Children’s hike on the Jukhtak to Haghartsin trail
On Sunday (March 15, 2026), “4 Peaks” completed a fairly difficult and demanding route from Jukhtak Monastery to the Haghartsin Monastic Complex. This path is not easy by itself, and in snowy conditions, it became a true mountain challenge.
The start of the hike passed through the forest. There wasn’t much snow here, and we moved forward quite quickly. Walking through the snow-covered trees of the forest had a unique silence and beauty; it was like being in a white fairy tale.
However, as we gained altitude, the conditions gradually changed. The snow was getting deeper. This snow had fallen overnight, making walking heavier and slower. We were also accompanied by gently falling snow, and in some sections, we passed through the fog.
We walked in a long line, following each other’s footsteps, as every step now required strength.
At certain moments, the road seemed endless. The snow was getting deeper, and our pace had slowed significantly. When it got dark, we were already covering a significant part of the route under the light of headlamps. That thin chain of light seemed to connect us—a group moving forward in silence, where every step was more alert.
But it was in that very darkness that nature revealed its unusual, magical face. The fog remained below, smoothly filling the embrace of the mountains like a quietly breathing sea. Above, a clear and cloudless sky with twinkling stars, and below, an infinite sea of clouds. The mountains were clearly silhouetted in that contrast—on the borderline of darkness and light, reality and dream.
In the mountains, we always strive to finish the route on time. To be honest, returning late that day was not the best scenario. However, after the halfway point, the amount of snow had increased so much that moving forward quickly was simply impossible. In those conditions, the best thing to do was to continue calmly, organized, and without rushing.
And that is exactly what we did. We walked with patience, helping one another, breaking the trail, and maintaining the group’s rhythm. When we finally reached the end of the route, it was already dark, but everyone had the same feeling on their faces: exhaustion and, at the same time, the satisfaction of having finished the walk.
The mountains sometimes offer not only beautiful views but also real lessons: about endurance, teamwork, and making calm decisions.
That day, we traveled just such a path. And that is exactly why it will be remembered for a long time.
Snow changes everything in the mountains. The same path that seems easy in spring, summer, and autumn can become a real challenge in winter. Snow slows down the pace, hides the trails, and sometimes forces you to think carefully about every step.
But snow-covered hikes have their own unique magic. Forests and mountains covered in white, silence, gently falling snow, and hikers walking in a long line, following each other’s tracks. On such days, the mountains become harsher but also more beautiful.
Snowy hikes require more preparation, patience, and teamwork. In return, however, they provide memories that stay with a person for a long time.
In the mountains, snow is not just weather. It is a challenge, and for those who love challenges, it is also magic.
- Route: From Jukhtak Monastery to Haghartsin.
- Distance covered: 22 km, 1,000 m elevation gain.
- And: completing the entire path in snowy conditions.
