Armaghan: a volcano with a lake on top

Armaghan (2,829 m) is a dormant volcano in the Geghama range, in Gegharkunik province, about 20 km from the town of Martuni on the southern shore of Lake Sevan. From afar it looks like a smooth brown cone rising over the high pastures — but at the top it hides a surprise: a round crater with a lake in it.

The crater and the chapel

The summit crater is about 400 m across and some 50 m deep, and part of it is filled by a small lake framed by alpine grass. In early summer the slopes around it are covered with flowers — poppies, buttercups, wild thyme and mint. Since 2008 the mountain has been protected as a natural monument of Armenia.

On the highest point stands a small domed chapel of dark basalt, built in 2009 on the ruins of a much older shrine. Old gravestones and carved stones lie around it — some with simple human figures and jugs, some with ancient sun symbols — and people from the villages below still come up to light candles.

A legend

In the villages at its foot they say that fairies sometimes come down from the sky to drink from the crater lake — and that whenever they do, fog wraps the whole summit so that no one can see them. Believe it or not, fog really does roll in quickly here, so keep an eye on the weather.

The hike

Armaghan is a great first summit for new hikers: the route has no technical sections, and the climb from the foothills takes a few hours. The upper slopes are steep, though, with loose, crumbly soil — good hiking shoes and trekking poles make a big difference. Most groups come up from the villages of the Argichi river valley, near Madina.

From the crater rim the view opens over the whole of Lake Sevan, the Vardenis range and the Geghama mountains. The best time to go is from June to October; in spring, thunderstorms with lightning are common, so stay off the summit in stormy weather.

Hike it with Kharuyk

Write to us if you'd like to climb Armaghan with the club, and we'll let you know about the next group.