Hikes in Mtskheta

Far from the hustle and bustle of tourism and traffic noise, this circular hike leads through a charming side valley to the Karsani Chapel (which was open during the research trip). Its predecessor church had been destroyed down to its foundation walls; this brick building was constructed on top of the ruins in 2019. After another climb, we reach the Church of Saint Nino of Karsani (which was closed during the research trip). It was built during the feudal period (16th–17th centuries) from large stone blocks. The subsequent descent along the long mountain ridge is a feast for the eyes. Not to be missed: the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi Rivers. Looking north, you can see the village of Mtskheta with the imposing “Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.” And on a neighboring hill to the east lies the “Jvari Monastery.” One more note: Anyone who embarks on this tour with the expectation—common in Central Europe—that the hiking trail will be easy to find will, unfortunately, be disappointed. Since the path is rarely used, finding your way is difficult.> We leave the 01 Salobie Restaurant (465 m) along the main road toward Mtskheta. An alternative route begins on the side of the road where the restaurant is located and runs alongside another parking lot next to the railroad tracks. There, you’ll have to walk a short distance through tall grass, but the path does not follow the main road. At the next opportunity, we turn left and follow the signpost to Karsani. After passing under the railroad tracks, the gravel path climbs slightly. A 180-degree right turn is followed by a left turn ( 02 ) (575 m). For your information: Behind the fence at the left turn are the excavations of the ancient city of Armaz, which was originally even the capital of the early Georgian kingdom of Kartli—or Iberia—but was destroyed in the 730s. Back to the hike: A longer stretch of trail follows. Afterward, we ignore two right-hand turnoffs and walk past some houses. At the four-way intersection, we take the path slightly to the right, passing by the ruins. The trail we’re on joins other trails twice in quick succession. At the next fork with the blue signpost, we take the path slightly to the left. First, we walk through a shady forest, then across a clearing, and continue on to the 03 Karsani Chapel (793 m). We retrace our steps along the same route we took on the way there, but at the end of the clearing, we take the path slightly to the left onto an inconspicuous trail that only becomes clearly visible once we’re back in the woods. At a fork, we take the path slightly to the left, which is hard to spot because it’s overgrown. This leads to a wider path, which we follow uphill slightly to the left. The path branching off to the right is also difficult to spot. If possible, please use the downloaded GPS track. But after just 100 m, we turn left onto the cross-country trail. At the end of the track, on a hill to the right of the path, stands the 04 Nino Chapel (958 m). On the left side of the path is the house of the monk or spiritual father; on the right is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the surrounding mountains. The outbound route starts off downhill. After the first flat section, however, we leave the trail right at the right-hand curve and descend off-trail, veering slightly to the left. We cross a narrow clearing. In the small forest that follows, a path becomes visible. We repeatedly have to push branches protruding into the path aside. We ascend toward the rock face along the following pathless ridge. We use a small gully between the rocks as a guide and thus reach the 05 Trialeti Ridge (665 m). The hike along the ridge can begin. However, the route isn’t just downhill—it also goes uphill at times, such as toward two rusty poles. We pass another rusty pillar on the right. More and more often, the path is overgrown or hard to find. Beautiful viewpoints make the search worthwhile. In the middle of nowhere, we find a signpost. The turnoff to the left toward a “Panoramic Viewpoint” is also marked. From here, we walk about 100 m along the trail, but then leave the path to the left to descend over a grassy, pathless ridge. Shortly before reaching the ascent trail, the terrain becomes steep. Here, we veer right toward a ravine and thus reach the gravel road, which we follow all the way to the starting and finishing point, 01 Salobie Restaurant (465 m).

An official bike trail in Tbilisi National Park from 2014. Original Description: I do not recommend this tour. We walked it in october 2022. The northern part is ok, you have some nice views, but the southern part is not very nice. The trail is ugly with lots of rubbish left and right. My recommendation: Park your car nearby St. Grigol Church, the westernmost point of the tour, and walk up the switchbacks to the summit cross. This is a nice viewpoint.

A small mountain tour in the shady forest, which i recommend for hot summer days.  Highest point is the peak Natlismtsemeli (ნათლისმცემლი) with a great 360°-View on Tiflis, the Lisi-Lake and the Caucasus.