Jrambar and the Aparan Reservoir: Hiking, Cycling, History

Hiking, cycling, camping, and picnicking are possible at the Aparan Reservoir near Jrambar; historic ruins lie along the routes. The marked Oh Dam! Trail, the Aparan Reservoir Loop, and the Aparan Reservoir Biking Tour differ in route and length. When planning, it is worth considering whether you want to focus on hiking, cycling, or the cultural sites by the water.

Hiking at the Aparan Reservoir

The marked Oh Dam! Trail leads around the reservoir past ruins and through forest and summer meadows. The Aparan Reservoir was built between 1962 and 1967 and covers an area of 7.9 square kilometers.

The Aparan Reservoir Loop is considered an easy hike, is about ten kilometers long, and takes around three hours. Pine forests line the route; along the way, you can enjoy views of the reservoir and the peaks of Aragats. The loop can also be hiked with snowshoes in winter. This lets you experience the same route on foot or with snowshoes, depending on the season.

Getting to the Route

A road from the M-3 leads to Jrambar near the southern end of the reservoir, crossing an earthen dam that offers views across the water. To access the Aparan Reservoir Loop from the Jrambar side, you need to cross the dam. Another access point is toward the village of Yeghiapatrush. Guards may even temporarily prevent people from crossing on foot. So check access conditions locally before setting out.

Church Ruins and History by the Water

The ruins of St. Poghos-Petros Church on the reservoir shore date from the first half of the 5th century; the church was rebuilt in the 6th century. Depending on the seasonal water level, the ruins may be submerged while the church cross remains visible. If you want to visit the church ruins, take the water level into account when planning.

The loop also passes the ruins of Old Zovuni, an abandoned settlement near Jrambar. When the reservoir was filled, the Zovuni monuments were dismantled and rebuilt block by block at their current location.

A cycling route by the lake leads to a low rise with views over the reservoir. There you will find the St. Vartan Mausoleum, the Tukh-Manuk Shrine, khachkars, and a stele dating from the 5th to 7th centuries.

Cycling Around the Reservoir

The Aparan Reservoir Biking Tour is a 30-kilometer loop on dirt tracks and quiet paved roads. After three kilometers along the western side of the Kasakh Gorge, the route reaches Jrambar. Two different measures are available for comparison with the hiking route: about three hours for the ten-kilometer hiking loop and 30 kilometers for the cycling loop.

The Aparan Reservoir loop is divided into the Big Loop and Small Loop. Both pass through pine forest and alpine meadows; the Big Loop has steep climbs. The cycling tour also passes a colony of nesting sand martins.

Discover more destinations: Ashtarak, Awan, Byurakan, Oshakan, Yernjatap

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