Janapar Trail

The Janapar Trail, in Nagorno-Karabakh, goes through the beautiful landscape of the Caucasus mountains. The marked trail involves 8-16 days of hiking, starting from the southern end of the trail in Hadrut and ending in Vardenis, Armenia. The Janapar Trail is 284 km long.

	Note: With the return of all of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control after a military offensive in 2023, a lot of information about the Janapar Trail within the article became outdated.
	(Information last updated 05 Sep 2025)

The trail runs through the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which means "mountainous black garden".

The trail was first marked in 2007, and since then volunteers have returned a few times to maintain markings in the southern half of the trail. There is a good website with substantial information, as well as an active Facebook page with a lot of photos where questions can be directed.

The majority Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan around the same time the Soviet Union collapsed, and won a bitter war. No peace treaty has ever been signed however, so the region remains unrecognized internationally. It is beautiful, remote, and surprisingly to many, rather safe.

Online information is available on the official website and the dedicated Facebook Group.

The complete trail can be re-viewed on OpenStreetMap and downloaded here: GPX, KML. Furthermore, all 16 trail sections are described, displayed and downloadable in detail below.

Also, checkout the Wikipedia and Wikidata links to the left of this page for additional information.

Nagorno-Karabakh is only accessible through Armenia. Most will take a mini-bus from Yerevan to Stepanakert. From there a bus or another mini-bus to Hadrut will get you to the starting point. A visa is required, and can be obtained in Stepanakert upon arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ask for the Artakin Gortseri Nakhararutyun). You'd want to list all the provinces of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to be able to hike the various sections of the trail and have freedom to move wherever you'd like.

There is no fee for accessing the Janapar Trail.

However, a special permit might be necessary for the Dadivank to Vardenis section of the trail, i.e. sections 13-16. Such a permit can be obtained from the Karabakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nevertheless, if found along that part without a permit the worst that can happen is that you will have to leave the trail and go back to the main road. But the remoteness makes it very unlikely anyone will ask. And as soon as you have gone back into Armenia, you are on the safe side.

Map of Janapar Trail

The hike is broken into day-hike sections, with a village or town you can sleep in at the end of each day's hike. Nevertheless, some sections are shorter and might only require half a day of hiking. Starting from the southern point of Hadrut and heading north, this is the order of places along the marked Janapar Trail.

Due to the often remote nature of the trail, it is important that you are well prepared and have a proper and reliable map with you. In addition, using GPS adds an extra layer of safety in towns and the countryside. For reliable (offline) maps, GPS navigation, comprehensive trail and map information, consult OpenStreetMap, which is used by this travel guide, and by many convenient mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz. Or just download the according GPX or KML files through Waymarked Trails for such trails on OpenStreetMap. (Note, you just need to change the OpenStreetMap relation ID to download the GPX or KML files through the same link.)

Hadrut to Togh

 14.4 km 4 hr 35 min

This section is medium difficulty and well-marked. You hike from the edge of the town of Hadrut up to a crest, then head down to the village of Togh, with nice views of cool mountain you will be hiking the next day. Make a trip up to Spitak Khach Vank to light a candle upon completion.

Togh to Azokh

 15.5 km 4 hr 45 min

This section is medium difficulty and well-marked. You hike in a circle around the impressive mountain that the 12th-century Gtichavank monastery is on. Nice monastery undergoing restoration, nice forest, and depending on your route you may cross over a nice old bridge or two. You can explore the cave in Azokh village in the evening when you arrive, or in the morning before you depart for Karmir Shuka.

Azokh to Karmir Shuka

 15.6 km 4 hr 45 min

This section is medium difficulty and well-marked. Hike up from Azokh over the crest, to Shekher village and through the fields below Karmir Shuka before reaching the town.

Karmir Shuka to Avetaranots

 13.3 km 3 hr 45 min

This section is medium difficulty and well-marked. From Karmir Shuka you hike up to the impressive 2,000-year-old tree of Skhtorashen, then hike across the highway past a waterfall, and on to Avetaranots village, with an old melik's house.

Avetaranots to Karintak

 12.9 km 3 hr 50 min

This section is medium-difficult and well-marked. This hike takes you through some thick forest, up to a crest overlooking the cliffs of Shushi, and down across the Karkar river into aptly named Karintak (meaning below the rock) village.

Karintak to Shushi

 5.6 km 2 hr 15 min

This section is medium-difficult and well-marked. This stunning section of the trail takes you along the Karkar river, through the sheer and spectacular canyon walls, past the otherworldly Zontik waterfall, across an old bridge, through the ruins of the abandoned Hunot village, and up the cliffs to Shushi.

Shushi to Stepanakert

 11.9 km 4 hr 15 min

This section is medium to medium-difficult and well-marked. This easy hike takes you across a rarely traveled back road, through nature, across an old bridge and up to a tiny hamlet was a simple old church, and then down to Stepanakert. A pleasant alternative to a ride to Stepanakert even if you're not hiking the entire trail.

