Nikoloz Romanov Trail
43 km, 3-day hike, medium-hard
The Nikoloz Romanov Trail is one of 12 official hiking routes through Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and a great way to get to know Georgia's largest national park, because it more or less takes you goes right through the middle of the park from the southwest to the northeast. Or vice versa, if you wish. The trail offers everything that makes hiking great in Samtskhe-Javakheti: dense forests, small trails leading up and downhill and spectacular views.
We suggest starting at the Likani ranger station, which is at the southwest entrance to the park and only 5 km away from Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Visitor Center in Borjomi, where you should register before entering.
Day 1
Likani ranger station - Lomismta tourist shelter | 15 km, 5-6 h
From the Likani ranger station (930 m above sea level) the trail leads uphill for the first 3-4 hours. So take it slow in the beginning. The rest of the day (1-2 hours) is relatively easy. You can spend the first night at the Lomismta ("Lion Mountain") tourist shelter (1800 m) or in your tent outside. Drinking water and an outside toilet are available.
Day 2
Lomismta tourist shelter - Sakhvlari tourist shelter | 18 km, 6-7 h
From the Lomismta shelter you climb all the way up to the top of Mount Lomismta (2198 m), which takes a little more than an hour. In good weather with clear skies Mount Lomismta rewards you with spectacular views that extend can go as far as the Great Caucasus Range with Europe's highest peak, Mount Elbrus (5642 m). Just a few minutes from the top is a small church, St. George's Chapel, another great viewpoint. The trail then goes along the northern ridge of Mount Lomismta before leading down towards the Sakhvlari tourist shelter at 1025 meters above sea level, the stop for the second night. Drinking water and an outside toilet are again available.
Day 3
Sakhvlari tourist shelter – Marelisi ranger station | 10 km, 4-5 h
Day 3 is the shortest and easiest part. The trail leads from the Sakhvlari tourist shelter without any major ascents or descents slowly towards the Marelisi ranger station (540 m above sea level).
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 Center in Borjomi. You should go there first and register before entering the park. Then you can 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. 80-100 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. 80-100 GEL/day/horse. Advance reservation required.
Some more important things to know:
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 facts 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.
The Nikoloz Romanov Trail has 6 water stations, 4 campsites and 2 tourist shelters for overnight stays. 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 Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Visitor Center in Borjomi, Meskheti 23, for registration, detailed info and maps and equipment rental.
Picture credits: Shota Golubiani (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
