Janapar

Janapar Trail (Armenian: Ճանապարհ թրեյլ) is a marked trail through mountains, valleys, and villages of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh which passes by monasteries and fortresses along its route.[1] The trail consists 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 are blue with a yellow footprint.[4] According to the trail's official website, much of the trail became unhikable 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

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.

TIn 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.

Janapar symbol

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.

Photos from along the Janapar

  • The views from the Janapar tourist route. Section between the cities Shusha and Stepanakert
    The views from the Janapar tourist route. Section between the cities Shusha and Stepanakert
  • The view from the Janapar tourist route. Section between Karintak village and the city of Shusha
    The view from the Janapar tourist route. Section between Karintak village and the city of Shusha
  • Minarets of Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque in Shusha
    Minarets of Ashaghi Govhar Agha Mosque in Shusha
  • Cathedral of Shusha
    Cathedral of Shusha
  • Zontik Waterfall in Gargarchay (Karkar) Canyon
    Zontik Waterfall in Gargarchay (Karkar) Canyon
  • Gargarchay (Karkar) Canyon
    Gargarchay (Karkar) Canyon
  • Dadivank Monastery
    Dadivank Monastery
  • Gandzasar Monastery
    Gandzasar Monastery
  • 2,000 year old Tnjri tree
    2,000 year old Tnjri tree
  • Azykh Cave
    Azykh Cave
  • Gtichavank (old photo)
    Gtichavank (old photo)
  • Fields near Karmir Shuka
    Fields near Karmir Shuka

References
  1. "Janapar Trail". www.janapartrail.org.
  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
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Janapar Trail.

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