Dilijan: Forests, Monasteries and Hiking in Armenia's Green North

Dilijan is a small mountain town in Tavush province, surrounded by beech and oak forest. After the dry Ararat plain and the open shores of Lake Sevan, the change in landscape is striking. The town is often called a resort, and it has been one since Soviet times. Today it is mainly the base for the medieval monasteries of Haghartsin and Goshavank, the walking trails of Dilijan National Park and a slower pace than Yerevan.

What is there to see in Dilijan?

Dilijan National Park

The forests around the town are protected as Dilijan National Park, created in 2002 on the basis of a state reserve founded in 1958. It covers mountain forest, meadows and small lakes, and it holds several of the region’s monasteries. You don’t need a permit for the marked trails, but conditions vary, so ask locally before setting off on a longer route.

Haghartsin Monastery

Haghartsin stands in a forested side valley about 25 minutes’ drive from the town centre. Most of the complex dates from the 10th to 13th centuries. It includes several churches, a large refectory and khachkars set among old trees. The monastery was extensively restored with funding from the Ruler of Sharjah, Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and reopened in 2013. It is an active monastery and one of the most visited in the north.

Goshavank

Goshavank, in the village of Gosh about 30 minutes from Dilijan, was founded in 1188 by the scholar Mkhitar Gosh, after an earthquake destroyed the earlier monastery of Getik. Mkhitar Gosh compiled one of the first Armenian law codes and wrote fables, and the monastery became an important centre of learning. The complex is known for its intricately carved khachkars, which are among the finest in Armenia.

Parz Lake

Parz Lake (“clear lake”) is a small lake in the forest, about 20 minutes’ drive from the town. In summer it is popular for picnics and short walks, and there is a café and small boat rental. It is also a trailhead for the walk towards Gosh.

Old Dilijan

A short street of restored 19th-century houses in the town centre holds craft workshops, small museums and guesthouses. It makes a pleasant hour’s stroll and a good lunch stop.

What hiking is there around Dilijan?

Dilijan has the best-developed trail network in Armenia. The Transcaucasian Trail (TCT), a long-distance route across the Caucasus, built its first Armenian section here, starting in 2017 with support from the Caucasus Nature Fund. According to the TCT, the Dilijan National Park section is about 80 km long and takes 4–5 days. It links Hovk and Khachardzan via the town of Dilijan and passes Parz Lake and Gosh. It is marked with red and white blazes and TCT direction signs, and there are guesthouses at overnight stops such as Dilijan, Gosh, Parz Lake and Teghut.

You don’t need to do the whole route. The most popular day walk links Parz Lake with the village of Gosh and Goshavank, through forest and meadow, and a driver can meet you at the far end. Mobile coverage is unreliable in parts of the park, so download offline maps before setting off (checked November 2026).

How do you get to Dilijan from Yerevan?

By car, Dilijan is about 1.5 hours from Yerevan. The road follows the M4 past Lake Sevan, then goes through a tunnel under the Sevan pass and descends into the forest. Haghartsin and Goshavank are each 25–30 minutes beyond the town.

By public transport, minibuses leave from Yerevan’s Northern bus station several times a day and take roughly 1.5–2 hours. You will need a taxi from Dilijan to reach the monasteries and Parz Lake. Check current times on T-Armenia or at the station.

How much time should you allow?

When is the best season for Dilijan?

May and June bring fresh green forest and wildflowers in the meadows. September and October bring autumn colours, and many travellers think this is Dilijan’s best moment. July and August are warm in the lowlands, but Dilijan stays cooler than Yerevan. In winter the town is quiet, the monasteries are open and the forest is often snowy, but trails can be muddy or icy and some guesthouses close.

Practical notes

• Weather: Dilijan gets more rain than the south. Bring a waterproof layer in every season.
• Dress: Haghartsin and Goshavank are active monasteries. Cover your shoulders and knees.
• Hiking: Carry water and snacks, as there are few places to buy food along the trails. Tell your guesthouse your route.
• Accommodation: Dilijan has guesthouses and a few larger hotels. An overnight makes the day less rushed and leaves time for an evening walk.

What can you combine with Dilijan?

• Lake Sevan: 35–40 minutes back towards Yerevan. Most visitors see Sevanavank on the same day. See Lake Sevan.
• Lori and the Debed canyon: the UNESCO-listed monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin are a longer drive north-west, best as part of a multi-day trip.
• Itineraries: Dilijan appears in both our 5-day and 7-day itineraries.