Mtirala National Park has recently appeared in Georgia. It was founded after the declaration of independence of the country in 2007. The reserve is located on the rock of the same name, which rises above sea level by 1761 meters. The name of the park translates as "crying mountain." It is explained by constant almost year-round dense fogs that envelop this area, and quite frequent rains.
Mount Mtirala rises in the area of Kobuleti and Chakvi. In this article we will tell you why Mtirala National Park is noteworthy, how to get to these wonderful places. You will learn about the flora and fauna of the park, which tours are held here.
Reserve Description
Adzharia's coastal gorges are a unique stretch of humid subtropical forests in the territory of the former Soviet Union. This area is separated from the Colchis Plain and Anatolian Highlands by the spurs of the Meskheti Range, so the climate here is warm throughout the year.
Even at the beginning of the ice age, when glaciers descended from the peaks of the Caucasus and the climatic conditions of the whole Transcaucasia underwent significant changes (became colder), the weather in these forests practically did not change. Many thermophilic plants have been preserved here. Interestingly, for a long time on this territory lived the monkeys who left Transcaucasia when it became too cold there for them.
Today, in the center of the Mtirala National Park is the village of Chakvistavi, located on the banks of the river of the same name. There is also a house where tourists are met by the leadership of the Mtirala National Park. The address of the administration of the reserve is Nizhny Chakvi, ul. Chavchavadze, 13. It is from here that the large two-day excursion route through the reserve begins. Groups gather here for the Tsablnari Falls and Lake. This is a fairly easy route that even older people and young children can master.
Park Features
Mtirala National Park is a subtropical, rather moist mountains with waterfalls and small lakes. A high level of humidity is maintained here due to frequent rains: experts say that this is the wettest place in Europe. There are two main attractions in the park: a waterfall and a mountain lake. You can add to the sights the cable car, which was built by a local resident, a teacher of the Hassan school.
The routes offered in the Mtirala National Park cannot be called extreme: they do not require special equipment and skills, but comfortable shoes and sportswear must be taken care of in advance.
Traveling alone
If you decide to explore the Mtirala National Park yourself, then you can easily navigate it. Go right - go to the Tsablnari waterfall, left - to the lake. Locals believe, and it’s hard to disagree, that this place is a reflection of the whole Georgian climate and rich national traditions. The magnificent nature, incredible beauty of waterfalls, crystal clear air - all this conquers in the park.
Due to the unusual landscape and richness of vegetation, this place is often called the “Georgian jungle”. The area of the Mtirala National Park is nearly six thousand hectares. On this truly vast territory there are unique plants that have no analogues in the world: luxurious beech and chestnut groves, plants that have long been listed in the Red Books of many countries.
Colchis forest
This forest is known to many for the myths of the Argonauts. This is the pride of the Mtirala National Park in Batumi. The remoteness of these places allowed to survive Colchis forests that grew on this land in times of tropical climate. Another wealth of the park can be considered a stock of fresh and mineral waters with medicinal properties. For this reason, the reserve is included among the most important in the territory of modern Europe.
Park value
This unique place is very significant not only because of the possibility of the development of ecotourism. Mtirala National Park plays a crucial role in preserving the customs and cultural traditions of the country. Here, tourists feel not only unity with nature, but also get acquainted with the life of Georgia. On the territory of the reserve is the tiny village of Chakvistavi, which attracts tourists with one astounding fact: the houses here were built about two centuries ago.
Local residents know firsthand and carefully preserve the ancient Georgian culture and with great joy share their knowledge with everyone they are interested in. Here you are sure to be fed stunning dishes of national cuisine, which are prepared from the products that they grow in the Mtirala National Park.
Tours
If you do not decide to go on an independent trip through the park, then the organizers have prepared interesting tours of its territory. As a rule, they include a trip to the gorge near the Chakvistskali river, a visit to the waterfall, next to which tourists usually arrange a halt and have a snack in a picturesque meadow. And right next to it you will be offered to ride horses. For hardy and experienced travelers, they are invited to visit another nature reserve - Kintrishi. In this walk you will need endurance and stamina.
