Devil’s Bridge, Big Desert of Tatev, Tandzatap Village, Tatev Monastery

Hiking trail description
This trail begins at the Devil’s Gorge and leads to the Big Desert of Tatev, on the bank of the Vorotan River. Climbing up the Gorge you can admire splendid views, in a trail surrounded by vineyards, pear and apple orchards (which can be enjoyed in the autumn).
Reaching Tandzatav village and passing through the narrow streets, the hike leads out of the village and over an old bridge, to the medieval Tatev Monastery (which was and is still considered the largest spiritual and cultural center of the Syunik province). The route returns via Tatev village.
Several important places located on the way, but not included in the route, are also worth visiting: Noravank (Yeghegnadzor), Zorats Karer (Sisian), the Wings of Tatev ropeway (Halidzor village), and the Tatev Monastery. It is advisable to take these trails from the same area. From Tatev village, for instance, there are B&Bs and other forms of accommodation where overnight stays and meals can be organized. For a magnificent view of the Aramazd and Bargushat mountain ranges, try the B&B located behind the St Minas church.

Monuments description
Devil's Bridge, located 150m above the Vorotan river, is considered one of the natural wonders of Armenia. It is a natural “roof” that overhangs the frantic waters beneath. The Gorge, with two steep yellow-red slopes, stretches down to meet the edges of the bridge. The cliffs are so close to each other that they create just a narrow corridor, 180-200 meters in width.
There are mineral springs on and around the Bridge, which exert 500-600 thousand liters of water per day, at a temperature of 25°C. The travertine pillars accumulated under the bridge are created by soluble calcium and other salt types that fall into the mineral waters in the depth of the bridge. For centuries, people used this water for various purposes, especially for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Formerly, at a loss for an explanation of its geological processes, locals simply considered it the devil's deed, giving this formation its name.

Big Desert of Tatev (Big Hermitage of Tatev) is a medieval Armenian monastery on the Vorotan riverbank. It is one of the most valuable complexes of the late Middle Ages. Before becoming a great religious and educational center in the XVII century, it played a military role in the XVIII century during the liberation struggle organized by Davit Bek. The monastery was built after the destruction of the Harants desert (located on the southern side of the same gorge). In 1660, the Religious Order there moved to a new place and built the Big Desert of Tatev.
Tall rectangular walls surround the Big Desert of Tatev. On the southwest of the Desert is Surb Astvatsatsin, a church made of polished basalt in 1,663. Beside it is a narthex-hall (built by Melik Yegan in 1743) and a domed small mausoleum (the likely burial ground of the Desert’s founder, Aristakes Vardapet). On the east side of the church is a spring and semi-ruined buildings, while on the south stands the refectory with its kitchen, and some living quarters. In the yard there is another group of residential rooms.

Tandzatap is a village located by the Vorotan river, in the Aghandzuget river gorge.
Tatev Monastery is a IV century complex that was once a religious and cultural center. In the 8th century, it was named after Eustateus (Tateos) - Thaddeus apostle’s pupil, who preached Christianity in Syunik and was martyred there.
In the 14th century, the Tatev monastery was one of the centers of Armenian culture, wherein a painting school, library and University operated. Between 1381-1387, during Tamerlane's invasion of Syunik, Tatev monastery was robbed and burned, losing a considerable portion of its estates. In the late Middle Ages, a gavit (narthex) and a belfry were built on the western side of the large temple. The school of Tatev survived until the 20th century until it was destroyed at the beginning of the century (and later found during excavations in 1981-1982). In 1974-1998 the complex was entirely reconstructed.

Legend
After completing the construction of the Tatev monastery, the stonemason master required two sliver planers from the workers. Upon receiving them, the master kissed them each and said, “Let the Holy Spirit give us wings” (“ta tev” in Armenian). Suddenly, wings grew on his shoulders and the master flew away. The workers, who were unable to remove the existing wooden supports without the master, eventually learned that the master was in Constantinople, and sent someone to fetch him. The master refused to return and simply explained the way to take them off. Thus, the monastery gained its name - Tatev, the way the master pronounced it.

Flora
The trail passes through a forest of oak and hornbeam, as well as hawthorn, rose hip, wild pear and wild apple, maple and elm. There are primulas, squills and other flowers and herbs that blossom in the springtime.
The prominent rivers of the region are the Vorotan, Voghji and Meghri. Vorotan is the largest river of Zangezur and is famous for its gorge, which reaches a depth of over 800 meters. The river flows underneath the Devil’s Bridge.
The mineral springs of Tatev, Kajaran, Goris, Vorotan (Urut) and many others are well-known here. The Sosi, Zangezur, and Shikahogh state reserves are also in this region. Within them are a number of other valuable and unique species, such as Greek walnut, Araks oak, Greek Silk vine, spindle tree and others.

Fauna
Brown bears, wolves, foxes, porcupines, lizards, snakes, and turtles are often seen in the area. Rare species of skink, cat snake and Transcaucasian rat snake are also seen here.
The songs of forest jays and the common blackbird will accompany hikers during the whole length of the trail. Other species of birds living here are large and black titmice, chaffinches, green woodpeckers, hawfinches, and semi-collared and small flycatchers. There are a number of species of bunting, including the black-headed, the rock, the ortolan, and the corn bunting. The brown and the lesser grey shrikes can be seen in the bushes, while the common redstart, the red-fronted serin and warblers are found in the thickets. Birds of prey include the short-toed snake eagle, the pern, the sparrowhawk, the common buzzard and the hobby falcon. In the low forest one can see the common kestrel, the long-legged buzzard, the booted eagle and the lesser spotted eagle.

Safety and Connectivity
Mobile telephone coverage (via Ucom and VivaCell-Mts) is available throughout the hike. The 911 emergency services operate throughout Armenia in case of any accidents.
Be sure to bring bottled water!

Technical parameters
Best period: April -mid November
Distance: 253 km from Yerevan
Duration: 4 hours 30 min
Hiking trail length: 9.34 km
Walk duration: 4.5 hours
Altitude from Sea Level: 995 - 1005 -1380 -1450m
Visible Trail Surface: 100%

How to Get There
In order to reach this trail, the most convenient option is to take a taxi from Yerevan to the Devil’s Gorge. It is advisable to take a taxi with a working meter (be sure the driver uses it), or agree on a price beforehand.