Madan - Koshaberd / Blazed Trail / Armenia

◈◈ ◈ Koshaberd fortress ◈◈ ◈

◗ Koshaberd ( Կոշաբերդ ) is a 10-13th century fortress located in the Virahayots mountains ( Վիրահայոց լեռներ), Alaverdi town, close to Madan village.

◗ Koshaberd is also known as Madan fortress ( Մադանի բերդ ).

◗ Only some walls remained from once erected mighty fortress.

◗ Koshaberd played a significant military role in medieval Armenia, as most of Lori and Tavush fortresses (Such powerful as Aghjka berd and Mantashaberd).
This is the reason why it was built in such an
unconquerable spot, among the mountains, overlooking the town and the monasteries.

◗ Koshaberd fort overlooks Alaverdi town, Akner, Haghpat and Sanahin villages, mighty Lalvar mountain (Virahayots mountains’ highest point).

◗ Very little evidence about Koshaberd has survived. According to a researcher and expert of medieval architecture Samvel Karapetyan the fort belonged Kyurikian or Kyurikid dynasty (They originated as a junior branch and vassals of the Bagratid dynasty).

◤What you should know about this trail ?◥

--- This is a blazed foot trail that goes from Madan village ( Մադան գյուղ ) to Koshaberd ( Կոշաբերդի ամրոց)․

--- The village of Madan ( Մադան ) used to be a Greek village in the heart of Lori region.
Today only handful of Greek families remain in this half destroyed and half abandoned village .
Madan was founded in 1752 by Greeks. After Soviet Union collapse a lot of Greeks left Armenia.


--- ATTENTION !
The trail was built and blazed in 2022 but there was no any maintenance after that so we had real issues during the hike, as there were a lot of spiky bushes and confusing parts on the way. The trail on the maps did not match with the signs at a long distance, so that was the worst part of it.

--- Though I've finally found all the marks leading to the right direction and edited the trek with all the waypoints with photos, you might have the same troubles on the way till the trail will get a proper maintenance.

--- There is an other half gravel, half green trail leading to Koshaberd from Madan. I've uploaded this trail as "Madan-Koshaberd / Classic trail ".
This is the trail locals usually hike.
I always prefer blazed ones over the old "vehicle trails", but when the trail is accurate and without pitfalls. SO IN CASE THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE PLANNED IN FUTURE, I'LL RECOMMEND TO CHOOSE THE CLASSIC TRAIL OVER THIS BLAZED ONE OR BE VERY CAREFUL AND FOLLOW ALL THE WAYPOINTS ON THE WAY TO THE FORT. (Anyway, it's better to have the classic trail for hiking it on the way back).

--- There were dogs on the way, mostly the first km of the hike when we were in outskirts of the village, but most of them were on leash. Though we met off-leash dogs in 2 spots that might had been dangerous as they were protectors of the area. They were close to the route but not on it, so generally they keep distance (I've mentioned these spots in the viewpoints).

--- Most of the hike you follow the trail which goes up and down very smoothly. Be careful as soon as you get to the fort, the last steps to the Koshaberd hiking turns into scrambling. I'd definitely not suggest hiking this trail with kids.

SEASON

▶Doable:
Season starts from mid March till mid December. It is doable also in winter months if you are lucky to have a dry and warm winter without snow.
Snow normally blocks the paths.

▶Best season:
From late April till June is the best part of the year to walk in Lori gorges.
As this part of Armenia is warm and low enough, we avoid summer hikes here.
From mid September till late November it’s colorful fall here and nice temperature but less greenery.