Aparan Water Reservoir to Arthur's Resort Ride

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E-Bikes Unknown

Travel through a tranquil province that once bustled with activity centuries ago. This ride combines a casual but steady warm-up that passes the reservoir and the remains of a church before piling on the elevation on a steep physically demanding climb to the ridge below Teghenis Mountain. From there, enjoy a fast descent to the end-point on the other side.

Start your ride by pedaling through Jrambar and continuing north above the reservoir. You'll get plenty of views of the water and surrounding hills in this peaceful setting. After a few kilometers you'll encounter Saint Poghos-Petros Church (St. Paul and Peter Church) on the left.

There is still a good section of easy pedaling, but eventually the grade steepens before reaching the Village of Yeghipatrush (where St. Mariam Astvatsatsin Church makes a nice place to take a break). On the other side of the village, follow the Country Road to Teghenis Mountain for a progressively steeper climb that only backs off once it reaches the ridge above. You'll feel the burn in your legs and may find yourself walking along the grass and beautiful slopes.

Just a little to the south the Teghenis Trace begins a fun descent over open meadow, old road-traces and faint singletrack to work down to a small knoll with livestock pens. From the pens transition to the Aghveran Country Road that continues descending into the forest as it enters the Aghveran National Park and then Arthur’s Resort. Without any bridges to aid in crossing, you'll get acquainted with the Lorutaget as you ride through it three times to reach the end.

Flora: There are numerous flowers in the meadows, which change in color and shape with every kilometer. Here you can see such species as dapple, chamomile, forget-me-not, violets, and flowering thorns. That’s why apiculture does so well in Armenia. There are also edible herbs (falcaria, nettle, lily, tragopogon pratensis), which the residents of the community gather in spring. Armenia also exports tea herbs growing in the fields, like thyme, mint, teucrium polium and felty germander, among others.

Fauna: In beautiful meadows, wheat fields, and from the slopes up to the top of mountains, especially in the territory of the Aparan Reservoir, and the dilapidated monuments there, you can come across such reptiles as snakes (viper, grass snake), lizards, frogs in marshy spots, bears, rabbits, wolves, foxes and other animals in the forests.