Seasonal activities of Dilijan

Despite the fact that Armenia is a small country, three climatic zones and six climatic regions prevail here at once. More than half of Armenia's forest resources are located in the Tavush region, where Dilijan is located, as well as a large number of mountain springs, rivers, lakes, and mineral springs. The great advantage of Dilijan is that a temperate climate prevails here. This means that all four seasons are presented brightly, in rich colors.In summer you can enjoy the warm sun surrounded by green mountains, in autumn admire the deep shades of red and gold, in winter see a real snow fairy tale, and in spring inhale fragrant blooms of all shades.

Below we will tell you about the main types of active leisure in Dilijan at all seasons of the year.

Summer

Summer in Dilijan is dry and not very hot, it is created for all kinds of activities. There are more than 24 trails around Dilijan, along which you can arrange an intense journey – acquaintance with historical monuments, natural attractions, flora and fauna. One of the types of summer activities is hiking. Top popular places for hiking:

• The Whispering Waterfall Trail is a small trail that starts at the abandoned railway tracks near Dilijan National Park and goes deep into a gorge with a beautiful waterfall in the middle of the forest. The feeling that you get into a fairy tale. Since the trail has confusing sections, it is necessary to use GPS or be attentive to signs and signs on trees and stones located along the trail.  At first, the trail goes a little along the river, then through the forest. Try to avoid hiking along this trail in rainy weather, as it becomes very dirty and slippery. The best months to visit are April–June, as after June the stream in the waterfall becomes very thin;
  
• The trail "Drunken Forest" – the forest got its name because of the inclined trees along the trail. The trees, mostly pine trees, were bent due to landslides. If you don't have much time and you just want to enjoy a magnificent view of Dilijan and the surrounding area from the height of the mountains, this trail is the best choice;
  
• The trail of Medieval monasteries originates from the western part of the city and connects two stunning historical monuments – Matosavank and Juhtakvank. These monasteries of the 12th-13th centuries were active cultural centers, and now they have practically merged with nature;
  
• Hiking to the top of Apakekar is a mountain peak in the southwestern part of the Ijevan ridge located between the villages of Tegut and Ovk. This mountain is low – 1,651 meters, but this does not make the route less interesting. During the ascent, Sartsapat with its steep slopes will be visible. The route passes through meadows where you can meet grazing animals. From the foot of the mountain, the road passes through the forest and comes out to the slopes leading to the top. There are stunning views from there. The route is approximately 11 km;
  
• The trail from Lake Parz to Lake Gosh is one of the most popular hiking routes, since it includes the main beauties of Dilijan National Park – Lakes Parz and Gosh. Both lakes are of landslide origin and are surrounded by dense forests. The route starts from the shores of Lake Parz, passes through the forest where the ancient khachkars are hidden, and continues at the village of Gosh, where the ancient monastery of Goshavank is located. At the end of the way, Lake Gosh is waiting for you. The total length of the route is 10 km.
  

Walking in Dilijan National Park is another wonderful type of active summer vacation in Dilijan. There are many hiking trails in Dilijan National Park, with the help of which you can get acquainted with its diverse flora and fauna. There are more than 977 species of plants, as well as a rich animal world. Among mammals there are brown bears, wolves, forest cats, hedgehogs, goats, deer, etc. On the territory of the reserve there are ancient architectural monuments – the monasteries of Haghartsin, Goshavank, Matosavank and Juhtak, and the natural pearl of the park is Lake Parz (translated from Armenian – "clear", "transparent"). It is a popular picnic spot with locals, and you can rent a boat on the shore of the lake. There is also a restaurant where it is very fun and crowded in summer.

Jipping is one of the most popular types of extreme recreation. The nature of Dilijan is created for traveling by off-road vehicles, as natural and man-made beauties are often located in hard-to-reach places․Jipping is not only the fabulous landscapes of Dilijan forests, ancient monasteries, but also an opportunity to see the forest inhabitants. For a real adventure atmosphere, go to the Dimats and Airikar mountains – these are some of the most popular destinations. The views from there are breathtaking. If you like an extreme atmosphere and you are not afraid of mud and impassable mountain passes, then jipping is what you need for outdoor activities.

The Rope Park Verev is an amusement park located in a wooded area. It is ideal for recreation for both adults and children. The Rope Park Verev, with a total length of 485 meters, is the longest rope park not only in Armenia, but also in the region. It consists of five trails and a climbing wall. The tracks differ from each other in height, length, as well as the permissible age and height for operation. The Rope Park Verev is a new type of social entrepreneurship aimed at preserving green areas and increasing interest in a healthy lifestyle.

Autumn

Autumn in Dilijan is a time of miracles and a place for inspiration. You will not find such an abundance of colors and picturesque landscapes in any other season. It is in autumn that you will see the most impressive view of the ancient monasteries, lost in the red, yellow and green shades of the forest. Let's tell you a little more about the architectural masterpieces that are a must-visit.

Haghartsin is a medieval monastery complex built of white stone, which seems to glow and wonderfully contrasts with the surrounding landscape. It is located 18 km from Dilijan. Information about this architectural masterpiece remained from the medieval Armenian historian Kirakos Gandzaketsi (1200-1271), who described it as a scientific, educational and cultural center of that time. People of different faiths are imbued with the beauty and energy of this spiritual center. In 2005, the Arab Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al-Qasimi, when visiting Haghartsin, said that he heard the "voice of God" there and financed the restoration of the monastery complex. Thus, an Arab sheikh, a Muslim, helped to restore and save the Armenian church, which is an unprecedented case in history.

