Ancient Ruins, Rock Scrambles, Scary Plants: Day Hike in Birtvisi Canyon
Tbilisi has two modes: winter and summer, with a scant few hours of spring or fall to break them up. Now we’re fully into swelter season, with temps shooting up to the high 80s. The deep forests and canyons just outside the city with their lush overgrowth and shaded leafy valleys beckon. At just over an hour outside Tbilisi, Birtvisi Canyon is an easy day trip as long as you don’t mind getting a little muddy, tackling boulders, and dodging some sketchy plants.
There are a couple of trails in the canyon, including a longer but more leisurely out-and-back that will reward you with incredible views and tight squeezes between massive boulders, and the more challenging but shorter Canyon Viewpoint and Ruins Hike. Good footwear is a must since some of the scrambles can get a bit slick, and there are tiny rocks that give way under your feet.
The rocks and inclines are fun, especially if you like to get a bit muddy and enjoy a challenge, but there’s another element to the hike that even seasoned hikers will want to steer clear of: scary plants. Giant Hogsweed, an intensely poisonous plant that causes huge, painful blisters on the skin, grows rampant right off the trail. Get the sap on your skin, expose it to the sun, and you’re looking at some nasty second-degree burns.
I had a slight run-in with the Giant Hogsweed, or maybe its more benign twin, Cow Parsnip (they look nearly identical), but fortunately was able to cover up my arm and avoid any serious effects. Give these bad buds a wide berth. If you do come into contact with this plant, wash the area thoroughly, apply sunscreen, and put on several light layers of clothing.
Birtvisi Canyon is a moderate to varsity-level hike. If you’re the sort of person who loves natural obstacles like me, you’ll find it super enjoyable and challenging. Get on out there!
