Autor: Eliza Balayan

Not far from the village of Areni, in the rocky landscape of Vayots Dzor, a cave opens a window into life thousands of years ago. Known as Areni-1 Cave or Bird’s Cave, this archaeological site has revealed traces of people who lived and worked here long before written history. Excavations that began in 2007 uncovered remarkably well-preserved objects and installations, including evidence of wine production dating to around 4000 BC. Today, Areni-1 is one of Armenia’s most fascinating archaeological sites, a place where visitors can stand close to discoveries that changed what we know about the ancient past.

Not every place in Dilijan is waiting at the end of an easy road. Gosh Lake lies hidden in the forests of Dilijan National Park, a few kilometers from the village of Gosh. Reaching it usually means leaving the village behind and continuing along forest paths and rough tracks, where the surroundings gradually become quieter. There are no busy attractions waiting at the end, just a small mountain lake surrounded by trees. That sense of being away from the usual route is exactly what makes Gosh Lake worth discovering.

Dilijan may be famous for its forests and mountain scenery, but there is another side of the town worth discovering. Begin on Sharambeyan Street, one of the best-known corners of Old Dilijan. Here, traditional-style houses with wooden balconies and carved details reflect the architecture associated with Dilijan’s past. Today, craft workshops, galleries and the Tufenkian Old Dilijan Complex bring new life to this historic setting. Take a slow walk along the street, look inside the workshops and you will discover a Dilijan shaped not only by nature, but also by architecture, craftsmanship and local traditions.

Leave the streets of Dilijan behind and the road to Parz Lake quickly disappears into the forest. Hidden among the wooded mountains of Dilijan National Park, this small lake offers a quiet change of pace from Armenia’s cities and historic landmarks. Its name, Parz, means “clear” in Armenian, a simple name that suits its peaceful setting. The lake can be reached by car, but the journey through the forest is part of the experience, gradually taking you deeper into one of Armenia’s greenest landscapes.

Travel through Lori and you will quickly understand why this is known as one of Armenia’s greenest regions. But around Stepanavan, the landscape takes a more dramatic turn. The Dzoraget River enters a deep gorge, with steep rocky slopes rising above the water and open mountain scenery stretching beyond. The river begins in the highlands of northern Armenia and eventually joins the Pambak to form the Debed, connecting some of Lori’s most impressive landscapes along the way. Even its name reflects the setting: in Armenian, dzor means “gorge” and get means “river.”

High above the valleys of northern Armenia, Haghpat and Sanahin tell the story of a time when monasteries were much more than places of worship. Developed between the 10th and 13th centuries, these two complexes became important centers of learning, culture and religious life. Today, the Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering travelers a chance to experience medieval Armenian architecture surrounded by the green mountains and deep valleys of Lori.

Travel north through Armenia and the landscape begins to change. Mountains become greener, forests cover the hillsides, and rivers cut deep valleys through the region. This is Lori, one of Armenia’s most scenic northern regions and a place where nature, history and small towns come together. The Debed Canyon shapes much of its character, with roads winding between steep slopes, villages and centuries-old monuments. For travelers who want to see a quieter and greener side of Armenia, Lori feels very different from the landscapes around Yerevan and the south.