Mountain · Kotayk
Mount Azhdahak
Աժդահակ
The highest summit of the Gegham range, an extinct volcano rising to 3,597 metres on the Kotayk–Gegharkunik boundary, with a small snowmelt lake in its summit crater.
Where it is
40.2248, 44.9500
Why go
The crater is the reason to make the effort. armenia.travel gives it a depth of 50 metres and a diameter of 500 metres, with a lake of melted snow lying inside and slopes of red volcanic soil around it. The approach is long: HIKEArmenia describes an off-road drive from Geghard towards the base of neighbouring Paytasar, then about 12 km on foot each way with some 600 metres of ascent. It suits experienced hikers who can arrange a suitable vehicle and a clear day, since the view into the crater and out across the Gegham range is the whole reward.
Near Mount Azhdahak
Monastery
Geghard Monastery
A monastery at the entrance to the upper Azat valley near Goght, where towering cliffs enclose a main church and chambers cut directly into the rock.
15 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Mountain
Mount Hatis
A mountain rising south-east of the village of Kaputan in Kotayk province, climbed as a day hike of about 11 km from the neighbouring village of Kotayk.
21 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Archaeological site
Garni Temple
A Greco-Roman colonnaded temple of grey basalt on a cliff promontory above the Azat River gorge, attributed to King Tiridates I and reconstructed by 1975 after a 1679 earthquake brought it down.
23 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Monastery
Hayravank Monastery
On a rocky cliff above Lake Sevan's south-western shore, Hayravank groups a late 9th-century church, a 10th-century chapel and a 12th-century gavit among khachkars and old gravestones.
27 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