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Mestia is a very beautiful town located in Svaneti Georgia, within the Greater Caucasus. The town is very special, with its 12th-century towers and beautiful scenery. Hiking Mestia trails is the best opportunity to explore the town and its surroundings.
During the summer months, the weather in Mestia is mostly perfect, with sunny days being common. Although a few rainy days might occur, it is still perfectly suitable for trekking in Svaneti and exploring the beautiful nature.
Chalaadi glacier
When we speak about hiking in Svaneti, the Chalaadi Glacier hike near Mestia comes up first. It is the most popular one, as it is relatively easy and the trailhead is only a twenty-minute drive from Mestia. First, you drive towards the airport for ten minutes, and then past the airport for another ten minutes on an unpaved road. The hike one way takes a little more than one hour. You start the hike by crossing an unstable bridge, so you should be careful and attentive. However, it is fun and beautiful to cross the roaring river. In the beginning, the trail is steep, but it later levels out in the forest and rises gradually for the rest of the hike. It is recommended not to get too close to the ice, because the glacier is melting and stones fall quite often — you might get injured if you don't keep a safe distance.
View from Hatsvali and Zuruldi mountains
The Hatsvali and Zuruldi Mountains hike is also a nice and easy one. It is possible to do the hike from Mestia or take the first ski lift and hike the rest of the trail to the top of Zuruldi Mountain, where awesome views of Mount Ushba open up. After you take the first lift or drive up to Hatsvali Mountain to the beginning of the second lift, the hike one way to the top of Zuruldi will take more than an hour. However, this hike is more difficult than the glacier hike due to the steep terrain.
Tsvirmi village
It is also possible to extend the hike from the top of Zuruldi Mountain to Tsvirmi village. The trek from Zuruldi to Tsvirmi takes more than three hours one way, but it is totally worth it. The trail is beautiful and offers great views. The terrain is of moderate difficulty, and the forest walk is lovely. Tsvirmi village itself is very picturesque, with small, cozy houses, cows in the streets, and people working in the fields. The village has one of the best views of Mount Tetnuldi. If you decide to do this trek, you should reserve a car back to Mestia in advance or stay overnight in the village and hike back the next day.
View from Koruldi lakes
The Koruldi Lakes hike is also a beautiful one. The hike one way to the lakes takes more than two hours, depending on your pace, but it is quite difficult due to the steep terrain. Among the hikes listed, this is probably the most challenging, though it is not technical — you don’t need any special climbing skills, just physical fitness. This hike offers stunning views of Mount Ushba, and horses roaming freely up there create a magical atmosphere. On the way to the lakes, there are several viewpoints, such as the one near the Cloudbase Hut, where you can stop and take some great photos. From Koruldi Lakes, it is also possible to hike to Becho Gorge via Guli Pass, which takes around six hours.
Lakhiri village
The hike from Mestia to Jhabeshi village is also an interesting one. This trail is part of the larger Mestia–Ushguli trek, but those short on time can do just this section. Lakhiri village is part of this hike and is known for its numerous historical towers. It is important to note that the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Georgia list includes these historical towers located in Mestia, Ushguli, and other villages of Svaneti.
In case you are interested with our tours in Svaneti and diverse tours in Georgia Caucasus you can contact us via email: [email protected] or whatsapp: +995 593 250 111.
