Trekking in Georgia, and Other Ways to Enjoy Georgia’s Great Outdoors
Georgia is blessed with an incredibly diverse nature. Within the span of just a few hundred kilometers stand the lofty Greater Caucasus mountains, the green and rolling Lower Caucasus, the austere Javakheti volcanoes, the mysterious and ancient Trialeti Range, and many more subranges and ridges perfect for clambering over, getting fantastic views, and reconnecting to the wilderness. Besides Georgia’s mountains, there are also mighty rivers, dense and jungly forests, open windswept steppes, seacoasts, swamps, and semi–deserts to explore. I’ve been everywhere and I love going back.
Georgia’s great outdoors can be explored in a wide variety of ways. On day trips, there are spectacular day hikes to be made a short distance from Tbilisi or any of the major cities. Longer, overnight treks can be undertaken, either camping in tents or staying in local villages, combining all kinds of different difficulty levels, distances, terrains, and regions. In many places, half–forgotten local summer camps offer a chance to stay overnight in primitive cottages and wander freely for days. If hiking is not your thing, it’s possible to arrange horseback trekking or fishing trips with locals, or just simply drive up somewhere with a great view and let the beautiful landscapes sink in. And if you don’t mind a bit of cold, it’s even possible to go on all kinds of beautiful low-altitude treks in the winter and early spring seasons.
Georgian nature offers endless possibilities and getting out there is one of my favorite things to do. I’m certain that the Georgian countryside will capture your heart and imagination. If there’s any sort of sight or activity that strikes your fancy, I’d love to hear from you; it would be my pleasure to help you design your trip to the places which will be most interesting for you. Have a look through these photos – all taken by me – to get just a taste of the variety of places that you can explore while trekking in Georgia.
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A little-known ridgeline in Kvemo Kartli, a moderate day’s hike from Khrami Canyon.
Near Bursachiri Waterfall in Gudamakari.
Bursachiri village in Gudamakari.
Trekking in the highlands of Guria near Meriakeli.
Jaji Lake in the highlands of Imereti.
Near Mepistskaro, the highest mountain in Imereti.
Tabatskuri village, Javakheti.
On the slopes of Danakhvisi Mountain, Kartli.
The Gombori Range near Tsivi Mountain, Kakheti.
Colored desert near Shavi Senaki, Kakheti.
Algeti National Park, Kartli.
Birtvisi Canyons, Kartli.
Grakali cliffs, Kartli.
Oboli-Klde (Orphan’s Cliff) Mountain, Kartli.
Saorbisi village, Kartli.
Upper Ateni valley, Kartli.
Looking out towards Ateni Valley, Kartli. 
Akhalchala, Lechkhumi, with Sazamtra and Tsikuri mountains in the background.
Akhalchala, Lechkhumi, with Khvamli and Askhi mountains in the background.
Looking towards the Samegrelo mountains on the way up to Akhalchala.
Sunrise from Khvamli mountain, Lechkhumi.
Horses near Sametskhvario Peak, Borjomi National Park, Meskheti.
Toba Waterfall, Samegrelo.
Tobavarchkhili Lake and Chitagvalashi Mountain, Samegrelo, one of the most spectacular destinations for trekking in Georgia.
On the trail to Tobavarchkhili, Samegrelo.
Looking down towards Svaneti from Kelida Pass.
The Ialno Ridge just north of Tbilisi.
En route to Udziro Lake from Glola, Racha.
En route to Askhi Massif from Balda village, Samegrelo.
Tamar’s Cliffs near Shkmeri village, Racha.
Katistsvera mountain, Racha.
At the summit of Satsalike mountain, Racha.
En route to Karta mountain, Kartli.
The trail to Kldekari fortress, Kartli.
The trail up from Tmogvi fortress to the plateau, Meskheti.
Somewhere in the Tori forests between Tsikhisjvari and the Mtkvari river, Meskheti.
The main ridge of the Caucasus near Ghurshevi, Racha.
The “Panorama Trail” of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Meskheti.