Walking Tour activities in Mestia
-
Walk to the Cross
A moderately demanding half-day walk that many people do without a guide is up to the Cross, visible 900m above Mestia on the north side of the valley (actually just a single pole at research time). The views get better as you go, and from the Cross you can see the spectacular twin peaks of Mt Ushba (4710m), Georgia's toughest and most dangerous mountaineering challenge. From Mestia's central square walk 450m east along the main street then take the lane up to the left.
Take the uphill option at all junctions. You pass under an arch after about 350m, and after 150m more the street becomes a footpath: follow this up and after 800m it bends to the right across the hillside,…
reviewed
-
Walk to Ushguli
You can spend a lovely three days walking to Ushguli if you start by taking a jeep as far as Ipari (Nakipari on some maps), about 20km southeast of Mestia. From Ipari the first stage takes you to Adishi, where you can sleep at Zhora Kaldani's homestay. The second day is from Adishi to Iprari, where there are rooms at Ucha Margvelani's.
On the third day it's three or four hours' walk from Iprari to Ushguli.
reviewed
-
Walk to Chalati Glacier
The walk to the Chalati Glacier is a lovely route, taking you out past Mestia's airstrip and up the Mestiachala valley. The last section is up through woods to the foot of the glacier. Watch out for rocks falling off the glacier in summer. This route is a nine- or 10-hour round-trip including stops. There is a border-guard checkpoint en route, so take your passport.
reviewed
-
Walks from Mazeri
Mazeri village, 1600m high in the Dolra valley, northwest of Mestia, is another fine base for walks. One spectacular day route is up to the Ushba Glacier and back.
reviewed