Region 4: WESTERN LESSER CAUCASUS
23. Mtirala. Subtropical mountain forest
Coordinates: 41 o42’ N, 41o47’ E
Altitude: 700– 1,334 m. a.s.l.
 Warm and very humid climate. Winters are snowy, summers rainy. Annual precipitation 3,000– 4,000 mm (260 mm in January, 160 mm in April, 180 mm in July, 280 mm in October). Over 40 days with heavy rains per year. Around 40 days with snow cover. Mean temperature: January/0, April/12, July/20, October/16. Mean maximum temperature (July)/32 o C.
 This site is an extremely interesting mountain covered with a relic forest, with a climate that is quite different even from nearby areas. The annual rainfall of 4,000 mm makes Mtirala one of the most humid locations in non– tropical Eurasia. The high concentration of evergreen plants, together with poor brick– red clay soil and almost permanent rain makes Mtirala externally more similar to tropical cloud forests rather than European or Near Eastern mountain forest. The area harbors the highest proportion of endemic animals and plants in Georgia. Some of them are difficult to find anywhere else in the world except in this and a few other locations of southwestern Georgia. Occasionally some species of large mammals can be seen here, even though the area is not far from Batumi. If one is based in Batumi, a visit to the site can take a day, but a tourist based in Tbilisi needs at least three (better four) days.
 The area provides habitat for a common set of forest bird species, among them boreal, long– eared, scops, tawny, and eagle owls, greater spotted, lesser spotted, middle spotted, white– backed, green, and black woodpeckers, goshawk, common crossbill, wood– pigeon, stock dove, white– throated dipper, wren, common and black– headed nuthatch, various warblers and other songbirds.
 Some mammal species can be occasionally observed, such as golden jackal, chamois, and even brown bear. One may also come across endemic Caucasian mole, Pontic wood mouse, and Shelkownikow’ s water shrew. At small mountain brooks, one can observe three endemic amphibians: Caucasian salamander (represented here by a local subspecies with non– typical reddish coloration without spots), Caucasian mud– diver, and Caucasian toad. Best time for watching amphibians is June through August. Most interesting are endemic Turkish lizard, Artwin wood lizard, a west Caucasian subspecies of slow worm, and occasionally found Aesculapian snake. Freshwater crabs live near small brooks. The area is covered by mostly deciduous forest with beach and elm as dominant trees. The forest understory is comprised mostly by evergreen endemic Pontic rhododendron. Other typical evergreen plants are cherry laurel, Butcher’ s broom, and holly. Mtirala is one of a few places where the extremely rare Ungern’ s rhododendron is found, as well as a representative of mostly East Asian genus Epigaea.
 No specific attractions beyond the beaches of Batumi and its surroundings.
  April through September.
 Batumi can be reached from Tbilisi both by train (departure every evening from Tbilisi railway station, arrival in morning), by bus and minibus (Didube and Ortachala bus stations). Travel by car takes 6– 7 hours. Mtirala forest can be reached only by car or minibus leaving from Batumi for the village Korolistavi. A car can be rented in Batumi. Entering the site by car is not allowed (the site is a part of the recently created Tsiskara reserve). Wildlife attractions are reachable by foot.
 In Batumi, single rooms in a comfortable hotel can be rented for around 20 USD per day and up. Cheaper accommodation in private homes is also possible. In Batumi or on the road along the Black Sea coast, there are many restaurants and cafés. Mt. Mtirala lies in a protected area. Formally, a special permit is required, which can be obtained through the reserve office in Batumi.
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