This European Country Is Full Of Hidden-Gem Hiking Trails

Interested in checking out some of the European continent's tallest mountains, deepest caves, and most ancient wine making traditions? Start researching flights to Georgia, home of thousands of miles of the Caucasus mountain range and an incredibly diverse landscape — all free of the continent's most dangerous hiking spots. Georgia goes from sea level to high-alpine environments in hours, touching the Black and Caspian seas and serving as home to peaks taller than 17,000 feet.

Most flights to Georgia will land you in Tbilisi, the country's capital city. Rest and fuel up with Khachapuri and Georgian dumplings, walk around and soak in the atmosphere, and start exploring. You won't have to go far to find great outdoor activities. In fact, you won't even have to leave the city. The United Federation of Georgian Mountaineers converted the Lotkin Monument into a fully climbable rock climbing route with 17 different rope lines. After exploring the capital, you can hop on a train or find your own way to epic day treks and week-long alpine tours. Pick a spot on the map and start exploring. No matter where you go, Georgia's geography has a treat in store, and the locals will be eager to help you get outside. The mayor of Batumi, Georgia, once told the Associated Press that "For a Georgian, each guest is like God." The Georgian people's enthusiastic hospitality pairs incredibly well with the country's awesome geography, so check out these hiking locations and start planning your next trip. 

The Caucasus Mountain range cuts through Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan to separate the continent of Europe from Asia. The range covers Georgia's entire northern border, so there's no shortage of great peaks and valleys to explore. Svantani, a mountain region close to the Black Sea, is home to Georgia's most famous through-hike, Mestia to Ushguli. This epic route will have you climbing over 10,000 feet across 37 miles of beautiful scenery. A great aspect of this route are the guest houses scattered across the trek. You can do the entire thing without carrying a tent and backpacking supplies.

If you want to bring your camping supplies and enjoy a more remote journey through the mountains, check out a challenging hike called Svaneti to Racha (Zeskho to Ghebi.) This hike sends you off from an abandoned village into some of the most remote sections of the Georgian Caucasus Mountains. Stretches of this route don't even have a clear trail to guide you, so pack a GPS in case of emergency, as well as your sense of adventure.

In the Khevi region, a fantastic day hike to Mount Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church awaits. The walk to the church itself is well-traveled and absolutely epic. If you travel all the way here, you might as well keep going to the Gergeti Glacier, which adds another six hours to the hike and finishes at a glacier that sits 10,000 feet above sea level.

The Caucasus Mountains highlight many trips to Georgia, but there's much more to discover here. Several gems are ripe for exploration near the Black Sea in the southside of Georgia, closer to the country's border with Albania. Here, the climate is entirely different from the high-alpine environment up north. There are still plenty of peaks, but they're surrounded by numerous wetland and rainforest areas. The UNESCO World Heritage Convention has even recognized an area known as The Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands for its "remarkably dense mosaic of forest types." A great way to experience this natural tapestry is through a four-day hike known as Bakhmaro to the Black Sea route. Depending on your route, you can end up walking 52 miles and experience over 17,000 feet in elevation gain, so budget almost a whole week for this hike and pack a tent. 

If you don't want a through-hike, There are two great protected national parks in this region, Kolkheti and Mtirala, home to numerous great day-trek and more extended options. A bit closer to Tbilisi, you'll find Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, another park worthy of your bucket list. After a long trip climbing mountains and navigating rugged terrain, Georgia even delivers a great place to rest and restore your muscles. Stop by the Dikhashkho Sulphur Geyser and relax in the naturally-heated spring before your flight home.