Trchkan Waterfall

Armenia, Armenia

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Trchkan Waterfall is Armenia’s highest and most water-abundant waterfall, located on the Chichkhan River near the border of Shirak and Lori provinces in northwest Armenia. The water drops about 23–25 meters (roughly 75–82 feet) in a single vertical cascade, with a width of around 4 meters and a strong flow fed mainly by melted snow and groundwater from the Shirak Mountain Range. The river that creates the falls is 29 kilometers long and begins at about 2,250 meters above sea level, flowing most strongly between March and June, which makes late spring and early summer the best time to see the falls at full power. Its name comes from a local legend about trout jumping over the waterfall during spawning season; “Trchkan” means “leaping” or “jumping” in Armenian, and locals also call it “Chran” for the sound of the rushing water. In 2008, Trchkan was officially listed as a natural monument, and in 2011 the area was designated a protected zone after public protests stopped plans to build a hydropower station nearby. About 10 kilometers from Shirakamut village and roughly 30–35 kilometers from Gyumri, it is a popular natural spot for visitors and locals, often described as the “Armenian Niagara Falls” or “Icy Queen” in winter due to its beauty and cold, powerful flow.