Kakheti: three-day trek route Lake of Black Rocks
During the route, tourists will visit one of the most beautiful places in Georgia – the unique Lagodekhi Nature Reserve. At the moment it has the status of a national park. Despite the fact that the Lagodekh National Park was created at the beginning of the last century, access to its territory was limited. Lagodekhi National Park was opened for free access only in 2005.
Along the way, you will find picturesque places that have no analogues anywhere in the world, ascents and descents, crossings over stormy mountain rivers, overnight at a weather station and evening rest by the campfire. Going on the road, it should be taken into account that during the passage of the route we will rise from a height of 400 meters above sea level to 3500.
Day 1. Start
Our hike to the Black Rocks Lake starts from the administrative center, where it is necessary to issue a pass. To do this, you will need an identity card. Already on the first day of the journey we will have the opportunity to get acquainted with a lot of different rare plants, some of which are listed in the Red Book.
Hornbeam grove, located at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level, is one of the attractions of Georgia – such plants are extremely rare in the Caucasus. About one and a half thousand different plants grow on the territory of the Lagodekh National Park. Going further, we will be able to see a beech grove and a high-altitude maple.
Our goal is the former weather station where we will spend the night. It is located at an altitude of two kilometers above sea level. There are equipped places for picnics and overnight stays.
Day 2. Black Rocks Lake
Lake of Black Rocksis the intermediate goal of today. Perhaps we will be lucky, and along the way we will meet representatives of the local fauna. Following through the Kochalo ridge, on the upper border of the alpine zone, you can find chamois, mountain goat or deer. There are especially many different birds in the Lagodekhi National Park.
The Lake of Black Rocks, which we have been striving for all this time, is located at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level. It is a natural border between Georgia and the Russian Federation – part of the Black Rocks Lake is located on the territory of Dagestan. The natural reservoir was formed during the ice Age, it is framed by large mountains that really seem black. As for the water, it is very clean and gives off blue.
There is a small campsite near the lake. You can set up camp here. The installation of the tent will have to be paid, the cost will be about a couple of dollars. We will stay overnight at the Demidovsky Apartments.
Day 3. The final
Today we have a relatively simple final transition ahead of us. The length of the path is about 15 km . Along mountain paths and gorges, bypassing ridges and peacefully flowing turbulent rivers, we will again reach civilization. But the impressions received from visiting the Black Rocks Lake and Lagodekhi National Park will stay with us forever. The route is assigned an average difficulty.
The total length of trekking: 48 – 50 km.
Duration – 3 days.
37 comments
Log in to leave a comment
Особенно впечатлило, как автор рассказывает про ночёвки у бывшей метеостанции и рядом с озером, где вечером у костра можно слушать тишину гор — такого ощущения единения с природой я давно не испытывал. Информация про редкие растения, возможные встречи с сернами и горными козлами и маршруты на каждый день сделала мой поход безопаснее и насыщеннее.
А после трёх дней активного похода я заглянул в местное кафе в Лагодехи и попробовал кахетинское вино с местным сыром 🍷🧀 — идеальное завершение путешествия. Спасибо каталогу мадлобу за такие подробные рейтинги!
Кто уже прошёл этот трек — какие моменты вас впечатлили сильнее всего: виды озера, альпийские ночи или животные, что встречались на пути? ❄️✨