This is a route description for the hike I did in September 2004 in Tatev, Armenia, with Tzovig and Karen. At the end are GPS tracks of my route.
Start from Tatev Monastery, and take the paved road in a southerly direction, descending slightly first before climbing to a vantage point near electricity pylons from where good views of the monastery can be had.
Carry on the paved road, around two more bends in the road, as it passes over a narrow gorge above a tributary of the Vorotan river. Where the paved road starts to ascend on its way over the mountains ahead, find a grassy slope and climb upwards, a simple track partially visible (Waypoint ‘Start’; N 39°22’04.82” E 46°14’50.95”). Follow this track upwards, direction due south, along a grassy ridge, the 2300 metre Karmatzov mountain ahead clearly visible. The route to the top follows a trail which soon peters out, but the route thereafter is not difficult to find by making sure the trees stay to your left.
Keep to the ridge on the right, as the grassy area to the left becomes very steep and difficult. Climbing to the ridge on the road, turn to south-east to head directly for the top of the mountain at 2280 metres. There are several good spots or resting or eating lunch. At the top (Waypoint ‘Karmatzov’; N 39°20’33.44” E 46°15’21.17”), in good weather you can see 3399 metre Mount Aramazd to the south west.
From Karmatzov, the route follows a gentle slope now in an easterly direction towards the village of Maldash (on some maps Kashuni), visible below. There is no discernable trail here, so make sure to take a bearing with your compass and keep the left of a stream visible to your right as you descend.
This part of the walk takes you through a beautiful landscape with views to the south towards Kapan. Snow remains on the mountain tops into early summer, and the area remains green for much of the year. The village of Maldash (Waypoint ‘Maldash; N 39°20’49.32” E 46°16’31.19”) has been renamed Kashuni, but most locals still refer to it as Maldash. It’s a small village, with a war memorial, a new church, and several dozen houses. The road here is dirt and becomes very muddy after rains. From the village, keep to the dirt road which now turns to head north-east. This road climbs to first join another dirt road coming from the east (keep left, now heading north), and then ends at a paved road. Turn left here (turning right would take you towards Kapan), and there are now two choices for the return to Tatev.
The quickest and simplest way is to keep to this paved road as it gently descends back to Tatev. The road is easy to follow and you will soon be back where you left the road on the climb up.
GPS files:
Mapsource GDB file
GPX track
This track is also saved on the Austrian GPS-Tours.info site.