Mestia is completely different from most other places you will visit in Georgia. It is the gateway to the Caucasus mountains and therefore plenty of nature and hikes.The town of Mestia is surrounded by huge mountains, glaciers, hiking trails and the famous stone Svan towers that appear between houses throughout the valley.
The town itself is actually quite small. You can walk around most of central Mestia in a couple of hours, but that does not mean you only need one day here. The real reason to visit Mestia is everything around it.
If hiking is one of the main reasons you are travelling to Georgia, I would leave at least three full days for Mestia. There are enough hikes and day trips around the town that you could easily stay longer as well as hiking from one place to another.
In this guide I am going to mention all the best things to do in Mestia, the town and beyond and the best hikes for each timeframe that you may get.
Things to Do in Mestia
Before heading into the mountains, there are still a few things worth doing inside Mestia itself. Unfortunately this is where I spent most of my time as I got hit with a severe case of food poisoning and didn’t manage to go on my day trip to Ushguli.
You do not really need an itinerary for the town. Most attractions are close enough that you can simply walk between them, making them perfect for your arrival day or for the evening after one of the shorter hikes.
Walk Around Mestia and See the Svan Towers
The first thing you will notice when arriving in Mestia are definitely the towers.
They rise between normal houses throughout the town and are what immediately makes Mestia look different from almost anywhere else in Georgia.
These Svan defensive towers were traditionally connected to family homes and were used both for protection and as places of refuge. Upper Svaneti is particularly famous for them, with some of the best-preserved examples found around Mestia and Ushguli.
You do not need to go anywhere specific to see them. Just walk away from the more modern centre around Seti Square and into the quieter residential streets.
I would particularly head towards the Lanchvali side of Mestia where the houses become more traditional and you get some really nice combinations of towers with the mountains behind them.
Climb Inside a Traditional Svan Tower
Looking at the towers from outside is one thing, but you can also enter some of them.
One of the easiest options is the Margiani House Museum. The complex contains a traditional Svan house, storage areas and one of the family’s defensive towers.
Inside, you can see how the house would have originally been organised before climbing the wooden ladders through the different levels of the tower. Eventually you can reach the top and look across Mestia.
It is a much more interesting way of understanding the towers than simply reading about them in a museum.
The museum normally opens from around 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM from Tuesday onwards, although opening times in Mestia can be a little flexible. Entry has traditionally been around 5–10 GEL depending on the part of the complex you visit.
Visit the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography
If the weather is bad or you want to understand more about Svaneti before heading into the mountains, visit the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography.
The museum contains old religious artwork, manuscripts, archaeological finds and objects from the region.
It is much more modern than you might expect considering how remote Mestia feels.
Opening hours are normally 10:00 AM–6:00 PM from Tuesday to Sunday, with Monday closed. Recent visitors have commonly reported an entrance price of around 20 GEL, although different official and third-party sources have displayed different prices over the past few years, so I would check the current price when you arrive.
You probably only need around an hour inside. It is found a bit outside the town centre approximately a 10 minute walk.
Take the Hatsvali Cable Car to Zuruldi Ridge
One of the easiest ways to get a huge mountain view without doing a huge mountain hike is the Hatsvali cable car. This seems to be temporarily closed and is unclear when it will become operating again.
The cable car system starts close to Mestia and climbs through the forest towards Hatsvali before continuing towards Zuruldi Ridge at around 2,340 metres.
When everything is operating, a return journey normally costs around 25 GEL. At the top you will find Zuruldi Cafe and views across some of Svaneti’s most famous peaks including Ushba and Tetnuldi.
Do not build your entire day around the cable car without checking whether it is actually running.
Opening dates are seasonal and weather dependent. Normally it operates during summer from around June until September, but the 2026 summer opening was unusually delayed after a very wet spring. I visited in late July 2026 and it wasn’t operating so I would consider this as a bonus thing to do.
Even in normal years the hours can change due to weather or maintenance. Ask at the tourist information office around Seti Square before walking to the station. If it is running, this is particularly good if you want some mountain scenery without committing to Koruldi Lakes.
