Nature

PAN Parks wilderness in Borjomi-Kharagauli is located in the central part of the Low Caucasus and besides extensive forest wilderness it also includes alpine meadows full of unique and endemic species. Despite the overwhelming size of PAN Parks Wilderness, short and easy hikes are also worthwhile doing. However, for experienced hikers it is recommended to take overnight trips to fully experience and enjoy this piece of Georgian wilderness.

Flora

The vegetation of the Park presents a great number of pleasant surprises and encounters with lots of beautiful blossoming plants. In the northern (Kharagauli) part of the National Park between 400-1800 m the peculiarity of the colchic forest is the understorey growth of semi-creeping evergreen bushes such as rhododendron, cherry-laurel, ilex and others. It is particularly impressive to visitors around spring when rhododendron ponticum and rhododendron luteum are blossoming.
Hiking up to around 2000 m you will find subalpine meadows with Caucasian lotus, ranunculus, alchemilla, anemone and others, distinguished for their colourful variety, as well as subalpine tall grasses. At Mt Samethskhvario, 2642m, the highest point of the national park, you will enjoy a picturesque variety of plants blossoming in July-August.

Flagship species: Beech (Fagus orientalis), Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill), Caucasian Fir (Abies normanniana), Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis), Caucasian Pine (Pinus Kochiana)

Fauna

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is well known for its rich and diverse fauna. Birdwatchers never have trouble spotting a wide variety of species, because the National Park lies on the migration route of many migrating birds. For many, a special treat is spotting the endemic Caucasian black grouse (Lyrurus/Tetrao mlocosiewiczi). In spring and autumn you can see large flocks of beautiful yellowish bee-eater. In the virgin forests live relatively permanent populations of the brown bear, wolf, lynx, red deer and chamois.

Flagship species: Golden Eagle, Caucaisan Blackgrouse, Snowcock, Red deer, Brown bear, Lynx, Caucasian Salamander