Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

ბორჯომ-ხარაგაულის ეროვნული პარკი

One of Europe's largest national parks, covering vast tracts of pristine forest, alpine meadows and mountain ridges. It offers a network of marked hiking and horse-riding trails with backcountry huts for multi-day treks.

Things to do

• Trek the Panorama Trail (Trail 1) — A demanding multi-day route from Likani to Marelisi with backcountry huts, crossing forested ridges and alpine meadows with sweeping views.
• Visit the Borjomi Central Park springs — Sample the famous warm mineral water straight from the source in the town's historic park before heading into the wilderness.
• Register at the St. Andrew Visitor Center in Likani — The main park gateway where you obtain permits, book huts and hire guides before starting your hike.
• Horse-riding through alpine meadows — Guided horseback tours follow marked trails across the park's high pastures, a traditional way to cover the vast terrain.
• Hike to Lomismta and the backcountry huts — Spend nights in simple wooden shelters deep in the forest along the interior trails for a true multi-day trek experience.
• Explore Kvabiskhevi and the forested foothills — A quieter trailhead entry point through spruce and beech forest offering shorter day hikes near the northern edge.
• Soak at the natural sulphur pools above Borjomi — A short walk up the Borjomula valley leads to open-air warm mineral pools set in the forest.

Food to try

• Borjomi mineral water — The naturally carbonated, mineral-rich spring water bottled here since the 19th century and drunk fresh from the source.
• Khachapuri — Cheese-filled bread found in local guesthouses, often the Imeruli or Megruli style served hot.
• Mtsvadi — Georgian skewered pork or beef grilled over vine or fruitwood, a staple meal after a long trek.
• Trout and forest mushrooms — Freshwater trout and wild mushrooms gathered locally appear on menus in Borjomi and nearby villages.
• Churchkhela and homemade preserves — Nut-and-grape-must candy strings and jams from wild berries sold by roadside vendors and guesthouses.

Local customs & good to know

• Book huts and permits in advance — Multi-day trails require registration at the visitor center and hut spaces can fill in summer, so plan ahead.
• Respect the toast and supra tradition — If invited to a meal, follow the tamada (toastmaster) who leads structured toasts with wine or chacha.
• Carry cash and pack for cold nights — Card payments are rare outside Borjomi town and mountain temperatures drop sharply even in summer.
• Hiking season is May to October — Higher alpine trails hold snow into late spring and become impassable in winter, so time your trek accordingly.

Nearby

• Green Monastery — 4 km
• Borjomi — 6 km
• Kintsvisi Monastery (Kartli (Shida & Kvemo)) — 40 km
• Sapara Monastery — 42 km