Try Wine Ice Cream
For a fun local treat, try the wine ice cream in Mestia. It has a subtle fruity flavour rather than an overpowering wine taste, making it a refreshing stop after a day of hiking or exploring the village. It’s something a little different from the usual mountain snacks and well worth trying if you spot it on a café menu.
Best Hikes From Mestia
This is the main reason I endured a 5h van ride and came to Mestia. There are plenty of beautiful hiking trails and the scenery is impeccable.
You can walk straight out of town onto several trails, while others require a short taxi or 4×4 ride.
The hikes vary massively in difficulty. Chalaadi Glacier is fairly straightforward, while doing Koruldi Lakes completely on foot is a serious full-day hike. Here I go in detail on each one.
Koruldi Lakes Hike
If you only complete one proper hike from Mestia, I would make it the Koruldi Lakes. I fully planned on going on this hike but like I said in the previous section I was severely out of it and since this is quite a strenuous hike I unfortunately decided to skip it.
The lakes sit high above Mestia at roughly 2,800 metres, surrounded by some incredible views of the Caucasus including Ushba and Tetnuldi.
The important thing to understand is that the lakes themselves are not really the main attraction as they are relatively small alpine lakes.
The reason this hike is so good is the scenery on the way up and the panorama from the plateau. On a clear day you have snow-covered peaks almost surrounding you.
Hiking All the Way From Mestia
If you want to walk it all the way from the town in Mestia then it becomes a really long day.
Depending on the exact trail used, expect approximately 14–16 km return, around 1,200–1,400 metres of elevation gain and roughly 7–10 hours including stops.
The difficult part is not technical terrain. It is the amount of climbing. You gain altitude very quickly after leaving Mestia and the first section towards the Cross Above Mestia is particularly steep. Fortunately you can skip some of it.
Taking a Jeep Part of the Way
If you want the views without destroying your legs, you can shorten the hike.
4×4 vehicles regularly drive towards the Cross Above Mestia and even continue towards Koruldi Lakes. You can therefore take a vehicle uphill and walk part of the route instead.
From the Cross to Koruldi Lakes you are looking at around 11 km return and roughly five hours according to common mapped routes.
Local vehicle prices change depending on demand and how many people are sharing. Expect roughly 100–150 GEL per vehicle as a starting point for trips towards Koruldi, although you should negotiate locally.
If you are travelling alone, ask around Seti Square or your guesthouse because sharing the vehicle with other travellers can reduce the price substantially.
Chalaadi Glacier Hike
Chalaadi Glacier is the other major hike close to Mestia and is considerably easier than Koruldi Lakes. I went on this hike and it was here that I started feeling ill. Thankfully some passer bys helped me and gave me some water which I’m eternally grateful.
Anywho this is what I did to start this hike. I had a pre arranged taxi which cost me around €35. I booked it through my hotel. If you are willing to haggle a bit then I think you can get it cheaper when you are in Mestia.
You can walk the entire route from Mestia, which turns it into roughly a 16 km return hike taking around four to six hours.
However, I think the better option for most people is taking a taxi to the suspension bridge where the actual mountain trail begins.
From the bridge, it is roughly 3 km each way through the forest towards the glacier and can normally be completed in around 1.5–2.5 hours return depending on how long you stop.
The hike itself is not particularly difficult and like I said I managed to finish it while feeling ill and even vomiting at the end. Most of the trail follows the river through forest before becoming increasingly rocky as you approach the glacier.
I would still recommend downloading AllTrails to navigate the trail safely. There are trail markings but there is one particular spot where you can easily go wrong. Best way I can explain it if you come at a sort of dead end do not turn right into the forest trees, but keep left along the stream. You may need to climb up some rocks.
I got a bit lost here and used AllTrails and my phone’s gps signal to get me back on track.
Do Not Walk Right Up to Chalaadi Glacier
Chalaadi is an active glacier and rocks and chunks of ice can fall from the surrounding slopes and glacier face. Georgia’s official tourism information specifically warns against approaching the icy tongue without proper mountain experience and equipment.
