The Best Hikes and Nature Trails Around Borjomi, Georgia

💰 Click here to see Georgia Budget Breakdown

💰 Prices updated: June, 2026. Budget figures are estimates — always verify before travel.

Exchange Rate: $1 USD = ₾2.70

Daily Budget (per person)

Shoestring: ₾80.00 – ₾160.00 ($29.63 – $59.26)

Mid-range: ₾160.00 – ₾380.00 ($59.26 – $140.74)

Comfortable: ₾600.00 – ₾1,000.00 ($222.22 – $370.37)

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel/guesthouse: ₾20.00 – ₾40.00 ($7.41 – $14.81)

Mid-range hotel: ₾110.00 – ₾220.00 ($40.74 – $81.48)

Food (per meal)

Budget meal: ₾20.00 ($7.41)

Mid-range meal: ₾45.00 ($16.67)

Upscale meal: ₾90.00 ($33.33)

Transport

Single metro/bus trip: ₾1.00 ($0.37)

Monthly transport pass: ₾40.00 ($14.81)

Borjomi in 2026: Still Georgia’s Best Hiking Basecamp — But Plan Ahead

Borjomi has always drawn visitors for its mineral springs, but in 2026 the town is firmly on the radar as one of the Caucasus’s most accessible hiking destinations. The problem most travelers run into is arriving without a plan. Trail conditions, permit requirements, and transport links to trailheads have all shifted since 2024 — the national park visitor centre now operates a new online registration system for overnight routes, and several trail sections were rerouted after landslides in late 2024. This guide cuts through the confusion and tells you exactly what to do, where to go, and how to budget for hiking in and around Borjomi right now.

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park: What You Need to Know Before You Step In

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the Caucasus — roughly 85,000 hectares of mixed forest, alpine meadow, and river gorge straddling the Lesser Caucasus range. It sits directly behind the town of Borjomi, which means you can walk from your guesthouse into genuine wilderness in under an hour.

The park is jointly managed by the Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia. Since early 2025, day visitors no longer need a permit for trails that stay below 2,000 metres — you simply register at the visitor centre on Meskheti Street in Borjomi or online at the APA portal. Overnight camping within the park does require a permit, which costs 20 GEL per person per night and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Rangers do check, especially on the Likani and Borjomi-Kharagauli ridge routes.

The main visitor centre at the Borjomi entrance of the park (near the Likani Palace gardens) provides trail maps in English and Georgian, updated path conditions, and basic first-aid guidance. There is a second entrance point in Kharagauli town, which is useful if you are planning a one-way traverse by train — Georgian Railway connects Kharagauli to Tbilisi on the Tbilisi–Batumi line.

The Best Marked Trails: From a Two-Hour Walk to a Five-Day Traverse

Trail 1: Borjomi Gorge Walk (Easy, 6 km round trip)

This is the entry-level route and the one most visitors do without even realising they are in a national park. Starting from the Borjomi Central Park, the path follows the Borjomula River upstream through a narrow gorge shaded by oak and hornbeam. The air in here smells of damp moss and pine resin, especially in the morning when mist sits low over the water. The path is well-maintained gravel for the first 2 km, then becomes packed earth. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours return. No permit required.

Trail 2: Borjomi–Lodovani–Timotesubani Loop (Moderate, 18 km)

One of the most rewarding day hikes in the region. The route climbs steeply out of Borjomi through beech forest, crosses a ridge with views back over the spa town and the Mtkvari valley, then descends to the medieval Timotesubani monastery before looping back along the river road. Total elevation gain is around 850 metres. Most fit hikers complete it in 6 to 7 hours. This trail is marked with yellow blazes and is consistently one of the best-maintained in the park system.

Trail 3: Borjomi to Likani Plateau (Moderate–Challenging, 22 km one way)

This longer route takes you up to the Likani plateau at around 2,100 metres — open alpine terrain with panoramic views of the surrounding ranges. From late June through early September the plateau is covered in wildflowers. You can do this as a hard single day with an early start, or split it across two days using the Likani hut (booking essential in 2026, 30 GEL per person per night through the APA portal).

Trail 4: The Borjomi–Kharagauli Trans-Caucasus Section (Multi-Day, 5–7 days)

The full traverse from Borjomi to Kharagauli is the flagship route of the national park. It runs approximately 120 km through the heart of the park, using a series of overnight huts spaced roughly a day’s walk apart. The huts are basic — sleeping platforms, a wood stove, and a water source nearby — but they are well-maintained and dramatically located. This route is suitable for experienced hikers with good navigation skills and proper mountain gear. The elevation reaches over 2,600 metres on the ridge sections.

Waterfall Hikes and River Valley Walks Worth the Detour

Several of the best short hikes around Borjomi follow tributary gorges rather than climbing the main ridge, and these are often overlooked by visitors focused on altitude.

Kvabiskhevi Gorge and the Twin Falls

About 8 km north of Borjomi town, the Kvabiskhevi side valley holds a pair of waterfalls accessible by a 3 km trail from the village of Kvabiskhevi. The lower fall drops about 12 metres into a clear pool and is easy to reach in under an hour. The upper fall requires a short scramble over wet rocks — wear grippy shoes rather than walking sandals. The sound of the water in the narrow gorge is genuinely loud enough to feel in your chest when the snow is melting in May and June.

