Hiking
Hiking
Among the variety of tourist activities, hiking and walks in nature are the most common and popular options that can have an extraordinary positive impact on an individual's mind, body, and spirit. Be it a breath of fresh air while trekking, physical exercise in nature, or exploring a place filled with breathtaking views, the diverse environment of Ajara provides ample opportunities. Trekking in Ajara stands out for its vibrant colors of nature across all four seasons, brimming with wonderful discoveries and sensations.
If you are a fan of the winter season, adventures, long hikes, skiing in untouched snow, and similar activities, you should definitely pay a visit to mountainous Ajara.
Located 80 km east of Batumi and at an elevation of 2000 meters above sea level, is the municipality of Khulo. Here you can experience authentic rural life, ancient customs, traditions, culture, and the delightful local cuisine. You can see unique wooden houses, farm animals, agriculture, beekeeping, and tobacco plantations of Ajara. All this gives you a sense that time flows differently here, distinct from the hustle and quick pace of city life.
The journey from Batumi to Khulo takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. En route, you will encounter incredibly beautiful mountain views. Along the way, you can stop to visit the Makhuntseti waterfall and the stone bridge of King Tamar.
On the opposite slope, across the valley, is the quaint village of Tago. The trail begins from the center of Daba Khulo, from where you can reach the village of Tago via a cable car. This cable car was installed in 1985, has a length of 1720 meters and is one of the longest ropeways in Europe without any supporting structure. It's also possible to reach the village by car. Due to the challenging terrain, hiking here is recommended from late spring to early autumn. Here, you will encounter stunning panoramic views, forest trails, and a lake.
Before embarking on a hiking journey, it's crucial to plan your trip in advance, be properly equipped, check the local conditions, and above all, respect the environment.
As the long winter finally gives way to spring, you are once again ready for warm-weather trips, hikes, and adventures. The most popular destinations in Ajara are especially captivating in the spring season due to their stunning landscapes. Most tourist hotspots tend to be crowded between July and September, making spring an ideal time to visit your dream destination and avoid the rush. This provides a great opportunity to explore the attractions during a quieter period and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere in local restaurants, bars, and shops.
While the allure of a summer vacation can be strong, popular tourist destinations may be more crowded than in the spring. Therefore, I recommend opting for hiking tours in Adjara's National Parks when the temperature is still comfortably warm and not excessively hot.
Machakhela National Park, located 50 km from Batumi, ranks among the most beautiful places in Georgia. Here, you will encounter mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and ancient subtropical forests. The hiking trail in Machakhela National Park is somewhat challenging but thoroughly engaging. At the end of the route, you will find yourself on a mountain peak, offering magnificent views.
Two paths are available in the park area: The Archangel's path, meandering between beech and chestnut trees, crosses mountain streams and springs, passes by old settlements, leads to an alder-lined avenue, and concludes at Archangel's Mountain. From this point, you can see the confluence of the Chorokhi River with the Black Sea. It can be said that the entirety of Ajara can be viewed from this location. Very close to this vantage point, there's an eco-educational space where visitors can learn about the flora and fauna of Machakhela National Park and participate in eco-educational lectures and other events.
The Kokoleti trail route starts from the village of Lower Kokoleti. After traversing the village road (9 km), the trail continues through a Colchis-type forest. This is a mixed deciduous-coniferous forest, and after passing through it, you'll reach an observation point from where you can view the protected area of Turkey - the "Jamili Biosphere Reserve," along with five villages of the historic Upper Machakhela. Prior to the lookout, you'll find a picnic and tent area for those who wish to camp overnight. Hikers can savor the lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, and refreshing cold springs.
During the hike, you will encounter stunning vistas and villages of the Machakhela valley. Here, visitors have the opportunity to see cannons from the Second World War, the King Tamar arched bridge constructed in the 12th century, the Chkhutuneti castle, and 11th-13th-century wine cellars. At the end of the path, you will witness a spectacular sight - a roaring river with small waterfalls and immense boulders, and nestled between the verdant rocks, two 47-meter-high cliffs known as the Twin Falls.
The villages here carry fascinating tales steeped in folklore and heritage craftsmanship. In the Machakhela valley, you'll discover fortresses, weapons workshops, an impressive ethnographic museum, historical bridges, and intriguing folk architecture.
The paths in the park are laid out in such a way that you won't lose your way even without a guide. Easy trails are marked with yellow paint on trees and stones, medium difficulty trails with red paint, and challenging trails with blue paint.
