Dashbashi Bridge over the canyon

Explore the beautiful Tsalka Canyon on this day tour from Tbilisi. Take a short and easy walk through the green canyon to admire the magnificent waterfalls, caves and cliffs and, of course, the Dashbashi Bridge.

Tsalka Canyon (formerly Dashbashi Canyon) in Georgia is a deep mountain gorge located 100 km west of Tbilisi in the Tsalka municipality. Long a popular destination for visitors, the canyon has become even more attractive since a visitor center opened in summer 2021, offering plenty of comfort and adventure in a picturesque setting.

About the Canyon itself

The canyon, 7 kilometers long and 300 meters deep, was formed on a volcanic plateau as a result of erosion. This natural wonder has steep slopes covered with lush vegetation, along the bottom of which the fast waters of the Khrami River flow. However, the main attraction of Tsalka Canyon is its impressive cluster of cascading waterfalls. In summer, their emerald waters glisten among lush green foliage, and in winter, the waterfalls freeze, creating a frosty fairytale landscape.

Visitors can easily travel from Tbilisi to Dashbashi Canyon (Tsalka Canyon) within a 2-hour drive one way. Once you reach the entrance to the canyon, you will have to park your car and walk down a well-marked mountain trail that stretches 1.5 kilometers to the waterfall. The most difficult part of the journey is the steep climb back, but guests should also prepare for the walk. along the stone banks of the Khrami River. Most people take about 1-1.5 hours to complete the round trip hike through Dashbashi Canyon.

Tsalka Canyon is a wonderful outdoor destination that will give you a deeper appreciation for Georgia’s natural beauty.

In August 2021, a new complex opened in the Tsalka Canyon with the goal of turning the reserve into an attractive tourist area. The complex includes a 240-meter-long glass bridge directly over the canyon with a diamond-shaped cafe-bar in the middle. There is also a visitor center, a quality hotel complex with cottages, an outdoor garden restaurant, swimming pools, bridges, camping areas and a 500-meter paved road to the river canyon.

A trip to the Tsalka Canyon will be a good vacation in Tbilisi. It can also be a stop on a longer trip. Near the canyon is the picturesque Lake Tsalka, a favorite place of Georgian fishermen. You can also hike to the ruins of the 9th-century Kldekari fortress, although little of it is quite enchanting. Another option is to combine a visit to Tsalka Canyon with a trip to the Poka St. Nino convent.