Zakavkazskaia trail through Malyi Kavkaz

Route at a glance

The opening section includes Малый Кавказ. Woodland and valley sections gradually give way to mountain meadows, rocky slopes and open views. Later, the main places are Ширакское нагорье. There are several suitable points to pause and look around.

Route suitability

Without a car Hard

With children No

With a dog With caution

By bike No

With a stroller No

Signal Patchy

Information status

Page status Готов к поездке

When checked Дата уточняется

How it was checked По данным трека

Editorial review Подготовлено редакцией

Getting there

Without a car

Reach Gyumri by the main available train or bus connection, then continue to the start of “Закавказская тропа через Малый Кавказ” by local bus, shuttle, taxi or on foot as appropriate. Check seasonal timetables before travelling. This is a point-to-point route, so arrange the return from the finish in advance.

By car

Drive via local roads from Gyumri through Amasia toward the start of “Закавказская тропа через Малый Кавказ”. Continue only on roads open to private vehicles and complete restricted or rough sections on foot or by an authorised transfer. Leaving a car at the start does not solve the return journey.

Parking

Use an official car park at the final village or a guesthouse. Keep access roads, barriers and emergency routes clear.

What to expect

Малый Кавказ

Ширакское нагорье

Закавказская тропа

Difficult sections and safety

The distance should be split into stages, with overnight options, water sources and exit points checked in advance. Elevation up to about 2900 m brings rapid weather changes, cold and possible snow even in the warm season. The finish is separate from the start, so return logistics should be arranged before setting out.

How much time to allow

Pure moving time 10–15 days

Complete time on the route 10–15 days

Best time to go

Recommended weather window: June–September

Snow and cold may remain at elevation long after the valleys become mild

Start early and keep enough daylight for the descent or the final approach

What to bring

shoes with grippy soles

water and food

a charged phone with an offline map

a small first-aid kit

windproof and waterproof layers

extra food and a power bank

overnight equipment appropriate for the itinerary

Elevation profile

There is no elevation data in the track for the chart.

Surface

Improved surface 32% · Dirt 29% · Dirt / grass 26%

Surface is defined for 80.9 km of 299.0 km.

Improved surface 32% · 25.8 km

Dirt 29% · 23.4 km

Dirt / grass 26% · 21.0 km

Asphalt 7% · 5.89 km

Compacted dirt 6% · 4.81 km