Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

The Borjomi - Kharagauli National Park (Georgian ბორჯომ - ხარაგაულის ეროვნული პარკი, bordschom - charagaulis erownuli parki ) is a nature reserve in the south-central part of Georgia. It is located in the Lesser Caucasus and comprises approximately 85,000 hectares. The park is located at an altitude 400-2642 meters.

In the northern part of the park, at an altitude 400-1800 meters above sea level, dominates the Colchian forest with rhododendron, cherry laurel and oak trees. Located at 2,000 meters above sea level to subalpine meadows found with high grass and summer blooming colorful Caucasian lotus, ranunculus, lady's mantle, and anemones. The park is home to brown bears, wolves, lynx, roe deer and chamois.

The highest mountains in the park are the seed sealed Wario ( 2,642 m), the Schawimta ( 2,511 m) and the Zchalzitela ( 2,496 m). On the park grounds arise different medicinal sources, including Zanawi (brand name Borjomi light) and Larebi (brand name Borjomi super light).

The park is open from April to October. He has nine hiking trails of varying difficulty, which can be used when accompanied by a certified guide. They allow hikes of between one and five days and run at altitudes 800-2642 m. Among the paths is the path Tsar Nicholas II, the ruler like most of his summer residence near the village Likani in the mountains.

Visitors can choose between five inputs. The main entrance and the visitor center are located in the immediately adjoining the park spa town of Borjomi. For nights and Inns Campsites at the park entrances are available. During the hikes Ranger and shelters can be used with basic facilities.

Core area of ​​the park is a former Sapowednik, one already in Soviet times strictly protected area. The national park was founded in 1995 by decision of the Georgian Parliament and set up with support from the Federal Republic of Germany and the World Wide Fund for Nature. The Reconstruction Loan Corporation presented for the project between 1999 and 2003 a total of 19.18 million DM available: DM 2.5 million was invested in the park and 16.68 million DM for the infrastructure in the buffer zone around the park.

In 2007, a 50 325 hectare core zone in the Borjomi - Kharagauli of the European wilderness protection organization has been certified PAN Parks, and therefore part of the PAN Parks network.