Samegrelo is often passed over because the region is mostly lowland. Its hiking, however, is some of the most demanding in the country — centred on the Egrisi mountain range in the northeast of the region, where multi-day routes cross high alpine passes with no facilities and require full camping gear. These are not day hikes. Routes here involve river crossings, snow-covered slopes well into summer, and sections where navigation is not straightforward. Mobile coverage is absent on the trail.
The reward is genuine isolation. Even by Georgian standards, the high parts of Samegrelo see very few walkers, and the alpine basins above the treeline are striking. There are easier options lower down — the Balda Canyon makes for a shorter half-day outing that doesn't require overnight gear — but the region's reputation among hikers is built on the multi-day routes deeper in the mountains. Trail guides below cover what's needed, including trailhead access and what to carry.
