Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness, Georgia

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European Wilderness Network

Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness

2018

Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness, Georgia

The 50 325 ha Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness is embed- Wilderness information ded in the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Georgia. The Protected area Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is the first national park and Wilderness Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness largest protected territory in Georgia, situated in the Lesser Country Georgia Caucasus, southwest to the nation’s capital of Tbilisi. It spans an Size of the 107 000 ha area of 107 000 ha with total length of 95 km from west to east protected area and a width between 3 and 26 km. Size of the 50 325 ha Wilderness Wilderness is an important element of the long-term vision of First Audit 2003 Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. When the park was estab- Most Recent Audit 2012 lished, the Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness was already adopted Old-growth Lesser Caucasus conifer and as a fundamental element. The park is known as an outstand- Wilderness evergreen forest, high number of rare ing Wilderness, which is successfully monitored by a committed Uniqueness and endemic species, rare species such management team. Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is includ- as bear, wolf, imperial eagle ed on the list of 35 world priority ecoregions of the World Wide Number of visitors ILDERNE W SS N Q per year to the approx. 65 000 A Fund for Nature (WWF) and on the list of 34 world hot spots U E A P

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of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Y

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Number of visitors E T E E A per year to the approx. 30 000 N S S WENES European Wilderness Quality Standard Audit System Wilderness The 50 325 ha Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness was audited and monitored in 2003, 2004, 2006 and in 2012 and meets the Platinum Wilderness Quality Standard. A European Wilderness Quality Standard Renewal-Audit is scheduled for 2022.

Wilderness Protected area Map scale 1 : 1 200 000

Biodiversity The Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness is home to relict, endemic, rare and vulnerable flora and fauna species. The mountainous forest in Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness has been preserved in its pristine and virgin state. In the virgin forests live populations of brown bear, wolf, lynx, red deer and chamois. Birds are par- ticularly easy to encounter and to observe during a hike here, such as the unique Caucasian black grouse - in total 217 bird species are listed on the territory of the National Park. As the Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness lies on the migration route of many migrating birds, in spring and autumn you can see large flocks of beautiful yellowish bee-eater.

Wilderness Tourism Experience The vast and remote Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness is acces- sible via 12 marked trails. These trails provide the opportunity to experience various corners of the park and Wilderness, rich biodiversity, and remote corners of these wild mountains. The trails offer a wide variety of one or several days tours, experi- ences of rich evergreen forest (spruce, pine, fir-tree and mixed coniferous forests), spectacular alpine meadows, high mountain peaks and sub-tropical Kolchic forests. If you decide to hike to Mount Samethskhvario (2 642 metres above sea level), the high- est point of the national park, you will enjoy a picturesque variety of plants blossoming in July and August. Additionally, the park offers hiking, horse riding, biking, snow shoeing, cultural and educational tours.

Contact Borjomi Kharagauli Wilderness Borjomi Kharagauli National Park 23 Meskheti St.Borjomi Borjomi 1200, Georgia Phone: +995 577 64 04 80, +995 577 64 04 44 Website: www.nationalparks.ge

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