Mestia: Trekking, Mountain Views and Svan Culture

Mestia offers a range of experiences for your trip: marked trekking routes with stated distances and hiking times, Svan architecture in the streets, and seasonal activities at two resorts. If you are looking for a hotel in Mestia, you can first consider whether hiking, culture or winter activities should be the focus of your trip. The destinations and their stated times can help you plan your stay accordingly.

Trekking Routes and Mountain Scenery

A marked, 19-kilometre trekking route starts in the centre of Mestia and leads to the Chalaadi Glacier. The route is listed as taking six to eight hours; it reaches an elevation of 1,920 metres and offers views of the Chalaadi icefall and glacial deposits. The glacier’s tongue extends below 2,000 metres to the tree line. Seasonal conditions may affect access to the route.

Another marked route leads from the centre of Mestia to the Koruldi Lakes. It is 15.6 kilometres long, passes through alpine meadows and reaches the lakes at an elevation of 2,740 metres. The route is listed as taking about eight hours; along the way, there are views of the Svaneti Ridge, Ushba and Mount Bzhedukh. The route can be done as a trek or on horseback.

The Chalaadi and Koruldi routes offer different scenery: Chalaadi combines the trail with a glacier, an icefall and glacial deposits, while Koruldi features lakes and alpine meadows. The stated times also provide a concrete comparison: Chalaadi is listed as taking six to eight hours, and Koruldi about eight hours.

The 14-kilometre Mestia–Zuruldi ridge route is described as a trekking or horse-riding route; there is also a cable car option. At the upper station, there is a viewpoint with binoculars. The route offers far-reaching views of Mestia, Ushba, Chatin, Tetnuldi and other Caucasus peaks. Year-round cable car operation is not guaranteed.

Svan Architecture and Local Culture

Mestia’s townscape includes 45 Svan defensive towers. The fortifications are 24 metres high and feature characteristic Svan battlements. The streets are also home to medieval fortifications, churches and other buildings. The churches mentioned include Matskhovari, Seti Archangel and Pusti. Together, the towers, fortifications and churches give Svan architecture in Mestia a tangible presence.

Living culture also has its place: Mestia’s Arts and Culture Centre presents local culture through Svan music and dance. The programme may vary. For travellers interested in culture as well as mountain trails, this adds music and dance to the historic buildings.

Resorts and Seasonal Activities

Hatsvali Resort is eight kilometres from Mestia, and Tetnuldi Resort is 15 kilometres away. This makes Hatsvali the nearer of the two resorts to Mestia. The two resorts are associated with skiing, snowboarding, ski touring, heliskiing, paragliding and horse riding. Activities and operating conditions may vary by season. This adds other sporting options to the trekking opportunities; which of these suit your trip depends on which of the listed activities interest you.

Mestia can be assessed in terms of specific travel interests: marked trails differ in their destinations, distances and stated times, while the towers, churches and cultural centre offer insights into Svan architectural and cultural traditions. The distances to Hatsvali and Tetnuldi and the resorts’ seasonal activities provide another point of comparison when planning a stay.

Discover more destinations: Poti, Anaklia, Kirovi, Chakvinji, Zugdidi.

Back to the regional travel overview: Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti.