Mariam mountain I Dzor Mountain I Kotayk I Armenia

This is one of my loveliest long mountain trails close to Yerevan (1 hour driving).

Mariam ( Մարիամ լեռ ) is one of the marvelous peaks of the Pambak mountains or the Pambaki mountains ( Փամբակի լեռներ / Փամբակի լեռնաշղթա ), in Kotayk province, Armenia.
The height of the mountain is 2499 meters.

Dzor mountain ( Ձոր լեռ ) located on the borderline between Kotayk and Geharkunik regions is the highest summit of the Ardjanots mountain range ( Արջանոցի լեռներ ) - 2628 m.

The mountain is close to Hrazdan city ( Հրազդան), and the view from the top is rocky and stunning.

Some information about the trail:

--- We start our hike from Aghavnadzor village ( Աղավնաձոր Կոտայք ), the easiest and closest point to hike Mariam mountain.

--- This is a classic trail of Mariam mountain, as most of the trails you follow are jeep treks that gradually lead you up close to the peak.

--- If you plan to hike only Mariam mountain and get back to Aghavnadzor, I'd suggest hiking down the same route as the other slopes that lead to the village are quite steep.

--- After Mariam mountain we headed to Dzor mountain as our target was a long hike full of sights. The trail that leads to Dzor slopes is very charming and comfortable to hike.

--- The last part to Dzor mountain you turn off the trail and hike up to the summit's direction.

--- ATTENTION: The way that goes down from Dzor mountain has quite steep parts and has no paths (only the last part of the descent you join jeep treks). If you are not ok with wild hikes and want to make your descent more pleasant, download the trail "Dzor mountain - Classic way " from my trails' section.
As the hike itself was quite long we did not go back to the better route that goes down from Dzor as it would make this way longer for a day trip.
And whenever you plan to hike only Dzor mountain I'd suggest hiking up by classic trail and going down by this one if you do not like going back by the same trail as me.
Both ways of Dzor mountain lead to Kakavadzor district of Hrazdan city (Կաքավաձոր թաղամաս )

--- When we started to go down from Dzor mountain, we did not go right down, because the area is full of stones. We bypassed the summit area and made our route a little bit longer but safer for the hike.

--- SEASON: It's hard to say that this mount is considered to hike in all seasons.
Kotayk region normally has more severe and snowful winters than for example Tavush, Vayots Dzor or Syunik regions. When it snows here, the snow can get to your hips.

--- BEST SEASON for the scenery starts from May till July, it's green and comfy temperature. July, August and September it's hot here, from October till December it's dried and golden with pleasant temperature, and usually from December till mid April it either snows up there or the snow hasn’t melted yet (depending on season).