Kojori and Agarani Fortress Ridge

The Kojori and Agarani Fortress Ridge walk takes place in the wooded hills about 20 km south-west of central Tbilisi, Georgia, around the resort village of Kojori. The trailhead is reached by Bolt or Yandex Go taxi in about 35 minutes, usually for 25 to 35 GEL one way, and visitors are advised to arrange the return ride before leaving because signal and available cars thin out after dark. Parking is informal near the village, and no permit is needed. The route is about 6 km round trip with roughly 200 m of elevation gain and takes around 2.5 hours plus stops, which rates as moderate due to the sustained climbs on forest tracks even though the elevation is modest. The surface is dirt and rock with some roots and loose stones, and shade is plentiful in the lower woods but patchier on the ridge. Exposure is low, although the ridge top can be windy. Landmarks include the 19th-century Kojori Fortress, a castle-like structure with views over the surrounding forest, and the older Agarani fortifications on the ridge, from which the Tbilisi basin and the Trialeti foothills can be seen. A sensible turn-around point is the fortress itself for those wanting a shorter outing of about 1.5 hours. Kojori is typically 5 to 8 degrees Celsius cooler than the city, so a warm layer is useful even in summer. No reliable water sources exist on the trail and no refuge huts operate, but small shops and cafes in the village sell drinks and food. Ticks are active in spring and summer, so repellent and long trousers are sensible. After rain, the dirt tracks become muddy and slippery. The area is quiet on weekdays and is a popular escape from the summer heat of Tbilisi.