Lagodekhi Protected Areas

Lagodekhi Protected Areas, also known as Lagodekhi National Park, is a pair of protected areasin the Kakheti district of Georgia: Lagodekhi Strict Nature Reserve and Lagodekhi Managed Nature Reserve (divided in 2003). The combined area of the two is 24,451 hectares (94.41 sq mi). The reserves are located in north-eastern Georgia on the southern slopes of the Caucasus and border on Azerbaijan and Dagestan. Lagodekhi preserves a variety of rare local flora and fauna and was originally protected in 1912, under the Russian Empire, the first nature preserve in Georgia.

Lagodekhi Protected Areas are in north-eastern Georgia, on the southern slopes of the Caucasus, bordering Azerbaijan and the Dagestan republic of Russia. They comprise 19,749 hectares (76.25 sq mi) (strict nature reserve) and 4,702 hectares (18.15 sq mi) (managed nature reserve), extending from 590 to 3,500 metres (1,940 to 11,480 ft) above sea level, including several gorges. The major rivers flowing through the reserve are the Ninoskhevi, Shromiskhevi, Lagodekhistskali and Matsimistskali; at the higher elevations there are glacial lakes, of which the largest is Black Cliff Lake, on the Russian border, with a depth of 14 metres (46 ft). There are also sulphur springs.

The bulk of the strict nature reserve is accessible only for research purposes; the managed nature reserve contains tourist facilities including five trails: to Grouse Waterfall, to Ninoskhevi Waterfall, to the 11th-century Machi (or Machistsikhe) Castle,to Black Rock Lake and a knowledge of nature trail; the Black Rock Route also crosses the strict nature reserve. An agreement between Azerbaijan and Georgia allows hikers to cross the border freely to and from the reserve.

Visitor Center:  197 Vashlovani street, Lagodekhi

Lagodekhi Protected Areas can offer various complexity and different length routes for tourists. 5 marked and well-organized trails offer a wide variety of hiking, educational, horse riding and cultural tours on rich wild landscape of Lagodekhi Protected Areas. 600 meter nature interpretation path is arranged in the Administration yard especially for children.

You can enjoy tours whole year round

Tourist route “Black Rock Lake”: June-October

Notice: While visiting Machi fortress trail and Black Rock Lake trail, for registration it is necessary to hold the copy of your identification document with you.