Visited in April 2023

7 components but officially only 2 of them can be visited:

Kintrishi-Mtirala component – two national reserves located in Adjara region; both can be visited as a day trip from the coast and are pretty well organized in situ, with small tourist information centres and some tracks you can follow; Kintrishi National Reserve is easily reachable from Kobuleti (even using public transportation – there are two minibuses from Kobuleti bus station all the way to Varjanauli, from where you can walk or hitchhike to the core zone), Mtirala National Park – from Batumi (two minibuses daily from Batumi new bus station, the first one at 9:30 am, going to the entrance to the park from where there’s another 3 km to the core zone) and from Chakvi (many marshrutkas to Khala and few to Chakvistavi); in both places you’ll have a chance to walk through Colchic rainforest – the higher you climb, the denser it becomes; in my opinion Mitrala looks more interesting, especially the loop path, very steep in some parts; it is recommended to divide it into two days (there’s a shelter on the way), but I did it in one day, it is around 20 km in total, but sometimes very exhausting… the ‘lower part’ of this park (not in the core zone) is very popular during weekends (zipline, canopy walks) so easily you will find somebody who can give you a lift back to the coast…

The component called Pitshora (as the name of the river Pichori which ends in Paliastomi lake) can be visited by boat from the headquarters of Kolkheti National Park in southern suburbia of Poti; they have even a hotel here; go to the headquarters and tell them you need a boat and they’ll arrange it for you in half an hour; in April it costs 150 lari for a small boat for four people; and the whole tour takes around 90 minutes; you’ll reach the mouth of the river on the other side of the lake but will not be allowed to leave the boat and go to the watchtower… here you’ll see relicts of the forest and shores densely populated with small trees and bushes, reed and grass; I was told that that visitors center can organize pontoon tour that lasts 6 hours, is more expensive, but gives you the opportunity to climb the watchtowers and observe the birds… important: when rainy and windy, no tours at all…

Unofficially – you can step into the 2 more core zones, although I do not know if it is legal… I did it…

Grigoleti component – take the local bus or drive to Lukoil gas station located between Maltkava and Grigoleti; go behind the station to the wire fence and follow it for around 250 meters north (there’s a path, but also lots of bushes, be careful); at certain point the fence ends and you’ll see the sign stating that this is a protected area; you can cross the small stream (just jump over) and you’re in the core zone; expect wetlands and lots of reed and some trees, in the background it looks like meadows, and be careful because the ground is not stable and in some moments the path is not visible at all…

Nabada component for those who like adrenaline! Go to the northern limit of Poti, to Rioni river; there are remains of a bridge but you can still cross it if you’re not scared… on the other side of the river there is a train track and a road leading to Kulevi oil station – cross it and after few meters you’re in the core zone… lots of flowers and grasses…