Community

Karinj is one of the modest but colorful settlements of Debed Canyon. The village is located on the right bank of the Marts river, on the eastern side of the Tumanyan town, and on the 30th km of the Vanadzor-Alaverdi interstate highway. There is a chapel built in the style of the 10th century in the village, which proves that there was a certain number of people living there during that period. The inhabitants of Karinj are originally from Marts, a neighboring village. The story reveals that there have been arguments about the population in Martz and adjacent areas since ancient times.

Karinj is now located in the administrative territory of the Tumanyan enlarged community, which also includes Tumanyan town, Marts, Ahnidzor, Lorut, Atan, Shamut settlements. People in the village are mainly engaged in cattle breeding and the cultivation of some crops.

In the north-eastern part of the Lori Region, 23 km away from the regional center Vanadzor, there is a community known to many as Ghmshkut (now Yeghegnut). The history of the village is connected with a priest named Poghos, who moved to Yeghegnut with some families in 1856 and built a church and several dwellings. The root of the community name is “the reed”, which can be found only in the mountains. 

Yeghegnut lies close to the villages of Vahagni and Debet, which may be reached by walking along a recently marked trail, passing through deep forests, and enjoying the wonderful panorama. The village is also near the railway and Vanadzor-Alaverdi highway.

Yeghegnut is not a small village (800-900 inhabitants), but there is only one basic school. On three sides, it is surrounded by berry-rich forests. In the western part of Yeghegnut, the Pambak River flows. The population of the community is mainly engaged in the production of potatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables, but cattle breeding is the main source of income for the locals. Milk, meat, wool, eggs are produced. The progress of beekeeping has been noticeable in recent years.

The Chkalov settlement is one of Debed Canyon’s most picturesque and undiscovered villages. It is located 23 km northeast of the provincial center Vanadzor, on the right side of  Dsegh village. Chkalov, being located on a high plateau, provides everyone with an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular view of Koshakar mountain as well as the magnificent forests and gorges that surround it. Since 1939, the village has been named “Chkalov,” after the Soviet Union’s hero, pilot Valery Chkalov.

Wonderful hiking trails lead from Chkalov to the Dsegh and Debed(from the northern part) villages just through the forest. Although, the roads aren’t appropriately equipped and marked with hiking signs yet.