After chilling at the Black Sea coast, traveling to the highlands of Adjara offers unforgettable memories, as here you will experience an unforgettable opportunity to enjoy sightseeing. For example, today we will tell you about five distinctive lakes that are hidden in the alpine meadows of the Adjara Mountains. After reading this blog, you will mark these lakes as an honorable place on your list of must-see places when visiting Batumi.

Green Lake

Green Lake is the most visited place for most visitors comparing to other alpine lakes of Ajara. Interestingly, the lake is green during the day, and as the evening approaches, the color of the lake changes as well. Green Lake is located 6 km north of Goderdzi Pass in Khulo Municipality. You can reach the lake both by high-performance cars or on foot. When exploring it by foot, on the way to the lake, you will get to know the locals, (people who go to the mountains for a temporary summer pasturing) who will host you on the stove with coffee and local dairy products. The lake can also be preferable for overnight camping, picnics and boat trips. If you decide to explore the surroundings of the lake, be sure to hike around the Sabanela and the Black Lakes.

The best time to visit the lake is: May-October

Shuamta Lakes

Thousands of locals and foreigners visit Beshumi resort every year, but most of the visitors are unaware that they can reach the lakes by a 1-hour hike or half-hour drive from Beshumi to Shuamta's summer pastures. From above the panorama spot you have the possibility to enjoy the beautiful views of Khikhani Castle and its surroundings. It is noteworthy that Zaza Khalvashi's film "Name" which was taken on this territory was presented at the Oscars from Georgia. In total, there are 5 lakes in Shuamta summer pastures, three of which are the middle size and two are relatively small. Due to its authentic environment, Shuamta lakes boost the great interest in hikers, photographers and jeep tour lovers. Often the masses of clouds fall on the lakes, creating an astonishing and even mystical environment.

The best time to visit the lakes is: June-September

Lake Tebikeli

According to folk accounts, the lake in the Kintrishi Protected Area, called Tbikeli, was formerly called “Seabed”. From here the Black Sea coast looks nicely and as locals say, that is why the name was called by the ancestors. If you look at the lake it has a heart shape, which makes the spectacle even more attractive.

There is another interesting legend about Lake Tbikeli. It is said that one animal was living in the lake, which came out of the lake every day and kept the bull in wrestling on the field until evening. The bull was tired of coming back from the pasture every day, this fact was interesting to its owner from Khino Gola Dede Makharadze and once he was back along with other villagers. When he saw what was going on, he attached the swords on its horns. After that, the animal no longer appeared. People decided to dry out the lake and see the bull, but every time they had tried heavy rain was starting. At last the locals saw this as a divine source and stopped investigation.  This lake is also distinguished by the fact that the Caucasian Triturus, representative of the tailed amphibian, lives here. Triton can be seen in the lake using for hiking and horse riding tours in the protected areas. Tbikeli Lake Route is 14 km in length, starting from the Khinotsminda place. This route includes tourist shelter, standing on top of the misty clouds, which offers spectacular views of the Adjara-Guria Mountains.

The best time to visit the lake is: June-September

Lelti Lake

If you decide to have a picnic in nature with your family on weekends, while still enjoying the autumn scenery, be sure to visit the Chvana gorge. At this time, the real fall is in the mixed forests. In this valley, in the village of Naghvarevi, Lelti Lake is situated, which looks breathtaking in autumn and creates a wonderful contrast amid the snowy mountains. The same lake inhabits the Caucasian Triton. Until now, it was known that this member of the Salamander family lived in Adjara only in Kintrishi Protected Area, in Lake Tbikeli. There are hiking trails and picnics on the lake. Before visiting the lake, be sure to stroll along the Khabelashvili wooden bridge, which is the only wooden-roofed bridge in Adjara and counts three centuries. From the bridge of Khabelashvili, you can easily find your way to the village of the mills, where there is still the mills operating on several water wheels.

The best time to visit the lake is: May-October

Lake Karagol

Lake Karagol (Black) consists of 2 lakes and is located near the summer pastures of Sari-Chairi, on the southern slope of the Khulo municipality, at an altitude of 2100-2200 meters above sea level. The lakes are panoramic with the backdrop of the Baki-Bako and Sari-Chiari yards, where fog often falls. Due to its terrain and climate, the Karagol Lakes are hosting sever fogs, that if you have not set the lake's location in advance, you will be able to spot it in poor visibility, even if you are next to the lake. This time is special in the evenings and gives the lake a more impressive appearance. You can reach the lake by high-performance car from the village Baki-Bako and also through the military route connecting Chiruki-Baki-Baku with Shuakhevi.

The best time to visit the lake is June-September