Borjomula River Trail (Forest Section)

Beyond the main gorge walk described above, the Borjomula trail continues for another 4 km into denser forest. This section sees far fewer visitors and the path becomes rougher. There are several small cascades along this stretch and the tree cover is thick enough that it stays cool even on hot August afternoons. A good option for photographers who want reflections and forest light without climbing.

Mtkvari Riverbank Walk South to Bakuriani Junction

Not technically a wilderness trail but worth mentioning: a flat riverside path follows the Mtkvari (Kura) River south from central Borjomi toward the junction village of Bakuriani Road for about 5 km. It is entirely flat, suitable for all fitness levels, and passes through mixed riverside woodland. A practical option for rest-day movement without effort.

Wildlife, Flora, and What You Might Actually See

Borjomi-Kharagauli is home to brown bear, wolf, lynx, red deer, chamois, and wild boar. You are unlikely to see the large predators, but you almost certainly will see signs — prints in mud near streams, overturned logs, and the occasional scratch mark on a beech trunk at head height. Chamois are visible on the open rocky sections above the treeline, particularly in the early morning on the Likani plateau route.

Bird life is rich. Look for Caucasian black grouse on the upper meadows in early summer and Eurasian eagle-owl calling at dusk near the gorge sections. The park is one of the few places in Georgia where the endangered Caucasian salamander can be spotted near cold, clear streams above 1,200 metres — it looks like a small dark lizard but moves very slowly in the cold water.

Flora peaks in late May and June. The alpine meadows above 1,800 metres fill with Caucasian rhododendron (deep pink-purple), gentian, and various orchid species. The beech and oak forest lower down turns spectacular gold and amber in October, making autumn one of the most visually rewarding seasons despite the shorter days.

Guided vs. Solo Hiking: Making the Right Call

Most of the shorter, marked day trails around Borjomi are straightforward enough for confident independent hikers. The English-language trail markers have improved significantly since 2024, and the APA maps are accurate enough for the marked routes.

Where a guide adds genuine value is on the multi-day Borjomi–Kharagauli traverse and on any off-trail exploration above 2,000 metres. Weather changes fast in the Lesser Caucasus — a clear morning can turn to a thunderstorm by early afternoon with almost no warning. A local guide will also know which hut water sources are currently reliable and which sections of the trail have recent storm damage.

In Borjomi town, several licensed guide operators work from the visitor centre area. Expect to pay between 120 and 200 GEL per person per day for a guided group day hike, and 180 to 280 GEL per person per day for multi-day guided trips including hut accommodation. Solo travellers hiring a private guide for a day hike pay around 300 to 400 GEL total.

If you want to go solo on the longer routes, register your itinerary at the visitor centre and leave an emergency contact. Rangers conduct regular patrols on the main traverse route from June through September.

Gear, Permits, and 2026 Trail Conditions

There is no dedicated outdoor equipment shop in Borjomi town itself. Bring everything from Tbilisi — the sporting goods shops on Chavchavadze Avenue and in the Galleria Tbilisi mall stock trail shoes, trekking poles, and lightweight layers. Do not rely on buying anything more technical than basic socks or a rain poncho locally.

• Day hikes below 2,000 m: No permit required. Register at the visitor centre or APA portal for trail counts.
• Overnight camping in the park: 20 GEL per person per night, booked online at least 24 hours ahead.
• Hut stays: 30 GEL per person per night, bookable through the APA portal. Limited to 12–16 people per hut.



• Trail conditions 2026: The section between huts 3 and 4 on the main traverse was rebuilt after 2024 landslides and reopened in spring 2025. The Timotesubani loop is fully operational. The highest ridge sections are typically clear of snow from late May to mid-October.

Minimum gear for a serious day hike: trail shoes with ankle support, 2 litres of water capacity (springs are available but filter to be safe), waterproof jacket, hat and gloves above 1,800 m even in summer, and a basic first-aid kit. Trekking poles make a significant difference on the steep descents from the Likani plateau.

Where to Eat Before and After the Trail

Borjomi is a small town but has enough eating options to fuel a hiking trip properly. The central market on Kostava Street operates every morning until around 14:00 and is the best place to stock up on bread, hard cheese, dried fruit, nuts, and locally made churchkhela for trail snacks. The vendors here sell individual portions, so you can build a custom trail lunch for 15 to 25 GEL without buying more than you need.

For a hot meal before an early start, a handful of small café-restaurants near the central park open from 08:00 and serve eggs, fresh bread, and strong Turkish-style coffee. After a long day on the trail, the restaurants along the main Rustaveli Street area in Borjomi serve grilled meats, bean dishes, and fresh salads — nothing fancy, but exactly what your legs are asking for. A full dinner with a glass of local wine runs 35 to 55 GEL per person.

The mineral water flowing from the public fountain in Borjomi Central Park is free and perfectly safe to drink — many hikers fill bottles here before heading out. It has a distinct sulphurous mineral taste that is an acquired preference, but it is genuinely restorative after a long climb in warm weather.

Getting to the Trailheads from Borjomi Town

The Borjomi gorge trailhead starts directly from the central park — no transport needed. For the Timotesubani loop and the Likani plateau route, the standard approach is to take a taxi from central Borjomi to the Likani park gate (about 3 km, 10 to 15 GEL). From there the marked trail begins immediately.

For the Kvabiskhevi gorge, a shared marshrutka minibus runs from Borjomi’s main bus stand toward Khashuri and passes through Kvabiskhevi village — fare is around 2 GEL. Confirm with the driver that they stop at the village, as not all services do.

If you are starting or finishing the multi-day traverse at Kharagauli, the Georgian Railway connection is the cleanest option. The Tbilisi–Batumi line stops at Kharagauli, and with the 2026 schedule update there is now a direct connection to Tbilisi in the morning and one in the mid-afternoon. From Borjomi, take a marshrutka or taxi to Khashuri (the nearest major rail junction, about 25 km) and connect from there. The whole logistics chain works but requires timing — plan this the night before, not the morning of.

Best Time to Hike Around Borjomi: Month by Month

May–June: The best combination of wildflowers, manageable temperatures, and clear trails. Snow clears from higher routes by late May most years. Expect some rain — the Borjomi area gets significant spring precipitation. Mornings are often clear even when afternoons cloud over.

July–August: Peak season. Trails are busy on weekends, huts book out weeks ahead, and afternoon thunderstorms are common above 1,800 metres. Start early — aim to be at or below the treeline by 14:00. Temperatures in the gorge can be warm (27–30°C) while the ridge may be 12–15°C with wind.

September–October: The local favourite. Crowds drop sharply after Georgian school holidays end in mid-September. Temperatures are ideal for sustained hiking — 15 to 22°C in the valley. The beech forest turns colour from early October. The main traverse routes are still clear until mid-October in most years.

November–April: Higher routes are snow-covered and the huts are closed. The gorge walks and lower forest trails remain accessible throughout winter and are genuinely beautiful in the snow, but require proper footwear. Temperatures can drop to -10°C or below on the ridges from December through February.

What Hiking Around Borjomi Actually Costs in 2026

Budget Tier (solo, camping or shared hut, minimal guiding)

• Accommodation in Borjomi: 40–70 GEL per night (hostel dorm or budget guesthouse)
• Overnight camping permit: 20 GEL per night
• Hut accommodation: 30 GEL per night
• Trail food from the market: 15–25 GEL per day
• Transport to trailhead: 2–15 GEL depending on route
• Estimated daily total: 80–130 GEL

Mid-Range Tier (guesthouse, day hikes, some restaurant meals)

• Guesthouse with breakfast: 100–180 GEL per night
• Restaurant dinners: 40–60 GEL per person
• Taxi to trailhead: 15–30 GEL return
• Guided day hike (group): 120–200 GEL per person
• Estimated daily total: 200–350 GEL

Comfortable Tier (private guesthouse or small hotel, private guide, full meals)

• Private room in a well-equipped guesthouse or boutique stay: 200–350 GEL per night
• Private guide for a day: 300–400 GEL
• Private taxi transfers: 40–60 GEL per trip
• Full restaurant meals: 60–100 GEL per person per day
• Estimated daily total: 500–750 GEL

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to hike in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park?

Day hikes on marked trails below 2,000 metres do not require a permit in 2026 — you just register at the visitor centre or online at the APA portal. Overnight camping costs 20 GEL per person per night and requires a booking at least 24 hours in advance. Hut stays cost 30 GEL per person per night and must also be pre-booked.

How fit do I need to be for the day hikes around Borjomi?

The gorge walk is suitable for any fitness level and takes 2 to 2.5 hours. The Timotesubani loop involves 850 metres of elevation gain and takes 6 to 7 hours — you need a reasonable base level of fitness. The Likani plateau route is demanding and suited to experienced hikers comfortable with full-day mountain terrain.

Is it safe to hike alone in Borjomi-Kharagauli?

Solo hiking is generally safe on the marked day trails. For overnight and multi-day routes, register your itinerary at the visitor centre and carry a means of emergency communication. The main risks are weather changes and getting off-trail above the treeline. Rangers patrol the main traverse route regularly between June and September.

What is the best time of year to hike around Borjomi?

May, June, September, and early October offer the best conditions. May and June bring wildflowers and clear high-route access. September and October deliver ideal temperatures and autumn colour in the beech forest with far fewer visitors. July and August are possible but require early starts to avoid afternoon thunderstorms above 1,800 metres.

Can I get from Borjomi to Kharagauli by train after hiking the traverse?

Not directly — Borjomi town does not have a train station on the main Tbilisi–Batumi line. You finish the traverse in Kharagauli, which does have a station with direct trains to Tbilisi. The 2026 Georgian Railway schedule includes a morning and a mid-afternoon departure from Kharagauli to Tbilisi. Check the GR website for current times before planning your exit day.

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📷 Featured image by Irakli Kvaratskhelia on Unsplash.