Martvili Canyon

Martvili Canyon, protected as the Gachedili Canyon Natural Monument, is a narrow limestone gorge cut by the Abasha River north of the town of Martvili. The canyon is about 2.4 km long and 50 to 70 m deep, though visitors see only a short, well-built section near the visitor centre in Inchkhuri. A 700 m loop path leads past three viewing platforms, small bridges and a historic limestone staircase, looking down on blue-green water and mossy walls. From the jetty, inflatable boats with a guide travel about 300 m up the gorge, past small waterfalls pouring from the cliffs.

This is one of the most visited natural sights in western Georgia, so expect tour groups in summer and at weekends. It is easy to pair with Martvili Monastery and Balda Canyon in Samegrelo, or with Okatse Canyon and Kinchkha Waterfall in neighbouring Imereti, on a day trip from Kutaisi. In 2010 a scientific expedition found around 20 dinosaur footprints and bone fragments in the rocks between Gachedili and Inchkhuri, a reminder of how old this limestone landscape is.

For the Dadiani princes of Mingrelia, the canyon was a favourite bathing place, and the lower path is still called the Dadiani trail. Its 30-step limestone staircase is linked by local legend to Saint George the Hagiorite and King David the Builder. Near the canyon stand the remains of a two-storey Megrelian mill from the 18th or 19th century. The gorge is now a protected natural monument.