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Goderdzi in summerlifts, Green Lake and the petrified forest
In summer Goderdzi is a cool mountain pass at 2,025 m, 109 km from Batumi. In 2026 the gondola and chairlift ran from 21 July, every day from 11:00 to 17:00. Green Lake, the alpine garden and Beshumi are close by. Days are 18–22 °C, nights 5–9 °C.
Do the lifts run in summer?
Yes. In summer the Zanka gondola (from the base at 1,724 m) and the Chanchakhi chairlift take you to the top station at about 2,350 m. The ride takes about 15 minutes.
In 2026 the summer season opened on 21 July, in 2025 on 20 July. The lifts ran daily from 11:00 to 17:00. Tickets are sold at the ticket office by the bottom station.
The operator does not announce a closing date. Travellers report that the lifts stop at the end of August or in early September. The operator does not publish a summer price either. In winter 2025/26 a single ride cost 15 GEL.
What to see nearby
| Place | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Green Lake (Mtsvane Tba) | 2,058 m, about 6 km north of the pass | Free to visit. Ice-cold water, no café or shop, weak phone signal. |
| Black Lake | On the loop route, 1.8 km from the fork at Didachara yaila | Easy to combine with Green Lake. |
| Goderdzi Alpine Botanical Garden | 1,860–1,960 m, about 2.5 km past the pass towards Beshumi | Open June to October. Rock garden, pond and a beekeeper's house. |
| Beshumi | 1,850–1,900 m, about 7 km from the pass | Summer resort, open mid-June to early September. |
| Yailas | Meadows around the pass: Lodidziri, Riketi, Didachara, Alma | Wooden shepherd huts, lived in only in summer. |
| Khulo | Around km 85 from Batumi | Last fuel station and supermarket before the pass. |
Goderdzi Petrified Forest: where it is and how to get there
The petrified forest is a protected natural monument: three sites at 1,600–2,100 m, 365 ha in total. Palms, magnolias, laurel, beech and hornbeam are preserved in stone.
It lies on the eastern side of the pass, towards Adigeni and Akhaltsikhe, not at the resort. The nearest village is Zarzma, 18 km of dirt road away, about 30 minutes by car. From Batumi over the pass it is about 120 km and 2.5 hours.
Official sources say nothing about an entry fee. If you drive on from Goderdzi towards Akhaltsikhe, the forest is on the way.
Hiking and cycling routes
| Route | Length | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goderdzi Pass loop: lift up → Green and Black lakes → Didachara yaila → Danisparauli → resort | 24 km | 5 h | Medium, marked, a cycling route. If the lifts are closed, start from the pass. |
| On foot from the pass to Green Lake across the yailas | ~6 km | 2–3 h | Meadows and shepherd huts on the way. |
| Khikhadziri → Shuamta lakes → Khikhani fortress | 33 km | 1 day | About 400 m climb to the fortress. Border zone with Turkey: bring your passport, there is a checkpoint. |
| Alpine route Chirukhi → Khikhadziri → Goderdzi | 70 km | 3 days | Easy, marked. Nights in guesthouses and shepherd huts. |
| Short meadow walks around the pass | — | 1–3 h | No gear needed, any clear day. |
The road from Batumi and on to Akhaltsikhe
Batumi to the pass is about 109 km and 3–3.5 hours by car, 4–5 hours with stops. The road is paved to Khulo. In June 2026 about 6–7 km of dirt remained near Bodzauri, where works are under way. Travellers report that a regular car gets through; the official Adjara portal still recommends a 4×4. Many rental companies forbid crossing the pass, so check your contract.
In summer you can cross the pass and drive on to Adigeni and Akhaltsikhe. The Zarzma – Akhaltsikhe section (34 km) is paved. The through road is reliably open from about June to September; in winter the eastern side is closed.
Without a car: minibuses to Khulo leave Batumi's old bus station on Mayakovsky Street, and in summer a morning minibus runs to Beshumi. A transfer by 4×4 or minivan is easier.
Goderdzi weather in summer
| Month | Day | Night | Rain | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 18 °C | 6 °C | 128 mm | 15 |
| July | 21 °C | 9 °C | 105 mm | 14 |
| August | 22 °C | 9 °C | 101 mm | 13 |
| September | 18 °C | 5 °C | 101 mm | 12 |
August is the warmest month, September the clearest, June the wettest. Fog rolls in fast even on a sunny day. Rhododendrons bloom in June and July. Data: long-term records of the Goderdzi weather station.
Summer events
Shuamtoba
Folk festival of mountain Adjara in Beshumi, usually on the first weekend of August (2 August in 2026): horse races, Georgian wrestling, folk ensembles, a craft fair. Traffic is 4–5 times heavier than usual.
Adjarian food day at the top station
In 2026 the resort operator held it on 22 August: chef workshops and music at 2,350 m. The operator plans more summer events.
Where to stay in summer
Hotels and cottages by the lifts, guesthouses in Danisparauli village (5 km from the resort) and in Beshumi. You can pitch a tent at Green Lake, on the pass and in Beshumi. Ask about summer dates in your request.
Goderdzi hotels and cottagesWhat to pack
- A fleece and a rain jacket, even in August: nights are 5–9 °C.
- Closed shoes for wet, stony trails.
- Food and water: there is nothing to buy at the lake, stock up in Khulo.
- Cash: guesthouses, minibuses and fairs take cash.
- Your passport if you go to Khikhani fortress: there is a border checkpoint.
- Sun protection: at 2,000 m you burn fast.
Summer in Goderdzi: questions
Does the Goderdzi gondola run in summer?
Yes. In 2026 the Zanka gondola and the Chanchakhi chairlift ran from 21 July, daily from 11:00 to 17:00; in 2025 the season opened on 20 July. Travellers report the lifts close at the end of August or in early September. The operator announces summer 2027 dates closer to the season.
How much is a summer lift ticket?
The operator does not publish a summer price. In winter 2025/26 a single ride cost 15 GEL and a day pass 30 GEL. Tickets are sold at the office by the gondola bottom station, where you can ask about the summer rate.
How do I get to Goderdzi from Batumi in summer, and do I need a 4×4?
The pass is about 109 km and 3–3.5 hours away. In June 2026 about 6–7 km of dirt remained near Bodzauri, and travellers report a regular car gets through. The official Adjara portal recommends a 4×4. Many rental firms forbid the pass, so check your contract.
Is Goderdzi Pass open to Akhaltsikhe in summer?
Yes, in summer you can cross the pass to Adigeni and Akhaltsikhe. The road is reliably open from about June to September, and the Zarzma – Akhaltsikhe section is paved. In winter the eastern side stays closed until late spring.
How far is Green Lake from the resort, and can you swim?
The lake lies at 2,058 m, about 6 km north of the pass, and is free to visit. The water is ice-cold even in August, so few people swim. There is no café or shop at the lake, so bring food.
Where is the petrified forest, and can I walk there from the pass?
The forest is on the eastern side, towards Adigeni. From Zarzma village it is 18 km of dirt road, about 30 minutes by car; from Batumi over the pass about 120 km and 2.5 hours. It is too far to walk from the resort in a day.
What is the weather in Goderdzi in July and August?
Days are 21–22 °C and nights about 9 °C. It rains 13–14 days a month and fog comes in fast. September is the clearest month and June the wettest. Bring a warm jacket even in August.
Can I camp near the pass and Green Lake?
Yes, people pitch tents at Green Lake, on the pass and in Beshumi. Nights are cold, down to 5 °C in September. There is no water or shop nearby, so bring everything from Khulo.