Scenic Trail Rides

The best part of Scenic Trail Rides is the mix of horseback travel and medieval Armenia. From Lake Tsover, you ride across open pasture toward the Debed Canyon, then follow cliffside paths above the Marts River Gorge. The route brings together monasteries, cross-stones, a watchtower, forest, and the home of poet Hovhannes Tumanyan.

I like the small private group, limited to your own party of up to 12, and I like that lunch, regional transport, and an optional riding lesson are included. The main thing to consider is that this is a four-hour outdoor ride on uneven ground, with a 110-kilogram weight limit and weather-dependent operation.

Key points at a glance

• Lake Tsover is the starting point: You begin near the upper hillside of Dsegh village, with coffee and fresh local fruit before riding.
• The route covers about 12.5 kilometers: Expect an easy-paced round trip through pasture, woodland, and cliffside terrain.
• Medieval Armenia comes naturally along the trail: You see a watchtower, cross-stones, and the Monastery of Bardzrakash St. Gregory.
• The Marts River Gorge provides the big views: The eastern rim opens to wide views over the gorge and surrounding hills.
• Lunch is part of the day: A picnic in rural gardens includes a meal and juice made from local berries.
• The experience suits a private group: Hotel pickup is available in Lori Province, while transport from other regions is not included.

Starting beside Lake Tsover

The ride begins at scenic Lake Tsover, high on the hillside above Dsegh. This gives you a calmer start than meeting in a busy town or climbing onto a horse beside a road. You are welcomed with coffee and fresh local fruit, a useful pause for getting settled before the trail begins.

An introductory riding lesson is available if you are new to horses or need a refresher. That option matters because the ride is described as easy, but easy does not mean perfectly flat. You will cover roughly 12.5 kilometers, or about 9.5 miles, over pastureland, woodland paths, and the edge of a canyon.

The horses are local, and the guide accompanies you throughout. A small group is especially useful here. With only your own party participating, the pace can better match the riders in your group rather than being set by a large, mixed-ability crowd.

The published group size is two to 12 people. This means the activity works for a couple, a family group, or a small circle of friends. If you have little riding experience, tell the provider when booking and use the introductory lesson. The tour asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, so it is not the right choice if sitting in the saddle for several hours or walking on uneven paths would be difficult.

Riding across the pastures toward Debed Canyon

Once mounted, you head through pastureland toward the eastern rim of the Debed Canyon. This opening section gives you time to settle into the horse and the rhythm of the ride. It also lets you see why horseback travel works so well here: you move slowly enough to notice the old stonework and changing views, but cover more ground than you would on foot.

The route is a round trip, so you finish back at the lakeside meeting point. That keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup from a remote monastery or worry about finding your way back after the ride.

The canyon views are the visual center of the outing. As the trail reaches the cliff edge, views open over the Marts River Gorge. The route description calls for some cantering later in the ride toward Dsegh village. If you are not comfortable with that pace, raise the issue with the guide before setting out. An experienced guide can explain what to expect, but the supplied details do not promise that every rider will canter.

The cliffside portion deserves attention. It provides the most dramatic scenery, but you should follow the guide’s instructions closely and keep your horse under control. The tour is not presented as an extreme riding challenge, yet canyon-edge paths are still places where sensible pacing matters.

Medieval watchtower and the cross-stones

The route passes a medieval watchtower and a number of medieval cross-stones, known in Armenia as khachkars. These carved stones are not simply decorative stops. They are part of the country’s religious and artistic tradition, often marked with crosses and intricate stone patterns.

One named example is Sirun Khach, or Beautiful Cross. It won second prize at a Paris competition in 1970, which gives you a memorable detail to attach to what might otherwise look like one more old stone marker. The award also points to the care and artistry in Armenian stone carving.

This is one place where a good guide adds real value. Saro is praised for his kindness and historical knowledge, so if he is leading your outing, ask him to explain the sites as you go. The experience includes guide service, but a particular guide cannot be guaranteed from the information provided.

The route description refers to a ride to three medieval monasteries, but the detailed stops specifically identify the Monastery of Bardzrakash St. Gregory, also called St. Gregory Monastery. The monastery dates from the 12th to 13th centuries. I would confirm the exact monastery count and names when booking, since the detailed description gives clearer information about St. Gregory than about the other two.

Walking to the Monastery of Bardzrakash St. Gregory

An optional one-hour walk through a wooded path takes you to the Monastery of Bardzrakash St. Gregory. The walk adds variety to the ride and gives you time away from the saddle. It also means the advertised four-hour duration includes a substantial walking element if you choose it.

The monastery dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. That age alone does not tell you what the visit will feel like, but the setting above the canyon and the approach through woodland make this more than a quick roadside photo stop.

Because the walk is optional, you can decide based on your group’s energy, the weather, and how comfortable everyone feels after riding. If your priority is the horse route, ask how much time the walking option leaves for the rest of the itinerary. If you enjoy combining a modest hike with historic sites, this is one of the strongest parts of the day.

