Geghard Monastery, Khosrov Reserve, Temple of Garni

Mountain Biking Trail Description
This biking trail begins near the Geghard Monastery, located in the Kotayk province. The Monastery is surrounded on three sides by tall rocks. By the entrance of the Monastery, you can see tradesmen offering tourists handmade souvenirs and jewellery, as well as delicious Armenian gata (biscuit), dried fruits, ttu lavash (fruit lavash) and sujukh (churchkhela) made by Armenian women.
After tasting the harvests of Armenia and studying the mystical corners and chambers of Geghard, you can start the biking trail. The trail is paved for the first 5km, follows a road uphill, and then is covered by sandstones (soil) until the end. After riding a few kilometers, you can see the Aghjots (St. Stepanos) Monastery from afar. You will also have a chance to get acquainted with the flora and, perhaps, the wild animals of the Khosrov Reserve. The trail will lead you to the guardhouse entrance of the Khosrov Reserve. Leaving the territory of the Reserve, you will enter Garni village. The paved road will then lead you to the pagan Temple of Garni.
Our team suggests two biking routes in this area, so you can arrange your stay with one of the guesthouses in advance and take all the trails.
We recommend the Bed & Breakfast Garni guesthouse, which has beautiful views. On the way back, you can stop at the observation point and admire Mount Ararat. The main contact is Vazgen, who speaks English.
The return path is from Garni village.

Monuments description
Geghard Monastery is one of the ancient monasteries of Armenia, in the historical Geghardadzor region. Situated on the right bank of the Azat River, it includes two-storied stone temples and a church.
Geghard complex consists of cave structures, including a main temple, two vestibules, two churches, and several chambers and tombs. The temple’s entrance, walls, and columns are adorned with beautiful carvings. The rocks surrounding the monastery make the site uniquely attractive and majestic. Geghard was founded in the IV century by Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator), soon after Armenia declared Christianity as its state religion. It was one of the religious and cultural centers of medieval Armenia; as such, it is not only one the top sights in Armenia, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery was repeatedly raided but numerous manuscripts have been preserved, some of which are kept in the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) of Yerevan.

Khosrov Reserve was once the hunting ground of the 4th century Armenian king, Khosrov G. Kotak (Khosrov III the Small). He turned the southern slopes of the Gegham mountains into a forest-reserve and as such, according to Khorenatsi, the forest grew noticeably in size. For centuries, the reserve was known as a noble hunting ground. Animals from different regions, including Persia, were brought to the reserve and bred there.
The reserve - with an altitude of 1,400-2,500m - is surrounded by the Gegham, Urts, and Yeranos mountain ranges. The 23,000-hectare area has been under State protection since 1,958, to preserve, improve and propagate existing and new species of flora and fauna. The Azat river flows through the Khosrov forest, with its abundant tributaries forming numerous rapids and magnificent waterfalls. There is a total of 312 monuments, monasteries, churches, khachkars (cross stones), forts, and settlements within the reserve. The forest is home to the Kakavaberd Fortress, the Geghard, Havuts Tar, and St. Stephanos (Surb Stepanos) monasteries, a church carved into a cave, a medieval bridge and other historical monuments.
Aghjots Vank (Surb Stepanos/Saint Stephen Monastery) is a medieval Armenian monastery that includes churches, a vestibule, monastic buildings and a cemetery. The main church of the complex is Surb Stepanos (St. Stephen), which was built at the beginning of the 13th century. The church has four chapels and a crosswise layout. The vestibule was constructed in the second half of the 13th century and lies to the west of the head church. Nowadays, only some of the walls remain preserved. The monastery sits on a hill and can be seen from different areas of the reserve. Black poisonous snakes are said to have been kept here for research that was conducted some decades ago, and now the visitors in the territory of the monastery sometimes see them. At night, you can hear wolves and small hyenas nearby.

Temple of Garni is situated on the Azat riverbank. Legend has it that Garni was founded by Hayk Nahapet’s (the ancestor of all Armenians) great-grandson, Gegham, who named the temple after his grandson Garnik. Another legend claims that Garni was originally called the Temple of the Sun, dedicated to the Armenian sun god Mihr. Garni’s fortress, taking on a Hellenistic architectural style, was built during the reign of King Tiridates I in the year 76. Despite being destroyed several times, the fortress was always restored by Armenian kings, in the form of a summer residence, a military camp, and even an Episcopal Residence.
The temple of Garni attracts many tourists with its well-preserved majestic architecture and carvings. The temple is open year round, and at night, it is dressed in the beautiful glow of colored lights.

Flora
The flora within the Khosrov Reserve is plentiful, and includes around 1,800 species of plants, which constitute over 50% of Armenia's flora. 146 of these plants are registered in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Armenia. A semi-desert landscape dominates the lower slopes of the mountains, and forest vegetation covers the mid-altitude slopes, where juniper and oak trees grow. Other plants include the broadleaf cherry, rowans, and Caucausian cherry-woods. In higher areas, the flora is mountainous. Here one can see chicory, white chamomile, sage, valerian, cornflower, nettle, plantain, white bryony, yarrow, and more. Thyme and dodder are often used in tea; thyme is known to decrease blood pressure.

Fauna
You may cross the whole trail without seeing a single animal. However, you may happen to come across several amphibious reptiles, which are very common here during the hot summers. Animals are protected in the Khosrov Reserve under a strict regime with an aim to promote their breeding. Armenian mouflons (wild sheep) and bezoar goats are very typical for the fauna of Armenia. There are also leopards, brown bears, wild boars, foxes, rabbits, lynxes, martens, wolves, rock badgers and other animals here. There are also many species of birds here, such as milvus migrans, gypaetus barbatus, griffon vultures, eagles, wild pigeons, seagulls, and more. There are numerous reptiles, especially the poisonous Gurza (poisonous snake) in the Reserve. Spotted deer (axis) have been bred here, since 1954.

Safety and Security
In the Khosrov reserve, adjacent to the biking trail, the connection is very poor. In Geghard, Garni, and the surrounding areas, all networks within Armenia are available. In case of emergency, call 911, a service which is available throughout Armenia. Be wary of dogs guarding flocks of sheep.

Technical parameters
Best period: April - October
Distance: 26km from Yerevan
Duration: 37 minutes
Biking trail length 32.7km.
Ride duration: 6-7 hours.
Altitude from sea level: 1380-2200m
90% of the road is covered by sandstone, the other 10% is paved.
The best drink to have on hand is bottled water.

How to Reach the Trail
To reach this biking trail you must get to the village of Garni. It is most convenient to travel by taxi, which is quite affordable throughout Armenia. We recommend taking a cab with a taximeter and making sure the driver uses it.