Looking for a fun and scenic day trip from Tbilisi? This past Sunday, we set out on what turned into a surprisingly adventurous and beautiful hike through two of Georgia’s natural gems — Birtvisi Canyon and an attempt at reaching Samshvilde Canyon.
We started our morning at the always-impressive Birtvisi Canyon — one of our favorite hiking spots in the region. Just about an hour’s drive from the capital, Birtvisi offers the perfect combination of rocky trails, forest paths, panoramic views, and fascinating fortress ruins hidden among the cliffs. It’s an easy to moderate hike that anyone in decent shape can enjoy, and it never fails to impress with its dramatic scenery.
After enjoying the peaceful vibe and natural beauty of Birtvisi, we decided to push the day a little further and explore something new: Samshvilde Canyon. It’s located deeper into Kvemo Kartli, near the ruins of the ancient Samshvilde Fortress. Though we didn’t quite make it all the way to the fortress this time — thanks to a surprise rainstorm — we did get a great feel for the area.
