Guria: Coast, Lowlands and Mountain Landscapes

Guria lies in western Georgia, in the Colchic Lowlands, and has a 22-kilometer coastline along the Black Sea. The region combines coastal lowlands with the surrounding mountain regions. The impressions are correspondingly varied: alongside coastal landscapes and parks, the region’s travel experience includes mountain meadows, forests, historic monastic complexes and living traditions.

Colchic Forests, Coast and Mountain Landscapes

Guria National Park covers 15,310 hectares within the municipalities of Chokhatauri and Ozurgeti. Its landscape ranges from humid Colchic mountain forests at elevations of 300–400 to 1,800–1,900 meters above sea level to high-mountain meadows extending from 1,800–1,900 to 3,000–3,500 meters. Depending on the season, up to 272 vertebrate species can be found here. The different elevation zones and changing landscape types give the area a character distinct from the coastal plain.

Kolkheti National Park also extends into Guria. Its landscape features include Lake Paliastomi, the eastern border zone of the Black Sea, wetlands and Colchic forests. The region therefore includes both mountain forests and high-mountain landscapes, as well as a water-rich lowland landscape. Visitors interested in natural areas will find a variety of features here: elevation zones and vertebrates in Guria National Park, and lake, wetland and forest landscapes in Kolkheti National Park.

Mountain and sea landscapes meet in the 60-hectare Shekvetili Dendrological Park. The park contains more than 200 trees representing 29 species, including specimens that are over 300 years old. A path lined with dense bamboo runs through the grounds; information boards provide detailed descriptions of individual tree, plant and bird species. The park offers a chance to admire old trees while learning about plant and bird life.

Activities from Summer to Winter

Bakhmaro offers different activities depending on the season. In summer, hiking is the main activity, among alpine meadows and spruce and fir forests. In winter, visitors can go sledding; Bakhmaro is especially appealing to freeride enthusiasts and extreme sports lovers. The changing seasons therefore transform not only the landscape but also the focus of a visit.

One important condition for traveling in winter: although a paved road leads to Bakhmaro, a snowmobile is needed to travel safely on the snow-covered road. Road and seasonal conditions can vary; check them before your trip. One route starts in Ozurgeti, passes through the resort of Nabeghlavi and climbs toward Bakhmaro. Three days are recommended for this trip.

Kolkheti National Park offers boat tours on Lake Paliastomi and along the Paliastomi–Pichori and Paliastomi–Pichori–Small Paliastomi routes. Reservation requirements and weather conditions may vary, so check tour options before making plans. The different routes offer a direct way to experience the park’s water landscape, distinct from the mountain activities in Bakhmaro.

The two sides of Orkari Canyon are very different. The left side is not technically challenging to traverse and leads, at the end of the road, to a waterfall with an elaborate staircase. Terrain and seasonal conditions can affect passage. The right side is a much more difficult route for professional climbers using specialized equipment; equipment and conditions should be assessed on site. These differences are important when deciding which part of the canyon suits your plans.

History, Tradition and Regional Cuisine

Jumati Monastic Complex stands on Mount Jumati, 15 kilometers from Ozurgeti. The monastery, dating from the feudal era, played an important role in Guria’s religious and educational life. Its main church was built in the 6th century, renovated in the 12th century and painted in the 18th century. Its long history of construction and decoration also makes a visit appealing to travelers interested in religious architecture and regional history.

The ancient game Lelo, a forerunner of rugby, is preserved in the village of Shukhuti in Lanchkhuti Municipality. It is played once a year at Easter. This annual event stands apart from landscapes and buildings that can be visited year-round: Lelo is a tradition whose playing season is tied to a specific occasion.

Chokhatauri’s weekly Sunday market offers another glimpse into everyday life in the region. It sells homemade cheese and milk, nadughi and cottage cheese, poultry, cattle, local tobacco, tea, nuts, cornmeal, and acacia, linden and chestnut honey. In autumn, homegrown fruit and vegetables are also available; individual vendors’ offerings may vary. Visitors interested in local products will find a wide selection of food and other goods here.

The Musicians’ Park in Shekvetili features sculptures of Georgian and international musicians. As visitors approach them, music plays continuously. Together with the Dendrological Park, Shekvetili offers two distinct experiences: a stroll among trees and information boards, or a visit to musical sculptures.

Choose the Right Focus

When choosing a hotel in Guria, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip: coastal and park landscapes, religious history, regional traditions or seasonal activities in Bakhmaro. These experiences are in different locations, so choose your base according to the places you actually plan to visit.

Discover more destinations: Grigoleti, Ureki, Shekvetili, Lanchkhuti, Ozurgeti.

Discover more regions: Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Abkhazia, Kakheti.

Go to the main travel overview: Georgia.