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National Parks in Georgia

Georgia's national parks are run by the Agency of Protected Areas (APA), and they cover an unusual range for such a small country. In a week you could walk through glacier valleys under Kazbek, humid Colchic rainforest above Batumi, conifer forest an hour from Tbilisi and near-desert badlands with mud volcanoes on the Azerbaijani border. The official count changes as new parks are created; in 2026 the APA lists around a dozen, alongside strict reserves and protected landscapes such as Lagodekhi and Kintrishi that work the same way for visitors.

Entry is free in almost every park. What you pay for are the extras: shelters on multi-day routes, campsites, horses, boat trips and, in Vashlovani, a small entry ticket. Most parks also ask hikers to sign in at the park office first, and trails near the borders with Russia, Azerbaijan or Turkey need a passport and sometimes a permit arranged days in advance.

Our order reflects what each park offers someone visiting Georgia for the first time. The high parks of the Greater Caucasus are summer destinations, roughly July to September, while the lowland and semi-desert parks are best in spring and autumn.

Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote, CC BY 4.0
1
Mtskheta-Mtianeti · Cities & Towns

Kazbegi National Park

The park wraps around Stepantsminda and the slopes of 5,054 m Mount Kazbek, a three-hour drive up the old Military Road from the capital. Day hikes lead to Gergeti Trinity Church, the Gergeti Glacier, the Gveleti falls and the Juta and Truso valleys. It is Georgia's easiest high-mountain park to reach, with plenty of guesthouses.

Best months
June to September for hiking; the town is reachable all year
Access
About 3 h by car from Tbilisi on a paved road; trailheads by taxi from Stepantsminda
Entry
Free
Read the guide →
Tusheti National ParkTusheti National ParkPhoto: Moahim, CC BY-SA 4.0
2
Kakheti · Nature & Hiking

Tusheti National Park

Pine-wooded gorges, alpine meadows and peaks over 4,000 m around the slate-tower villages of Tusheti, on the far side of the main Caucasus ridge. There are no gates; you explore on foot or horseback between Omalo, Dartlo, Shenako and Girevi. The only road crosses the Abano Pass and is open for a few months each summer.

Best months
July to September
Access
A long 4x4 day from Kakheti: 70 km of dirt road over the Abano Pass from near Kvemo Alvani
Entry
Free (shelters about 10 GEL per person, campsites about 5 GEL)
Read the guide →
Borjomi-Kharagauli National ParkBorjomi-Kharagauli National ParkPhoto: Polscience at English Wikipedia, Public domain
3
Samtskhe-Javakheti · Nature & Hiking

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

Founded in 1995, this is the oldest national park of independent Georgia and one of the biggest, covering beech, fir and spruce forest across the Meskheti range. Twelve marked trails range from a 7 km valley loop to the three-day Nikoloz Romanov Trail with mountain shelters. Snowshoe routes open in winter.

Best months
June to October; December to February for snowshoeing
Access
Visitor centre in Borjomi, about 160 km from Tbilisi; main trailheads at Likani and Atskuri
Entry
Free (registration required; shelters about 30 GEL per person)
Read the guide →
Lagodekhi National ParkLagodekhi National ParkPhoto: Paata vardanashvili, CC BY-SA 4.0
4
Kakheti · Nature & Hiking

Lagodekhi Protected Areas

Georgia's oldest reserve, set up in 1912, climbs from Kakheti's lowlands to the Caucasus ridge on the border with Dagestan. Day trails lead through deep beech forest to waterfalls and the ruined Machi fortress, and a three-day route climbs to Black Rock Lake on the main ridge. Technically a strict reserve plus a managed reserve, it is visited like a national park.

