Verin Vachagan - Khustup mountain / Classic trail with waypoints / Syunik

Verin Vachagan to Mount Khustup ( Վերին Վաչագան ֊ Խուստուփ լեռ )is one of the most challenging yet rewarding routes leading to the legendary peak.

Detailed trail information will be added soon.

𝐊𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 ( Խուստուփ լեռ ) is the highest peak of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐩-𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬, standing at an elevation of 3,206 meters. The Khustup-Katari mountain range stretches for 38 kilometers, situated between the Bargushat Mountains and the Meghri Range.

Khustup Mountain, also known as The Legend's Peak in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝'𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 (the first or the last day), is a sacred mountain for Armenians.
Khustup has a breathtaking atmosphere, and climbing this majestic mountain promises an unforgettable and emotional experience.

Today, it is one of the most visited peaks in Armenia, symbolizing the heart of the Syunik and the pride of Kapan town.


◤ When to Go?

The trails to Khustup are accessible from May to mid-November, as they are snow-covered from November to April.

𝑀𝑎𝑦, 𝐽𝑢𝑛𝑒, 𝐽𝑢𝑙𝑦: The best time to visit. Enjoy lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and stunning views.

𝐴𝑢𝑔𝑢𝑠𝑡, 𝑆𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟: Experience golden landscapes and more stable weather.

𝑂𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑏𝑒𝑟: Witness the colorful autumn scenery, particularly along the trails from the Vachagan side.

𝑆𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑦 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠:
From late November to late April, the trails are typically snow-covered. Unless you enjoy snowshoe hiking or icy conditions at the summit, it is advisable to plan your hike for a more favorable season.

∝FAUNA

Syunik region is rich in wildlife, including bears and jackals.
To avoid surprising them, make noise, especially when hiking alone or in small groups.



The trail can be considered 𝐤𝐢𝐝-𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 for experienced young hikers if completed over two days, with adult assistance for the final 400 meters. Pay extra attention to the last section leading to the summit, as it requires maximum caution for safety.

◤ Where to Stay?

𝐾𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

Finding a homestay in Kapan won't be difficult, as it's a well-developed city with hotels and restaurants. Here are some of the ones I've tried:

Lernagorts hotel
(A budget-friendly hotel from the Soviet era, located in the city center)
Contact: +374285 28039

Three ways hotel
(A less budget-friendly but comfortable hotel)
Contact: +37494509010


◤𝐅𝐀𝐐 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐊𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧

▶ How Many Trails Lead to Khustup?
▷ There are several trails to climb Khustup:

The Classic Route: Starting from Baghaburj or nearby villages, this trail begins at the Storot or Navcha campsite. It’s the easiest and most popular path, well-trodden and accessible.

Shishkert Trail: This is more of a jeep trek, better suited for vehicles than hikers.

Vachagan Trail: Gaining popularity in recent years, this is one of the toughest paths to Khustup, with an elevation gain of 1,700 meters. While most of the trail is a footpath, about the 1.5 km of the trail to the Khustup source is a rugged and uncomfortable hike along the ridge.

▶ Is There a Trail to Climb Khustup Cave?
▷ If you look closely from the Storot campsite, you’ll spot a large cave in the middle of Khustup's rocks. Locals call it Nzhdeh’s Cave or Yekeghetsi, which means "church" in Armenian, as it is considered a sacred place for Armenians, with an entrance shaped like a church.
There isn’t a typical trail to reach Khustup Cave. The route involves more climbing and scrambling than hiking. For safety reasons, I’m not sharing this route, as it’s not an ordinary path and should only be attempted with a local, experienced, and reliable guide.

▶ Who Is Garegin Nzhdeh and Why Is His Statue on the Ridge of Khustup?
▷ Garegin Nzhdeh (1886–1955) was a national hero, military leader, and political thinker. He played a key role in Armenia's fight for independence in the early 20th century, defending Armenian territories during the Armenian-Tatar clashes and World War I. His efforts to establish the Republic of Mountainous Armenia in 1921 represented a final stand against Sovietization. For many Armenians, Nzhdeh embodies patriotism, resilience, and the struggle for national sovereignty.

