Lake · Lagodekhi Municipality, Kakheti
Black Rock Lake
შავი კლდეების ტბა · გრძელი ტბა · Khala-Khel · Lake Grdzeli
A high mountain lake on Georgia's border with Dagestan at the far end of Lagodekhi National Park, reached only on a three-day trek from the park administration.
Where it is
41.9336, 46.3683
Why go
Black Rock Lake is fed by snow, rain and groundwater and lies right on the line between Georgia and Russia's Dagestan. The protected-areas agency runs the route as a three-day walk from its administration in Lagodekhi, climbing from around 400 metres into high mountain terrain, with the first night at the Meteo tourist shelter, which sleeps sixteen. The agency grades it average, but it is a committed trek rather than a day out. GNTA recommends spring, summer or autumn.
Getting there
Reached only by a three-day hike from the Lagodekhi Protected Areas Administration, overnighting at the Meteo shelter
Near Black Rock Lake
Archaeological site
Dolochopi Basilica
The excavated ruins of a fifth-century three-nave basilica on the north-western edge of Kvareli, beside the Duruji River, measuring about 36 by 18 metres.
46 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Monastery
Nekresi Monastery
A monastery complex among woods at about 480 metres on the northern slope of the Gombori Ridge near Shilda, with churches built between the fourth and the eighteenth centuries.
50 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Monastery
Khirsa Monastery
Founded in the sixth century by St Stephen, one of the Assyrian Fathers, this monastery in Tibaani village in Sighnaghi municipality is built around a domed church with a three-storey bell tower.
50 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Canyon
Artsivi (Eagle) Gorge
A limestone canyon just north of Dedoplistskaro where eagles and vultures nest on the cliffs, with a one-kilometre footpath maintained by the Vashlovani Protected Areas administration.
54 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