Stepanavan - Katnaghbyur / TransCaucasian Trail / Day 37 / Armenia

The trail begins in Stepanavan ( Ստեփանավան ), a town in the Lori region, and leads to Katnaghbyur village of Lori ( Կաթնաղբյուր Լոռի ), situated near the border of Lori and Shirak provinces. Stepanavan, with a population of 10,800, is one of the towns in Lori known for its developed infrastructure.

The trail will guide you along the river, through the woods, past Waterlily Lake, and across the vast, stunning valleys of Lori, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape.

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫: Hikers who want to explore the Transcaucasian Trail ( Տրանսկովկասյան արահետ ), as well as those seeking a long hike through the forests , expansive wild landscapes and smooth valleys.

▶ Distance from Yerevan to Stepanavan:
148 km (via Aparan) 3 hr 10 min
172 km (via Sevan) 3 hr 20 min

◤ Description of the Trail

𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: The trail is not blazed, meaning there are no marks, signposts, or directional arrows. You will need a GPS and should be prepared to navigate on your own throughout the hike.
Pay close attention to to the marks on the map, as I’ve tried to include all the necessary navigation points in the waypoints to make it easier to orient yourself.

--- The trail begins in the center of Stepanavan, right by the Stepan Shamumyan statue. Cross the road, then turn left where a set of stairs leads you down to the damaged asphalt road that takes you to Dzoraget Canyon ( Ձորագետի կիրճ ).
*Stepan Shahumian ( Ստեփան Շահումյան ) was an Armenian Bolshevik revolutionary and politician active across the Caucasus. His leadership during the Russian Revolution in the Caucasus earned him the nickname "Caucasian Lenin."

--- After 1.5 km of hiking, you’ll turn left and enjoy a pleasant 4 km stretch along the Sevjur river, following the jeep tracks. Along the way, you’ll pass gazebos where locals often have picnics on warm days.
*The Sevjur River ( Սևջուր գետ ) is a 14 km long river that flows into the Dzoraget River ( Ձորագետ գետ )․

--- When you reach 5.5 km, be sure not to miss the junction on the right. From there, the trail begins to gain elevation as you hike up through the forest on switchbacks. You'll experience an altitude gain of 140 meters before reaching a narrow path. Be cautious as the jeep track transitions into a footpath, which may be difficult to follow due to overgrowth until Waterlily Lake.

--- At the 9th kilometer of the hike, you will reach the Lake.
𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞, Urasar lake ( Ուրասարի լիճ ) or "Jrashushanneri Lich" ( Ջրաշուշանների լիճ ) as locals call it, is a small lake and the only one in Armenia with water lilies. The bloom lasts for a very short period, from mid-June to late July.

--- After passing the lake, the path leads you to the old green jeep tracks. From here, you'll hike through the valley, with no more trees, just the open plain ahead.
The main issue with this section is the confusing jeep tracks and their absence in certain areas. Additionally, there were some wet areas when we hiked in early July.
It’s an easy, smooth 8 km hike until you reach the highest point of the trail (1648 m) at the junction with the asphalt road, where the trail begins its descent.

--- The last 2 km, from 17.3 km onward, will be on a paved road leading down to the village.


◤ Which direction to go ?

The trail doesn't have very steep sections ( 200 m elevation gain over 19 km), so there’s no significant difference in which direction you start. It mainly depends on your personal preference whether you begin the TCT trail from the north or south.


◤ Where to Stay?

We couldn't find any accommodation in Katnaghbyur village, despite even contacting the village mayor. As a result, we had to arrange a ride to Stepanavan for the night. If you happen to find any reliable options closer than Stepanavan, please let me know so I can update the information for other hikers. The drive took about 30 minutes (17 km through Armanis village).

≋ Water Sources

There are drinking water pipes at the 3.5 km and 12 km marks of the trail (as indicated in the waypoints),

∝FAUNA

The area is not as wild as some other parts of Armenia. While there may be a few chances to spot venomous snakes in the fields and wolves on the more remote sections of the trail, animals typically avoid these areas due to the trail's closeness to villages and farms.


◤ When to Go?

▶ Doable:
The trail is open from late March to mid-November. Outside of these months, temperatures can be uncomfortable. The trail is usually snowed in from December to March, depending on the season.

▶ Recommended:
The best time to visit is during the summer months, specifically from early June to early August. Early June still feels like spring with cooler temperatures, while August can be dry. From early June to late July, you’ll experience lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and comfortable temperatures ranging from 20°C to 27°C.

▶ Not Recommended:
After late November, the weather can be very cold, with snow conditions typically starting in December and lasting until mid-March.