Hiking in Dilijan National Park from Lake Parz to Goshavank
Hiking in Dilijan National Park from Lake Parz to Goshavank
Let’s face it: no one goes to Armenia and expects an enchanted forest straight out of a fairytale. But that’s exactly what hikers find in Dilijan National Park. Especially on the trail from Lake Parz to Goshavank Monastery — a path that combines leafy serenity with just enough adventure to keep things interesting (and your calves sore). Hiking in Dilijan National Park from Lake Parz to Goshavank is really worth it!
It Starts With a Lake That Sounds Like a Comic Book Punch
Lake Parz. Say it out loud. Parz! It sounds like something Batman might yell before knocking out a villain. But here in Dilijan, it’s not a sound effect — it’s a postcard-perfect lake surrounded by dense green woods, rowboats, and the occasional marshmallow-on-a-stick situation.
Hikers like to begin the journey here not just because it’s pretty, but because it feels like the gentle handshake before the trail punches you with its charming Armenian quirks. The area smells like pine, the path is marked (thankfully), and there’s usually a stray dog or two ready to casually join you for half the hike like an unpaid tour guide.
Into the Forest: Birds, Beech Trees, and “Wait, Was That a Cowbell?”
Once the trail begins, Dilijan wraps you up in its leafy arms. Beech trees tower over the path like wise old grandparents, whispering forest secrets in the wind. Birds chirp, bugs do their thing (bring bug spray), and hikers start to feel like extras in a nature documentary — minus the narrator with the British accent.
There’s elevation, but it’s friendly — more like a persistent suggestion than a cruel incline. And along the way, hikers sometimes hear random cowbells echoing through the forest. Are there cows? Maybe. Are they plotting something? Possibly. But it adds to the surreal soundtrack of the hike.
Trail Snacks and Philosophical Questions
At some point — usually when the trail decides to take a steeper turn — hunger kicks in. Here’s where hikers start pulling out dried fruit, lavash, chocolate bars, or the classic “I thought this was cheese but it melted into a mysterious blob” snack.
It’s also around here that the philosophical questions begin. “Why did I wear jeans?” “Is that cloud shaped like Mount Ararat?” “Should I just live here and make jam for the rest of my life?” Dilijan tends to bring out the poetic side in people.
Enter Goshavank, Stage Left
After about 2.5–3 hours (depending on photo stops and snack breaks), hikers stumble out of the forest like victorious woodland creatures. And there it is: Goshavank Monastery. Towering, stone-carved, and looking like it’s been waiting patiently for centuries just so you could show up all sweaty and impressed.
Goshavank dates back to the 12th century, built by the scholar Mkhitar Gosh — yes, the guy who also gave the nearby village its name. The monastery complex is a peaceful, mossy marvel, often with no crowds. And if you’re lucky, someone might be playing duduk or chanting softly in the distance, adding to the whole time-traveling vibe.
Final Thoughts (and Sore Feet)
Hiking from Lake Parz to Goshavank isn’t just a walk — it’s a woodland therapy session with ancient architecture at the end. It’s chipmunks and churches. Forest baths and stone crosses. And above all, it’s proof that Armenia doesn’t just do history well — it does nature with soul.
So lace up those hiking boots, bring a friend (or just befriend a dog along the way), and go meet the enchanted side of Armenia — one muddy step at a time.
