The short answer: Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, next to the spa town of Borjomi, has 12 marked trails. They range from a 3 km information trail and half-day loops near Likani to multi-day routes such as the 43 km Nikoloz Romanov trail, three days from Likani to Marelisi, with tourist shelters and campsites along the way. There is no entry fee, but you must register at a visitor centre before you set off. The high trails are for late spring to autumn; in winter there are snowshoe routes.
About the park
Founded in 1995, Borjomi-Kharagauli was the first national park of independent Georgia, created with support from the German government and WWF[1][2]. It covers more than 1% of the country, stretching across the Borjomi, Kharagauli and neighbouring municipalities[2]. Most of it is forest of spruce, fir and beech, some of it old-growth, rising to alpine meadows along the ridges[2]. The park has administration and visitor centres in Borjomi and Kharagauli[3].
Registration: do this first
Everyone walking in the park must register before entering[2][4]. The main visitor centre is in Borjomi, at 23 Meskheti Street; it is usually open 10:00–18:00 on weekdays and 10:00–17:00 at weekends, all year[2]. Staff give you trail maps, tell you about conditions and book shelters. Registration also means someone knows where you are, which matters on the longer routes, where there is little or no phone signal.
The trails
The park marks 12 trails[1][3][4]. The ones most visitors use:
Day and half-day walks
- Trail 7, the National Park Information Trail: a 3 km loop of about 90 minutes[3][4]. An easy introduction.
- Trail 12, Likani Valley: a 7 km circular walk from Likani, about half a day[4].
- Trail 8, Meghruki Valley: about 5.5 km[4].
- Trail 6, the Footprint Trail: 13 km, about 6 hours, of average difficulty, starting near the Likani ranger station[3][4]. A favourite full-day walk, climbing through forest to meadows with views.
Multi-day routes
- Trail 1, the Nikoloz Romanov trail: 43 km over 3 days, of moderate difficulty, from the Likani ranger station (930 m) to Marelisi (540 m), on foot or on horseback[3][4]. Nights are spent at tourist shelters, such as Lomismta and Sakhvlari, or in a tent[4]. It is named after the Grand Duke whose palace stands at Likani.
- Trail 2, the St Andrew trail: 54 km over up to 4 days from Atskuri, the most difficult route in the park, climbing high on the ridges[3][4].
- Trail 3, the Panorama trail: a 34 km circuit from Atskuri, over several days[4].
- Trail 5, the Zekari Pass trail: 24 km over 2 days from Abastumani[4].
- Trail 9, the Shepherds' trail: links routes 1 and 2, with two nights in shelters[4].
Winter: snowshoe trails
Two trails are set up for snowshoes: a 6 km day route of about 4 hours from the Atskuri ranger station, and a 15.5 km circuit from Likani over 2 days[3][4]. The Borjomi visitor centre rents snowshoes[2].
Shelters and camping
Tourist shelters, picnic spots and campsites with fire pits are set up along the routes[2][3]. The shelters are simple mountain huts, not guesthouses; ask what is provided. Book them and check prices at the visitor centre when you register, bring your own food and a sleeping bag, and light fires only at the marked sites[3]. The park also rents mountain bikes and can arrange horses[2].
When to go
- May to October: the main hiking season, when the high meadows are clear of snow. Early summer brings wildflowers; September and October bring autumn colour in the beech forest.
- Winter: the forest trails near Borjomi are walkable, and the snowshoe routes open. The high ridges are snowbound.
- Weather: changeable in the mountains at any time. Carry a waterproof and warm layer even in summer.
Which trail for you?
- A couple of hours: the Information Trail or part of the Likani Valley loop.
- A full, fit day: the Footprint Trail.
- A first multi-day hike: the Nikoloz Romanov trail, with shelters and moderate gradients.
- Experienced trekkers: the St Andrew trail.
Getting there, and combining it
Borjomi is about 160 km from Tbilisi, 2.5–3 hours by road, and the Likani entrance is just west of town. The old Kukushka narrow-gauge train to Bakuriani has not run since 2020, so arrive by road. A day walk fits well with a night in Borjomi, and from there the south is close: Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe is about an hour away, and Vardzia 1–1.5 hours beyond it, though part of the path at Vardzia has been closed since the rockfall of 27 May 2026. Read our Borjomi guide for the town and the spring, and our guide to Rabati Castle for the fortress.
Since 1 January 2026, travel insurance with at least 30,000 GEL of cover is mandatory for visitors to Georgia; make sure it covers hiking.
Seeing Borjomi with us
Our Vardzia, Rabati and Borjomi 2-day private trip includes Borjomi's Central Park and spring on the way south. If you want to hike, we can add a night in Borjomi and a day walk such as the Footprint Trail before you go on to Rabati and Vardzia; your driver-guide helps with registration and drops you at the trailhead. In winter, the Bakuriani Family Ski Break and Borjomi, 4 days offers non-skiers a snowshoe outing in the national park. Both are private, with your own car and English-speaking driver-guide; see the tour page for the current price. Or build your own route with a multi-day trek. Nothing to pay now.
Sources
- Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia, "Borjomi-Kharagauli Tourist Trails": apa.gov.ge
- Nationalparks.ge, "Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park": nationalparks.ge
- Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park: borjomi-kharagauli-np.ge
- Georgia.to, "Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Trails": georgia.to
Last checked: September 2026. Trail conditions, shelter bookings and visitor centre hours change; confirm when you register.
