Climbing In Katskhi (Chiatura)

Katskhi is the largest climbing region in Georgia. Here you will find diverse terrain, a wide variety of sectors, and routes of all difficulty levels

Katskhi is a village in the Chiatura Municipality, situated along the Katskhura River on the Chiatura–Zestaponi highway. Located at 610 meters above sea level and just 11 km from Chiatura, it has a population of 403. The main landmark of the village is the Katskhi Pillar — a 40-meter-high natural limestone monolith topped with two small medieval churches. Katskhi is one of the largest and most popular climbing destinations in Georgia. The rock quality is excellent for various climbing styles. The region features a rich variety of terrain, ranging from steep overhangs to technical vertical slabs, giving athletes a broad range of challenges to push their skills. Thanks to this diversity, Katskhi is equally engaging for climbers of all skill levels. Here you will find everything from beginner-friendly routes to hard-project lines, with route difficulties ranging from 5a to 8b.

Route

The climbing routes in Katskhi are categorized according to the French grading system and range from 5a to 8b in difficulty.

How to get there

Katskhi is located approximately 190 km from the capital, Tbilisi (about a 2 to 2.5-hour drive). It is 11 km from Chiatura and 70 km from Kutaisi. While the main roads are accessible, a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is recommended for reaching the crags.


Public Transport: To get there by public transport, you first need to take a minibus (marshrutka) from Tbilisi to Chiatura, which run regularly from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. From Chiatura, you will need to catch the Chiatura–Katskhi local bus or minibus, which will drop you off at the main square of Katskhi village. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi directly from the Chiatura bus station.


Accommodation: There are 2 climbers' camps set up in the area, offering options to stay either indoors or pitch a tent (see map).

Best time to visit

The best seasons for climbing in Katskhi are winter, spring, and autumn. Rainfall is common during winter and early spring, but on dry, clear days, you can enjoy climbing in cool and comfortable conditions. Summers are generally quite hot, making climbing feasible mainly during the early morning hours or in shaded sectors.

What you need

  1. 12 quickdraw
  2. 60m roupe 
  3. Harnes 
  4. Belay device
  5. Helmet (Use helmet for your safety !)
  6. Shoes & Chalk Bag

Information

Guga - Mail: [email protected]    Tel: (+995) 557 300 700

Temo - Mail: [email protected]    Tel; (+995) 598 45 70 48