Rainforest
Rare relict trees.
Paata vardanashvili — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paata vardanashvili — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paata vardanashvili — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paata vardanashvili — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Paata vardanashvili — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kottebevrot — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kober — CC BY-SA 4.0
A national park of dense forest in the Adjara mountains between the Black Sea and the highlands, covering about 15,700 hectares. Its name means «the weeping one», because it is among the wettest places in Georgia, with more than four thousand millimetres of rain a year. In 2021 it was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List as part of the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands, for its rare relict forests. Chestnut and Oriental beech grow here over an understorey of rhododendron and cherry laurel, and it is home to brown bears, roe deer, wild boar and many birds. Visitors usually start at the visitor centre in the village of Chakvistavi and follow trails through the forest and along clear rivers to waterfalls and pools. There is a zip line across the valley, horses to rent, camping and a tourist shelter. The Agency of Protected Areas lists no entry fee, only charges for services, such as 15 GEL for the zip line, and the tourist season runs from May to October. The ground is wet and rain is frequent, so wear proper walking shoes and bring a rain jacket.
Rare relict trees.
On the forest trails.
Across the valley.
Chakvistavi village, Kobuleti municipality, about thirty kilometres north-east of Batumi
May to October, the tourist season; expect rain at any time, so bring a rain jacket and walking shoes.