The 6 Best Things to do Adventurous in Abkhazia, Georgia

Reviewed By PavelS_11 - Moscow, Russia

Just have returned from long weekend tour to Abkhazia. Stayed for three night at the town of Novy Afon (New Athos), there a plenty of places of interest located, with Anacopia Fortress on the hill, above everything around. Our guide dropped us to the beginning of the way up by his jeep ( very experienced man of 50, strongly recommend if you’d like privacy and professional service, PM for the contacts. pls) Cold and rainy morning we climed up the path and crossed the ticket point ( for free as it was closed:). Not easy to get there but the whole way is stunnind and the views are really breathtaking. It is really worth a visit, first for it's historical nature. Possibly it was established around the 2nd century AD and looks like an abandoned Roman fortress or Scotch castle. Limestone bricks with green ivy on, the path surrounded by old trees makes the way up the steep slope more and more exciting each step. There is an old chirch ( still working like piligrims worship site) on the top, and a castle a bit higher. Wooden steps leads you to the roof with four flags on the corners. A spectacular 360 degree view of New Athos and nice view of the mountains from this site is really worth to do such a long walk up! By the way, no need any transportation to get from the town to the fortress if you in a good fit condition and have normal trekking shoes. At each curve of the road you may find house wine for very funny price. 4-5 road bends and your mood is getting higher after each degustation:) ( Avoid overdrinking — it makes your descend a bit troubling:). No need to carry much water if you prefer drinking it more than wine — the well with holy water ( cold and fresh, definetely unusual taste) is near the chirch. No restritions, no irritating people, no criminals. Safe and wonderfull place ( like the whole Abkhazia country) is there. What to pay attention: have good boots as the road is partially destroyed, with many sharp rocks, slipppery when wet. Mind the preciepice on the other side of the fortress — dangerous place to get close. The whole hike from the town and back took four hours ( including wine stops:), with long rest on the top. Strongly recommenfd this beautiful place, you won’t regret!