Map of less known Svaneti, Racha routes to be released by Norwegian living in Zemo Svaneti region

Richard Baerug, a traveller who came to Georgia from Norway 11 years ago and settled in the northern mountainous region of Svaneti, is set to release a map featuring 120 hiking trails and information on less known routes in Svaneti and Racha regions, local media outlet bm.ge has reported.

Baerug, who now is the owner of Ushba Grand Hotel in the village of Becho, said that with the help of the GRETA project co-financed by the EU, Austria and Sweden, he received funding to print a new book, which will contain hiking routes of both Svaneti and Racha regions.

Photo: GRETA project

I believe that this project will yield a concrete result in terms of tourism development in the region, especially for small villages", Baerug said.

Irakli Kutsia, Manager of Sustainable Tourism Component of the GRETA project said that this roadmap "should draw tourists to Svaneti”.

I believe that a professionally compiled roadmap with illustrations, maps and descriptions of all those assets that this region possesses is very important, especially since this roadmap will be available abroad as well", Kutsia said.

Under the GRETA project two major trainings for individuals interested in adventure tourism have already been conducted, bm.ge reported. The participants were trained both in the hiking trail marking and their maintenance. Besides, hiking trail guides were retrained in accordance with international standards.