You can get a perfectly good view without standing directly underneath it. The hike is free and there is no entrance ticket.
Hike Along Zuruldi Ridge
If the Hatsvali cable car is operating, Zuruldi Ridge gives you one of the easiest hikes around Mestia.
Take the lift to the upper station and instead of immediately returning to Mestia, continue along the ridge towards Mentashi viewpoint.
From the upper cable car station, the basic route is only around 3 km, takes approximately one hour and has relatively little elevation gain.
You get views towards Ushba, Tetnuldi and the surrounding mountain ranges without having to climb more than 1,000 metres from Mestia first.
If you still have energy, you can continue further towards Mount Zuruldi.
This is probably the best option for someone who wants to hike around Mestia but does not feel ready for the Koruldi Lakes hike.
Mestia to Tsvirmi Hike
You can turn the Zuruldi Ridge walk into a longer one-way hike by continuing towards Tsvirmi.
The standard route is approximately 11 km and takes around four hours, finishing in the small village of Tsvirmi.
Because most of the route is downhill when starting from the cable car, it is not particularly difficult. You still get excellent views across Ushba and Tetnuldi while passing through alpine meadows and forest.
The downside is transport.
You finish away from Mestia, so you either need to arrange a driver beforehand or continue towards the main road and try to find transport returning from the Ushguli direction which is a bit of an adventure let’s put it that way.
This hike also becomes considerably harder if the Hatsvali cable car is closed because you then need to climb Zuruldi Ridge from Mestia yourself.
Shdugra Waterfall From Mazeri
If you have another hiking day available, consider leaving Mestia and visiting Mazeri.
Mazeri sits around 25 km from Mestia beneath Mount Ushba and feels noticeably quieter.
The main hike here leads towards Shdugra Waterfall, sometimes called Ushba Waterfall.
From Mazeri, the full return hike is around 15 km and normally takes five to six hours. However, you can drive farther into the valley and shorten the walking considerably.
Georgia Travel lists the walk from the upper approach to the base of Shdugra at roughly 3 km, with another 3 km required if you want to continue towards the top.
It is a good alternative if you have already done Koruldi and Chalaadi and still want another day in the mountains.
Guli Pass for Experienced Hikers
If Koruldi Lakes sounds too easy rather than too difficult, there are much harder routes around Mestia.
One of the best is the hike between Mestia and Mazeri via Guli Pass.
This is approximately 22–23 km, takes around nine hours and involves roughly 1,500 metres of climbing before crossing the pass at close to 3,000 metres.
This is a completely different category from Chalaadi or Zuruldi Ridge.
You need good fitness, stable weather and transport arrangements because the hike starts and finishes in different places.
For most people visiting Mestia for only a few days, I would choose Koruldi Lakes instead.
Mestia to Ushguli Multi-Day Hike
The most famous trek in Svaneti is not actually a day hike at all.
The classic Mestia to Ushguli trek covers roughly 60 km over four days, passing through villages such as Zhabeshi and Adishi before eventually reaching Ushguli.
You sleep in guesthouses along the way, so camping equipment is not required unless you specifically want to camp.
If you do not have four days available, you can still see Ushguli very easily as a day trip from Mestia.
Day Trip to Ushguli From Mestia
Ushguli is the main day trip I would do from Mestia. I had it all booked out but yeah, you know the drill by now. I am still passing on the research that I did for this day trip so at least some of you get to enjoy it.
It sits around 45 km away and is actually a collection of small villages sitting at roughly 2,100–2,200 metres beneath Mount Shkhara.
The area is famous for its huge concentration of Svan towers. Chazhashi, part of the Ushguli community, forms part of UNESCO-listed Upper Svaneti and preserves a remarkable collection of medieval tower houses, churches and defensive buildings.
Ushguli Day Trip Prices
You will find drivers and tours around central Mestia.
Shared 4×4 tours currently start at around 70 GEL per person, while a private vehicle generally costs around 250–300 GEL for the vehicle depending on the operator and group size.
