Machakhela National Park

Machakhela National Park - a national park in Adjara, Khelvachauri Municipality, in the gorge of the river Machakhlistskali, 300 - 350 meters above sea level. The administrative and visitor center is located in the center of Adjarisaghmarti village of Khelvachauri Municipality.

The park was established in 2012 to preserve its unique biological and landscape biodiversity, to provide long-term protection of the Colchian forest ecosystem, to provide ecological safety and to develop tourism and recreational activities in the natural environment.

The territory of the National Park is represented by shaded forests on the slopes of the Machakhela River, where almost the entire area is covered with chestnut, beech, hornbeam and alder forests. Here we can find such relict and rare species as Colchian boxwood, chestnut, Colchian hazelnut, Georgian walnut, Ungern's rhododendron, English Yew, elm, etc.

Cultural and historical monuments such as arched bridges of different periods, castles, mortared stone winepresses and wine cellars in the vicinity of Machakhela National Park have been the subject of tourist interest.

There are three hiking trails in the park integrated with the main road:

1. Archangel Trail - The length of this trail is about four kilometers. You will pass this distance in Machakhela gorge, in the Colchian, beech and chestnut forests and climb the Archangel Mountain, from where you can see the place where the river Chorokhi joins the Black Sea, you can also see Batumi and the villages on the mountains of Keda, Shuakhevi and Khulo. As they say here, the whole Adjara is in the palm of your hand from this place.

The Archangel Trail can be covered by car, the length of the road is 8 km.

2. Kokoleti Trail - This route is 15 kilometers away from the visitor center. It can be covered on foot and by an off-road [4X4] car. From the highest point of the trail, you can see the five villages of Zeda Machakhela, which are now in the territory of Turkey. "From there can be seen five ravines, which form the shape of the wrist and hand, and it is said that the origin of the name is related to it- "Maja Khela"( wrist-hand) or Machakhela. This is also a historical trail, "the administration said.

3. Twin Waterfalls Trail - This trail starts from the visitor center in the village of Adjarisaghmarti. Pass the asphalt road and go to the village of Kokoleti, from where the hiking trail descends to the twin waterfall. At 700 meters from the beginning of the trail, two waterfalls run in the valley, from a height of about 47 meters. There are mixed, deciduous and coniferous forests around.

Note: 5 working days before the start of the tour on the Kokoleti Trail, it is necessary to reach an agreement with the Machakhela National Park Administration to obtain a permit, as this is the border area.