Stepanavan (Armenian: Ստեփանավան), is a town and municipal community in the Lori Province of Armenia. It is located 139 km north of the capital Yerevan and 24 km north of the provincial centre Vanadzor, halfway between Yerevan and Tbilisi. As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 13,086. Currently, the town has an approximate population of 10,800 as per the 2016 official estimate.
Due to its location on the shores of Dzoraget River among the forest of Lori plateau and Bazum mountains, Stepanavan is considered a resort town in northern Armenia.
This is a hiking, biking, camping wonderland, as there are no fences, few cars, lots of back roads and trails, and very friendly people.
There are a few places to eat in Stepanavan, some barbecue restaurants on some of the highways and food at some of the hotel/resorts (e.g. SH Resort, Anahit Holiday Hotel).
Drinks are found where food is served, plus a few cafes in the summer in Stepanavan.
The two ways into the Dzoraget river valley region (aside from the Georgian border crossing) are over the mountain from Vanadzor, or through the pass at Dzoraget Village along the Debed River Canyon near Tumanyan.
Minibus/van or taxi from Yerevan or Vanadzor, car rental, or getting a driver are your options for getting transport to this area, aside from hiking or cycling in, which are both great options for those with some time (or a bicycle).
Same as the options to get in, with local public transport based out of Stepanavan.
Stepanavan is the main city in the large Dzoraget River valley area, which is separated from the rest of Lori by high mountains.
| address= | lat=41.0099 | l44.3837 | directicentral city square | ph | tollfree= | fax= | hours=10:00-20:00 | price= | lastedit=2015-07-12 | cFriendly English-speaking staff can help with accommodations and trip itineraries. It was closed in July 2015. }}
