Lake Parz to Lake Gosh Trail

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Features Lake · Views · Wildlife

In order to reach the start of this trail, the most convenient option is to take a taxi from Yerevan to Lake Parz. Be sure to take a taxi with a working meter. The best time to visit the region is April to October.

It is advisable to take some potable water and—with the help of a GPS or the Trail Run Project mobile app—begin the run which leads from Lake Parz to Gosh village, where the Goshavank Monastery is located. The route then passes through a scenic and untouched forest taking runners to Lake Gosh, a lovely lake where the clouds and trees always reflect off the water’s surface, regardless of the weather.

Lake Parz is located about 1,350m above sea level, with a length of 300m, width of 100m, and depth between 3m-10m. The lake is fed by various springs and is surrounded by beautiful forests. The water is a transparent green color, and the trees on the opposite shore seem to float on its surface when looking across from the shore.

Goshavank is in the center of Gosh village (16 km east from Dilijan), in the picturesque green gorge of the Tandzut River. The monastery was founded in 1,188 by Mkhitar Gosh, a great fable writer and teacher, with the support of Prince Ivane Zakarian. It was originally named Nor Getik, in honor of the nearby Getik Monastery that was destroyed by an earthquake. The monastery’s name changed to Goshavank after Mkitar Gosh passed away in 1,213.

Several churches and shrines along the route display the magnificent architecture of the area. At the entrance of the monastery, there is a beautifully carved cross stone that was made by the famous master, Paul, in 1,291. The complex was mentioned in historical sources as a school, university and seminary, where subjects such as foreign language, philosophy, rhetoric, music, writing, and painting were taught. Numerous manuscripts were created and kept in the monastery.

Lake Gosh is located 2.2 km southwest of Gosh village. Formed by landslides, the lake is fed by water springs and precipitation. In the summertime, the water temperature reaches up to 14 C. The lake is 100m in length, 80m in width, 8m in depth, and has a volume of 1,500 cubic m.

Flora: Forests cover more than 340,000 hectares of territory in Dilijan. In 1,958, a national forest conservation area was opened here, which later became Dilijan National Park in 2,002. Forests cover about 94% of the National Park. Nearly 40 valuable species of trees (particularly hornbeam, oak, beech, maple, birch, ash, willow, lime, elm and 18 species of bushes) grow here. About 123 species of edible herbs, 180 species of medicinal herbs (helichrysum, mint, thyme, shandra, bryony and others), and various species of edible mushrooms are spread throughout the forest.

Fauna: The Dilijan National Park is also rich with fauna. Mammals such as the brown bear, wolf, marten, lynx, roe deer, otter, squirrel, hedgehog, and wild boar inhabit the area. There are also many birds including the warbler, quail, grey partridge, wild pigeon, griffon vulture, bearded vulture, booted eagle, golden eagle, and various types of falcons.