Footprint Trail
13 km, 1 day, easy-medium
The Footprint Trail is trail number 6 which starts at the Likani ranger station and ends at the Kvabiskhevi ranger station. The Likani ranger station is some 5 kilometers away from Borjomi-Kharagauli Visitor Centre. You can either take a taxi (10 minutes, approx. 10 GEL) or walk (approx. 1h).
Day 1
Likani ranger station – Kvabiskhevi ranger station | 13 km, 5-6 hr
From the park entrance near the Likani ranger station the path is fairly flat for the first few 1-2 kilometers before leading uphill. The following hour is a relatively steep ascent and hiking shoes are a must, as on all other hiking trails in the park. Then the forest slowly starts to open up and, good weather provided, you can catch spectacular panoramic views of the Kvabiskhevi Gorge.
Although the Footprint Trail is considered a fairly easy trail, there is one difficult section yet to come: a steep 2-kilometer descent that you should not undertake in rainy conditions or on wet grounds. It can take up to 2 hours and walking sticks can definitely help. But once you have mastered this section the work is done. The rest of the path is flat and leads through beautiful dense forest until you reach the Kvabiskhevi ranger station. From here you can take a taxi back to Borjomi (20 minutes, 25-30 GEL).
How to get there:
The entrance to the park is near the Likani Ranger Station, which is 5 km away from Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Visitor Centre in Borjomi. You should go there first and register, before entering the park. Then can you walk or take a taxi or minibus to the park entrance (10 min, 10-15 GEL).
Park admission fee:
There is no park admission fee
Prices for overnight stays inside the park:
In a tourist shelter: 20 GEL/night
In a tent on one of the campsites 5 GEL/night
Prices for professional guide service:
You can also do the hike together with a local guide (approx. 70 GEL/day), which can be a very interesting experience. Available in Georgian, Russian and English. Advance reservation required.
Prices for horseback riding:
Most of the marked tourist trails can also be partially done on horseback, as motorized transportation for tourists is not allowed inside the park. An organized horseback riding tour is approx. 50-60 GEL/day/horse. Advance reservation required.
Some more important things to know:
Always be aware that you are hiking through mostly untouched nature. Always be aware that you are hiking through mostly untouched nature. It goes without saying that it is forbidden to throw away rubbish, but the beauty of the Georgian forests also goes hand in hand with potential hazards such as wild animals (bears, snakes, shepherd dogs), the fact that you cannot buy food on the way and the possible lack of mobile phone connection in case of emergency. But don't worry, if you are well prepared and don't try anything crazy, your hike will be a fantastic experience.
Please note that the "tourist shelters" are simple wooden cabins with simple wooden plank beds. You need to bring a mattress and a sleeping bag, which you can rent at Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Visitor Center. And there is no one at the shelters to welcome you and cook you a warm dinner. Everything you wish to consume has to be in your backpack.
In any case, before starting your hike please go to the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Visitor Center in Borjomi, Meskheti 23, for registration, detailed info and maps and equipment rental.
Picture credits: Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Administration
Project “Increased regional added value in the tourism sectors of Georgia by Digital Heritage Tourism Guides” was funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds of Austrian Development Cooperation.
