The glass bridge in the heart of the Caucasus, its diamond and the dizzying crossing by bicycle in zipline mode

The glass bridge Dashbashiunique in the world, has become one of the great tourist attractions of Georgiasince it crosses at 280 meters high a spectacular canyon located in the heart of the Caucasus.

The steel and glass structure has a length of 240 metros and in its center it has a diamond-shaped cafe-bar from where visitors can enjoy views sheltered from the wind in the Algeti National Park.

“We boast of being the largest suspended structure in the world“said Maya Kukava, general director of Kass Land, the company that won the tender to manage the national park’s tourism infrastructure.

The construction of the bridge and its “diamond”, which fit organically into the mountainous landscape of the region located 90 kilometers from the Georgian capitaltook three years and involved an investment of 120 million laris, about 40 million euros.

“But the effort was worth it,” adds a smiling Kukava, highlighting that the facility has become a “magnet for tourists looking to enjoy an unforgettable extreme experience.”

For tourists staying in the park, access to the glass bridge is free. Those who come for the dayon the other hand, must pay an entrance fee: foreigners, 49 laris (16 euros) and the Georgians 29 (around 10 euros).

Very close to the bridge, about 300 meters above the bottom of the canyon, lovers of strong sensations can test themselves and cross it by bicycle on a zip line path. The round trip costs 120 laris (about 40 euros), but there is no shortage of those willing to make the journey.

“It is a unique experience. It is the first time I come and I am sure that I will return. “It’s spectacular,” commented Shorena, breathing hard with emotion.

This young woman from Tbilisi could not believe that, living so close, she had never been to these places.

The canyon, of volcanic origin, is located about 1,500 meters above sea level, has a length of eight kilometers and an area of ​​670 hectares.

Its name, Dashbashi, an Azerbaijani word that means Stone Head, has become a tourist attraction: last year it was visited by more than 90,000 people.

The park manager plans to considerably expand your hotel complex: To the 62 two-story villas for two or five people, a 52-room hotel will be added that will be inaugurated next October.

“Our goal is eventually reaching 450,000 visits per year“said Kukava, who adds that every year the largest number of tourists comes from Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The development of the tourism industry is one of the priority objectives of the Georgian authorities, who seek to boost this sector after the setback it experienced due to the covid pandemic.

The first signs of tourism recovery occurred last year. The country, with a population of 3.7 million, received about 5 million foreign tourists, attracted by their Spas on the Black Sea, ski slopes, mineral waters, gastronomy and, of course, winewhich according to Georgia was born in its land thousands of years ago.

According to statistics, in 2023 tourism contributed 4,000 million dollars to the country’s budget and was the third largest source of income, with 150,000 people directly employed in the sector, although it is estimated that around 450,000 are in one way or another. are linked to tourism.

In the first half of 2024, more than 3 million foreign tourists visited Georgia, which is why last year’s results are expected to be surpassed.

Misha Vignanski Dashbashi / EFE