Kurtan - Gargar / TransCaucasianTrail / Day 35 / Armenia

The trail begins in Kurtan village ( Կուրթան ), located in Lori province. It will take you through hills and mountains, passing the Dendropark subtropical arboretum, and continue towards Gargar village ( Գարգառ ) through lush forests.

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫: Hikers looking to explore the Transcaucasian Trail ( Տրանսկովկասյան արահետ ), as well as those interested in a moderate hike through forests and low mountains.

▶ Distance from Yerevan to Kurtan:
146 km (via Aparan) 2 hr 45 min
171 km (via Sevan) 3 hr

◤ Description of the Trail

𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: The trail is not blazed, meaning there are no marks, signposts, or directional arrows. You will need a GPS and should be prepared to navigate on your own throughout the hike.
Pay close attention to to the marks on the map, as I’ve tried to include all the necessary navigation points in the waypoints to make it easier to orient yourself.

--- The trail starts in Kurtan village. From there, head left and hike to the end of the village. The first 1 km can be a bit confusing and overgrown, as you'll primarily follow footpaths or old jeep tracks.

--- At 1.3 km, you’ll join the main jeep track. The hike is quite enjoyable from this point, as you follow the jeep track. Be cautious at 7.8 km (noted in the waypoints), as it’s easy to miss the correct turn.

--- After 7.8 km, once you take the right path, the jeep tracks become less distinct. Be careful here not to miss another crossroad to the right, followed by a left turn at the next intersection.

--- At 8.5 km, you’ll reach the Mtin Mountain waypoint. This mountain is the highest point in the area, so you may want to veer off the trail for about 10 minutes to enjoy the view from its summit. The Mtin summit and the path to get there are marked in the waypoints.

--- After 8.5 km, you'll begin descending.
Be cautious at 9.4 km, as it’s easy to miss the left turn (which we did, as shown on the map). There are no signs, so it's quite possible to go off the trail here. From this point, the jeep track transitions to footpaths and continues like this until the Dendropark junction at 13.1 km. The trail becomes very confusing and overgrown, especially after 11.5 km, and this issue persists until 13.1 km, when you join the asphalt road.

--- Once you reach the asphalt road at 13.1 km, you're close to Lori’s Dendropark subtropical arboretum. If you have time, you can visit the park, or you can continue on the trail toward Gargar.

--- After 13.1 km, you’ll follow the jeep track for the most part, and there are no major navigation challenges in this section. The jeep track ends at 17.2 km, where the asphalt road begins.

--- The final kilometer of the trail is along an asphalt road, so be cautious as this is a main road leading to the nearby villages, and you may encounter a lot of passing cars.

--- Is this trail 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝-𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲?
The trail might be a bit long for children and includes some confusing, overgrown sections that they may not enjoy. However, it also depends on the child's age, hiking experience, and preferences.

◤ Which direction to go?

It largely depends on your personal preference whether you start the TCT trail from the north or south.
Starting from Kurtan is slightly more challenging, as you'll gain 150 meters more altitude than you lose.
If you’re planning to hike just this section and not the entire TCT, it might be easier to start from Gargar.

◤ Can I shorten the trail by car?

Generally, no. The trail becomes a footpath in many sections and connects to jeep tracks in remote areas. However, at 13.1 km, when you reach the asphalt road at the Dendropark junction, it’s possible to drive to Gargar village with a 4x4 vehicle. Be aware, though, that there's a section where the jeep is rough and damaged, requiring an experienced driver and a high-clearance vehicle.

◤ Where to Stay?

There are several homestays in Gargar and Gyulagarak villages. As Kurtan is a newly developed village for tourism, new guesthouses are expected to appear as well. However, many of the homestays in Gargar cater more to locals, so finding accommodation online can sometimes be challenging.

Another option is Stepanavan town, which is nearby.
If you visit Kurtan or Gargar and have trouble finding accommodation, feel free to contact me, and I can provide you with guesthouse contacts. Since the ones I know aren't English-friendly, I’m not sharing the details here, hoping there may be better options available.

If you come across any reliable options, please let me know so I can update the information for future hikers.

≋ Water Sources

There are no drinking water sources along the trail. If you run out of water, it’s best to stop at the Dendropark junction to buy some or get water from locals at the entrance to Dendropark.

∝FAUNA

The area is not as wild as some other parts of Armenia. While there may be a few chances to spot snakes in the fields and wolves on the more remote sections of the trail, animals typically avoid these areas due to the trail's closeness to villages. We didn’t encounter any dogs on the trail either.

◤ When to Go?

▶ Doable:
The trail is accessible from April to mid-November. Outside of these months, temperatures can be uncomfortable. From December to March, the trail is usually covered in snow, depending on the season.

▶ Recommended:
The best time to visit is from May to late July. May still feels like spring with cooler temperatures, while the period after late July can be dry. In May and June, you'll enjoy lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and comfortable temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C.

▶ Not Recommended:
After late November, the weather becomes quite cold, with snow typically beginning in December and lasting until mid-March.