A typical departure is around 9:00–9:30 AM with approximately six to eight hours allowed for the complete excursion.
If you have three or four people, I would compare private vehicle prices before automatically booking a shared tour.
The price difference can become relatively small once divided between several travellers and you have much more control over how long you stop.
I booked the following tour from GetYourGuide
What Do You See in Ushguli?
The main reason to visit is simply walking around the villages.
You have old stone homes, narrow paths, medieval Svan towers and Mount Shkhara towering over everything in the background.
Most tours also stop around Lamaria Church, viewpoints towards Shkhara and some smaller attractions along the road between Mestia and Ushguli.
Road Conditions From Mestia to Ushguli
This is one place where a lot of older information online is becoming outdated. The journey historically had a reputation for being an extremely rough off-road drive.
Conditions have improved significantly and large sections of the main Svaneti road network towards Ushguli have now been paved. That does not mean you should expect a motorway: mountain weather, construction and short rough sections can still change conditions quickly. 4×4 vehicles therefore remain extremely common for tours.
The drive should no longer be the main reason you decide against visiting.
Can You Hike to Shkhara Glacier on an Ushguli Day Trip?
Technically yes, but I would not try to squeeze the full hike into a normal shared Ushguli tour.
The walk from Ushguli towards Shkhara Glacier is roughly 16 km return on the standard route and normally takes around five to six hours.
A normal Mestia day tour simply does not leave enough time.
If seeing Shkhara Glacier is important to you, I would either arrange a private driver with a very early departure or spend one night in Ushguli.
Staying overnight also means you get to see the village after most day tours have returned to Mestia.
How Many Days Do You Need in Mestia?
I think three full days in Mestia is ideal if you are not doing the multi-day Ushguli trek.
Use one day for Koruldi Lakes, another for Ushguli and one for Chalaadi Glacier together with exploring Mestia itself.
Chalaadi does not necessarily require an entire day if you take a taxi to the trailhead, so you can easily visit the glacier in the morning and spend the afternoon exploring the towers and museums.
With only two days, I would personally prioritise Koruldi Lakes and Ushguli. You can explore central Mestia during the evenings.
If you have four or five days, add Mazeri and Shdugra Waterfall or one of the longer hikes towards Tsvirmi or Guli Pass.
How to get to Mestia
The best way to get to Mestia is either driving yourself or getting a shared transfer from Kutaisi. It is also doable from Batumi while it is a much longer journey from Tbilisi and in that case it is best to split your journey up.
For a more detailed guide, pricing and timings on how to get to Mestia please read My Complete Guide on How to get to Mestia from Kutiasi or Batumi
Below is the shared transfer I used from GetyourGuide to reach Mestia.
Best Time to Visit Mestia for Hiking
The safest period for most normal hiking around Mestia is generally July through September.
June can still have significant snow at higher elevations. This was particularly noticeable during the 2026 season, when trekkers were still reporting substantial snow around some of the higher Svaneti passes in June.
September is particularly attractive because the main summer crowds begin disappearing while most trails are normally still accessible.
Whatever month you visit, mountain weather can change very quickly.
Check the forecast before Koruldi Lakes, Guli Pass or any higher route. If the mountains are completely covered by cloud, I would rather swap your itinerary around than spend seven hours climbing Koruldi and see absolutely nothing when you reach the top.
Is Mestia Worth Visiting? Conclusion
Mestia is absolutely worth adding to a Georgia itinerary, especially if you like hiking and mountain scenery.
The town itself is interesting for its Svan towers, traditional houses and museums, but the best things to do in Mestia are found in the mountains surrounding it.
If I had to narrow everything down, Koruldi Lakes would be my main hike, Chalaadi Glacier is the easier alternative and Ushguli is the day trip I would prioritise.
With three full days you can realistically experience all three without rushing.
If you have more time, that is when Mestia gets even better. You can head towards Mazeri, walk the Zuruldi Ridge, hike to Tsvirmi or commit to the complete four-day Mestia to Ushguli trek.
