🗺️ One-day route from Batumi: where to go for 1 day to see waterfalls, fortresses and suspension bridges?
🌄 Want to see waterfalls, fortresses and hanging bridges — all in one day? 🚗 We have put together a ready-made route from Batumi with a map, photos and stops. We will tell you how to get there by car or minibus, where to swim in mountain waterfalls and what secret places you won’t find in any guide. Why this route is shared only with friends — read our article!
🚗 We left Batumi in the morning and returned in the evening feeling as if we had visited another world - we share the route, where every turn is surprising.
🚗 Ready for an adventure? Where to go from Batumi for one day - our route with photos and a map
Sometimes, to feel the real Georgia, just one day and one road is enough. In this article, we will tell you about a proven one-day route from Batumi - with picturesque waterfalls, suspension bridges and locations that are hard to find by chance.
We drove this route by car, and in each location we continued the journey on foot - we walked to the waterfalls, fortress and bridges. If desired, the route can be repeated without a car: it is easy to move between points by minibus or taxi, and then explore the surroundings on foot.
🌿 The route is suitable even for beginners: yes, there are a couple of difficult sections, but they are short, and even a city traveler in sneakers can handle them.
⌛ We managed to fit it into half a day, but in a comfortable mode (with snacks, photo pauses and swimming in waterfalls) such a route will take the whole day and will be remembered for a long time.
🧳Where to start? Preparation and departure time
Before such a route, it is important not to forget about the little things - they will make the day comfortable and safe. We left in the morning to have time for everything without rushing and enjoy the views without crowds of tourists. And here is what you should take with you:
🧳 What to Bring for a One-Day Trip
- ✅ Water (there’s a spring at the start — bring a bottle)
- ✅ Snacks (sandwiches or fruits — optional)
- ✅ Headwear (cap or sunhat)
- ✅ Sunscreen
- ✅ Sunglasses
- ✅ Comfortable trail shoes
- ✅ Light clothing in case it’s chilly in the shade
- ✅ Shorts are fine — there’s barely any thick brush
🚗 Kibura Falls: Scenic Road and Route Start
An early start is the key to an unforgettable day. We set off around 7:00 am from Batumi (ideally even earlier) to catch the morning freshness, avoid the heat and get more done.
The starting point of the route is the 24-hour supermarket "Agrokhab". Why this one? It's convenient to buy everything you need for a picnic: from fresh pastries to ready-made lunches for the road. Plus, you'll always find a parking space.
💡 Be sure to take a warm sweater or windbreaker - even in summer, it is noticeably cool in the mountains in the morning.
📍 What awaits in the location "Kibura Waterfall"?
- 🌊 Beautiful waterfall and viewing platform on the Chorokhi River
- 🚻 Paid toilet (1 GEL)
- 🅿️ Parking right at the point
- ✅ Swing with a view of the river
From the parking lot overlooking the Chorokhi River, you need to cross the road and you will see a staircase. Climb it and you will find yourself on the lower observation deck, from where you can already see part of the waterfall. But don't rush to leave! Walk a little to the right and climb another staircase - and you will find yourself on the upper observation deck, where the most spectacular and panoramic view of the Kibura waterfall opens up. 💦🌄
| 🚗 By Car | 🚕 By Taxi | 🚌 Public Transport |
|---|---|---|
|
About 30 minutes of travel Distance: 17.7 km Good paved road |
Average price from Batumi — 36 GEL Fast and comfortable Available via Bolt/Yandex |
Bus #77 (Batumi – Shuakhevi) Or marshrutkas #166, 172, 174, 202, 205 Get off at Adjarianskali stop → 1.3 km walk Or ask the driver to stop at “Waterfall of Love” |
🏞 Kapnistavi - the village of waterfalls
📍Only 3.7 km from Kibur (≈ 10 minutes by car / 3 GEL by taxi).
Welcome to Kapnistavi, a place locals call “the village of waterfalls.” This place is full of unexpected finds: from secluded trails to waterfalls to a real ethnographic open-air museum.
What awaits you:
- 🏛 Zurabi Museum —open-air museum, nearby there is a parking lot, a cafe, a toilet and a spring.
- 💧 A set of spring water - don't forget the container!
- 🧺 Picnic areas - there are several cozy areas in the valley of waterfalls.
- 🚻 The toilet is free, but... at your own risk 😅
Two route directions:
🔽 To the right of the museum is a path to the Kapnistavi waterfall and the "cat waterfall". You will reach a fork and understand where to go next. The first is picturesque and accessible, the second can be viewed from above, but very carefully: slippery stones and a powerful stream. It is better to go down the path a little and enjoy the view from below.
