Shikahogh State Preserve, Nature reserve in Syunik Province, Armenia

Shikahogh State Preserve covers about 10,330 hectares on the southeastern slopes of Mount Khustup and the northeastern slopes of the Meghri range, in the upper basins of the Tsav and Shikahogh rivers at 700–2,800 m. Established to protect oak, hornbeam, oriental beech, common yew and oriental plane forests, it is roughly 94% wooded. It holds the only oriental plane grove in the Caucasus and about 1,100 plant species, 70 in Armenia's Red Book.

Shikahogh State Preserve was founded in 1958 to protect oak, hornbeam, beech, common yew and oriental plane forests along with their wildlife. It lies on the southeastern slopes of Mount Khustup and the northeastern slopes of the Meghri range, in the upper basins of the Tsav and Shikahogh rivers at elevations of 700 to 2,800 metres. A proposed highway through Mtnadzor would split the reserve in two, exposing it to poachers and loggers.

The land holds traces of ancient settlement with Bronze Age burial grounds and medieval structures scattered across the mountains. These archaeological remains show how people have lived in this mountain landscape for thousands of years.

The terrain is mountainous and requires good physical fitness for hiking through forests and across slopes. Visitors should arrive with sturdy footwear, water, and proper gear, as weather conditions in the mountains can change quickly.

Shikahogh holds the only grove of oriental plane trees in the Caucasus, growing among the oak, hornbeam and oriental beech forests. About 94 percent of the reserve is wooded, and 70 of its roughly 1,100 plant species are listed in Armenia's Red Book.