What to Pack for a Day Hike in Armenia: The Complete Checklist

A good day hike starts the evening before, with a well-packed backpack. Armenian mountains have their own character: intense sun, quick weather changes, few reliable water sources on many routes and patchy mobile coverage in gorges and on high ridges. This checklist is built around those conditions. Print it, save it on your phone, and tick off each item before you leave.

The backpack

For a day hike, a 20–30 litre backpack is enough. Look for:

• Padded shoulder straps and a hip belt that takes weight off your shoulders.
• A rain cover, or pack your things in a plastic bag or dry bag inside.
• Side pockets for a water bottle you can reach without stopping.

The essentials: never leave without these

• Water: at least 1.5–2 litres per person, more in summer or on long climbs.
• Food: a proper lunch plus snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, energy bars, chocolate or gata.
• Warm layer: a fleece or light insulated jacket. Even in July it can be cold on a windy summit.
• Rain and wind jacket: light and waterproof. Mountain showers come quickly.
• Sun protection: hat or cap, sunglasses, sunscreen with SPF 30–50 and lip balm.
• First aid kit: plasters, blister patches, bandage, disinfectant, painkillers and your personal medication.
• Phone and power bank: fully charged, with a charging cable.
• Offline map: download the area in a map app before you leave. Many trails have no signal.
• Headlamp: small and light, in case the hike takes longer than planned.
• ID document: a passport or ID card. Some areas close to borders have checkpoints.
• Some cash in drams: village shops and taxis often accept cash only.

Footwear and socks

Shoes matter more than anything else you wear.

• Trail shoes or hiking boots with a grippy sole. On rocky, steep terrain or scree, boots with ankle support are better.
• Wear them in before the hike. New shoes on a long day are the number one cause of blisters.
• Hiking socks (wool or synthetic), not cotton. Bring a spare pair for long or wet hikes.

Clothing by season

Dress in layers that you can add or remove as the temperature changes.

Spring and autumn (April–June, September–November)

• Breathable base layer (synthetic or merino wool)
• Long hiking trousers
• Fleece and a windproof jacket
• Light hat and gloves for mornings and higher altitudes

Summer (July–August)

• Light, breathable T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt for sun protection
• Lightweight trousers or shorts (trousers are better in tall grass and thorny bushes)
• Wide-brimmed hat or cap with a neck cover
• A warm layer anyway, if your route goes above 2,500 m

Winter (December–March)

• Thermal base layers, warm insulated jacket and waterproof shell
• Warm hat, gloves and a buff
• Waterproof boots and gaiters for snow
• Join winter hikes only with experienced leaders

Useful extras

• Trekking poles: they save your knees on long descents.
• Sit pad: a small foam pad for lunch breaks on cold stones.
• Rubbish bag: take everything back with you, including food scraps.
• Toilet kit: tissues and a small bag. Many trails have no facilities.
• Water filter or purification tablets if you plan to refill from streams.
• Thermos with hot tea in autumn and winter.
• Buff or scarf against wind, dust and sun.

Extra items for high mountains

If you are going above 3,000 m, for example to Mount Aragats, add:

• Warmer layers: hat and gloves even in summer.
• Hiking boots with a stiff sole.
• More water and high-energy food.
• Early in the season, microspikes for snowfields.

What not to bring

• Cotton clothing as your main layer: it stays wet and cold.
• Heavy glass bottles and too much packaging.
• Anything you would be upset to lose or break.
• A loudspeaker. Other hikers came for the silence.

Before you leave home

1. Check the weather forecast for the mountain area, not just for Yerevan.
2. Read the hike details. On every PeakHike hike page the club lists the gear it requires, the meeting point and what is included.
3. Tell someone your plan, especially if you hike without a group: where you are going and when you expect to be back.
4. Save the emergency number 112 and know how to share your location from your phone. Read more in our hiking safety guide.

The quick checklist

Water · food · warm layer · rain jacket · hat · sunglasses · sunscreen · first aid kit · phone and power bank · offline map · headlamp · ID · cash · good shoes · spare socks · rubbish bag.

Packed and ready? Find your next adventure among the upcoming hikes, or choose a hiking club to go with. New to hiking? Start with the best hikes in Armenia for beginners.