Sairme Pillars
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Photograph: Giorgi Abdaladze (CC BY-SA 4.0)
A unique natural monument of Lechkhumi: a group of rock pillars formed by natural processes over millennia above the valley of the Tsablaristskali, between Alpana and Chrebalo, visible from the main road from Racha into Lechkhumi and lit at night. From the information board at the pass a 2.5-kilometre trail climbs through forest past the ruins of a medieval church to the top of the pillars at 680 metres, about three hours there and back.
About
The Sairme pillars stand in Lechkhumi, in Tsageri municipality, by the township of Sairme, on the left side of the valley of the Tsablaristskali between the villages of Alpana and Chrebalo, in a place known as the Sairme wilderness. They are a group of tall rock pillars that rise suddenly out of a forested slope and were formed by natural processes over millennia; from a distance they look like the towers of a castle or petrified figures. They can be seen from the main road running from Racha into Lechkhumi, and at night purpose-built lighting illuminates them. The pillars are counted among the unique natural monuments of Georgia.
The trail to the pillars starts at the pass, by the information board, and climbs 2.5 kilometres through forest; it is marked, and the last stretch is narrow and steep. On the way are the ruins of a medieval church, dedicated by some accounts to St George and by others to the Mother of God. The trail circles the pillars at a distance of about 200 metres and ends on top of them at 680 metres. The round trip takes about three hours.
- Access notes
- The trail starts at the pass on the Racha–Lechkhumi road, at the information board between Alpana and Chrebalo; 2.5 kilometres of marked path to the top of the pillars
- Parking available
- Yes
- Safety notes
- The trail ends on top of the pillars and the edges have no railing; in January snow covers it and the marking is hard to read
History
The name "wilderness" given to Sairme points to a place of seclusion, and the ruins of a medieval church near the pillars show that this rocky corner was settled and used for worship long ago. Accounts disagree on the dedication of the church, some naming St George and others the Mother of God. Today a marked trail with an information board leads to the pillars, which are lit at night, and Sairme is part of the tourist routes of Racha-Lechkhumi.
Visit info
The trailhead is 35 kilometres from Ambrolauri, 28 from Tsageri and 48 from Kutaisi, at the pass on the Racha–Lechkhumi road between Alpana and Chrebalo, by the information board, where the car is left; Ambrolauri airport is 24 kilometres away. Marshrutkas from the Okriba bus station in Tbilisi towards Lechkhumi and from Kutaisi towards Tsageri set you down at the pass. The trail is 2.5 kilometres, about three hours there and back; entry is free, and no ticket, permit or guide is needed. The trail is open all year and lies under snow in winter. Lodging is in the guesthouses of Ambrolauri and Tsageri.
Safety
The trail ends on top of the pillars and the edges have no railing: take care on the steep last kilometre and on the crest, and lead children by the hand. After rain the rock and the leaf-covered path are slippery, and in January and February snow hides the markers. Sturdy shoes are essential, as is remembering the way back in fog.
Tip
The pillars look finest in the evening, when the low sun picks them out against the valley, and at night the lit pillars can be photographed from the road itself. The trail is unclear in places, so download a GPS track in advance and follow the markers. There is plenty of shade in the forest but none on top of the pillars, so carry water. In one day Sairme combines with the Lajanuri reservoir, the Lailashi synagogue or Khvamli.
Sources
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