Winter Wonderland
Outdoor Adventures In Snowy Georgia
With some of the most stunning vistas in the world, Georgia is the perfect destination for experiencing the great outdoors, even in middle of winter.
Home to breathtakingly beautiful lakes, mountains and valleys, Georgia has, for the most part, remained under the tourism radar. But now the world is catching up to its charms.
As a nation, the Georgian people are both passionate about preserving the natural beauty of their extraordinary homeland, and proud to share it with travelers. Over the last century, Georgia has protected vast swathes of the landscape by declaring nature reserves and national parks. The result is hundreds of thousands of hectares of virtually untouched wilderness, with year-round beauty.
Though some of the most popular multi-day trails are best avoided in winter, there are still plenty of options for getting out into the great outdoors. Heavy snowfall transforms much of the country – just make sure you have proper equipment when you head out to enjoy it: Snowshoes (more suited to beginners), or cross-country skis. Don’t underestimate how much slower it is to walk through snow, which combined with shorter days, means forward planning is essential.
Most trips to Georgia include visiting Gergeti Trinity Church. Winter is arguably one of the best times to visit, due to less tourists, and spectacular views of Mount Kazbegi and Caucasus. Starting at Kazbegi and following the main road, the hike is a 10-kilometer round-trip.
South of Tbilisi, Birtvisi canyon in the Trialeti Planned National Park is the perfect spot for an easy hike in nature, even during winter. With a ruined fortress and citadels atop cliffs inside the canyon, the scenery even more dramatic when covered in snow.
For more experienced hikers, the Lomistma trail in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is 15.5 kilometers long and moderately difficult, including an overnight stay at Chitakhevi shelter or Lomistma cottage. Starting at Likani guard station, travel through evergreen forests up to the top of the mountain, enjoying views of Lomistma along the way. There’s also a shorter, six-kilometer version that starts at Atskuri ranger station and is manageable in a day.
Of course, wherever there’s snow, skiers and snowboarders will follow. Georgia has a growing number of ski resorts, all offering excellent value, exciting terrain, and stunning nature. There’s Gudauri, the country’s leading resort, Mestia, with its longest ski run, Goderdzi, known as paradise for the free riders, and Bakuriani, which is great for beginners and families.
For awe-inspiring views of nature without the exertion, jump aboard the Kukushka train, which travels along a 120-year-old narrow-gauge line from Bakuriani to Borjomi. Running twice daily and taking 2.5 hours, the trip takes you through a winter wonderland of valleys and gorges.
When you arrive, get a taste of nature at Borjomi Gorge, where the world-renowned Borjomi mineral water originates from. Filtering down from glaciers in the Bakuriani mountains, according to historians and archeologists it has been both drunk and bathed in from as early as the first century AD by those seeking its healing properties. A once popular Soviet holiday destination, Russian aristocratic Mikheil Romanov loved Borjomi so much he commissioned Alexander Gustav Eiffel (architect of the Eiffel Tower) to build a bridge there.
For more relaxing outdoor fun in western Georgia visit Tsvermaghala Park in Guria, a two-floor forest park boasting a mixture of wild areas and landscaped grounds – perfect for a half-day outing. Or, if you’re heading east, take a trip to the volcanic Paravani Lake – the biggest lake in the country, sitting 2,073 meters above sea level. It’s particularly beautiful in winter, when the Lake freezes and is surrounded by heavy snow.
Whether you’re in the market for an adventure in the mountains or want a more relaxed approach to your nature holiday, the beautiful and welcoming country of Georgia is the perfect place to find your way in the great outdoors.