Pahakasar, Mountain summit in Vayots Dzor, Armenia

Pahakasar is a mountain summit in the Teqsar range located at approximately 2000 meters elevation in southern Armenia. The peak rises above the surrounding terrain with wide views across neighboring peaks and the highland landscape.

Pahakasar lies in the Teqsar range, a southern spur of the Vardenis mountains, 2 km southeast of Herher village in Vayots Dzor. Armenian sources give its height as 2004 m; Swedish measurements record the summit at 1943 m, 37 m above the surrounding terrain. The nearest larger settlement is Vayk, about 11.7 km to the southwest.

The name Pahakasar means "guard mountain," from a tradition that during a Lezgin invasion villagers took turns standing guard on the peak. When the enemy appeared, the watchman alerted the villagers, who went up the mountain armed. One night the Lezgins killed the guard secretly, and the mountain was named Pahakasar after that.

Multiple hiking trails lead to the summit starting from Herher village, with the best climbing season spanning June through September. Prepare properly for mountain conditions and allow time for the weather to change at higher elevations.

The name Pahakasar means "guard mountain": tradition says villagers took turns standing watch here during Lezgin raids and lit warning signals when the enemy appeared. One night the raiders killed the sentry silently, and the peak was named for that guard.