Sataplia Nature Reserve

Sataplia Nature Reserve can be visited in two hours, but those two hours combine three things that rarely coincide: dinosaur footprints in original rock, a cave with stalactites and a glass viewing platform over a gorge. The reserve occupies a forested hill about 9 km northwest of Kutaisi, and the contrast with the city is felt as soon as you enter the forest: the air is cooler, it smells of damp earth and ferns, and the sound of traffic disappears almost at once.

The dinosaur footprints are the most singular element. These are fossilised tracks of Cretaceous herbivores —about 100 million years ago— pressed directly into the limestone platform and covered by a transparent structure that protects them without preventing viewing. They are not replicas or reconstructions: the shape of the toes and the volume of each footprint are exactly as they were left. The explanatory panel is simple, but the direct presence of those marks carries a weight no museum can replicate.

Sataplia Cave is small —the interior route lasts about 15 minutes— but has its own stalactite formations and a shallow underground lake. The atmosphere inside is cool and humid even in August. The glass viewing platform, installed in recent years, juts out over the gorge with views of the dark forest and the valley of Kutaisi beyond; on clear days you can make out the city from above. The reserve entrance fee is around 15 GEL (approx. 5 EUR) for adults.

Sataplia Nature Reserve owes its scientific discovery to naturalist Petre Chabukiani, who found the dinosaur footprints in the limestone rocks of the hill during the 1930s. The reserve was officially established in 1935, becoming one of the oldest in Georgia. The name Sataplia means in Georgian adgili taplisat, "place of honey", after the wild bees that lived in the forest trees. During the Soviet era Sataplia Cave was opened for visits and the first trails were laid out. The glass viewing platform and the current interpretation facilities were added after independence, as part of the renewal of tourism in the Imereti region.

• Dinosaur footprints Fossilised tracks of Cretaceous sauropods in original limestone rock, protected under a transparent cover. The shape of the toes and the outline of each footprint are clearly distinguishable.
• Sataplia Cave Small limestone cavity with stalactites and a shallow underground lake. The route lasts about 15–20 minutes; the interior stays cool and humid year-round.
• Glass viewing platform Transparent platform over the gorge with views of the relict forest and the valley of Kutaisi. On clear days the city can be seen from above.
• Colchic relict forest The forest of Sataplia Reserve is a remnant of the ancient subtropical forest of Colchis, with tree species surviving from the Tertiary: Caucasian laurel, box and giant ivy.
• Panoramic trail A circuit of approximately 2 km linking the dinosaur footprints, the cave and the viewing platform through the forest. The ground can be slippery after rain; grip footwear is useful.

Photo gallery

Sataplia is about 9 km northwest of the centre of Kutaisi. By taxi from Kutaisi the journey takes about 15 minutes; it is worth negotiating a return price with waiting time before setting off. There are marshrutkas from the centre of Kutaisi with variable frequency; ask at the central market for the route to Sataplia. By car the signage from Kutaisi is clear. Kutaisi International Airport is about 20 km from the reserve.

Sataplia Reserve is open all year. From May to October the forest is green and temperatures are comfortable: between 20 and 28 °C in summer, cooler in spring and autumn. The forest smells especially good after rain. In July and August there is a bit more visitor traffic, but never comparable to Prometheus Cave. In winter the reserve remains open; trails can be muddy and waterproof footwear is recommended.