Day hike · Martvili, Georgia

Caves & Waterfalls
of Balda

A big, fun day out. You don't need climbing or ropes, just steady walking, and every climb ends at a cave or a swim.

Saved for next time Best May–October 53 km from Kutaisi Start by ~07:45
20.8 km
Loop from the car
~1,300 m
Up, spread over the day
~10 h
Including swims & lunch
3 + 1
Waterfall swims + a cave

The route

We park at Balda Monastery, 53 km (about 1h10) from Kutaisi through Martvili. Open all stops in Google Maps ↗

Main loop Plan B: ridge trail out and back

The day

The times are a steady pace with plenty of time for swims.

  1. Leave Kutaisi

    Grab khachapuri and coffee to go

  2. Look at the Abasha from the bridgeGo / no-go

    Clear water: full loop. Running high after the rain: Plan B.

  3. Start at Balda Monastery
  4. North viewpointWarm-up

    3.2 km · +360 m · first views over the Abasha valley

  5. Jortsku CaveHeadlamps on

    1.3 km · gentle · 30 minutes exploring

  6. Kaghu waterfallSwim + lunch

    4.3 km · mostly downhill to a mossy cascade

  7. River branch up to OnioreThe big one

    4 km · +670 m · log crossings through boxwood jungle, the wildest stretch of the day

  8. Oniore waterfallBest swim

    A 70 m wall of water at the warmest part of the day · peek into Toba I cave next to it

  9. Toba waterfallQuick dip

    1.2 km · easy · long cascade

  10. Up to the ridge

    2.7 km · +160 m · marked trail past Vako's Hut

  11. Cruise down the ridge

    4.1 km · all downhill

  12. Back at the car

    Time for a cold drink in Martvili

Good to know

Plan B

  • River up after rain? Take the ridge trail to Toba and Oniore and back
  • ~16 km · 7–8 h
  • Still two waterfall swims

Pacing

  • Kaghu around 12:00 keeps the day relaxed
  • Oniore by 15:00 leaves time for the Toba dip
  • Wide, shallow crossings: sandals make them easy
  • Download the offline map: there's no signal at Kaghu

Pack

  • Headlamp each + spare batteries
  • Sandals for crossings, trekking poles
  • 2–2.5 L water, lunch, plenty of snacks
  • Swimwear, towel, warm layer for after the swims
  • Offline map + GPX, power bank, first aid
↓ Download GPX track All stops in Google Maps Directions to parking