Hidden Parts of Okatse Canyon

Most travelers know the famous suspended walkway of Okatse Canyon, the one seen in countless tourist photos. But few realize there’s another, wilder side of this natural wonder — one untouched by crowds, where Georgia’s raw beauty reveals itself in full. Let’s uncover it step by step.

Your journey begins in Zeda Gordi, home to the main entrance of Okatse Canyon. The first stop is the Visitor Center, where you’ll need to buy your entry tickets. Almost immediately, drivers of 4×4 jeeps will offer to take you up the 1.5 km route to the hanging trail. Kindly decline — and here’s why. First, they’re usually in a hurry to make more trips and won’t wait for you to take in the views. Second, they’ll drive right past the place you’re truly looking for — the canyon’s secret, untouched side.

Instead, set off on foot along a scenic forest path that winds through a park and the picturesque ruins of an old noble estate. About 200–250 meters before the main canyon entrance, you may spot a small sign reading “Boga.” Sometimes, though, it’s missing — locals tend to remove it, perhaps to keep their secret corners undisturbed by too many visitors. If you find the spot, leave the main path and follow a faint, narrow trail descending steeply toward the water. What awaits you below is unlike anything you’ll see from the tourist platforms.

Here, the canyon feels alive — wild, echoing, and breathtakingly raw. You’ll discover three fascinating sights. The first is a descent into a deep cleft known as the Bear’s Bath, a natural pool hidden within the rock. You can’t reach it without ropes, but just peering inside feels like stepping into another world.

Continue down the path, and soon it will split into two. The left trail leads downward, while the right one continues straight ahead. Follow the right path and you’ll find yourself on an eerie, half-broken wooden bridge suspended above a narrow gorge where the river roars below. The canyon here narrows to just three or four meters, a dizzying spectacle that makes your heart race.

Now take the other trail leading deeper down — this is the place seen in those few mysterious photos and videos that circulate among experienced hikers. In summer, it’s a perfect spot for a refreshing swim, and you’ll almost always have it to yourself. The adventurous few who make it here return covered in clay, with scratched knees and wide smiles — the marks of a real explorer.

When we bring our guests here, those willing to climb and crawl through the stones, they always return with a spark in their eyes — and a quiet sense of pride. Later, looking down at the crowds strolling the official trails above, they can’t help but feel a touch of sympathy for those who never ventured beyond the obvious.

Coordinates of the secret area: 42.456693, 42.547078