Lake · Tsalenjikha Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Tobavarchkhili Lake
ტობავარჩხილი · Silver Lake · Vertskhli Lake
A glacial lake at 2,650 metres on the south side of the Egrisi range in Samegrelo, also called Silver Lake, at the centre of a cluster of smaller alpine lakes.
Where it is
42.7844, 42.2421
Why go
Tobavarchkhili fills a basin of about 0.21 square kilometres to an average depth of sixteen metres, with snowy cliffs behind it, and GNTA counts it the largest lake on the Egrisi range. It is the centrepiece of a high lake plateau rather than a lone tarn: Kalalish, Didghalish and Tsakatskarish lakes lie close by. The traditional approach is a trek or horse ride of about eight kilometres from a shepherd's hut below Natifure, over the shoulder of Tsashkibuli, past caves, mineral springs and the Magana canyon; GNTA also notes a road to the lake built in 2021.
Near Tobavarchkhili Lake
Church
Tsalenjikha Cathedral
A cross-domed stone cathedral in the Samegrelo town of Tsalenjikha, painted inside by Manuel Eugenicos, a master from Constantinople invited by the ruler Vamek I Dadiani, who reigned 1384–1396.
24 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Canyon
Balda Canyon
A narrow limestone canyon cut by the Abasha river near Second Balda in Martvili municipality — about 1.4 km long, 5–10 m wide and 25–30 m deep — protected as a natural monument.
36 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Waterfall
Kaghu Waterfall
A moss-covered waterfall in the Abasha valley near Balda, twenty minutes on foot from Balda Monastery and a short drive from Martvili Canyon.
36 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Canyon
Martvili Canyon
A limestone canyon on the Abasha river near Gachedili, with a walkway along the water and short boat trips through the narrow section.
38 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