Algeti National Park

Algeti National Park protects mountain forest on the southern slopes of the Trialeti range, in the upper valley of the Algeti river above Manglisi. It was first set up as a nature reserve in 1965 to protect the easternmost natural stands of Caucasian spruce and Nordmann fir, trees more typical of western Georgia, and it became a national park in 2007. The terrain rises to about 2,000 metres at Mount Kldekari. For visitors it means dark conifer forest, clearings and streams, and air that stays cool when Tbilisi bakes in summer.

The visitor centre is at 4 Kurorti Street in Manglisi, with a rope park in its yard. The park has five eco-tourism trails for walkers and riders, including Samepo Kedi, the Royal Ridge, a 16 km circular route. There are camping spots, a picnic area and cottages, bookable through the visitor centre. Manglisi itself, at 1,200 metres, has guesthouses and a historic cathedral, and the Didgori memorial and Dashbashi Canyon are within easy driving distance.