During the war, Nzhdeh took shelter in the cave with his soldiers.
His connection to the mountain was so profound that he immortalized his impressions of it in his writings, where the mountain’s spirit lives on. Some parts of Nzhdeh’s body are buried on the slopes of Khustup, as he wished, forever united with the land he so loved.

▶ Can I Drive to Khustup Instead of Hiking or Shorten the Trail?
▷ From Baghaburj
If you want to shorten the trail by 6 km, you can take a 4x4 vehicle from Baghaburj to the Navcha/Storot campsite with your camping gear. Set up camp for the night and start the hike from there, as locals often do.

From Shishkert
It’s possible to skip most of the hike. This is the only jeep trek that takes you right below the summit. A 4x4 vehicle can drive up to the main junction of the trail (10 km), and only the last 800 meters require hiking, with some sections involving scrambling.

From Vachagan
You can drive the first 6 km with a 4x4 vehicle, though the road has some damaged parts, making it unsuitable for all vehicles.

▶ Is It a Hiking Activity, or Do We Need to Climb the Rocks?
▷ At first glance, the mighty rocky summit may seem difficult to reach, but there is a route that requires less effort to get to the top. It’s mainly a hike, but the last 300 meters of the trail involve some scrambling. If you’re not comfortable with this kind of challenge or have balance issues, it’s a good idea to go with someone who can assist you.


▶ What is the best season to climb mountain Khustup?
▷ The trails to Khustup are accessible from May to mid-November, as they are snow-covered from November to April.
𝑀𝑎𝑦, 𝐽𝑢𝑛𝑒, 𝐽𝑢𝑙𝑦: The best time to visit. Enjoy lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and stunning views.
𝐴𝑢𝑔𝑢𝑠𝑡, 𝑆𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟: Experience golden landscapes and more stable weather.
𝑂𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑏𝑒𝑟: Witness the colorful autumn scenery, particularly along the trails from the Vachagan side.
𝑆𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑦 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠:
From late November to late April, the trails are typically snow-covered. Unless you enjoy snowshoe hiking or icy conditions at the summit, it is advisable to plan your hike for a more favorable season.

▶ Should I Camp for Khustup Mountain, or Can I Do It in One Day?
▷ It depends on your starting point and how well-prepared you are for a long hike. Advanced hikers can complete the classic trail from Baghaburj to the summit and back, or the trail from Shishkert to the summit and back in one day, as long as they start early.

The trails from Vachagan are more challenging, so if you choose this route,it's recommended to go down to Baghaburj or Shishkert.

For camping, there are two popular spots:

Navcha or Storot Campsite (6 km off-road drive from Baghaburj)
K7 Private Campsite (3 km drive from Vachagan)
Keep in mind that both campsites are basic, with no equipment or amenities, so you’ll need to bring all your camping gear.

▶ What Should I Know About the Weather in Khustup?
▷ Khustup has a unique weather pattern. The mountain tends to attract clouds, so when you're at the summit, you may either be above the clouds, enjoying a fantastic view, or surrounded by clouds with no visibility. It’s hard to predict whether you’ll get a clear view or not.

If the summit is cloudy, it’s common to wait for about an hour, as there's a good chance the clouds will clear. However, if the weather forecast predicts bad conditions, it's better to reschedule your hike for another time.

▶ Is Khustup a kid-friendly mountain?
▷ It depends on the trail, the child's age, and whether adults are willing to assist with the final 400 meters to the summit.

The only kid-friendly trails are from Baghaburj and Shishkert, as the Vachagan trails are too challenging for young hikers. About 95% of the trails from Baghaburj and Shishkert are kid-friendly, with the only real challenges occurring in the final section to the summit, especially for children who are afraid of heights.
Pay extra attention to the last section leading to the summit, as it requires maximum caution for safety.

▶ Are There Any Other Prominent Peaks on the Khustup-Katar Mountain Range?
▷ Yes, there are two lesser-visited peaks in the range, each with different trail logistics: Katar Mountain and Gombak Mountain. Katar is similar to Khustup but offers a much wilder route to reach it. On the other hand, Gombak is an easier climb (not the trail to it but the mountain itself) and can be accessed via the ridge trail from Vachagan.

*𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑦 𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒:
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