🔼To the left of the museum and up the road -
- 🏚 An artificial waterfall with an abandoned mill and a viewing platform on a tree.
- 🐝 Hives on branches, similar to wooden barrels - an unusual apiary!
- 🧗♀️ Skala Waterfall - difficult to access, but impressive. You will have to go through two almost vertical stairs and a wet path.
👉 Advice: trekking poles, a swimsuit and caution are a must – you can go swimming!
| 🚘 By Car | 🚖 By Taxi | 🚌 Public Transport |
|---|---|---|
| 3.7 km, approx. 10 minutes. Winding road, average condition. | ~3 GEL |
Buses: 77 (Batumi – Shuakhevi) Marshrutkas: 166, 172, 174, 202, 205 Get off at Adjarianskali stop, then 2.5 km uphill on foot. |
🌉 Mivreti Waterfall and the Pride of the Village Suspension Bridge
Mivreti is the most "civilized" point of our route: a paved path leads here, there is an equipped observation deck, the arched bridge of Queen Tamara and even boat rides on the Chorokhi River. But first you need to cross a unique suspension bridge, which the locals themselves call "The Pride of the Village" (on the maps it is marked simply as Suspension Bridge). The village collected money from the whole world and built it with its own efforts - hence the name.
⚠️ Cars also drive on the bridge. If you are walking, keep to the side, cars usually let pedestrians pass.
| 🚘 By Car | 🚖 By Taxi | 🚌 Public Transport |
|---|---|---|
|
5.8 km from Kapnistavi ≈ 15 minutes of uphill driving on winding roads Road surface is average |
~10 GEL from Kapnistavi Price is higher due to road conditions and no return rides |
From Batumi/Kapnistavi: marshrutkas #166, 172, 174, 202, 401–404 Or bus #77 (Batumi – Shuakhevi) Get off at **Mireveti** stop → walk 1 km across the bridge |
🌟 What awaits you on site?
- 🌉 Suspension bridge "Pride of the village" Built by locals; both cars and pedestrians use it
- 💦 Mivreti Waterfall Convenient paved path and equipped observation deck
- 🏰 Tamara Arch Bridge Photogenic stone arch at the entrance to the park
- 🚻 Infrastructure Lots of toilets (paid, 1 GEL), gazebos, picnic tables
- ⛵ Boat ride 30 min - 150 GEL (slow) • 25 min + 5 min "drift" - 200 GEL
- 🥾 Safety A paved road with lighting leads to the waterfall
🏰 Gvara Fortress and Suspension Bridge: Ruins with a View and Extreme over Chorokhi
The Gvara Fortress is not a museum building, but living ruins, where you can go for free and without queues. First, drive up to the upper restaurant with an observation deck (the easiest option) or park the car at the lower restaurant and walk up the steep stone stairs. There is a spring at the bottom - be sure to get some water, the climb is hot!
What awaits you at the top
- 🏯 Fortress ruins: ancient walls that you can walk on; huge qvevri have been preserved inside.
- 🏰 Panoramic view: if you go even higher, to the restaurant above the fortress, you will get a panoramic view of the Chorokhi Valley and the mountains of Adjara.
- 🌊 A place to have a snack near the lower restaurant: tables, shade, fresh water.
🌉 Suspension Bridge (Machakhela)
Leave your car at the lower restaurant - it's a couple of minutes' walk to the bridge. This is already the territory of the Machakhela National Park: the bridge is long, slightly swaying, the boards are missing in some places, so hold on to the handrail and do not gather in a crowd (there used to be a sign saying "no more than 4 people"). On the opposite side there are usually locals with horses.
🗿The monument to the Machakhela gun is located at the approach to the bridge. It was here, in the Machakhela Valley, that legendary guns with a long barrel were produced in the 19th century - every gunsmith in the Caucasus knows the glory of the "Georgian flint".
| 🚘 By Car | 🚖 By Taxi | 🚌 Public Transport |
|---|---|---|
|
2.4 km from Mivreti, ≈ 8 min Good road, parking available near the restaurants |
From Mivreti — ~6.5 GEL (higher due to low demand) You can order via app, but wait time may be longer than usual |
From Batumi → marshrutkas 166, 172, 174, 400–404 or bus 77 Get off at **Khirnati Bridge** stop → walk ~1 km across suspension bridge to the waterfall |
✔️ What is important to remember:
- 💧 Stock up on water at the spring before climbing up to the fortress.
