from Aragats village via North-peak to Quari lake - 10h11min - 22km - 2111m

Read this before blindly following the GSP spot on my hike:

1) If you cut the north pike (turn westwards and hike through ridge between south and west-peak) and if you avoid missing the path at km 11 it can be "moderate" I guess.

2) Sorry I was not able to edit the data, so I can only explain: See at km 11, how I turned and made a half circle clockwise? Looking back I finally saw the freaking rock and manhole (left of river - or right seeing downstream) where you actually should turn right (about 150m before I turned) following a path that I did not see and that should be leading you uphill above the second bigger waterfall (the first you pass just by walking along the way maybe at km 7). Instead You see me passing below and then climbing a steep and unpleasant gravel ascend (with vultures circling over me :-) ) then half way up turning right and rejoining a path again down in the valley. This path (as said, I should have found and followed all the time) takes you up over second and to the third waterfall and finally into the crater. So again: instead of making half a circle clockwise, look for a big stone and a concrete manhole (donstream) right of the river, where you turn right sharply, onto a path winding uphill, then turn left. I think on the satelite picture you can actually point out this path.
(maybe look at the route danidomingovitx took to get up, looks better to me)

3) how to get there: From Yerevan I got a deal with a private driver (25.000 AMD) taking me to Aragats village and as far as his Lada took us and then picking me up at Lake Quari (or Kari), stopping at his own shop, preparing Shashlik and then taking me back to Yerevan.

4) I think going the other way around is easier, because it should be more downhill then uphill. If you wonder about cutting out north-peak: Don't worry missing out the peak, you already have most stunning views from the ridge between west-and south peak and on the way. Also if you aim for the "real" instead of "false" peak: They are maybe 100m apart and I don't see the real peak be any higher than where you arrive on the peak. From my point of view it is suicide to try. Don't even think about doing it alone as there's no one who could do anything about you being missing, also there's no cell phone connection. Ok, if you absolutely want to: bring gear and expertise (which I clearly don't have) and know that the rocks are very unstable and slide, brake, fall.

5) For starting in Aragats village It is recommendable to see if you find someone with a Niva or any other 4X4 vehicle that can take you much closer (like 9km further than where I started) under the east-peak, but if you don't: it's a pleasant walk anyway. Make sure you're driver REALLY understands where you want to go as so far all other routes start or end on lake Quari. Show him on the map as there's apparently four villages with the same name and also "anyway, the tourist probably means the lake..."

There's good water in the crater, still use your common sense in finding spots higher than the highest cow that shits into the river
better hiking boots than light hiking shoes as there's so many different types of soil/ground, you'll end up peeling gravel out of your shoes or with wet feet.
I started hiking at 06:20 am.

It is overall very very beautiful, clean (KEEP IT THAT WAY !), almost empty of people and geologically interesting as you see all kinds of stuff that has been pushed out of the volcano. Grounds, colors, climate, views change all the time. Another good thing is that you have plenty possibilities of scaling the whole trip from 'easy to crazy'. If you have GPS gear and this trip on it you don't need a guide.

P.s.: Best greetings and thanks for the pleasure of meeting you, Lydia and Roi