Mtirala National Park offers two marked circular hiking trails. Both trails begin at the visitor center, but you also have the option to start from the village of Chakvistkali. A shorter route named "Tsablnari" spans about 7 kilometers and runs alongside the Chakvistskali river, then by a lake, and finally ends at the Tsablnari waterfall. Despite the route being relatively easy to hike, appropriate footwear is recommended due to the trail potentially being slippery from high humidity.
The more challenging "Tsivtskaro" route spans roughly 16 kilometers. It's recommended to allocate two days for this trek. The path is clear and reasonably easy until the tourist shelter, after which some areas are more challenging to navigate, yet very interesting and diverse.
Additional information about the park and a trail map can be obtained from the visitor center, as well as tourist information centers. Especially for a long trail, ensure you have sufficient water and food, as well as a first aid kit and waterproof clothing. On hot summer days, swimming in the lake is permitted. In autumn, you can relish the stunning view of the lake.
The first 1,200-meter footpath in Kintrishi National Park begins at the arched stone bridge over the Kintrish River. This structure, dating from the latter half of the 11th-12th centuries, is regarded as a monument of national importance. The path then leads to St. George's Cathedral, where you can visit an ancient wine cellar and a waterfall. Visitors can savor the stunning landscapes while journeying along the trail, and avail of the shelter, tents, and picnic area.
The second trail is of medium difficulty and spans two days. The route begins at the Tskhemvana visitor shelter and continues to Tbikeli Lake, located at an altitude of 1900-2000 meters above sea level. The Caucasian newt inhabits the lake. The route to the lake spans 16 kilometers and can be traversed either on foot or on horseback. It's an ideal route for hiking, horseback riding, and camping. The rarest representatives of ancient berries have existed in the reserve for over a thousand years. The newts, popular inhabitants of Tkibeli Lake, are listed in the Red Book and are considered a protected species. A tent camp is often set up on the lakeshore, offering one of the most vibrant sunrises in Georgia.
The Ispani sphagnum peatlands, located 28 kilometers from Batumi, feature on the UNESCO natural heritage list. Before deciding to visit, it's advisable to contact the Kobuleti Protected Areas Visitor Center, from where a guide can accompany you. Here, you can rent swamp skis, facilitating movement through the peatland. There's also a tower within the protected area, providing a panoramic view of the entire peatland. From this tower, you can observe migratory birds. If you visit this remarkable place in spring, you'll also witness the flowering of the endemic species of Colchic Water Lily.
Within the protected area of Kobuleti, there are trails available, and you can opt for educational and scientific tours based on your interest.
If you're planning a hike in the summer or fall, a visit to waterfalls, lakes, and rivers is a must. In this scenario, we recommend that you visit the waterfall in the vicinity of the village of Gobroneti, the forest populated with Colchis vegetation, and the area of Latevra Mountain. The journey starts from the center of Gobroneti village, heads north, and follows the village road to the footpath leading to the Gobroneti waterfall. The path is carved into the right slope of the Ajaristskali River and follows the irrigation canal manually dug by locals from the waterfall. As you march along the route, you'll encounter Colchis-type plants spread across the Ajaristskali valley, with the slopes brimming with abundant beech-chestnut groves, hornbeams, oaks, and even conifers. On the way, you might come across traces of wildlife, such as bears, wolves, deer, foxes, badgers, and wild boars in Ragdan forest. From the avian world, you can expect to see nightingales, thrushes, sparrows, and magpies. The tourist trail follows a flat road, with minor ascents in smaller sections, and after 6 km, you will reach the beautiful Gobroneti waterfall. The waterfall's height measures around 20 meters. The next point of the tourist route is Mount Latevra. There's a beautiful mixed forest on the slope, as well as rare trees and plants listed in the Red Book. After crossing the road, you'll arrive in Latevra, where you can learn about local agricultural traditions and taste environmentally friendly dairy products.
En route to Gobroneti village, you'll be treated to a beautiful view of the valley, and you'll come across a spring and a picnic spot along the way. It's worth noting that two family hotels operate in Gobroneti, allowing you to stay in the village, learn about local traditions, taste local agricultural products, and enjoy the beautiful views of the Ajaristskali valley.
Therefore, no matter what season you visit Ajara, you'll certainly find a hiking spot that not only fulfills all your requirements but will also completely captivate your soul and heart in a way that you'll never forget.
