Our go-to hiking spot in Georgia has always been Birtvisi Canyon. With its striking rock formations, narrow passages, and unbeatable views, it’s a place we return to again and again. But last Sunday, we felt like trying something new.
So we picked a place we’d heard about but never explored properly: Samshvilde Canyon.
In fact we almost find it few years ago, but turned our car around because the road didn't seem proper. See: Hiking at Birtvisi Canyon. This time we risked bit more.
Located not far from the town of Tetritskaro, Samshvilde is known for its quiet trails and historic ruins, including the remains of the ancient Samshvilde Fortress. We packed up for a casual day hike, hoping for some nice views and maybe a peek at the fortress.
After a peaceful countryside drive, we found a small parking spot near the edge of the canyon. The trails were actually marked, which was a pleasant surprise — but we still weren’t entirely sure where we were going. With no detailed map and limited phone signal, we decided to follow a route that seemed to lead toward Pirghebuli Church.
The path offered beautiful scenery right from the start: green slopes, quiet woods, and distant canyon cliffs stretching across the horizon. There wasn’t another soul around — just us and nature.
What began as a calm and peaceful hike quickly changed. The sky grew darker, and before we knew it, a heavy rain started pouring. At first, we hoped it would pass, but it didn’t let up. Within minutes, we were soaked and muddy, laughing through the downpour as we tried to keep our footing on the now slippery trail.
With visibility dropping and our clothes clinging to us, we decided to turn back. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the church or the fortress ruins — but even without reaching those landmarks, the experience was still worth it.
We might not have followed the trail perfectly — and we definitely didn’t stay dry — but sometimes that’s what makes a hike memorable. The quiet beauty of Samshvilde Canyon, the mist rolling over the hills, and the unexpected challenge of hiking through the rain all made for a day we won’t forget.
It wasn’t the adventure we expected — but it’s one we’re glad we had.
Next time, we’ll aim for better weather and maybe a map… and hopefully finally reach Pigrebuli Church or the fortress ruins. Until then, we’ve added Samshvilde to our growing list of special places in Georgia.