Kintrishi Protected Areas

The Kintrishi valley climbs inland from Kobuleti into the Meskheti range, and the protected areas that cover it hold some of the best preserved Colchic forest in the country: chestnut, beech, oriental spruce and Nordmann fir over an evergreen understorey, with relict yew and box in places. It forms one of the components of the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands World Heritage property inscribed in 2021. Above the treeline lie alpine meadows and Tbikeli, a lake at around two thousand metres reached on a long walk. Medieval arched bridges cross the river lower down, and the fortress of Khino stands on a ridge above the valley.

What you actually see

• Relict Colchic forest - fir, spruce and yew over evergreen understorey.
• Lake Tbikeli - the alpine lake above the treeline.
• Arched stone bridges - medieval crossings in the lower valley.
• Khino fortress - the ruin on the ridge above the river.

When to go

June to October; snow closes the upper valley for much of the year. A day for the lower valley, two with the lake. Roads above the villages need four-wheel-drive.

Honest expectations

The road up is rough and often impassable to ordinary cars. The walk to Tbikeli is long with substantial ascent. Rain is frequent. Facilities are almost nonexistent beyond a few guest houses.

Nearby

Kobuleti is west on the coast; Mtirala lies south.