Chiatura Cable Cars and Katskhi Pillar – Stairway to Heaven

by Georgian Tour
13 comments
Chiatura

Chiatura

Chiatura, mining town located in a mountain valley on the banks of the Qvirila River in Imereti region of Western Georgia 182km from Tbilisi, is famous for its picturesque landscape and Soviet era cable cars which according to dailymail despite its rusty and ageing appearance, is one of the most incredible engineering spectacles in the world.

The cable cars were used to transport workers from the city to mining sites. Installing Cable cars Soviet government made it easy for workers to travel from the bottom of hilly gorges to work on the top of hills.

Views of Chiatura from the cable cars or above the hills where cable cars take you are wonderful:
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You can also visit in the town Mghvimevi cave monastery which is located within the city near the cable cars entrance :

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Katskhi Pillar

The most notable site Katskhi Pillar located near Chiatura (13.4km) is one of the most popular tourist spots of the country and symbol of this region. There is one monk living in the Monastery above and women are disallowed to go up. It is approximately 40 metres high (surface 150 m2), and overlooks the small river valley of Katskhura. The church of St. Maximus the Confessor is located at the south-easternmost corner of the top surface of the Katskhi pillar. The Katskhi Pillar was used by stylites, Christians who lived on top of pillars to avoid temptation. From Chiatura to Katskhi pillar and back you can negotiate taxi ride for around 30GEL. On the way to Katskhi Pillar you can stop at 10th century octagonally shaped Katskhi Monastery just to take photos on the way to katskhi pillar. For info – On some rocks near Katskhi Pillar you can do climbing and mountaineering if you have ropes and necessary equipment with you.
Katskhi Pillar

 

Katskhi Pillar

How to get from Tbilisi to Chiatura

Marshutka runs from Tbilisi to Chiatura every hour from Didube, cost 6 laris; 3 hours drive; There are also marshutkas from Kutaisi to Chiatura (1.5 hours drive, price is the same).

Some other sights to explore nearby: Buses run from Chiatura to neighboring Sachkhere district from where you can easily return to Tbilisi. Modinakhe (literally come and see) Fortress and small church (Gorijvari) above it might be worth to explore in cooler seasons. There you can also find museum of famous Georgian poet Akaki Tsereteli. This is very interesting and ethnographically interesting place, with traditional Georgian houses and beautiful garden. It’s located very near Sachkhere center. Walk 2-3km or take a taxi for a few laris. It’s possible to combine both sights by hiking to Modinakhe fortress then Gorijvari and then descending west to the museum.
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Hiking/Trekking near Sachkhere Chiatura

The best way to connect Chiatura to Racha by hiking is through Uzunta village: take a taxi to the ruins of Jruchi Monastery destroyed by earthquake in early 90s and from there you can continue hike to Shkmeri village crossing Racha range. In Shkmeri you will find beautiful canyons of Kheori River.

For the map of Chiatura cable cars please see the rough map of some active lines in Chiatura published by Georgian roads fb page (please not that there was some renovation project and you need to check in advance if some cable cars are open or not):
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For the map of the Chiatura area please see:

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13 comments

Sebastian August 22, 2017 - 12:16 pm

HI, how much is the tour to visit Chiatura, the monestery and the Katskhir pillar/column?
I will be visiting in Sept 21 and 22nd that region/area.

Thanks
SEBASTIAN

Georgian Tour August 29, 2017 - 6:21 am

Hi Sebastian,
I sent you an email

Liam Jackson October 11, 2017 - 8:55 pm

Hello,

My friend and I would be very interested in doing a hike for a day visiting the Katski piller along the way. Is there a nice route you could recommend through this area?

Thanks for your help.

Kind regards

Liam

Georgian Tour October 12, 2017 - 6:59 am

Hi Liam,
Katskhi Pillar is not really a place for hike, its like car route visiting chiatura mines, cable cars, mghvimevi monastery, katskhi pillar etc.
If you want hiking in the area you can take taxi later to Uzunta or Khreiti villages. From Khreiti hike to Velevi and from Uzunta to Shkmeri, now the area will be in full beauty.
In Shkmeri you can visit Kheori canyons, panoramic ridge of Queen Tamar rocks etc

Liam Jackson October 13, 2017 - 5:32 pm

Thanks very much for your help! That sounds like a good trip. Greatly appreciated!

Kind regards

Liam

Liam Jackson October 13, 2017 - 5:49 pm

Thanks again for the advice. If we make one of the trips, are their paths we can follow? Or will we need to cross farm lands?

Thanks again

Liam

Georgian Tour October 17, 2017 - 9:02 am

Hi, there is a path you can follow. its marked from Uzunta.Farm lands is not a problem on the way.

Sarah March 8, 2018 - 12:52 pm

Hi! I’m so glad you wrote this piece as I was finding it hard to get any information and I don’t really have the budget for a private driver. I will be in Tblisi and flying out from Kutaisi at 18:25, is there enough time in the day to visit Chiatuara AND the Pillar using the buses (while not missing my flight). I’m happy to wake up early to get the first bus. Thank you!

Georgian Tour March 8, 2018 - 3:59 pm

Hi Sarah! You need to get to Didube station, on 8.30am; U will be 11.30 in Chiatura starting from 9am. YOu need taxi to katskhi pillar; To get to Kutaisi u can ask in the last station of Tbilisi-Chiatura bus when your bus to Kutaisi will leave.

Sarah March 9, 2018 - 5:48 pm

Thank you for the advice!

Michael March 25, 2018 - 5:04 am

hi, is there another way up the hill, i would love to see the place but those cable cars look scary

Georgian Tour March 26, 2018 - 2:02 pm

There are roads as well in some cases, not sure about conditions

Lasha June 2, 2018 - 6:33 pm

I hope you enjoyed the cable cars even though they seemed to be scary. I did ride on it several time and I’m still alive 🙂
Best Regards
Lasha

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