# Kharagauli > gtour.ge — G Tour, Gateway to Georgia. Cite as: GTour desk, gtour.ge. - Canonical: https://gtour.ge/georgia/kharagauli/ - Author: Mariam Lomidze (GTour desk, Tbilisi) - Published: 2026-09-15 - Updated: 2026-10-17 - Language: en - Russian edition: https://gtour.ge/ru/georgia/kharagauli/ By [Mariam Lomidze](https://gtour.ge/author/mariam-lomidze/), GTour desk · Fact-checked against the sources listed · Last checked 17 October 2026 · [Editorial policy](https://gtour.ge/standards/editorial-policy/) ### Overview Kharagauli is a small town in the Imereti region of western Georgia, set in the forested foothills where the Likhi Range divides eastern and western Georgia. It lies roughly 2 hours 30 minutes by road from Tbilisi, 1 hour 10 minutes from Kutaisi and about 3 hours 30 minutes from Batumi, at coordinates 42.02° N, 43.20° E. The town itself holds under two thousand residents, but it functions as the administrative centre of Kharagauli Municipality and as the main gateway to one of the country’s largest protected areas. The town matters chiefly for what surrounds it rather than for its own built fabric: the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park begins at its edge, the medieval Ubisa Monastery sits a short drive away, and the railway through the nearby Surami Pass carries a notable chapter of Georgian engineering history. For travellers moving between Tbilisi and Kutaisi, Kharagauli is a practical stop for hiking, hot springs and quiet Imeretian countryside rather than a destination with a dense list of monuments. GTour treats it as a flexible stop within wider [Imereti](/georgia/imereti/) itineraries, combined with wineries and nearby sights. ### History The area around modern Kharagauli belonged historically to the Kingdom of Imereti, one of the western Georgian kingdoms that emerged after the breakup of the unified Georgian monarchy in the late medieval period. Long before the town took administrative shape, the nearby Ubisa Monastery was already active: founded, according to tradition, in the 9th century, its main church was decorated with frescoes in the 14th century attributed to the monk Damiane, among the most studied works of late medieval Georgian painting. Kharagauli’s modern development is tied to the construction of the Transcaucasian Railway. The Poti–Tbilisi line opened in 1872, but the mountainous crossing of the Likhi Range at the nearby Surami Pass required further engineering work, including a tunnel completed in the 1880s to ease the steep gradient. The line through this section was electrified in 1932, an early milestone for railway electrification in the Soviet Union, and the station at Kharagauli grew as a service point on this route. Soviet-era administrative reforms of the 1920s–1930s formalised Kharagauli as a district centre within Imereti. In the late twentieth century, conservation of the surrounding mountain forests began in earnest. Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park was established in 1995, created in part from earlier forest reserves, and later expanded to become one of the largest protected areas in the Caucasus. The park is administered by the Agency of Protected Areas, and its Marelisi entrance, close to Kharagauli, became the main access point for visitors approaching from the Imereti side rather than from Borjomi in Samtskhe-Javakheti. ### What to see #### Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Marelisi entrance The park stretches across dense beech and spruce forest on the slopes of the Lesser Caucasus and Likhi Range, with marked trails ranging from short walks to multi-day treks connecting to the Borjomi side. The Marelisi visitor centre and ranger station, close to Kharagauli, is managed by the Agency of Protected Areas and provides trail maps, permits and basic trip information. Wildlife in the park includes brown bear, wolf and a range of forest birds, though sightings are infrequent and incidental to hiking. #### Ubisa Monastery Ubisa is a working monastery built around a church traditionally dated to the 9th century, with its interior fresco cycle added in the 14th century. The paintings, attributed to the monk Damiane, are considered important examples of late medieval Georgian religious art and are studied for their style and inscriptions. The site sits in a wooded valley a short drive from Kharagauli, reached via a quiet side road off the main Tbilisi–Kutaisi highway. #### Nunisi Nunisi is a small resort settlement in the Kharagauli hills known locally for its mineral hot springs and a historic nunnery. The springs have long been used informally for bathing, and the setting among forested slopes makes it a pleasant stop for travellers heading toward or away from the national park. Facilities remain modest, in keeping with the low-key character of the area. #### Kharagauli railway station and the Surami Pass line The station at Kharagauli sits on the historic Tbilisi–Kutaisi railway corridor that crosses the Likhi Range at the Surami Pass, a route notable for its steep gradients and early-20th-century electrification. Passenger and freight trains still pass through, and the station building and surrounding yard retain a Soviet-era industrial character. The crossing itself, visible from the road and rail line above the town, marks the historic boundary between eastern and western Georgia. ### Getting there From Tbilisi, Kharagauli is reached via the main Tbilisi–Kutaisi highway, a drive of about 2 hours 30 minutes