Tatev Monastery and Devil’s Bridge Loop

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Features River/Creek · Views

A great loop from the village Tatev beginning at the Tatev Monastey and leading to the Big Desert of Tatev, on the banks of Vorotan River and Devil's Bridge.

In order to reach this trail, the most convenient option is to take a taxi from Yerevan to Tatev Monastery. This will cost around 25,500 AMD. It is advisable to t to take a taxi with a working meter (be sure the driver uses it), or agree on a price beforehand.
Another way to reach this run is to take a bus that leaves from Yerevan’s Kilikia Bus Station up to Goris, for 13,000AMD. The best time to visit the area is April to mid-Novemeber

From the Tatev Monastery, the run starts by heading into the gorge where you can admire splendid views, in a trail surrounded by vineyards, pear and apple orchards (which can be enjoyed in the autumn). The medieval Tatev Monastery was and is still considered the largest spiritual and cultural center of the Syunik province.

Reaching Tandzatav village and passing through the narrow streets, the trail continues up toward the ruins of Big Desert of Tatev, an ancient monastery, school, and one of the medieval cultural centers of the Syunik province, and onto the Devil’s Bridge Trail and Devil’s Bridge.

Devil’s Bridge is located over the Vorotan River. It will take you 20 to 40 minutes to explore this area of the gorge. Locals claim that the water flowing underneath the bridge has healing properties; as such, many people come in the summer months to reap its benefits.

From here, the run continues back up to the village of Tatev to end back at the Tatev Monastery.

Several important places located on the way, but not included in the route, are also worth visiting: Noravank (Yeghegnadzor), Zorats Karer (Sisian), and the Wings of Tatev ropeway (Halidzor village). It is recommended to spend some extra time in the area to explore these trails. In Tatev village there are B&Bs and other forms of accommodation. For a magnificent view of the Aramazd and Bargushat mountain ranges, book a stay at the B&B located behind the St Minas Church.

Flora: The trail passes through a forest of oak and hornbeam, as well as hawthorn, rose hip, wild pear and wild apple, maple and elm. There are primulas, squills and other flowers and herbs that blossom in the springtime. The prominent rivers of the region are the Vorotan, Voghji and Meghri. The mineral springs of Tatev, Kajaran, Goris, Vorotan (Urut) and many others are well-known here. The Sosi, Zangezur, and Shikahogh state reserves are also in this region. Within them are a number of other valuable and unique species, such as Greek walnut, Araks oak, Greek Silk vine, spindle tree and others.

Fauna: Brown bears, wolves, foxes, porcupines, lizards, snakes, and turtles are often seen in the area. Rare species of skink, cat snake and Transcaucasian rat snake are also seen here. The songs of forest jays and the common blackbird will accompany runners during the whole length of the trail.Other species of birds living here are large and black titmice, chaffinches, green woodpeckers.