Short Climbs

This is perhaps the most classic short climb in Tbilisi. Starting near the upper end of Vake Park, it leads to one of the city’s best-known natural landmarks: Turtle Lake (Kus Tba).

The climb begins just beyond the junction near Ilia Stat University. It is possible to approach it from the university side of the avenue, although this requires crossing the main road before turning left onto the climb. A more convenient option is to follow the cycle path along the opposite side of Chavchavadze Avenue and access the climb directly from there.

After the left turn, the road begins to rise almost immediately. It is a pleasant, well-surfaced road surrounded by trees, although shade becomes increasingly limited in the upper section, as is often the case around Tbilisi. For this reason, the climb is best avoided during the hottest hours of summer days.

The ascent consists of four main straight sections connected by a series of hairpin bends. The first two kilometres until the Ethnographic Museum are relatively manageable and allow for a steady rhythm. It is nevertheless worth conserving some energy for the final kilometre, where the gradient becomes noticeably steeper and reaches approximately 9.5%.

The climb finishes near Turtle Lake, where there are cafés, walking paths and views over the city. Its combination of easy access, moderate length and a demanding final section makes it a useful local training climb for many cyclists in Tbilisi.

One of my favourite short climbs in Tbilisi, yet still relatively unknown among local cyclists, this is a brief but demanding ascent that can be approached from two directions: either from Krtsanisi Street or from Ortachala Street. 

The Ortachala approach is the steeper of the two. It also includes several junctions and a number of speed bumps, which can interrupt your rhythm. In addition, one section passes through private property and is closed by a barrier. The guards are usually kind enough to let cyclists through, but it can still be inconvenient.

For this reason, my preferred option is the climb from Krtsanisi Street. The route passes the hospital area and Krtsanisi Residence before continuing steadily uphill to the end of the paved road. The final section leading to St. Nicholas Church is unpaved and is better suited to a gravel or mountain bike. Riders on road bikes may prefer to finish the climb at the end of the asphalt.

Although relatively short, the climb offers very little opportunity to recover and remains demanding almost all the way to the top. Once there, you are rewarded with an excellent view over Tbilisi. St. Nicholas Church itself appears to be closed to visitors, or at least it was on the occasions when I visited. The main reason to continue to the top is therefore the scenery.

For the return, a pleasant option is to continue via Grigol Volski Street, which eventually joins Ortachala Street and leads back down towards the Ortachala district.

Another of Tbilisi’s classic short climbs starts in the Saburtalo district, more specifically from Budapeshti Street, and leads up to Lisi Lake.

The ascent is relatively gentle and, although similar in character to the climb to Turtle Lake, it is easier in terms of gradient. Some sections are close to flat, making it a good option for an easier ride or a steady effort rather than an all-out climb. As on the Turtle Lake ascent, the road consists of several straight sections connected by hairpin bends. The gradient remains fairly regular throughout, with no particularly steep ramps.

There is very little effective shade along the climb. Although there are a few trees beside the road, they do not provide much protection from the sun. The road is also considerably busier than the climb to Turtle Lake at almost any time of day. For these reasons, early morning is the best time to ride it, when temperatures are lower and traffic is lighter.

The climb finishes at Lisi Lake, where you will find restaurants, cafés, ice-cream kiosks and food stalls. There is also a pleasant cycling path, approximately three kilometres long, running around the lake, making it easy to add a relaxed lap before continuing your ride. From Lisi, there are several options. You can continue climbing towards Mukhatskaro, explore one of the gravel and mountain-bike trails around the lake, or descend towards the city via Amashukeli Street.

This climb follows a recently built road connecting Marshal Gelovani Avenue (the main highway linking central Tbilisi with Mtskheta) to the roundabout located a few hundred metres from Lisi Lake.

The lower section consists mainly of a series of wide switchbacks. The surface here is concrete rather than asphalt, which gives the road a slightly different feel from most climbs in the city. After the final bends, the route becomes a long, straighter ascent leading towards the roundabout, with broad panoramic views over Tbilisi.

The gradient is generally moderate and becomes noticeably easier in the upper part, making this a relatively gentle climb overall. It is smooth and enjoyable to ride when conditions are good, but it is not necessarily one of the most pleasant climbs in Tbilisi. Traffic can be heavy and the road offers almost no shade. The surrounding rocks, concrete and nearby buildings make it extremely hot in summer, while the exposed upper section can also be affected by strong winds.

For these reasons, the time of day should be chosen carefully. Early morning is generally the best option, when temperatures are lower, traffic is lighter and the wind is often less disruptive.

It does not get much easier than this. If you are planning a ride to Lisi Lake and want the gentlest possible approach before enjoying the three-kilometre cycling track around the lake, this is probably your best option.

The climb starts from Nutsubidze Street and continues uphill along Ramaz Chkhikvadze Street. Apart from the opening ramp, which averages around 7%, most of the route feels almost flat. One 500-metre section is even slightly downhill, giving you a chance to recover before the final approach to the lake.

This is therefore less of a proper climb than a gradual route up to Lisi. It is particularly suitable for beginners, recovery rides or anyone who simply wants to reach the lake without facing the steeper alternatives from Budapeshti Street or Marshal Gelovani Avenue.

Do not be deceived by the apparently gentle elevation profile: this is a genuine leg killer.

