Borjomi in Winter: Hiking in Kharagauli Forest and Trails
Go hiking in the Haragaul Forest
Since ancient times, humans have lived in close interaction with nature. Nowadays, we live in large cities filled with electronics, polluted by exhaust fumes and harmful emissions from factories and plants. These "inventions" are relatively recent, not to mention the fast-paced lifestyle that most of us are forced to adopt.
We have ten minutes for morning exercises, seven minutes for breakfast, and fifteen minutes to rush to the subway, listening to the morning news on the way. Fatigue and negative emotions accumulate gradually. Without an outlet, such a rhythm can provoke a prolonged stressful situation.
A solution to this problem can be a small trip to a country that, in addition to its centuries-old landmarks, has unique natural parks and reserves. One such place is the Kharagauli Forest, located in Borjomi.
Hiking in the Haragaulsky Winter Forest
The Kharagauli Forest is the place in Georgia that will help you to make a psychophysical "reset", to restore your health and get a powerful influx of vitality. However, at the very beginning, a walking tour in Borjomi, for some, can be an exit from the so-called "comfort zone", from the life to which you are accustomed. In order for the familiar "comfort zone" not to completely engulf you, it makes sense to leave it, at least for a while.
To organize a hiking trip in Borjomi-Kharagauli, you will need a knowledgeable local guide and a set of essential items that everyone probably has. A hiking bag or backpack and a sleeping bag. You will also need sportswear, shoes, and a set of camping utensils.
Borjomi Kharagauli
The virgin nature and well-developed tourist infrastructure are the main features of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, which is a relic nature reserve.
To restore the psycho-emotional well-being to the normal state, there is everything: stunning landscapes of blooming valleys, turbulent mountain rivers, air of crystal purity and pristine freshness, and transparent lakes, some of which have their own legends and myths that have come down to us from the depths of centuries.
The Kharagauli Nature Reserve has become a refuge for some species of animals listed in the Red Book. These include the golden eagle, the wild forest cat, the red deer, and other endangered species.
The History of Borjomi-Kharagauli Park
According to various historical and archival documents, local feudal lords chose Kharagauli as a place to relax back in the Middle Ages. At that time, they engaged in hunting in these areas.
The park was developed by the brother of Emperor Alexander II, Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich, who was the Viceroy of Georgia. Starting in the 1860s, he built one of his residences in Kharagauli and imposed a ban on hunting without special permission.
The Kharagaulsky Park was granted international status at the end of the 20th century. Later, the Adigen district's forests were added to the park, and the World Wildlife Fund allocated funds for its development.
Routes and Infrastructure of Borjomi-Kharagauli
As mentioned above, the Borjomi-Kharagauli Park is not only known for its pristine nature. The local staff has made every effort to ensure that tourists visiting Georgia for relaxation and rejuvenation feel comfortable. The Borjomi-Kharagauli Park features at least eight observation decks and four comfortable mini-hotels where tourists can spend the night during their hiking trips.
However, in the summer, it is also possible to spend the night under the open sky. There are special places in the Kharagauli Park for setting up tents, building bonfires, and having picnics. What could be better than barbecuing in the wild using traditional Georgian recipes? Additionally, there are several guardhouses in the park. These guardhouses are strategically located throughout the park. If you encounter any issues, you can always seek assistance from the guards.
For those who enjoy observing rare animals, the park features an enclosure with bearded goats known as bezoars.
For those who like to hike light, there are numerous cafes on the territory of the park, where you can have a hearty meal or just a snack. In essence, the Kharagauli Park is a tourist paradise, a unique combination of everyday comfort for city dwellers and access to pristine nature.
The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park offers a wide range of hiking trails. The shortest hiking trail takes no more than 3 hours to complete. It is approximately 3 kilometers long. At the end of the route, tourists can enjoy a view of the city of Borjomi from an altitude of about 1 km above sea level.
It is worth mentioning the longest route, which is more than 50 km long. It follows the trail of St. Andrew the First-Called. During this route, tourists can explore not only the unique natural landscapes of Georgia. The trail of St. Andrew the First-Called also includes important landmarks in Georgia, such as ancient monuments dating back to the 9th to 13th centuries.
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