Janapar is a marked trail through mountains, valleys and villages of Nagorno-Karabakh. The trail passes by monasteries and fortresses along its route. The trail is broken into day hikes, taking hikers to a different village each night. Hikers can either stay with a village family or set up camp nearby. The paths have existed for centuries, but now are marked specifically for hikers.[1]
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The Himnakan Janapar (backbone trail), marked in 2007, leads from the northwest region of Shahumian to the southern town of Hadrut. Side trails and mini trails lead to additional parts of Karabakh. Important sites along this hike include Dadivank monastery, Gandzasar monastery, Shushi, the Karkar Canyon with its high cliffs, Zontik Waterfall and ruins of Hunot, as well as the 2,000 year old tree of Skhtorashen, Azykh Cave and Gtichavank monastery.
The symbol of the trail is an outline of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, with five circles of increasing size on top, which take on the appearance of a footprint.
Some photos from along the Janapar