This international, long-distance hiking trail in the Caucasus is a wonderful journey
When you think about it – visit places around the world with avid hikers, you might not think of including the Caucasus in that list. But Armenia, a landlocked country with underground beaches surrounded by mountain views, and Georgia, a country known for its high hiking trails, both lend themselves well to hiking. Add Azerbaijan to that list and you have a triptain of Hiking Bliss. But what about a combination of all three? TEOUTD as the first cross-country hiking route within the Caucasus, the Transcaucasian trail will take you across three countries and two continents. The route takes hikers through large valleys, rural flowers, and over mountain peaks, shepherd paths that connect ATV trails and other trails.
The Transcaucasian Trail in particular is the new kid on the block when it comes to long-distance hiking trails. Just opened in 2022, the well-known route has been in the works since 2015 and is sure to make the list of rising developers. Starting in 2025, the trail can be taken in different sections across the three countries, including a long section in Armenia that stretches over 500 miles and takes 45 days. When fully completed, the trail will test the endurance of hikers, covering 1,864 kilometers through various terrains in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
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How would you like the Transcaucasian trail
Aerial view of Dilijan National Park in Armenia – Trabantos / Shutterstock
The Transcaucasian Trail makes our list of the 25 best hiking trails in the world, and for good reason; Full of Off-the-Path natural beauty. Because the trail is still broken in some parts, where you will walk the trail will depend on which country you will be walking through. In Armenia, the trail runs from mid-May to mid-October. In parts of Georgia, you will probably need to start in the future because of high children, do it early – July to mid-October is the best time to go out. Because parts of Azerbaijan are very close to the climate, you will be able to travel in all seasons with some variation.
For those who decide to change the largest part of the filled trail in Armenia, the majority of pedestrians, the capital of the country, to make sure that they decorate things. From Yerevan, then catch a bus to Mehhri or Gyumri and take a taxi to Lake Arpi to start the trail. This Hike requires a lot of planning, so it would be best to spend a few days in Yerevan Triple-checking your list of priorities before heading out.
During the trail, you will get beautiful views of the mountains of Gegham and Lake Senzan, and you will make your way through traditional villages and Arevik National Park. Most of the hike will require camping in the wild, but there are a few Armenian drams, cash-only tours, and trails that cost anywhere from $13 to $16 per night and include breakfast. If you don’t feel adventurous enough to complete the entire Trek, you can also hire guides to lead multi-day Hikes on parts of the trail in Dilijan National Park, Gegham region, and Viayots Dzor Province.
Some useful information for traveling on the Transcaucasian trail
The monastery of Sevanavank overlooking Lake Sevan in Armenia – Christicoth_cerisier / Getty Images
In the R/Ultralight subreddit thread, redditor U/Prestigious-Mango479 talks about their experience hiking the Transcaucasian Trail from July to October 2023. “This wild trail, hiking tents, and more.” In the thread, / Prestigious-Mango479 also breaks down the necessary details such as cost, length, gear they used, and where they are and what and where the conditions are being followed.
Keep in mind that there are no physical route maps available, which means downloading route planning apps is a must. Functional maps, directions, and GPS data for the trails can be found on TCT’s website. Hikers will also be added to the alert channel, giving you direct access to trail planners, as well as passers-by who are a wealth of information. Some hikers began connecting endless sections of the trail through Georgia and Armenia. You can join the TCT TrailBlazers program, a support program for hiking sessions that provides helpful maps, tips, and other resources to complete the uncapped sections.
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