Best months
May to October; June to October for Black Rock Lake
Access
Marshrutkas and cars cover the 160 km from Tbilisi in under 3 h; the park office is on the edge of Lagodekhi town
Entry
Free (register with a copy of your ID)
Read the guide →
Vashlovani National ParkVashlovani National ParkPhoto: Paata Vardanashvili, CC BY 2.0
5
Kakheti · Nature & Hiking

Vashlovani National Park

Clay badlands, pistachio woodland and steppe in Georgia's dry south-east corner, a world away from the green Caucasus. Highlights are the Takhti-Tepa mud volcanoes, Eagle Gorge near Dedoplistskaro and the jungle-like Alazani floodplain forest on the Azerbaijani border. You need a 4x4 and ideally a ranger or local driver.

Best months
April to May and October to November; very hot in summer
Access
About 2 h by car from Tbilisi to the Dedoplistskaro visitor centre, then dirt tracks of 1 to 1.5 h
Entry
about 5 GEL (about $2) in 2026, plus about 5 GEL each for Takhti-Tepa and the floodplain forest
Read the guide →
Mtirala National ParkMtirala National ParkPhoto: Philipp Weigell, CC BY 3.0
6
Adjara · Nature & Hiking

Mtirala National Park

Steep Colchic rainforest just behind the Black Sea coast, and one of the wettest places in Georgia. An easy loop leads to a waterfall and swimming lake, with a zip line on the way, and a two-day trail climbs higher. Part of the UNESCO-listed Colchic forests since 2021.

Best months
May to October
Access
About 1 h by road from Batumi via Chakvi; narrow paved road to Chakvistavi
Entry
Free
Read the guide →
Kolkheti National Park and Paliastomi LakeKolkheti National Park and Paliastomi LakePhoto: Paata vardanashvili, CC BY-SA 4.0
7
Samegrelo & Svaneti · Nature & Hiking

Kolkheti National Park

Coastal peat bogs, reed beds and swamp forest around Poti, explored mainly by boat on Paliastomi Lake and the Pichori river. Close to 200 bird species have been recorded here, and spring and autumn migration along the coast is the high point. Several of its wetlands belong to the Colchic World Heritage site.

Best months
April to June and September to October
Access
On the southern edge of Poti, about 70 km north of Batumi
Entry
Free to enter; boat trips paid separately
Read the guide →
Shatili
8
Mtskheta-Mtianeti · Fortresses & Castles

Pshav-Khevsureti National Park

One of Georgia's newest parks protects the wild valleys of Pshavi and Khevsureti north of Zhinvali, including the area around the tower village of Shatili. Trails link ruined tower settlements such as Mutso with high passes toward Tusheti. Infrastructure is thin, so go with a local guide or driver.

Best months
July to September; the Datvisjvari Pass road usually closes from October to May
Access
Shatili is roughly 150 km from Tbilisi, most of a day in a 4x4 on gravel beyond Barisakho
Entry
Free
Read the guide →
Ninotsminda (Javakheti)Ninotsminda (Javakheti)Photo: Alfredovic, CC BY 3.0
9
Samtskhe-Javakheti · Cities & Towns

Javakheti National Park

High volcanic grassland and shallow lakes near the Armenian and Turkish borders, at around 2,000 m and above. The lakes of Khanchali, Madatapa and Bughdasheni draw cranes, pelicans and many other waterbirds on migration. Pair it with Paravani Lake and Vardzia on a southern loop.

Best months
May to September; April to May and September for birds
Access
Ninotsminda is a long half-day drive from Tbilisi via Tsalka; the lakes are close by on local roads
Entry
Free
Read the guide →
Machakhela National ParkMachakhela National ParkPhoto: Paata vardanashvili, CC BY-SA 4.0
10
Adjara · Nature & Hiking

Machakhela National Park

A green river valley on the Turkish border south-east of Batumi, created in 2012 to protect Colchic forest and village life together. Expect medieval stone bridges, old wine presses and small hamlets more than big hikes. The Kokoleti trail lies in the border zone and needs a permit requested at least 10 working days ahead.

