Janapar Trail (Armenian: Ճանապարհ թրեյլ) was a marked trail through mountains, valleys, and villages of the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which passed by monasteries and fortresses along its route.[1] The trail consisted of several day hikes, taking hikers to a different village each night.[2] Hikers could either stay with a village family or set up camp nearby. The paths have existed for centuries but markings were added in recent years specifically for hikers.[3] Provided markers were blue with a yellow footprint.[4] According to the trail's official website, much of the trail became impassable as a result of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, with only the Stepanakert to Patara and Kolotak to Gandzasar sections remaining traversable.

Sign marking the Janapar trail
Section of Janapar trail

Janapar Trail Route

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The Janapar Trail, marked in 2007, led from the southern town of Hadrut to the capital of Stepanakert over the course of a week. From there the trail continues north to the region of Shahumian, and on to Vardenis in Armenia. Important sites along this hike include Dadivank monastery, Gandzasar monastery, Shusha, the Karkar Canyon with its high cliffs, the astonishing[5] Zontik Waterfall and ruins of Hunot, as well as the 2,000-year-old tree, called Tnjri,[6] Azykh Cave and Gtichavank monastery. There are also hot springs in Zar, a geyser near Karvarchar city, and other springs and waterfalls along the way.[needs update]

In 2018 Trails For Change NGO repainted the blazing on the entire trail.[7] The trail creators advise hikers to use the Viewranger app or a GPS with the downloaded tracks, or the topographic maps made available on the Janapar website.[needs update]

Janapar symbol

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The symbol of the trail is a footprint with the silhouette of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is composed of a single wandering line, which represents a hiking trail.[citation needed]

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Photos from along the Janapar

References

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  1. ^ "Janapar Trail". www.janapartrail.org. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  2. ^ Huffington Post, 01/27/2012, Nagorno Karabakh: The Black Garden. Olivia Katrandjian.
  3. ^ Walk, the magazine of The Ramblers, Summer 2009, "Up the Garden Path" p 67-69. Laurence Mitchell.
  4. ^ Holding, Deirdre (2014-09-01). Armenia: with Nagorno Karabagh. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-555-3.
  5. ^ New York Times, 04/08/2015, A Warm Welcome in the Caucasus Mountains. Seth Kugel.
  6. ^ Atlas Obscura, Tnjri. Littleham.
  7. ^ "TFC | Build Trails, Make History". TFC.

Sources

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