Khosrov Forest State Reserve covers about 23,000 hectares of mountains and gorges in the upper Azat and Vedi river valleys, an hour's drive southeast of Yerevan. It is one of Armenia's oldest and most ecologically important protected areas, home to bezoar goats, Armenian mouflon, Syrian brown bears, Caucasian leopards (rumoured rather than confirmed), and an extraordinary variety of birds and reptiles.
The terrain is dramatic: a high arid plateau cut by deep gorges, with patches of juniper forest, cliffs, and seasonal streams. Hiking is possible only with a permit and ranger escort obtained in advance from the reserve administration. Standard day trips out of Yerevan combine Khosrov with a visit to Garni temple and the Khor Virap monastery, since the access road runs through both.