Best months
May to October
Access
Under 1 h by car from Batumi along the Chorokhi river
Entry
Free (border-zone permit for the Kokoleti trail)
Read the guide →
Kintrishi Protected AreasKintrishi Protected AreasPhoto: dkhinveli, CC0
11
Adjara · Nature & Hiking

Kintrishi Protected Areas

A forested valley inland from Kobuleti with relict boxwood and yew, stone arched bridges and a long route to Lake Tbikeli. Much of it has been a strict reserve since 1959, with a protected landscape around the villages for walkers. It forms part of the Colchic World Heritage site.

Best months
May to October; June to September for Lake Tbikeli
Access
About 1 h from Kobuleti by car; 4x4 needed beyond Tskhemvani
Entry
Free
Read the guide →
Algeti National ParkAlgeti National ParkPhoto: Paata Vardanashvili (www.paata.ge), CC BY 2.0
12
Kvemo Kartli · Nature & Hiking

Algeti National Park

Spruce and fir forest on the Trialeti range above Manglisi, an hour from Tbilisi and several degrees cooler in summer. Five trails include the 16 km Royal Ridge loop, and there are campsites and cottages. It combines well with Dashbashi Canyon and Birtvisi.

Best months
June to September
Access
About 1 h by car or marshrutka from Tbilisi to the Manglisi visitor centre
Entry
Free
Read the guide →
Zedazeni MonasteryZedazeni MonasteryPhoto: Milan Tvrdy, CC BY 2.0
13
Mtskheta-Mtianeti · Churches & Monasteries

Tbilisi National Park

Forest on the Saguramo ridge between Tbilisi and Mtskheta, closest of all the parks to the capital. The 6th-century Zedazeni Monastery stands on its high point with views over the Aragvi valley. Trails are informal and best explored with a local guide.

Best months
April to June and September to October
Access
About 45 min by car from Tbilisi via Saguramo; the last stretch is steep and rough
Entry
Free
Read the guide →
Tips from your host
  • Register at the park visitor centre before any long hike; it is free and rangers can tell you about trail and weather conditions.
  • Book shelters ahead for Borjomi-Kharagauli and Lagodekhi in July and August, and carry your own sleeping bag.
  • Camp only at marked sites inside parks; wild camping elsewhere in Georgia is generally allowed.
  • For Machakhela's Kokoleti trail and other border-zone routes, apply for a permit at least 10 working days in advance.
  • Use a 4x4 with a local driver for Tusheti, Vashlovani and Khevsureti; rental cars are rarely insured for those roads.

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National Parks in Georgia, privately

Any date, any group size. Private guide, transport, horses and camping gear if needed.

Ready-made tourKazbegi Day Trip1 day · from $140 pp (sample)
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National Parks in Georgia: FAQ

How many national parks does Georgia have?

The Agency of Protected Areas lists around a dozen national parks in 2026, including Borjomi-Kharagauli, Kazbegi, Tusheti, Vashlovani, Mtirala, Kolkheti, Algeti, Tbilisi, Javakheti, Machakhela and Pshav-Khevsureti. Lagodekhi and Kintrishi are reserves and protected landscapes but are visited in the same way.

Which is the best national park in Georgia?

For mountain scenery that is easy to reach, Kazbegi. For remote villages and multi-day hiking or riding, Tusheti. For forest trails and shelters, Borjomi-Kharagauli. For something completely different, Vashlovani's semi-desert.

Do I have to pay to enter Georgian national parks?

Most are free. In 2026 Vashlovani costs about 5 GEL (about $2) to enter, with small extra fees for some sites inside. You pay for shelters, campsites, horse hire and boat trips.

Are permits needed for park trails?

Usually you only register at the visitor centre, sometimes with a copy of your ID. Trails in border zones, such as Kokoleti in Machakhela or some routes in Tusheti, need a permit arranged in advance.

Which national park is closest to Tbilisi?

Tbilisi National Park on the Saguramo ridge is about 45 minutes away. Algeti, near Manglisi, is about an hour away.

Which months suit which parks?

July to September for the high mountain parks of Kazbegi, Tusheti and Khevsureti. April to June and September to November for Vashlovani, Kolkheti and the lowland forests.

Can I see wildlife in Georgian national parks?

