Rkoni to Rkoni Monastery Hike

Details of the Hiking Trail

The trail begins at the bridge over the Tedzami River in Rkoni Village. Here, you’ll find an information board giving you details about the various hiking routes in the area, including the hikes to Rkoni Monastery Complex, to Queen Tamar’s Bridge, to Kldekari Fortress, and to other villages nearby.

Crossing the bridge, you'll find yourself on the well-worn and narrow path to the monastery. The path follows the Tedzami River Valley upward, giving you a lovely view of Rkoni Forest as you ascend.

Once you emerge from the forest, you’ll be quite close to Rkoni Monastery. There are several camping areas nearby in which you can pitch your tent, if you fancy a night in the wilderness.

Rkoni Monastery Complex

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about the Rkoni Monastery Complex is that it was built over the course of an entire millennium! Construction began with the Mother of God Church in the 7th century, and the bell tower was the last addition in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Notable monuments within the complex include the Mother of God church, a chapel, a refectory, a tower, a bell tower, and the John the Baptist Church with its distinctive porch.

Rkoni Monastery is unfortunately not active, and is surrounded by the remains of a village. In the 12th and 13th centuries, however, a commercial and military road went through here, connecting Shida Kartli Region with the Near East.

Tamar’s Bridge

Tamar’s Bridge was built in the 12th and 13th centuries, at the same time that the aforementioned commercial road was in use. It was considered to be one of the best bridges at the time for the way it was constructed, and has now been restored to its original form.