Mtirala National Park: Georgia's Colchic Rainforest near Batumi

Mtirala National Park occupies a section of the Adjarian highlands about 25 kilometers northeast of Batumi, in the country of Georgia in the South Caucasus, in the valley system of the Chakvistskali River and its tributaries. The park's name means "crying" in Georgian — a reference to the rainfall that defines this corner of the Caucasus more than any other feature. Mtirala is one of the wettest places in Georgia, receiving somewhere between roughly 2,500 and 4,500 millimeters of precipitation a year depending on elevation, and the result of that rainfall is a forest of extraordinary density and botanical richness — one of the finest surviving examples of Colchic rainforest in the entire Caucasus.

What is Mtirala National Park?

Mtirala National Park is a Colchic rainforest park in Adjara, Georgia, about 25 km northeast of Batumi, established in 2006 and covering roughly 15,700 hectares. Its name means "crying," after the very high rainfall (up to ~4,500 mm a year) that makes it one of the wettest places in the country and sustains a lush, moss-draped forest. Since 2021 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands." From the visitor center at Chakvistavi, marked trails lead to waterfalls, a turquoise river lake, rope crossings, and a zipline. It's a popular half-day or day trip from Batumi.

The Colchic rainforest

The Colchic forest — the ancient subtropical forest type that once covered much of the western Caucasus lowlands and foothills — has been reduced to scattered remnants by agriculture and development across most of its former range, and the examples preserved within Mtirala are among the most intact and ecologically significant survivors. The vegetation has a lushness and layered complexity that visitors used to temperate European forests find immediately striking: a canopy of oriental beech, sweet chestnut, and alder above; a dense mid-story of rhododendron and cherry laurel; the ground covered in mosses and ferns; and nearly every surface — rocks, fallen logs, the lower trunks of trees — draped in green, with lianas threading through it all. In wet conditions, which are frequent, the forest produces a mist that hangs between the trees and gives the park the atmospheric quality its name describes.

In recognition of these relict forests and their biodiversity, Mtirala was inscribed in 2021 — together with the Kintrishi, Kobuleti, and Kolkheti protected areas — as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands."

Wildlife and ecology

Mtirala's biodiversity reflects its combination of high rainfall, varied topography, and relative ecological intactness. The forest supports brown bear, wolf, lynx, wild boar, and roe deer, along with a rich bird community that includes old-growth Colchic-forest species (almost all of Europe's woodpecker species occur here, alongside booted eagle, eagle owl, and golden oriole). As you'd expect in one of the most humid parts of the country, the amphibian life is a particular highlight — the Caucasian salamander, Caucasian toad, and others thrive in the moist environment — and the cold streams carry trout. The botanical diversity is considerable, with several Colchic endemic species and high densities of Caucasian plants in the favorable growing conditions; in May and late September, flowering rhododendrons add pink and yellow to the forest.

The park was established in 2006 and covers roughly 15,700 hectares (spanning the Kobuleti, Khelvachauri, and Keda municipalities), a contiguous area large enough to support viable wildlife populations and maintain the ecological processes that sustain the Colchic forest. Buffer zones around the protected core allow limited sustainable use while preserving the integrity of the central conservation area.

Hiking and activities

The park has a network of marked trails from the main entrance near the village of Chakvistavi, where the visitor center and basic facilities are. The trails range from short walks of an hour or two for casual visitors to longer routes of four to six hours that go deeper into the forest to the more remote waterfalls and viewpoints. The main trails pass through dense forest, crossing streams on wooden bridges and following paths that are in many places more like tunnels through the vegetation than open tracks.

The park's waterfalls are among its most visited features — the main one, the Tsablnari (Tsalbnari) waterfall, is reached within about an hour of the entrance, and near it a small turquoise, trout-rich lake fed by the cold river is one of the prettiest spots in the park (and a swimming spot for the hardy). The combination of falling water, moss-covered rocks, and surrounding forest creates environments of real beauty, and the sound of moving water is a near-constant presence across the trail network.

Rope crossings over the wider sections of the river add a mild adventure element that's more about fun than challenge — straightforward for most visitors, but a kinetic engagement with the landscape the walking trails alone don't offer. There's also an old mechanical cable car over the Chakvistskali (a small fee) and a zipline near the visitor center giving a brief aerial perspective on the canopy. These elements are popular with families and give a Mtirala visit a slightly different character from a purely contemplative nature walk. Horse riding and canyoning are also available in season.

Practical considerations

Mtirala's rainfall means the park is genuinely wet for much of the year, and visitors should prepare accordingly whatever the season. Waterproof footwear is strongly recommended — trails are frequently muddy and stream crossings involve some contact with water even on bridges — and a light waterproof layer is worth carrying year-round, since showers can arrive quickly even on clear-starting days. Insect repellent helps in the warmer months.

The park is coolest and wettest in spring and early summer, when the forest is at its most intensely green and the waterfalls at their most powerful. Summer brings warmer temperatures and the most visitors, but the forest shade keeps the interior considerably cooler than the coastal city below — a welcome escape from the summer heat. Autumn is the most visually dramatic, when the deciduous trees layer color through the mostly evergreen canopy. Winter is quiet, with the lower trails accessible though the higher sections may be snow-covered.

Getting there

The park is about 30 to 40 minutes from Batumi by car, heading northeast through Chakvi and on to the visitor center at Chakvistavi. Organized tours from Batumi frequently include Mtirala, often combined with the Makhuntseti Waterfall and Queen Tamar Bridge in a half- or full-day excursion. Independent access by public transport is limited (there are infrequent minibuses from the Old Batumi bus station, and you can take a minibus to Chakvi and a taxi for the last ~15 km), so a private vehicle or taxi is the most practical option for most visitors.

Practical information

• Location: Chakvistavi village, Adjara, about 25 km (30–40 minutes) northeast of Batumi; visitor center at the main entrance.
• Hours/Admission: Open daily; the visitor center operates in daylight hours. Park entry is free; some organized activities (zipline, cable car, guided/adventure options) carry a separate fee.
• Best time: April through October for hiking and trail access; spring and autumn are the most rewarding.
• Bring: Waterproof footwear and a light rain layer (any season), insect repellent (summer); it's cooler than the coast.
• Status: Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands" (since 2021).