The interest in hiking and ecotourism is growing worldwide. Ecotourism has a particular importance among the opportunities for tourism development in Armenia’s mountainous regions. It was formed to balance environmental preservation with societal needs. This type of tourism is gradually establishing a unique place in the overall tourism system of the Republic of Armenia.
The territory of Armenia faces various ecological challenges, such as air and water pollution, the conservation of Lake Sevan, and the protection of its flora and fauna. For this reason, four national parks, three nature reserves, and over 20 wildlife sanctuaries have been created across the country since 1958. Despite Armenia’s rich natural heritage, ecotourism remains a relatively modest sector within its overall tourism industry.
Armenia is rich in many undiscovered places, beautiful wildlife and high mountains. All of these provide an excellent potential for developing hiking. Armenia remains a hidden gem in the region. According to CNN Travel, Armenia is among the 23 best hiking destinations in the world.
There are dozens of hiking trails that attract numerous tourists to Armenia. The longest of these is the Transcaucasian Trail (TCT), which passes through the territory of Armenia and Georgia. This trail has been included in the list of the six greatests hiking routes worldwide. It starts in northern Georgia and stretches to the southern gateway of Armenia, Syunik.
The International Association of the Transcaucasian Trail was established in 2014 by the initiative of American Tom Allen and British Paul Stephens, later joined by like-minded people from various countries.
The construction and restoration of trails in our region began in late 2015. The goal of the Transcaucasian Trail Association is to create a world-class hiking route that will attract tourists from around the globe. The trail has been designed to include about two dozen national parks and reserves, gorges at an altitude of 3,000 meters, and remote high-mountain villages.
Tourists can explore Armenia’s flora and fauna, interact with locals, learn about their lifestyle, and visit ancient monasteries and fortresses with a history of thousands of years.
In 2017, approximately 85 kilometers of hiking and cycling trails were constructed, equipped, and renovated in Dilijan National Park. All trails have informational signs indicating directions, distances, endpoints, levels of difficulty, and warnings about potential wildlife encounters.
Trail construction also creates opportunities for locals of remote villages to boost their economies by selling products to tourists or hosting them in their homes.
