- Riding style(s): Mountain biking
- Length: 28 km / 17 miles
- Elevation gain/loss: 899m / 2,949ft
- Suggested duration: 3–4 hours
- Road conditions: Dirt roads & purpose built singletrack
- Terrain: Steep, technical forested trails with paved road connections
Overview
This 28km mountain biking loop, primarily on dirt roads and purpose-built singletrack trail, is suitable for advanced mountain bikers. It uses a popular section of the Transcaucasian Trail long-distance hiking route between Dilijan and Parz Lake before returning to the town on quiet roads. Bikers should ride considerately and give way to walkers. The first half of the route is marked with red and white painted blazes.
Route description
Climb out of Dilijan from the town centre, following steep cobbled streets through the Takhta district to the edge of the town where you’ll find trailhead information. Continue up the dirt road and follow it to a farm, where the route begins to climb through quiet woodland. Before long you’ll reach a freshly built section of forest singletrack which will bring you out close to Gyolort, a wildflower meadow at the top of the climb. Follow the markers down through the field to pick up the singletrack trail at the edge of the forest. From here it’s a wonderful downhill ride all the way to Parz Lake, with many twists and turns and a couple of narrow and challenging sections. Stop at Parz Lake for a rest and a refreshing beverage before following quiet paved roads back to Dilijan.