- 👟 The stairs are steep, but doable: take breaks.
- 🪜 Hold on to the rope on the bridge, the boards are missing in places.
- 🐴 On the other side of the bridge there are horses and souvenirs from the locals.
Now you can return to Batumi through the confluence of Algetistskali and Chorokhi or continue the route along the trails of the Machakhela National Park! And we are returning to Batumi!
🌊 Return to Batumi via the confluence of two rivers
After a busy day and conquering the Gvara fortress, on the way back to Batumi it is worth making another short stop - at the confluence of the Chorokhi and Adjaristskali rivers.
📍This is not a tourist location in the usual sense: there are no equipped viewing platforms, cafes or souvenir shops. But the natural contrast of the water is breathtaking! Especially in the afternoon, when the sun illuminates the riverbeds and makes the difference in the color of the water really noticeable. That's why we recommend stopping by on the way back - for the final shot and a pause before returning to the city.
| 🚘 By Car | 🚖 By Taxi | 🚌 Public Transport |
|---|---|---|
|
From Gvara Fortress: ~15 km, ≈ 25 minutes (road conditions vary) From there to Batumi — another ~25 km (≈ 40 minutes, depending on traffic) |
~28 GEL Wait times can be long — book in advance |
The same marshrutkas going **toward Gvara and Kapnistavi** return to Batumi You can ask to be dropped off near the river fork — it's a ~400–500 m walk from the road |
😉 Final advice
If you still have some energy, stop for a few minutes at the confluence. This is a great place to take the final photo of the day and share with your friends: “Did you know how the rivers meet in Adjara?”
💡Advice from the team
- 🕘 When to go:
The best time is early morning, especially in summer. It is cool at this time, there are fewer people, and the soft light perfectly emphasizes the natural landscapes. It is best to go on weekdays - on weekends, the popular waterfalls can be crowded.
- 🌧️ Possible difficulties:
If it rained the day before, be prepared for slippery stones and muddy paths. Take trekking poles or at least sturdy shoes. The climbs to some points are quite steep - do not forget water and a snack.
- 👨👩👧👦 Is it suitable for children and the elderly:
The route can be adapted. Most of it is safe and suitable for traveling with children. However, the climb to the Skala waterfall and the Gvara fortress can be difficult - take into account the physical capabilities of the participants.
🌄 Our conclusion
We were enchanted by every turn of the road - from the morning coolness over Chorokhi to the noisy waterfalls and quiet bridges hidden from the eyes of most tourists. We were especially struck by the views from the Gvara fortress and the atmosphere in the village of waterfalls - everything here is real.
We will definitely repeat this route - it combines nature, history and the spirit of the Georgian hinterland, while remaining easy enough for a day trip. And you - are you ready for adventure?
❓ Frequently asked questions
- 🚗 Which transport is better to choose — a private car or public?
If you want maximum convenience and flexibility, it is better to go by car. But you can also walk the route on your own: there are minibuses between key points, and part of the way can be covered on foot.
- 🕘 What time is the best time to leave Batumi?
Optimally — around 6-7 am. This way you will avoid the heat, crowds and will have time to visit all the locations at a comfortable pace.
- 🥾 Is the route difficult? Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes, the route is generally accessible. There are sections with climbs, but they are short. The path to the Skala waterfall and the Gvara fortress may seem difficult.
- 👶 Is the route suitable for traveling with children?
Partially. You can get to the waterfalls and bridges with children, but it is better not to go to some locations (for example, Skala) with small children or without physical fitness.
- 🌦️ What to do if it rains?
Be prepared: wear waterproof shoes, take a raincoat. It is better to avoid slippery paths, especially at Skala Waterfall.
- 📍Is it possible to walk the entire route without a car?
Theoretically, yes. But it will take a lot of time and energy. It is better to combine: part of the way - by transport, part - on foot.
- 🧭 How long does the entire route take?
At least half a day at a good pace. But if you walk, rest, swim - allow a whole day.
- 💰 Are there paid sections of the route?
There are no entrance tickets, but toilets may charge 1 GEL. Boat rides and food in cafes are also paid.
- 🥤 Where to refill water along the way?
There are springs - for example, at the Gvara fortress and in Kapnistavi. But take an empty bottle with you.
- 📸 Where are the most beautiful views?
The best panoramas are at the Gvara Fortress and at the upper observation deck at the Kibura Waterfall. Don't forget to charge your phone!
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