Gudauri: Winter wonderland transforms into mountain biking paradise

A top Georgian ski resort known for its alpine beauty and vast Alps has transformed into a summer paradise for mountain bikers.

Instead of watching skiers and snowboarders racing down the slopes at Gudauri, visitors will be able to see mountain bikers weave along the new biking tracks in the alpine resort.

This weekend several mountain biking tracks will open in Gudauri for the first time, offering users the opportunity to ride along paths of varying difficulty.

On Sunday August 9 the tracks will open, which collectively cover a total distance of 4,8km.

To mark the official opening of the bike tracks chairlift passes will be free on Sunday. For the rest of summer and autumn the chairlifts will be open for mountain bikers every weekend from 10am to 5pm. This will continue until September 13 and users must pay 10 GEL per day for chairlift use.

Sunset at Didveli, Bakuriani. Photo by Kote Kadagidze.

The professional bike paths meet European standards and were created by the Georgian National Tourism Administration under the guidance of Slovakian specialists.

Meanwhile Georgia’s other leading winter resort town Bakuriani is also preparing mountain bike paths for summer enthusiasts.

See how Bakuriani looks like in winter 'In Pictures'. 

Two paths in Bakuriani, that are each more than 2km long, will be opened at the end of August. The terrain of the paths varies and suitable to riders of all abilities, although one path is specified for advanced riders.

This summer the Georgian Mountain Resorts Management Company planned to host competitions for mountain bikers at both resorts. The races will be divided into three categories- easy, medium and difficult and the lanes will be marked and equipped with safety and informational signs.

The first competition will be held in Gudauri, and if successful, riders will take part in the final contest on Didveli slopes in Bakuriani. The event will be open to the public.

As well as mountain biking, a range of sporting activities have been planned so visitors can enjoy both resorts in summer.

The inaugural Gudauri and Bakuriani summer season is organised by the Georgian Mountain Resorts Management Company of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.

Meanwhile a 50km circular track divided into easy, medium and difficult roads opened in Tbilisi National Park on June 30.

The track, which was marked according to international standards, was created within a United National World Tourism Organisation project.