Stepanavan - Dzoraget canyon - Lori berd fort

This trail starts from Stepanavan city area and leads t Loreberd fort - the medieval fortress of Loi province(also: Lori Berd )( Լոռիբերդ , Լոռի բերդ , Լոռեբերդ , Լոռե բերդ )․

Loreberd info:

The monastery was built by King David Anhoghin (989 - 1048). In the period from the 10th to the 12th centuries, it was the center of the empire of Tashir-Dzoraget. The castle was founded here in the 10th century; it eventually became a base for the Orbelians and Zakarians, powerful Armenian noble families.

ABOUT THE TRAIL:

--- The big part of the trail is a gravel road which goes along Dzoraget river . ( Ձորագետ , Ձորագետի կիրճ )

--- We started our hike from Stepanavan city, our vehicle was not for off -road trails, so we drive 2-3 km after Stepanavan bridge and when the road became worse, we stopped the car and buckled up. So you can start the hike also from the bridge, you just need to walk some more kms by the paved road.

--- SEASON: We hiked there in early June, but this was not the best season for this area. I recommend hiking Dzoraget canyon in springtime, especially April and May.
June will also be suitable, but after the end of June it's unbearably hot there.

--- The first part of the hike is a gravel road and very easy to hike, the last part going up is quite confusing, as the tiny path isn't visible, especially after April, when the grass is too high.

--- The uncomfy part of the trail wеre puddles on the way, so it can also depend on the season, but in August there were a lot of puddles and it was impossible to walk without dirtying your shoes.

--- Though we were hiking with kids but the last part of the trail is not kids-friendly, the gorge is steep and in some points has abrupt edges.