The outing is weather dependent. That matters most for the wooded walk and the cliffside ride. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

Cantering toward Dsegh and meeting Tumanyan

After the monastery visit, the ride continues toward Dsegh village, with some cantering described along the way. The pace remains officially easy, but cantering makes this section more active than the opening pasture ride. Riders should be honest about their experience before choosing or accepting that pace.

The next major stop is the Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum. Tumanyan was a prominent Armenian poet, and the museum occupies an early 19th-century Armenian peasant home. The building gives the cultural part of the tour a human scale. Instead of visiting only grand religious monuments, you see the kind of modest home that helps explain daily life in the period.

This stop also broadens the experience beyond riding and scenery. You get medieval stonework, a historic monastery, a rural home, and the memory of one of Armenia’s major literary figures in the same half-day outing.

Nearby is a 10th to 12th-century cemetery associated with the Mamikonyan princely family. The cemetery adds another layer to the route, connecting the area to an important Armenian noble family. As with the monastery stops, the guide’s explanations will shape how much context you take away, so this is a good place to ask questions rather than simply pass through.

Forest trails back to the lake

The final trails lead through hillside forests and return you to Lake Tsover. This closing section changes the mood again. You leave the open canyon rim and ride through wooded terrain before arriving back at the water.

The round-trip design makes the finish convenient, especially if you are not staying directly in Dsegh. Pickup is offered from hotels in Lori Province, and private transportation is provided inside the region in an air-conditioned vehicle. Transport from other regions of Armenia is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Lori Province or Dsegh if you are based elsewhere.

The vehicle matters more than it might first appear. Rural touring often involves a rough or warm transfer, but this outing includes air conditioning and private regional transport. The supplied details do not state the exact pickup times or route from individual hotels, so confirm those points before the day of your ride.

Lunch in rural gardens

Lunch is included, and it is served as a picnic in rural gardens. The meal comes with juice made from local berries. This is a small but important part of the experience because it keeps the outing tied to the countryside rather than treating the ride as a series of disconnected attractions.

A garden picnic also gives you a proper break after the saddle and before the final trails. The exact menu is not specified, so tell the provider about any dietary needs when arranging the tour. Do not assume that every special request can be met unless the provider confirms it.

The inclusion of lunch improves the value of the $70 price. You are not paying only for the horses. The cost also covers the guide, regional private transport, the vehicle, entrance fees and taxes, and the meal. For a private four-hour experience, that is a reasonable package, especially if you are already in Lori Province.

It is less straightforward value if you need a long transfer from another part of Armenia, since that transportation is excluded. Compare the total cost from your base, not just the listed per-person rate.

Who will get the most from this ride

I would choose this outing if you want several kinds of Armenia in one manageable half-day: rural scenery, horseback travel, medieval monuments, local food, and a literary stop. It is especially well suited to a private group that values flexibility and does not want to join a large coach excursion.

It also works for riders who are not experts, thanks to the optional introductory lesson and the easy stated pace. Still, you should meet the 110-kilogram, or 240-pound, weight limit and have moderate physical fitness. The distance, saddle time, optional one-hour walk, and uneven outdoor route make this more demanding than a short riding demonstration.

You may prefer another activity if your main goal is a full-day monastery tour, a highly technical horseback route, or a ride with a fixed list of three clearly named monasteries. The available details name St. Gregory in full but do not clearly identify the other two monasteries referred to in the overview. Ask for clarification before paying if that point is central to your decision.

The experience is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, but hotel pickup is specifically available from hotels in Lori Province. The private format makes it a good fit for families or friends who want to stay together, though the provider does not give a separate child age policy.

Is Scenic Trail Rides worth $70?

For the right person, yes. At $70 per person, you receive roughly four hours of activity, local horses, a guide, lunch, private regional transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, and included fees and taxes. Add the canyon views, cross-stones, monastery, Tumanyan House-Museum, and forest trails, and the price compares well with a simple riding excursion.

The strongest reasons to book are the horses, the scenery, and the guide service. Saro receives particular praise for being kind, accommodating with pickup and drop-off, and strong on the history of the sights. Those details matter because this route depends on both safe handling and good interpretation.

Book it if you are comfortable with a moderate outdoor activity, want a private group setting, and are staying in or near Lori Province. Confirm the pickup plan, the exact monastery stops, and whether the cantering section suits your riding ability.

Skip it if you need a fully accessible sightseeing route, cannot ride within the weight limit, or want guaranteed dry weather. Also reconsider if reaching Lori Province requires an expensive separate transfer. For an active introduction to the Debed Canyon area, though, this is a well-priced and unusually varied choice.

FAQ

Where does Scenic Trail Rides begin and end?

The activity begins at Lake Tsover near Dsegh, Armenia, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the horseback tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and covers about 12.5 kilometers, or 9.5 miles.

Is an introductory horse riding lesson available?

Yes. An introductory one-hour horse riding lesson is available as an option for riders who want basic instruction before or during the experience.

What historic places are included?

The route includes the Monastery of Bardzrakash St. Gregory, also called St. Gregory Monastery, the Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum, a medieval watchtower, medieval cross-stones including Sirun Khach, and a cemetery linked to the Mamikonyan princely family.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served as a picnic in rural gardens, with juice made from local berries.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from hotels in Lori Province. Transportation from other regions of Armenia is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.