# Goderdzi > gtour.ge — G Tour, Gateway to Georgia. Cite as: GTour desk, gtour.ge. - Canonical: https://gtour.ge/georgia/goderdzi/ - Author: Mariam Lomidze (GTour desk, Tbilisi) - Published: 2026-09-15 - Updated: 2026-10-17 - Language: en - Russian edition: https://gtour.ge/ru/georgia/goderdzi/ By [Mariam Lomidze](https://gtour.ge/author/mariam-lomidze/), GTour desk · Fact-checked against the sources listed · Last checked 16 October 2026 · [Editorial policy](https://gtour.ge/standards/editorial-policy/) ### Overview Goderdzi is a high-altitude mountain resort on the border zone between Adjara and Guria, reached from the Guria side by road through Chokhatauri and from the Adjara side through Khulo. The resort sits close to the Goderdzi Pass, at roughly 2,000–2,025 metres in the Meskheti (Arsiani) Range, a watershed ridge of the Lesser Caucasus that has long separated the Black Sea slopes of Adjara from the valleys of Guria. It is best known today as an emerging four-season mountain destination, combining a small but growing winter-sports base with summer hiking, alpine meadows and one of the more unusual geological sites in Georgia, the petrified forest of Goderdzi. The resort matters because it is one of the few places in western Georgia being actively developed for both skiing and warm-season tourism at altitude, offering relief from the summer heat of Batumi and the Black Sea coast less than four hours away. For travellers building an itinerary around Guria and Adjara, Goderdzi functions as a scenic link between the two regions, and GTour includes it in private tours on request, combining it with the verified places and other destinations in the [Guria region guide](/georgia/). ### History During the Soviet period the route was engineered into a basic mountain road to connect collective farms and timber settlements on both sides of the ridge, and the area’s forests and alpine pastures were used for logging and summer grazing rather than tourism. From the 2010s, the Georgian government and regional authorities in Adjara promoted Goderdzi as a planned ski resort, improving the access road and installing the first chairlifts and basic infrastructure in stages; development has continued incrementally since, with the resort still considered smaller and less built-up than Bakuriani or Gudauri. ### What to see #### Goderdzi Pass The pass itself is the reason the resort exists, offering wide views over forested ridges on the Adjara side and the greener, lower hills of Guria to the north. In clear weather the open grassy summit area is a natural viewpoint and a popular stop for photographs before descending toward Khulo or Chokhatauri. #### Petrified Forest of Goderdzi A short distance from the pass lies a field of fossilised tree stumps and trunks, formed when volcanic ash buried an ancient forest millions of years ago. The site is of interest to geologists and curious travellers alike, and is usually visited with a local guide, since the remains are scattered across open hillside without formal signage or facilities. #### Khulo and the aerial tramway The nearby town of Khulo, on the Adjara side of the pass, is worth combining with a Goderdzi visit for its Soviet-era aerial tramway connecting the town to the hillside village of Tago, still used by local residents. It offers a brief, low-cost cable-car ride with views over the Khulo valley and is a practical stop when approaching Goderdzi from Batumi. #### Bakhmaro On the Guria side, the historic highland resort of Bakhmaro can be reached with an extra detour and makes a natural extension of a Goderdzi trip. Known since the Soviet period as a cool-climate health resort, it shares the same mountain character as Goderdzi but with an older network of wooden guesthouses and a longer tourism history. ### Getting there From Tbilisi, Goderdzi is about 5 hours 10 minutes by road, generally via the Tbilisi–Kutaisi–Batumi highway and then the mountain road through Khulo or, alternatively, via Guria through Chokhatauri; the final stretch climbs steeply to the pass and conditions should always be checked on [GTour’s road status page](/road-status/) before travelling, especially outside summer. From Kutaisi the drive takes roughly the same 5 hours 15 minutes, following a similar route through either Batumi-bound or Guria-bound roads depending on season and road works. From Batumi, Goderdzi is the most accessible, about 3 hours 25 minutes by car via Khulo, on a road that is paved for much of the distance but narrows and gains altitude sharply near the pass. Public marshrutka minibuses run from Batumi to Khulo on a regular daily schedule, but onward transport from Khulo to Goderdzi itself is limited and seasonal, making a private vehicle or arranged transfer the practical option for most visitors. There is no rail access to the area; the nearest stations are in Batumi and Kutaisi, served by Georgian Railway. GTour arranges private transfers and