Birtvisi canyons

1 day

duration

below average

difficulty

8 km

distance

↑↓550 m

ascent / descent

This route is just an hour's drive from the city.
We start in a small village where friendly local dogs usually come out to greet us. They might even join us for the whole hike. 

The trail kicks off with a short climb to the first viewpoint, offering breathtaking panoramas of the Birtvisi canyons. This is a true natural wonder of Georgia. Long ago, volcanoes erupted here, and then water and wind carved the frozen lava into deep, narrow gorges with jagged rock spires. Rivers have washed out many canyons over time.

After taking in the views, it's time to head down. We’ll carefully navigate a narrow rocky gorge to reach the canyon floor. Down here, everything is draped in green climbing plants, with massive boulders scattered all around. You'll spot climbing routes on some of the cliffs, and in spring or early summer, there's a lovely waterfall to see.

Next, we head up through a narrow riverbed. This is where parts of the fortress start appearing. First up are the ruins of a small tower sitting right by the river in the lowlands. It was likely one of the entrances to the fortress grounds. Soon we reach the source, where the river emerges from underground springs. We leave the riverbed and scramble up through a narrow canyon to reach the walls of the ancient fortress. You'll see steps carved right into the rock there.
We’ll climb to the highest point (1200 m). Get ready for a little adrenaline—we’ll be using a rope for this ascent.

On the way back, we’ll take a small detour to the tall Sheupovari tower (which translates to "Unyielding" or "Stubborn"). The trail to the base of the cliff isn't too tough, but the climb itself is very steep. Local rangers have installed chains there to help with the scramble.

what to wear?
what to pack?

Proper gear is key to making sure your trip is all about good vibes. Check out this quick guide on clothes and footwear.

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