About Mestia

Mestia is the regional center of the Upper Svaneti province, situated up in the west high Caucasus mountains. 1500m high, it features an alpine-like evergreen landscape. The town is known for its exotic Svan defensive towers.

A view of Mestia

Mestia serves as an excellent base for hiking, horse riding and climbing in the Svaneti valley. Among the treks and day-trips accessible from the town:

• Chalaadi glacier - a day trip along the Mestiachala river, up to the Chalaadi glacier. One may start the hike from Mestia itself or get by a 4x4 vehicle to the river crossing, from which it's a one hour trail going up through the alpine woods.
• Kordoli lakes - a day trip going 900m up from Mestia to the cross on Mount Tshkhakezagari. The walking trail is demanding but non-technical, and there's also a more moderate (but longer) 4x4 path. The mountain overlooks the entire Mestia Valley and offers a splendid view of the Snowy summits which crown Mestia. Early rising hikers can continue through the alpine meadow to the Kordoli Lakes.
• Zhabeshi-Ushguli trek - a 3-4 days long 'tea house' trek starting at Mestia or the village Zhabeshi, going through the villages Adishi and Iprali to the communty of Ushguli, which is the highest permanently settled village in Europe. Trekkers can come back to Mestia by taxi or continue for a day trip to the Shkhara glacier.

The best time to hike in the region is June-October. Additional useful information can be found at the Svantei trekking website.

Mestia also hosts an Historical-Ethnographic Museum, which displays ancient Christian icons and manuscripts and medieval tools and weapons.