Back in June 2024, I first came across Tsodoreti Lake during one of the Tbilisi Trails races, which turned out to be one of the most challenging runs of my life. While I tackled the 10K trail route, my partner and our kiddo took a gentler 7K path. But even with the varied distances, we all agreed on one thing—Tsodoreti Lake and its surrounding woods had a unique charm.
As we caught our breath by the lake, my partner made a casual yet intriguing remark: "This place might be good for mushrooms." That one sentence planted a seed, and it stayed with us. It’s a classic Georgian forest—dense, wild, and seemingly untouched—a perfect place for mushroom foraging.
Late October felt like the ideal time to return and explore Tsodoreti for mushrooms. The autumn colors painted the forest in warm shades of amber and crimson, and we came prepared with small baskets, ready to dive into a day of foraging. As with any mushroom hunt, our mission was half excitement, half learning. There’s an undeniable thrill to wandering through nature, scanning the forest floor, and stumbling upon something unexpected.
We began our adventure with a few findings, modest yet intriguing. At first, the mushrooms we picked were humble and hard to identify. With a bit of help from Google and AI-powered identification apps, we learned that we’d collected Deer Mushrooms and a few other species unfamiliar to us. It was fascinating to see how technology could deepen our connection to nature; we could learn about each mushroom species in real-time, discovering its characteristics and culinary possibilities.
Our kiddo, filled with energy and curiosity, played a crucial role in the day's adventure—though some of their findings managed to get "lost" on the trails as quickly as they were found! For a young explorer, each mushroom seemed like a precious gem, eagerly shown to us before wandering off in excitement and leaving a trail of abandoned mushrooms along the path.
By mid-afternoon, we found a quiet spot near the lake, where the views of Tbilisi’s suburbs peeked through the trees, the reflection of autumn colors dancing on the lake's surface. We enjoyed the serene environment, taking in the crisp, fresh air, and watching the late-afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the water. For a moment, the city's hustle felt miles away, replaced by the gentle hum of nature and the simple satisfaction of foraging.
Foraging in Tsodoreti turned out to be more than just a day of mushroom hunting. It became a shared experience, a chance to explore Georgia’s nature in its rawest form and pass on a love of the outdoors to our child.
For anyone in Tbilisi looking to experience a slice of nature, Tsodoreti Lake offers a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and discovery—a perfect day trip to escape the city and maybe even bring home a few edible finds!