The World Heritage site “Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands” includes Mtirala National Park in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021. Adjara’s Colchic forests preserve relict and endemic tree and flower species, as well as rare animal species. Mtirala National Park is also home to rare endemic species of the Adjara-Lazeti region; several are listed in Georgia’s Red List of protected species.
Forests, Wetlands and Bird Migration
The Kobuleti Protected Area safeguards habitats for unique waterbird species and serves as a refuge for migratory birds, as well as breeding and wintering birds. From mid-August to mid-October, thousands of birds of prey from 32 different species pass along Adjara’s ten-kilometre-long coast. The nature experiences complement each other: Kobuleti represents protected habitats and different stages in the lives of birds, while the coast offers a time-limited migration of birds of prey.
The botanical gardens each offer something different, too. The Goderdzi Alpine Botanical Garden in Adjara’s mountain region has recorded 170 wild flora species from 111 genera and 50 families. Batumi Botanical Garden has nine floristic sections, three parks and a Colchic reserve, along with around 1,800 woody plants and 5,000 herbaceous plants. These details offer different insights into the region’s plant life: one through the diversity of recorded wild flora, the other through a garden’s collections and sections.
The Kobuleti Protected Area also has three easy hiking trails: “Ispani 2,” “White Moss” and “Drosera.” Special wooden bog skis are provided for the designated one-hectare section of the sphagnum bog. The area thus combines the protection of bird habitats with marked trails and a special way to access the bog.
Marked Trails and Different Excursions
Kintrishi National Park is located in Adjara, covers 13,514 hectares and is included on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. Its marked and well-maintained routes range in difficulty. They include a one-day hike to the Varjanauli and Tskhemvani arch bridges. Another option is a two-day hiking and horseback-riding tour to Utgovari and Lake Tbikeli. The comparison shows two excursions of different lengths; horseback riding is also part of the described programme for the longer tour.
The Kokoleti Trail is 15 kilometres long and takes six hours. Six kilometres of it are a hiking section through unspoilt Colchic forest, while the nine-kilometre driving section leads to the last inhabited homestead in the village of Kokoleti. This breakdown makes clear that the total distance is not entirely on foot.
Mtirala National Park has clearly marked one- and two-day routes, as well as designated areas for picnics, camping and campfires. A tourist shelter is located at the ninth kilometre of the trail. If you would like to take these facilities into account when planning, we recommend checking their current availability in advance.
Fortresses, Traditions and Cuisine
The Gonio-Apsaros Fortress in Adjara endured Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule in the region. The region’s history is also explored along the Machakhela Gun Road: this marked route in Khelvachauri Municipality is 39 kilometres long, is classified as an easy historical and cultural route, and is described as a two-day route. Khelvachauri is known for the tradition of making Machakhela guns and heirloom daggers. The route’s name thus points to a specific craft heritage, not just a trail.
The route from the village of Khikhadziri to Khikhani Fortress offers another way to explore the area. It is eight kilometres long and can be travelled on foot or by off-road vehicle. In Khulo, Kaymagi, Borano, Sinori and Nagbibora are among the recommended local dishes to try. Combining regional food and cultural themes offers different ways to discover everyday life and history in Adjara.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
Adjara can be reached by air and by road, rail and sea. The region’s ten tourist information centres provide free printed maps and guidebooks in Georgian, Russian and English. These materials include information about recreation in the region and routes in the mountainous areas of Adjara. As details about the centres may change, it’s worth checking them before a specific visit.
Discover more destinations: Keda, Sakhalvasho, Mirveti, Machakhlispiri, Kokhi, Buknari, Kharaula, Khelvachauri, Gomarduli, Gorgadzeebi, Namlisevi, Khala, Chakvistavi, Bako, Kapreshumi, Danisparauli, Khulo.
Back to the main travel overview: Georgia.