guided day trips from Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi with an English-speaking guide; see [GTour’s private tours](/tours/) for options. ### When to go Winter, roughly December to March, is the main season for the small ski operation at Goderdzi, when snow cover is reliable at this altitude, though lift infrastructure remains modest compared with Bakuriani or Gudauri and conditions should be confirmed in advance. Summer, from June to September, is the more reliable season for general travel, offering cool temperatures relative to the coast, open access to the petrified forest, and good hiking across the pass and surrounding ridges. Spring and late autumn can bring fog, mud and partial road closures, and are best avoided for a first visit. ### Where to stay and eat Accommodation directly at Goderdzi remains limited to a small number of guesthouses and resort lodges near the pass, with a wider choice of hotels and family guesthouses in Khulo and in Batumi for travellers who prefer to base themselves lower down and visit Goderdzi as a day trip. Guria’s lowland towns, including Ozurgeti and Chokhatauri, also offer guesthouses and restaurants serving regional specialities such as Gurian khachapuri and local wine, useful for those combining the pass with a wider regional tour via the [Guria region guide](/georgia/). GTour’s verified register lists more below, covering checked hotels, wineries and restaurants across Guria and neighbouring Adjara for travellers planning a longer stay. ### Practical notes The road to Goderdzi is seasonal and can close or become difficult after heavy snow or rain; a four-wheel-drive vehicle is advisable outside the summer months, and road conditions should be checked before departure. Mobile network coverage is patchy near the pass, and ATMs and card payment are unreliable, so carrying cash is recommended. At altitude, temperatures drop quickly even in summer evenings, so warm layers are advised regardless of season, and travellers intending to ski should confirm lift operation and equipment rental availability in advance, since the resort’s facilities are still developing. ### Questions travellers ask #### Is Goderdzi in Adjara or Guria? The resort sits on the watershed ridge between the two regions; the pass and much of the developed ski infrastructure lie on the Adjara side near Khulo, while access roads and some tourism promotion also come through Guria, which is why it is sometimes listed under either region. #### How far is Goderdzi from Batumi? By road it is approximately 3 hours 25 minutes, making it the closest major city for a day trip or short stay. #### Is skiing reliable at Goderdzi? Snow cover is generally good between December and March given the altitude, but the resort’s lift and piste infrastructure is smaller and less developed than at Bakuriani or Gudauri, so facilities should be confirmed before a dedicated ski trip. #### Can the petrified forest be visited independently? It is possible but difficult without local knowledge, since the fossil site has no formal visitor centre or marked trail; travelling with a guide is recommended. #### Is the road open all year? No. The mountain road to the pass is affected by snow and poor weather in winter and shoulder seasons, and conditions should be checked in advance, including via GTour’s road status updates. #### Is public transport available to Goderdzi? Marshrutkas run from Batumi to Khulo, but onward transport to the pass itself is limited, so most visitors arrange a private transfer or join a guided tour. #### Can Goderdzi be combined with Bakhmaro? Yes, the two highland resorts are a natural pairing for travellers interested in Guria and Adjara’s mountain areas, though the connecting roads require extra time and are best attempted in summer. #### What is the elevation of Goderdzi Pass? The pass lies at approximately 2,000 to 2,025 metres above sea level, among the higher road crossings in western Georgia’s Lesser Caucasus ranges. #### Is Goderdzi suitable for families with young children? The open pass area and gentle summer walks are manageable for families, but limited facilities, patchy mobile coverage and the long mountain drive mean it suits travellers comfortable with a more remote, undeveloped destination. #### What else is nearby worth visiting? Khulo town with its aerial tramway, the wider Adjara highlands, and Guria’s lowland towns and wineries are all within reach, and can be combined into a longer private itinerary through GTour’s [regional guides](/guides/) and [best-of Georgia selections](/best-of/). ### Sources - [Georgian National Tourism Administration — Guria region](https://georgia.travel/regions/guria) Plan your Georgia Want Goderdzi on a private itinerary with a driver who knows the road? A GTour travel expert designs the route and calls you back. [Start planning](/contact/)   [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/995577416314)