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Photos: Giorgi Balakhadze (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Lagodekhi National Park

Kakheti · Nature

Getting there
About 160 km (2.5–3 h) from Tbilisi on paved roads via Sagarejo and Bakurtsikhe
Best time
May–October
Recommended stay
Half a day to 3 days

About Lagodekhi National Park

Lagodekhi Protected Areas, founded in 1912 as Georgia's first nature reserve, cover the forested southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus above the town of Lagodekhi in eastern Kakheti, about 160 km from Tbilisi. Marked trails, most starting at the visitor centre on the edge of town, include forest walks of 3–6 hours to the Black Grouse and Ninoskhevi waterfalls, a trail from nearby Matsimi to the ruined Machi fortress, and a demanding three-day hike to Black Rock Lake on the border with Dagestan. It pairs well with a Kakheti wine trip.

Must-See Attractions

  • Black Grouse Waterfall trail

    About 9.5 km return through beech and hornbeam forest with stream crossings, 3–5 h. Ninoskhevi (Great) Waterfall: An 8.5 km forest trail of 4–6 h to a waterfall about 40 m high.

  • Machi Fortress

    A walk of about 10.5 km (3–4 h) from the village of Matsimi to the ruins of a medieval fortress with views over the Alazani plain.

  • Black Rock Lake

    A 3-day return hike to a glacial lake at about 2,800 m on the Georgia–Russia border, open June–October.

Nearby

  • Sighnaghi

    Walled hill town above the Alazani valley, about 60 km (1 h).

  • Kvareli

    Wine town with cellars tunnelled into the hillside, about 45 km (50 min).

  • Nekresi Monastery

    Hillside monastery with valley views, about 60 km (1 h).

Location

View on map

Good to know

Getting there

About 160 km (2.5–3 h) from Tbilisi on paved roads via Sagarejo and Bakurtsikhe; trails start at the visitor centre on the northern edge of Lagodekhi town.

Best time

May–October; June–September for Black Rock Lake

Best time

The forest trails are pleasant from late spring to autumn, with full waterfalls in May and June and colour in October, while the high route to Black Rock Lake is only open and safe in summer.

Recommended stay

Half a day to 3 days

Registration

Register at the visitor centre before you walk; for the Machi Fortress and Black Rock Lake trails bring your passport (or a copy), as the routes run near the border.

Fees

Walking the trails is free; there are small charges for equipment hire, shelters and campsites.

Walking

Waterfall trails are rocky with stream crossings and can be slippery; wear hiking boots.

Black Rock Lake

Only with a mountain guide and in settled weather; allow three days.

Wildlife

Keep to the marked trails; the forest has bears and wild boar.

History & culture

History

The reserve was established in 1912, during the Russian Empire, on the initiative of the forester and naturalist Ludwig Mlokosiewicz, which makes it the oldest protected area in Georgia and one of the oldest in the Caucasus. Today it is managed by the Agency of Protected Areas as a strict nature reserve and a managed reserve. The Machi fortress on one of the trails is a medieval stronghold that guarded the valley.

Accommodation

Family guesthouses and a few small hotels in Lagodekhi town, within walking distance of the visitor centre. On the Black Rock Lake route the park has basic tourist shelters (about 30 GEL per person) and campsites; tents and sleeping bags can be hired at the visitor centre.

Nearby destinations

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