon.

--- The trail leads right from the monastery to Neghots village ( Նեղոց գյուղ ).

--- If you like longer hikes, I’d recommend going on till Haghpat monastery by taking the next “ Neghots - Haghpat” consecutive trail and finishing up a “from monastery to monastery ” trail (21.5 km).
It’s feasible for advanced hikers.

--- There is a water source in the middle of the trail, so you just turn right 15 m to get water (this spot is mentioned as a waypoint ).

--- If you want to get the most out of this trail, I’d recommend hiking it during the best season (late spring, early summer ).


--- The second trail starts from Neghots village ( Նեղոց գյուղ ) and takes you to Haghpat village
( Հաղպատ գյուղ ) through the nice valleys and forests. First you hike in the village, then you join a jeep trek where you'll have a great scene of Debed river canyon. After that the hike continues through the lash woods. At the end of the hike you'll have a Debed canyon view again, then hike through the village to the monastery.

— If you like longer hikes, I’d recommend starting the hike from another amazing monastery - Akhtala adding 8 more kms to your hike and finishing up a “from monastery to monastery ” trail (22 km).
It’s feasible for advanced hikers.

— If you want to get the most out of this trail, I’d recommend hiking it during the best season (late spring, early summer ).

◤ When to Go ?

▶ Doable:
The season starts in early April and lasts until December. It’s also possible to hike in winter if you're lucky with dry, warm weather and little to no snow.
Typically, snow blocks the paths during January and February.

▶ Best Season:
The best time to hike in the Lori gorges starts in mid spring.
𝑀𝑖𝑑-𝐴𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑦:
This hike is relatively warm and at a lower elevation, so we usually avoid summer hikes here due to the heat.
𝑀𝑖𝑑-𝑆𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒-𝑂𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑏𝑒𝑟:
The area transforms with colorful autumn foliage and comfortable temperatures, though there's less greenery compared to spring.

✖ Not Recommended:

I wouldn’t recommend hiking this trail from late June to mid-September, as it can get quite hot—especially in the sections without tree cover, making the experience less enjoyable.
I’d also skip it if you're hoping for lush scenery between late October and April—during this period, the landscape tends to be dull, with bare trees and very little greenery.

𝐵𝑒𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑙: 𝐶𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒

◈◈◈ 𝐀𝐤𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 ◈◈◈

◗ Akhtala monastery is mentioned also as Pghndzavank ( Պղնձավանք ) in the middle ages which literally means Copper monastery as there were a lot of copper mines in that area.

◗ There is an also 10-th century Akhtala fortress remains on tha area, so you'll have a chance to see both the fort and the monastery in the same place.

◗ Akhtala is an Chalcedonian monastery, and it has a both Armenian, Georgian and Byzantine architecture influence.

◗ The founders of Akhtala fortress were the Kyurikids.

◗ The main church of Akhtala has fantastic murals which have survived till our time.
The murals were made after the church was converted into Chalcedonic by the Zakarians'
( Զաքարյաններ ) dynasty in 12th century.

◗ The Zakarids or Zakaryan brothers were vassals to the Bagrationi dynasty in Georgia, but frequently acted independently and at times titled themselves as kings.
In 1236, they fell under the rule of the Mongol Empire as a vassal state with local autonomy.

◗ The mural's colorings of the main church are characteristic of Byzantine art, but the thematic solutions are Armenian.
Some of the murals were renovated in 1979.

◈◈◈ 𝐇𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐩𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 ◈◈◈

Haghpat ( Հաղպատ ) is one of the most impressive medieval monastery complexes located in Haghpat village, Lori region (3 hours from Yerevan/190 km).

◗ The 10-13th century largest monastery of medieval Armenia monastery overlooks Debed canyon

◗ Haghpat and nearby Sanahin monasteries (6 km away) were included on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1996.

◗ The architecture of Haghpat has elements of both traditional architecture of the region and the ecclesiastical architecture of the Byzantine Empire.

◗ Haghpat and Sanahin were the largest educational and cultural centers in medieval Armenia. Oratory, philosophy, music, manuscript illumination and other subjects were taught there.

◗ The monastery was founded around 976 by Queen Khosrovanuysh, the wife of Bagratid Ashot the 3rd.
◗ The sons of the church's founder, Princes Smbat and Kurike, are shown with Queen Khosravanush in a bas-relief on the east gable.
◗ Armenia was released from Seljuk domination at the end of the 12th century by Ivaneh and Zakareh Zakaryans. During their rule, the monastery was expanded, occupying a territory three times larger than the previous one.

◗ The Haghpat Monastery complex is a combination of churches like Saint Astvatsatsin(13 century), Saint Nshan (10 century), and Saint Grigor(11 century). There is also a bell tower, a repository, many khachkars, and it is surrounded by high walls to protect from invaders.

◗ The best known khackar is the "Amenaprkich" (All-Savior) khachkar reflecting the scene of crucifixion which has been standing since 1273.

◗ Among the teachers of the monastery was Grigor Magistros and the famous philosopher Hovhannes Sarkavag ( Hovhannes Imastaser).
His tombstone is located under the bell tower of Haghpat. At that time, several hundred monks lived in the Haghpat Monastery.

◗ In the 18th century (1775), the famous Armenian composer Sayat Nova found refuge in Haghpat. According to the locals, he lived in a monastery until his death as a monk.

◗ The monastery has been damaged many times by numerous attacks and earthquakes and renovated after.

◗ The monastery has no official opening hours, but it’s safe to arrive anytime between 10am and sundown.

*𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒:
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