Discovering Georgia’s Adventure Side at Dashbashi Canyon

I was standing on a glass section of a bridge, controlling myself from looking down. I was reminded of all those videos where people trembled or cried or crawled on completely transparent glass bridges. Thankfully, the bridge I was standing on had solid wooden sections in between the glass ones. And I looked down as soon as the glass section came. The transparent floor offered a perfect view 210 meters down of the rocky gorge and waterfalls far below, while my brain helpfully reminded me that there was absolutely nothing between my feet and the abyss except a sheet of glass. Somewhere between taking photographs and pretending I was completely comfortable, I realised I had found a very different side of Georgia.

Dashbashi Canyon, or Tsalka Canyon, is situated in the region of Kvemo Kartli, South Georgia, and consists of a gorge formed by the Khrami River, about eight kilometres long, carving its way through a volcanic plateau. 

What surprised me was how green and picturesque the canyon was, with its steep walls creating a microclimate that allows vegetation to thrive in places where you least expect it.

The walking trail I was on went through the canyon, leading to waterfalls and unusual rocks. One of the spots on the way to the canyon is called the 'Crying Wall' because of dozens of streams flowing down the rocks. The more I walked, the more I realised that the Diamond Bridge was almost a bonus. The canyon itself was the star.

And Then Came The Diamond Bridge

Of course, I had not travelled all the way to Dashbashi to politely admire rocks and waterfalls!

The suspension bridge stretches 240 metres across the canyon, with its distinctive diamond-shaped structure at the centre. The futuristic design is quite a contrast to the raw landscape around it. Inside the central structure is a café, while the bridge itself offers sweeping views of the gorge.

I had already seen the Diamond Bridge on screen in "Special Ops 2" streaming on Hotstar, so I thought I knew what to expect. I didn't. Seeing it in person was considerably more dramatic. The bridge stretches across the canyon like a sci-fi architectural prop dropped into an otherwise wild landscape. And while television does a good job of showing you the view, it cannot quite recreate the sensation of looking through a glass floor!

Walking towards it, I was excited.

Walking onto it, I was still excited, but now with a healthy dose of prudent caution.

I reminded myself that thousands of people have walked across the bridge before me and lived to post photographs. Still, knowing this intellectually and convincing your feet of it are two entirely different things. The television had clearly not prepared me for the real thing, but I lived to tell the tale.

When The Canyon Gets Adventurous

Once I had conquered the Diamond Bridge, I could have called it a day. Instead, I discovered that Dashbashi had decided that one adrenaline rush was not enough.

Around the bridge, Kass Land offers a range of adventure activities, including a Sky Bike, a giant cliff swing and a go-kart track. Suddenly, my peaceful canyon visit had turned into a rather ambitious test of my relationship with heights.

The Sky Bike caught my attention first. Suspended high above the canyon, the bicycle takes you across the gorge along a cable, leaving you pedalling between the sky above and the ravine below. From the ground, it looks almost ridiculously simple. The height, however, adds a completely different dimension. Not for the faint-hearted, for sure!

A Swing With A View

The cliff swing, meanwhile, takes the whole concept of a playground swing and gives it a rather dramatic upgrade.

Suspended at the edge of the canyon, it sends riders out over the gorge, with the cliffs and landscape stretching behind them. Participants of all ages give out a shout first, followed by a sigh of relief.

The beauty of these activities is that they are not merely rides set up next to a tourist attraction. The canyon itself becomes part of the experience.

For those who prefer their adrenaline a little closer to the ground, there is also a go-karting track. Kass Land has a track stretching more than a kilometre, earning it the accolade of being the longest in Eastern Europe.

I didn't drive it myself, but I was perfectly happy watching the karts race around the track. After all, there is something wonderfully convenient about enjoying a high-speed activity without having to be the person responsible for steering it.

The go-kart track also makes Dashbashi more accessible to families and groups travelling together, suiting all ages. Not everyone is enthusiastic about dangling over a canyon, and there is enough variety here for people to choose their comfort level of adventure.

Stay, Soak, And Slow Down

Don't want to squeeze everything in a day? Or need a breather before driving back to the city? Kass Land has a luxury resort within the complex, allowing visitors to stay close to the canyon and take their time with the activities. 

And after a day of adventures, some downtime feels well deserved. The resort’s spa and wellness facilities, including a heated pool, offer the perfect way to unwind and slow things down.

After all the walking and adrenaline, the most important part is the meals. The Diamond Restaurant, near the bridge, serves Georgian food and wine with panoramic views of the canyon and its adventure activities. Sitting down to a meal while watching the Sky Bike and Cliff Swing from a safe distance could feel like the perfect way to end the day.

How To Get There

Dashbashi Canyon is around 90 minutes by road from Tbilisi and can be reached by car, private transfer or organised day tour. Allow at least half a day; a full day or overnight stay is better if you want to explore the trails and try the adventure activities. 

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