Giving Back on the Transcaucasian Trail: Rafik’s Volunteer Journey in Armenia
In July 2025, Rafik Mughnetsyan joined the International Volunteer Program in Armenia. He captured his memorable experience in this guest blog, sharing both his words and his photos with us.
Ever since college, I have always been fascinated by hiking and nature, and my weekends are still always filled with hiking trips. In 2023, I came to Armenia for a two-week visit and hiked for the first time. I hiked from the village of Odzun to Kobayr in northern Armenia. My tour guide Arman had brought his drone and took aerial shots of me hiking along the side of a cliff. I showed off the footage to anyone who asked me about the highlight of my trip to Armenia.
This time around, I was blessed with an unforgettable opportunity to volunteer with Trails for Change (TFC) NGO, a close partner of the Transcaucasian Trail Association. TFC has been working on trail building, maintenance, and restoration for many years, and I was excited to join the volunteer program to finally be able to give back to Armenia in a meaningful way. I wanted to reconnect with my homeland.
Throughout my volunteer week, I camped in the beautiful Armenian backcountry, connected with local and international volunteers, and conducted trail maintenance on the Transcaucasian Trail (TCT) between Gosh Lake and the villages of Khachardzan and Semyonovka. Our group included seven local Armenian volunteers, three crew members, two TFC organizers, and six other international volunteers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Austria. Each person shared their story of why they joined the program.
From the moment we arrived until the day we left, we worked well together. Upon our arrival in the field, we hiked from Gosh Village to Gosh Lake, where we set up our camp in the middle of a rain storm. Our primary task of the week was maintaining the TCT using various tools, making the trail safer for hikers. It felt rewarding when hikers from Germany, France, Belgium, and Norway passed by as we worked.
Our group enjoyed bonding over the campfire, singing and sharing stories, cooking together, and exchanging cultural activities, including traditional Armenian dances.
The most memorable moment for me happened midweek. On July 10, I woke up in my tent feeling emotional, thinking of my grandparents, who have all passed away. It was the birthday of my namesake, Rafik Mughnetsyan. I was also remembering my maternal grandparents, Simbad and Hasmik, who repatriated from Iran to Armenia in 1968 and who I lost within the last three years. The song “Քելե լաո [Kele Lao]” came to my mind. The lyrics translate to:
Let’s go my son. Let’s go to our homeland.
Our father is there, our mother is there.
They are crying sweetly and in a pained voice.
How can we not go to our homeland?
Let’s go my son. Let’s go to our homeland.
I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. I sat outside my tent and meditated to ground myself in the reminder that I was here now, in Armenia, blessed to be working on such an important project. Watching hikers from around the world travel thousands of kilometers to experience Armenian nature reminded me just how powerful this project is.
After our week of trail work ended, I felt immense joy watching three of our international volunteers set off to hike part of the TCT. I was especially proud of Björn, who trekked 200km over 10 days from Goris to Sevan. We later reunited in Yerevan to celebrate his accomplishment over delicious Armenian food.
I joined Björn and another volunteer, James, for TFC’s team-building retreat in the village of Koghb. We attended music and water festivals for the holiday of Vardavar, strengthening our connection with our Armenian friends in the beautiful border town.
After the retreat, I went on more hikes with members of the TFC team. Vika encouraged me to do a beautiful hike on Mt. Aragats’ southern peak, the highest mountain in Armenia. Then, Kristine gave me a tour of the Sevan Dream Trail, built last year by TFC crew members, that stretches from Sevan’s botanical gardens to the peninsula. In the Lori region, I saw posters for the newly completed Armenian National Trail, which begins at Akhtala Monastery. I hope to complete that trail the next time I’m in Armenia.
My time as part of the International Volunteer Program was one of the most touching and fulfilling experiences of my lifetime. I hope many more people have the chance to participate in the future.