Birds are the easiest: eagles and vultures in Vashlovani and Tusheti, waterbirds in Kolkheti and Javakheti. Bears, tur and lynx live in Lagodekhi, Tusheti and Borjomi-Kharagauli, but you are more likely to see their tracks than the animals.

Which Georgian national parks are UNESCO-listed?

Mtirala, parts of Kolkheti and the Kintrishi reserve are components of the Colchic forests and wetlands, which UNESCO added to its World Heritage List in 2021.

Last checked Oct 2026 by the Maspindzeli team. Mountain conditions change: ask us before you go.

Tours that visit them

Ananuri FortressAnanuri FortressPhoto: Vadim Tolbatov, CC BY-SA 3.0
1 day
Day TripsClassic & Culture

Kazbegi Day Trip

One long, scenic day up the Georgian Military Highway: Ananuri Fortress, the 2,379 m Jvari Pass and a 4x4 ride to Gergeti Trinity Church under Mount Kazbek.

Easy · DT-01Bfrom $140 pp
TelaviTelaviPhoto: Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY 2.0
5 days
AdventureMountains & Nature

Tusheti 4x4 Adventure

By 4x4 over the high Abano Pass into Tusheti, Georgia's best-known mountain drive, then on foot to the Keselo towers, Shenako, Diklo and Dartlo.

Moderate · AD-05from $1,130 pp
Abano PassAbano PassPhoto: Chaoseli, CC BY-SA 4.0
6 days
AdventureHiking & Trekking

Tusheti on Horseback

Four days of riding Tush horses through the high valleys of north-east Georgia, from Omalo to Dartlo, up the Pirikiti Alazani to Parsma and Girevi, with nights in family guesthouses and a 4x4 crossing of the Abano Pass.

Moderate · AD-06from $1,370 pp
Old Tbilisi (Kala)Old Tbilisi (Kala)Photo: Alexxx1979, CC BY-SA 4.0
9 days
Hiking & TrekkingAdventure

Kazbegi & Khevsureti Trek

Acclimatise on Kazbegi trails, cross the 3,340 m Chaukhi Pass out of Juta to camp at the Abudelauri Lakes, then reach the tower villages of Shatili and Mutso.

Challenging · HK-09from $2,100 pp
BorjomiBorjomiPhoto: Sergey Sebelev, CC BY-SA 4.0
2 days
Classic & CultureMountains & Nature

Borjomi and Vardzia in 2 Days

A two-day loop through Samtskhe-Javakheti that splits the long drive to Vardzia in half: Borjomi's park and springs, the Green Monastery, Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe and Khertvisi on day one, then Queen Tamar's cave city before the crowds and the high Javakheti plateau on the way home.

Easy to moderate · CL-02from $390 pp
Zhinvali ReservoirZhinvali ReservoirPhoto: Smerus, Copyrighted free use
7 days
Mountains & NatureAdventure

Birdwatching in Georgia

A week built around three very different bird habitats: the alpine slopes of Kazbegi for Caucasus endemics, the semi-desert of Vashlovani and the Dali Reservoir in the far east, and the hills above Batumi where hundreds of thousands of raptors pass every autumn.

Moderate · NT-07from $1,350 pp
KedaKedaPhoto: G.N., CC BY-SA 3.0
1 day
Day TripsMountains & Nature

Adjara Highlands Day Trip

Swap the beach for the green valleys behind Batumi: Makhuntseti Waterfall and its medieval stone bridge, a home-cooked lunch with Chkhaveri wine in a Keda family cellar, and an afternoon walk in the chestnut woods of Machakhela National Park.

Easy · DT-01Ffrom $150 pp
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote, CC BY 4.0
8 days
AdventureHiking & Trekking

Mount Kazbek Climb

An eight-day guided expedition to the summit of Mount Kazbek, a dormant volcano on the Greater Caucasus ridge, by the classic route from Stepantsminda over the Gergeti glacier, with two acclimatisation days, glacier training and a spare day for weather.

Demanding/technical · AD-08from $1,730 pp

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