Natural Monument
Samsvilde Canyon Natural Monument
Attraction: The natural monument comprises a deep canyon-like valley carved into lava rocks along the middle course of the Khrami (Ktsia) River, together with the canyon of the Chivchavi River. The Samsvilde Canyon begins at an exposed quartz-porphyry intrusion, which, as a result of weathering, releases beautiful, uniformly angular bipyramidal crystals of magmatic quartz. These quartz crystals are a true natural wonder.
The natural monument includes a 5–6 km-long canyon of the Khrami River and a 3–4 km-long canyon of the Chivchavi River. The average depth of the canyon incision is approximately 300 meters.
An interesting historical monument, the Samsvilde archaeological site, is located near the natural monument.
Coordinates: N41 30.358 E44 30.987
Location: Tetritskaro Municipality, vicinity of the village of Samsvilde, near the Samsvilde archaeological site, in the valleys of the Khrami and Chivchavi rivers, 548–605 meters above sea level.
Access: The nearest major settlement to the natural monument is the town of Tetritskaro. Tetritskaro is located 58 km from Tbilisi; travel time is approximately 1 hour.
Tetritskaro – Village of Samsvilde: 5 km; travel time approximately 15 minutes.
Village of Samsvilde – Samsvilde Canyon Natural Monument: 0.8 km; travel time approximately 10 minutes.
Accommodation: The most convenient options for overnight accommodation are in Manglisi or Tbilisi, where accommodation is available at a hotel.