Flora National Park
Many subtropical plants grow in the reserve: 284 species, 68 families. Among them, 18 woody, 21 shrubby and 16 endemic species. Rare relic endemics are listed in the country's Red Book: Rhododendron Ungerni, Pontic oak, epighea.
Almost the entire territory of the Mtirala National Park is covered with impassable shrubs and forests. They are distributed as follows (depending on altitudes): mixed forests - at an altitude of up to 600 meters, broadleaf mixed Colchis forests, chestnut belt - at an altitude of 600 to 1000 meters, larch belt is located above a thousand meters.
Animal world
Today, 95 species of animals live in the park: ungulates and amphibians, mammals of different sizes. Snakes and lizards, newts and frogs, salamander - these are just some of the amphibians that live in the reserve. From small mammals you can find squirrel and hare, wild cat and fox, badger. It is better to avoid meeting such large animals as the wolf and the bear. Occasionally in the park there is also a wild boar. The reserve has many different birds, including carnivorous species.
Where to stay?
Tourists have the opportunity to stay overnight in the park. In the tourist center located here you can rent a room. In addition, a camping has been built on the territory of the reserve, where you can rent everything you need and spend the night outdoors in a tent.
Very hospitable locals do not stand aside, providing overnight accommodation for a moderate fee. Moreover, they will offer you to try delicious honey collected in these territories, delicious home-made cheese and traditional Georgian sweet - churchkhela. Fans of more comfortable living can consider options for settling in guest houses and hotels located next to the Mtirala National Park. Reviews of tourists indicate that living in them is comfortable and quite affordable.
Guest house "Mtirala"
According to traveler reviews, you cannot find a better place for ecotourism. The house has only five rooms, furnished with everything necessary for a short stay. They are designed for two or three residents. The owners of the house keep piglets and calves, chickens and dogs that guard this entire farm. Therefore, this living creature will not allow you to bask in bed for a long time in the morning.
On the way to the river, you can collect walnuts, pears, tangerines and other fruits, depending on the season.
Villa Tengiz
This is a new guest house located in the park. It was opened in 2016 and offers ten double rooms with all amenities for resettlement.
"Country house"
It is located in the village of Hala, but on the other side of the river, opposite the Mtirali, is closer to the road. If you want to regularly go to the sea, then this option will suit you more than others. It is also suitable if you just need an overnight stay before or after a trip to the park.
Interesting facts about the park
- Mtirala National Park allows not only to develop ecotourism in the country, but also plays a crucial role in preserving the Chakvi-Kobuleti ridge. This balance prevents flooding and erosion.
- It is interesting that the remote location of the Mtirala park played a positive role: Colchian forests that appeared during the tropical climate were preserved.
Mtirala National Park in Georgia: how to get there?
As we have already said, the reserve is located on Mtirala Mountain, between the resort town of Kobuleti and the village of Chakvi, which are located on the Black Sea coast. Many travelers prefer to travel to Mtirala National Park from Batumi. How to get there, local residents will explain you. Chakvi and Kobuleti can be reached by regular bus or minibus. From Kobuleti it is more expedient to go to the village of Hala: it is located closer to the reserve.
Among car tourists, you can often hear talk about a poor road to the park. In reality, this is not so. The distance from the Batumi Autobahn to the park's reception is about twelve kilometers. The road starts at Chakvi. The first eight kilometers of this route is a completely new smooth asphalt. The route winds between houses scattered in the mountains, twice crosses the river.
After eight kilometers, you will reach the ranger post, after which the asphalt road ends and the rocky begins: cars go along it, but slowly. This stretch is about four kilometers. Bypassing it, you will be taken to the reception. You should go straight without turning anywhere. From time to time you will meet pointers.
