The town of Dilijan and all its major landmarks lie within the boundaries of a national park, where every path leads through age-old, relict forests whispering tales of time. Nestled in the north of Armenia, this natural reserve is one of the country’s most scenic corners—a harmonious blend of mountains, woodlands, and mineral springs. Established in 1958, the park was created to protect the unique mountain ecosystems of northern Armenia. And indeed, the wealth of its natural treasures defies simple description.
Dilijan National Park sits at the intersection of two rich botanical provinces: the Caucasian and the Armeno-Iranian. This geographical overlap has blessed the region with an extraordinary variety of plant life. The park is home to 782 species of vascular plants, representing 395 genera and 82 families. Among the most abundant genera are clover, cornflower, astragalus, bellflower, sedge, geranium, hawkweed, catchfly, gentian, and speedwell. Majestic trees such as Georgian and large-leaved oaks, eastern beeches, Caucasian and oriental hornbeams thrive here, alongside ash, maple, wild rose, and honeysuckle.
Within this rich tapestry of greenery grow rare and endangered plants, including several species found nowhere else on Earth. These include endemic Armenian orchids, the ghostly leafless epipogium, the vivid Jacob’s ladder, the shimmering mountain onion, and the fine-haired galotis. The flora of the Dilijan reserve features 27 Caucasus endemics—like the Caucasian carnation and Ruprecht’s primrose—alongside 25 endemics of the Armenian Highland, 18 Transcaucasian species, and several from Southern regions.
Deciduous forests cover nearly the entire mid-mountain range between 1,000 and 2,000 meters above sea level. In the forest belt’s midzone, oak woodlands spread across southern slopes, while beech forests dominate the north-facing hills. At higher elevations—1,900 to 2,200 meters—the landscape gives way to subalpine woods known as “crooked forests,” accompanied by subalpine meadows. Only the highest ridges host the rare alpine grasslands and floral carpets. Some forest areas, once logged, naturally regenerated with hornbeam, creating vibrant groves where underbrush and herbaceous layers retain their original composition. This is but a glimpse of Dilijan’s botanical wealth—and its fauna is just as astonishing.
Amphibians and reptiles thrive in the forest zone: tree frogs, slowworms, and rock lizards can be spotted among the leaves. Moles and both large and small shrews make their homes under the forest canopy, while common hedgehogs scurry through garden thickets. Water shrews live in the region’s rivers and streams, and the fields are inhabited by the Caucasian long-tailed white-toothed shrew.
The reserve boasts a surprisingly rich variety of predatory mammals. Brown bears, wolves, foxes, badgers, stone martens, weasels, lynxes, and wildcats roam freely. Though rare, leopards have occasionally been sighted. Rodents are plentiful too—forest mice, bush voles, Persian squirrels, edible dormice, and the elusive forest dormouse. On the forest edges and in clearings, one may glimpse a hare darting into the shadows. But it is the wild boar, the sika deer, and the roe deer that have become emblematic inhabitants of this reserve.
Interestingly, roe deer are native to Dilijan’s forests, while wild boars and sika deer were introduced. In 1969, conservationists released 60 boars and 130 Ussuri sika deer into the region. The boars adapted quickly to the Aghartsin Gorge, multiplied, and eventually spread into neighboring districts. However, they are not always guaranteed a steady food supply and tend to migrate during poor harvest years, even reaching the Kura River basin. The sika deer have also acclimated remarkably well to their new habitat.
Yet Dilijan National Park is not only known for its flora and fauna—it is a land of breathtaking landscapes and geological wonders. The terrain is dotted with enchanting caves, rocky outcrops, and dramatic gorges, among which the Aghartsin Gorge stands out as a true natural marvel.
Rivers and streams flow through nearly every ravine and valley, fed by countless springs and underground sources. These tributaries converge into the park’s main waterway, the Aghstev River, weaving a silvery thread through the wild beauty of the forest.
Among the park’s many gems is Lake Parz, a serene and unique body of water nestled within dense woodland at an elevation of 1,400 meters. Fed by crystalline underground springs, this fishless lake rarely freezes even in winter. Other lakes, such as Gosh Lake, Bachnilik, Bakhtyarilik, and Jangotlik, are equally picturesque—each a mirror reflecting the unspoiled charm of this mountainous region.
The park is also a treasure trove of history and architecture. Dotted throughout its vast expanse are medieval monasteries like Haghartsin, the Ahnabats Church, Goshavank, Matosavank, and Jukhtakvank. Remnants of ancient settlements, weathered cemeteries, stone chapels, and scattered khachkars (cross-stones) speak of a distant and storied past.
For hiking enthusiasts, Dilijan National Park offers a variety of well-marked trails. The most adventurous can ascend to the towering peaks of Lchasar, Khatskabak, Lurt, Apakekar, and Andzavabatsats. However, venturing off the designated paths is strictly forbidden—wandering into predator territory poses real danger.
Dilijan National Park is a masterpiece of nature—majestic, mystical, and profoundly moving. It is the kind of beauty that defies description. To truly grasp its wonder, one must stand beneath its ancient trees, listen to the murmur of its streams, and breathe the cool mountain air. As the old saying goes: better to see it once than hear about it a hundred times.