Borjomi and Bakuriani: A Georgian Road Trip for Forests and Fresh Air

Some journeys are about doing less. Borjomi and Bakuriani lend themselves to a few days built around walking, sitting outside and enjoying a change in the air. If your Georgia road trip has already included busy cities and long museum visits, this can be a welcome pause rather than another list of sights to complete.

Make Borjomi your gentle beginning

Start with a stay in Borjomi and keep the first afternoon light. Explore the town, take a walk in the park and find somewhere comfortable for dinner. After a drive, a simple evening is often more enjoyable than immediately setting off on another excursion.

Borjomi is associated with mineral water and its surrounding forests. You do not need to turn a visit into a health claim or a demanding hiking holiday to enjoy it. Choose activities that suit your group and check current entry arrangements before you build the day around a particular attraction.

Treat the national park as a separate outing

If you want to walk in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, contact the visitor centre for current route advice and registration requirements. A trail that looks short on a map may still require preparation. Ask about conditions, daylight and the equipment needed for the walk you actually intend to do.

Your rental car should take you to an approved access point, not onto a hiking trail. Stay within permitted driving areas and never assume a vehicle track inside a protected landscape is open to visitors.

Give Bakuriani a day of its own

Bakuriani offers a different setting from Borjomi, and the experience depends strongly on the season. Decide whether you want a relaxed resort stay or organised outdoor activities, then check availability directly with the operators. Do not base a trip on old lift schedules or assumed opening dates.

For a family road trip in Georgia, leave space for breaks and avoid combining a long drive with an overly full activity programme. Confirm parking and access with your accommodation before arrival.

Choose for the season, not the photograph

Discuss winter tyres and any required equipment with the rental team if snow or ice is possible. An SUV is not a substitute for suitable tyres or sensible decisions. In warmer conditions, seating comfort and room for bags may be your main priorities.

Our suggested plan is two nights with one flexible outdoor day. It gives you enough structure to book accommodation without forcing every hour into a timetable. The aim is to return refreshed, not to need another holiday after the holiday.