Originally we had ambitions to hike from Haghartsin Monastery back to town. The tourist office warned us off - not maintained. We ended up walking back on the Transcaucasian Trail (TCT) from Lake Parz. Except for the mud puddles made by ATVs, it was a beautiful hike. The highlight was the millions of wildflowers blooming in the high meadow (1700 m.a.s.l).
On the way to Diligan we changed buses at the massive, Soviet-built, and nearly empty Northern Bus Station.
Just before reaching Dilijan, we passed Lake Sevan, a popular weekend destination for Yerevanites and foreign tourists.
The tourist office was well-staffed, very helpful, and there were useful signboards outside.
We walked up to the town center to buy groceries, and Sun-Ling cooked a tasty dinner back in our apartment which came with a baby grand piano.
The next morning we used the Yandex ride hailing app to get a car to Parz Lake - no hassle. The plan is to walk about 14kms back to Dilijan and our apartment.
The first part of the walk around Lake Parz and on the connector to the TCT (Transcaucasian Trail) was very muddy in spots.
The TCT was was awesome. Well marked. No 4WDs or ATVs here. Thousands of towering beech trees. And an occaisonal view of high meadows, and pastures.
After and hour or so we reached the most beautiful alpine meadow and followed the TCT-signed poles to the other end for the lunch-stop-of-the-day.
Sun-Ling was very happy to snap a bunch of flower photos.
After another 8 kms of walking through smalls pasture and farms, and by a newish hotel, we found ourselves in the suburbs with viewpoint of Dilijan. Then a big downhill to our apartment.
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