Goshavank is a monastery complex of the 12th–13th centuries, located in the village of Gosh, 10 km east of Dilijan, there is also a lake with the same name nearby. The monastery was founded by the outstanding historian, theologian and jurist Mkhitar Ghosh (date of death 1213) – the author of the first Armenian judicial book, which became the foundation of the legal tradition of Armenians both in Armenia and in the Diaspora. His crypt is located on the territory of the monastery. There was a university in Goshavank, where prominent cultural figures of Armenia were educated and lived. The territory of the monastery is strewn with elaborate khachkars (stone crosses). The most famous of them is amazing: the carving on it is so thin that it gives the impression that it is made with a needle, as if the master turned the stone into a thread and knitted this work of art.

Matosavank – 3.5 km from Dilijan, a mysterious compact monastery of the 13th century is located in the forest thicket. It was founded by the princely Zakarian family, whose representatives were the military commanders of Queen Tamara. Despite the fact that the building is in a dilapidated state, there are ruins of a church, a vestibule and even a library, and khachkars are embedded and carved in the walls. Matosavank is protected by the state, but restoration work is not carried out there and it is slowly being destroyed.

Juhtakvank is another authentic monastery hidden in the forests of Tavush near Matosavank. It consists of two separate churches built in the 12th–13th centuries - the Holy Virgin and St. Gregory. This fact explains the meaning of the name of the monastery: "juhtak" in Armenian means "couple". The monastery with its ancient, moss-covered khachkars and the surrounding nature is a stunning architectural structure. After a walk through the monasteries and Dilijan National Park in autumn, you can go boating on the lake surrounded by a picturesque forest.

Lake Parz, located at an altitude of 1350 meters above sea level, is perfect for boat trips. All you need is to take a boat and enjoy nature, which does not tire your eyes. The lake is filled with crystal water of local springs, and the reflections of forest, moss and algae reflected in it give its clear waters a light green hue. The lake has a peaceful atmosphere. There is also a rope park, a cafe and many eternally hungry funny ducks.

Lovers of horseback riding have the opportunity to ride in Dilijan Horse Riding Centre near the village of Haghartsin. We can arrange an unforgettable tour for you, in which you will drive off-road vehicles to the foot of the Sartsapat and Apakekar mountains, where a herd of horses will be waiting for you. Experienced instructors will teach you the safety rules, and you will ride while enjoying the wild nature.

Winter

The fabulous winter of Dilijan is a great reason to come to the city for new impressions. Just a view of Dilijan in winter will impress you with its splendor! The landscape of wooded mountains covered with snow, in the depths of which ancient monasteries can be seen, will not leave you indifferent. Against the background of snow, the "Old Dilijan" is especially beautiful – the historical part of the city. We advise you to dress warmly, take a cup of tea or coffee and walk along the streets with carved balconies. 

The complex "Old Dilijan", located on Sharambeyana Street, was built in the 19th century, and after renovation work at the beginning of the 21st century, the architectural style has not changed much. Workshops, an art gallery, a museum, and souvenir shops are concentrated here. In this place you will see the cultural life of the city. If you like to study history, Dilijan Museum of Folk Art will be one of the most interesting places in the city for you. The solid, white travertine-lined building on Myasnikyan Street includes a gallery with works by such great artists as Aivazovsky, Saryan, Khanjyan, Minas, Shishkin, as well as Italian authors. Special attention should be paid to the Department of Archeology and Ethnography, where the ancient culture of Dilijan is presented: archaeological excavations, household items, jewelry, etc.

If you want to warm up by the fireplace, we suggest you visit the authentic restaurants Im Toon and Toon Armeni, where you can drink hot and alcoholic drinks in a cozy atmosphere, as well as eat delicious food. If you are looking for an active holiday in the winter season, then Dilijan National Park is an ideal place for winter adventures. One of the best options is a walk from Goshavank to Lake Parz. The 7 km long trail starts from the center of the village, on the left side of the souvenir market opposite the monastery, and continues deep into the national park, where you will immerse yourself in a winter fairy tale.

Spring

In the spring, in addition to the above ways of a rich and interesting pastime, we advise you to try the Dilvegas game. What is it? Go To Dili offers Dilijan guests a trip to the village of Agavnavank, where the production of Dilvados alcoholic beverages is located. As part of the trip, you have the opportunity to participate in the Dilvegas game: this is a blind tasting, during which you will be able to recognize various flavors of drinks, evaluate their taste and become a real expert. Note that Dilvados produces unique distillates of Eau de vies (from French. "water of life"), such as wild pear, wild plum, blackberry, wild apple, etc.

Of course, spring is the time to look at the waterfalls! At this time of the year they are the most full-flowing and picturesque. Be sure to use this opportunity to look at the Shagot waterfall, located 5 km northeast of the village of Tehut, in the recesses of the rocky walls of the Ijevan Mountains. The height is 46 meters. Not far from the Shagot waterfall there is a beautiful trail leading to Mount Dimats.

The whispering waterfall, which we talked about above, goes deep into the gorge, where you will feel yourself in isolation from civilization. After crossing the tracks of an abandoned railway, the signs will lead you to a waterfall – one of the brightest landscapes, where you can enjoy the chirping of birds and other forest sounds, as well as see a waterfall spilling into a narrow gorge.

Multilevel Hidden Waterfall. It is called hidden because it is securely hidden behind rocks, it was discovered only recently! The path to it begins from the side of the monastery of Haghartsin, this is the only road leading to the forest. You will not get lost, the road is equipped with tourist signs. After 1.5 km you will meet a wooden bridge, which was built for a safe crosswalk across the river. As soon as you hear the murmur – you are close!

Despite the compact size of Dilijan and its surroundings, this paradise can offer you a wide variety of ways to have a great time at any season of the year. Include Dilijan in the list of must-visit places in Armenia, and you will get an unforgettable experience.