There are several possible ways to reach Niabi Street from Avlabari. My usual route starts near Avlabari Metro, climbs towards Dmanisi Street, turns onto Sangilo Street and then continues towards Niabi Street. This lower section can be confusing, as the neighbourhood is made up of a grid of small parallel streets. The important thing is to keep climbing until the roads converge towards Abuli Street and, eventually, Elia Mtis Kucha.

The ascent begins relatively gently, but the character of the climb changes as soon as you reach the lower part of Niabi Street. What follows is a very demanding kilometre, with little opportunity to recover. At the top of the first hill, you are rewarded with an impressive panoramic view over Tbilisi. It is one of the highest viewpoints around the city. A short descent follows, but it should not be mistaken for the end of the effort.  The hardest section comes immediately afterwards. The road rises sharply, with the gradient exceeding 15% and possibly approaching 20% on the steepest ramps. The good news is that this section lasts only about 300 metres before the climb finally eases. From the summit, you can descend towards the Tbilisi Sea, either through Vazisubani or via Khudadovi.

Although this is not one of the city’s principal connecting roads, traffic can still be surprisingly heavy at certain times of day. I particularly recommend avoiding the evening, when the road is busier and the steepest sections become less pleasant to ride.

A very classic climb and probably one of the most commonly used routes to reach the Tbilisi Sea. It is also one of the gentlest climbs in this part of the city.

The route starts from the upper exit of Station Square, on the side of the shopping mall and bus station. The first section follows a narrow road before opening onto a broad four-lane road that climbs the hillside through a series of sweeping bends.

In terms of traffic, the lower section is not particularly pleasant and can feel busy and confined. Higher up, however, the wider road provides more space and makes the climb feel safer and more comfortable. The gradient remains relatively gentle throughout, with no major ramps, which makes this a good option for a steady ascent rather than a hard effort. The upper section is especially enjoyable when traffic is light.

As with many climbs around Tbilisi, there is almost no shade and the road can become extremely hot during the day.

This is definitely the most feared climb and, without a doubt, the hardest in the Tbilisi area. It is not recommended unless you are reasonably fit and riding an appropriate bike. In practice, it is best tackled on a very light gravel bike, or even better on a road bike. With ramps reaching up to 30%, even strong and experienced riders may find themselves forced to get off and push.

The first part of the climb essentially follows the Krtsanisi–St. Nicholas Church ascent, before turning left just before Krtsanisi Residence. After another right turn, a short descent provides the only real moment of relief. From there, the final two kilometres on concrete are simply brutal. On a positive note, traffic is virtually non-existent.

The climb leads up towards the Tbilisi Hills resort. The road used to be open (and may still be), but since it is private property, you will probably find a barrier and a guard, who may or may not allow cyclists to pass. From there, it is also possible to continue along the gravel road towards Shavnabada Monastery to the south-east or Tabakhmela to the south-west, although the road is currently fenced off.

This is barely a climb at all, but it is probably the gentlest and most forgiving ascent in the series. It is a good option for low-intensity aerobic training and one of the easiest ways to reach the Tbilisi Sea, which remains a popular destination among local cyclists despite the narrow roads and heavy traffic.

The climb begins at the junction with Moscow Avenue, when approaching from Samgori Metro and the Navtlughi Bazari area. From there, the road rises gradually towards Varketili Metro, continues through the Hualing neighbourhood and eventually turns towards the Tbilisi Sea.

From a cycling perspective, however, this is probably one of the least pleasant climbs on the list. Traffic is extremely heavy. The road is wide only on paper, as moving vehicles and the many cars parked along the sides often reduce the available space. The route is also surrounded almost entirely by concrete and buildings until the final few hundred metres. In summer, the lack of shade and the heat reflected by the surrounding surfaces can make the road feel like a furnace.

An extremely short but demanding climb, ideal for riders looking for a sharp, high-intensity effort.

The ascent can be approached from two directions: either from Round Garden or from Mose Janashvili Street, at its junction with Vasil Barnovi Street. The two variants merge very quickly, after which the road continues uphill along Shatberashvili Street until it reaches Nino Zhvania Street. The climb finishes at the top of the hill, where you are rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view over Tbilisi.

The first and central sections are particularly steep, with the gradient remaining consistently above 10% in places. The final 500 metres become noticeably gentler, although there is one last ramp before the summit.

Traffic is generally limited, although the road itself is narrow. Despite passing between old houses and newer buildings, the climb still feels surprisingly green, with trees and vegetation creating the impression of being surrounded by nature rather than riding through the city especially towards the top.

Zhvania Street is the counterpart to the Shatberashvili climb, it is similar and arguably even harder. It begins at the junction beside Tbilisi State University, where the road from Heroes Square meets Melikishvili Street and Chavchavadze Avenue. From Melikishvili, turn left; from Heroes Square, continue straight; and when descending Chavchavadze, turn right.

Follow Nino Zhvania Street, crossing above the main road before passing underneath the bridge and continuing uphill. The scenery is less attractive than on Shatberashvili, with numerous unfinished or cheaply constructed apartment buildings, although they provide useful shade. Traffic may feel busy at the beginning but generally fades towards the top. The gradient becomes progressively steeper, culminating in an extremely demanding final 400 metres, with extended sections above 9%.