Stepanakert to Patara

 21.3 km 9 hr 50 min

This section is easy, but not so well marked, especially along the fields. Mostly across fields, and through a couple of villages along the foothills, the markings are not frequent where there are no stones. Use a proper app and ask for the next village when needed.

Patara to Kolatak

 15 km 5 hr 25 min

This section is difficult and well-marked. The toughest day of hiking, involves climbing a very steep mountain to the mostly natural fortifications of Kachaghakaberd fortress, and then down the mountain and across the river to Kolatak village. Rewarding with top-of-the-world views.

Kolatak to Gandzasar

 12.8 km 4 hr

This section is medium difficulty, but not or badly marked. Hike up to the monastery of Metsaranits and back to the village of Kolatak before heading downriver along the only road out of the village. When you read the junction of the main road, head left up to the village of Vank, and up to the stunning monastery of Gandzasar.

Gandzasar to Vaghuhas (Alternative)

 14 km 5 hr

This section is medium difficulty, but not or badly marked. This entire day is spent hiking over the forested mountains to the village of Vaghuhas, which has an old church.

Note: A special safety notice from the HALO Trust, responsible for the trail development and maintenance. Read carefully and do not hike this section if you are uncomfortable with this information. There are no records of any minefields or cluster munition sites close to the route. However, in the past our survey teams have responded to a number of callouts to destroy ammunition (including mines and cluster munitions) around both villages, Vank and Vaghuas, reported by local population. Since the area was a scene of heavy fighting in the early nineties, it’s possible that there might be more abandoned or unexploded ammunition lying around. Our recommendation is to try to avoid walking on any unused ground or going deeper into forested areas where fighting might have taken place. If the Janapar Trail runs through a well-used footpath or a forest track, then it should be safe, but it is still worthwhile to get some advice from the local villagers who use the area on a daily basis for collecting firewood or hunting. In case anyone from your team comes across any ammunition or an unknown item, it’s strongly recommended not to touch/investigate it, and report the findings to HALO as soon as possible.

Vaghuhas to Dadivank (Alternative)

 14-22 km 5-7 hr

This section is easy to medium difficulty, but not or badly marked. The entire day is spent hiking between the river and the road to Dadivank, in a narrow and impressive gorge. Dadivank is a beautiful, large monastery with a small village under it.

Dadivank to Zuar (Alternative)

 19-24 km 6-8 hr

This section is easy, but not or badly marked. Following the river towards Karvachar, you leave the main road and follow up the river to the Zuar hot springs.

Gandzasar to Andzavner

 21.2 km 6 hr 45 min

This section is moderate and follows a very infrequently travelled, easy-to-follow road from Vank village and Gandzasar Monastery up toward the top of the mountain, where there is a small cattle farm. The scenery is remote and open, with very few people around.

Andzavner to Zuar

 14.7 km 4 hr 30 min

This section is moderate and descends from the mountain along an old, almost unused Soviet road to the Zuar area. There is a village for overnighting, and the nearby hot springs make a good stop at the end of the day.

Zuar to Nor Verinshen

 23.3 km 8 hr

This section is difficult and not or badly marked. From the Zuar hot springs, you hike over rolling low mountains towards Nor Verinshen. The route follows old tracks and open terrain, with stretches near unused and fallen Soviet electrical towers, before descending toward the Tartar River valley and the Karvachar canyon area.

Nor Verinshen to Tsar

 22.7 km 7 hr

This section is medium difficulty, but not or badly marked. From Nor Verinshen, the route heads into the Tartar/Trtu Gorge and continues upstream through the canyon. You pass a hot spring tub and continue along the river before the turnoff to Tsar, where a steep ascent leads up to the high mountain plateau and the village of Tsar.

{{RouteSection|length=33.8 km|duration=9 hr 30 min|name=Tsar to Vardenis|wikidata=Q64808974} This section is difficult and not or badly marked. Over the mountain plateau into Armenia and finally Vardenis at the southeast corner of Lake Sevan. You can try shorten this part by trying to find a taxi as soon as you reach the first villages in Armenia.

There are many popular sights like monasteries and monuments along the way (sometimes a little off-track), and several hot springs allow for a refresh during a day of hiking.

Checkout Nagorno-Karabakh aka Artsakh itself for a comprehensive list, and all the articles of cities along the way, like Stepanakert, Shusha, and Vank.

There exist marked campsites along the trail—consult OpenStreetMap.

Otherwise numerous homestays offer their service along the way. In the following a list of such homestays for each village and town in the order of hiking.