depending on traffic and conditions over the Likhi Range; marshrutka services run from Tbilisi’s Didube station toward Kutaisi and can be asked to stop at Kharagauli. From Kutaisi, the same highway runs in the opposite direction, with a drive time of roughly 1 hour 10 minutes and regular marshrutkas covering the route. From Batumi, the journey is longer, around 3 hours 30 minutes by road via Kutaisi. Passenger trains operated on the Tbilisi–Kutaisi–Batumi line also call at Kharagauli station, offering a scenic alternative to the road, particularly across the Surami Pass section. Travellers checking conditions before a winter trip can consult [current road status](/road-status/). GTour arranges private transfers and guided day trips from Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi with an English-speaking driver-guide; see [GTour’s tours](/tours/) for options. ### When to go Late spring through autumn, roughly May to October, is the most practical period for hiking in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, when trails are clear of snow and forest paths are passable. Summer brings warm, humid weather typical of western Georgia, with the forested elevation offering relief from the heat of the lowlands. Winter closes or restricts many of the higher trails, and snow can affect the mountain road sections, though the town itself remains accessible by the main highway and rail line year-round. ### Where to stay and eat Kharagauli itself has limited formal accommodation, and most visitors base themselves in Kutaisi or at guesthouses closer to the park entrances, combining a stop in the town with a visit to nearby wine producers. Within GTour’s verified register, two wineries near Kharagauli are worth including in an itinerary: [Avalishvili’s Marani](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-avalishvilis-marani-1/), a family wine cellar, and [Rero Winery](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-rero-winery/), both offering tastings of Imeretian wine styles. GTour’s verified register lists more hotels, wineries and restaurants across Imereti for travellers building a longer itinerary; see also the [best-of guides](/best-of/) and the [regional guides](/guides/) for further planning. ### Practical notes Mobile network coverage is reliable in the town itself but can weaken along forest trails inside the national park, so downloading offline maps in advance is advisable. Cash is useful for small guesthouses, village shops and informal stops around Nunisi, since card acceptance is limited outside larger towns. Entry to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park trails is generally free, though some routes and services require registration at a ranger station; checking current rules with the Agency of Protected Areas before a multi-day trek is recommended. Sturdy footwear is advised for any walk beyond the immediate town, as forest paths can be muddy even outside the rainy season. ### Questions travellers ask #### Is Kharagauli worth a stop on its own? The town itself is modest, with its interest lying mainly in its role as a gateway to the national park and nearby monastery. Most travellers treat it as a short stop or overnight base rather than a standalone destination. #### How far is Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park from the town? The Marelisi entrance and ranger station of the park lie a short drive from Kharagauli, making the town a practical base for day hikes or the start of longer treks toward Borjomi. #### Can Ubisa Monastery be visited independently? Yes, the monastery is reached by a signed side road off the main Tbilisi–Kutaisi highway and is open to visitors as an active religious site; modest dress is expected inside the church. #### Is the train a good way to reach Kharagauli? Passenger trains on the Tbilisi–Kutaisi–Batumi line stop at Kharagauli station and offer scenic views over the Surami Pass, though road transport remains faster and more flexible for most itineraries. #### What is the best season for hiking near Kharagauli? Late spring to early autumn offers the clearest trails and most stable weather; winter snow restricts access to higher sections of the national park. #### Are there hot springs near Kharagauli? Nunisi, a nearby village, is known for mineral hot springs and a historic nunnery, offering an easy half-day addition to a visit focused on the national park or Ubisa Monastery. #### Does GTour arrange guided visits to Kharagauli and the surrounding sights? Yes, GTour organises private transfers and guided day trips from Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi that combine Kharagauli with the national park, Ubisa Monastery and nearby wineries, with an English-speaking guide. #### Is accommodation available in Kharagauli itself? Formal hotel options in the town are limited; most visitors stay in Kutaisi or at guesthouses near the park entrances and arrange day visits to Kharagauli and its surroundings. #### What wine can be tasted near Kharagauli? Imeretian wine styles are produced at small family cellars near the town, including Avalishvili’s Marani and Rero Winery, both listed in GTour’s verified register. ### Sources - [Georgian National Tourism Administration — Kharagauli](https://georgia.travel/cities-towns/kharagauli) - [Georgian National Tourism Administration — Imereti region](https://georgia.travel/regions/imereti) Plan your Georgia Want Kharagauli 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)