• Hamlet and Susan, ☏ +374 97 250662, +374 47 551406. 5 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Ira, ☏ +374 97 295629. 5 beds. (updated Sep 2019)

• Artur and Sveta.  (updated Sep 2019)
• Nikolai. Just a campground in the backyard. (updated Sep 2019)
• Vardan, ☏ +374 97 279-099.  (updated Sep 2019)

• Armo. 3 separate bedrooms with 6 beds for guests. (updated Sep 2019)
• Aro, ☏ +374 97 297329. 8-9 beds in separate bedrooms. (updated Sep 2019)

• Officer Samvel, ☏ +374 97 213335 (Samuel), +374 97 224149 (Mr. Borik).  (updated Sep 2019)
• Samvel the younger, ☏ +374 97 213335. Large groups are ok. (updated Sep 2019)
• Tiko, ☏ +374 97 286-828.  (updated Sep 2019)
• Vasak and Tatevik, ☏ +374 97 259500.  (updated Sep 2019)

• Henrikh and Madlen Stepanian, ☏ +374 97 255300. A double room with 2 extra beds possible. (updated Sep 2019)
• Mardik sister, ☏ +374 97 233-101.  (updated Sep 2019)
• Surik and Zamira Hayrapetian, ☏ +374 97 208688. 2 rooms with twin beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Yurik and Zamira Hayrapetian, ☏ +374 97 270047. 2 rooms with 4 beds all together. (updated Sep 2019)

	Note: Confirm prices clearly in advance, as hikers have reported unexpected charges in this area.

• Guesthouse Nadejda, ☏ +374 97 285875, +374 47 731167, [email protected]. A real guesthouse with 6 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Ulmar, ☏ +374 97 240026, +374 47 9731907, +374 97 240576, +374 47 9731334, +374 97 231992. Ulmar is just a guy, but he know all the homestays in Karintak. 5-6 beds each. (updated Sep 2019)

See Shusha

See Stepanakert

• Alvart Dadayan. 3-4 people (updated Sep 2019)
• Gago, ☏ +374 97 201-204. Not for large groups, but couples. (updated Sep 2019)
• Nver Dadayan.  (updated Sep 2019)

• Albert and Laura, ☏ +374 97 291403. 5-6 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Armen and Luisa, ☏ +374 97 297429, +374 47 6 77312-274. 3-4 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Elmira (Emma) Hairapetian, ☏ +374 97 288434. 3 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Suren, ☏ +374 97 231296.  (updated Sep 2019)

• Artur and Anahit Babayan, ☏ +374 97 240217. 5 beds in separate bedrooms (updated Sep 2019)
• Onnik and Amalia Balassanian, ☏ +374 97 240858.  (updated Sep 2019)
• Sergey and Nadia Harutyunian, ☏ +374 97 209120. 5 beds. (updated Sep 2019)

• Narimon House. 4-5 beds. (updated Sep 2019)

• Artush Mangasaryan. 10 beds and more. (updated Sep 2019)
• Gagik Zakharyan. 10 beds and more. (updated Sep 2019)

• Fedya Ohanyan, ☏ +374 97 233939. 3 beds, plus another 10 at their neighbour's. (updated Sep 2019)
• Valo and Mareta Ohanyan. 4 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Vano (Vanya) and Nurvard.  (updated Sep 2019)
• Vazgen and Dzovinar Baghdasarian. 4 beds. (updated Sep 2019)

• Ara and Inga Adamian, ☏ +374 97 220029. 3-4 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Elmard and Hranush (Sonia) Sarafian, ☏ +374 97 293900. 2 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Vova and Alina Begnazarian, ☏ +374 97 205058, +374 97 200299. 6 beds. (updated Sep 2019)

There are a few empty houses where you might set up sleeping bags and spend the night.

• Gegham Badalyan, ☏ +374 93574801 (his relative in Yerevan).  (updated Sep 2019)
• Hayk and Mrs. Alvart Danielian. 3 bedrooms. (updated Sep 2019)
• Lova and Mrs. Maret. 3 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Movses and Shoghik. 2 beds. (updated Sep 2019)
• Rafik Sayan. Not so comfortable, but in the village. (updated Sep 2019)

• Sasha Hovhanessyan. 5 beds. (updated Sep 2019)

Follow all of the safety information and warnings off on the Janapar Trail website. Stay far from the front lines, which won't be a problem if you stick to the trail.

There are reports of ammunition and mines in the forest between Gandzasar and Vaghuhas (Section 11). Always stay on the track and align with locals before crossing this part.

Preparation is like that of any extended trip/hike. You want to pack light, but be prepared to walk all day through different terrain, to navigate, and to protect yourself from the elements. You have either the option of bringing camping gear, or staying in villagers homes each night, as the trail is designed to bring you into a village each night at the end of your days hike.

In addition to the website mentioned above and Wikivoyage, the Viewranger app provides a specific Janapar Trail guide. This might be quite helpful on the trail, since you will likely not have a data connection.

There is only Armenia which you can safely travel to after having visited Artsakh.