Chalaadi Glacier
Easy forest walk from a bridge over the Mestiachala River to the snout of a glacier flowing from the Ushba and Chatini massif.
The Chalaadi Glacier is the easiest glacier to reach in Svaneti. It flows for about 6 to 7 km down a side valley north of Mestia from the massif of Ushba and Chatini, and its grey, rock-covered tongue ends at around 1,900 m. The walk starts at a suspension bridge over the Mestiachala River, about 10 km from Mestia along a partly unpaved road. From the parking area by the bridge, a trail of about 3 km climbs gently, with a gain of only around 300 m, mostly through forest and then over rough moraine and boulders to a viewpoint below the ice.
Most people take a taxi to the bridge and walk up and back in 2 to 3 hours, which makes this a good half-day outing or an option for a day when cloud hides the high routes. Walking the road from Mestia instead adds several hours on a dusty track. The Chalaadi River flows out from beneath the ice, and like most glaciers in the Caucasus, Chalaadi has shrunk noticeably in recent decades. Do not climb onto the ice or stand right under the snout, where stones and mud often fall.
What to see and do
- Suspension bridge over the Mestiachala River
- Forest trail to the glacier moraine
- View of the glacier tongue and its meltwater river
- Easy half-day trip from Mestia
How to visit
Getting there
The trailhead bridge is about 10 km north of Mestia; taxis from the town centre drive there and back. From the bridge it is about 3 km on foot to the glacier.
When to go
June to October. Plan half a day (2–3 hours walking from the bridge) here.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the boulder field at the end.
- Keep well back from the ice front because of rockfall and mudslides.
- Avoid the trail in heavy rain, when streams can flood the path and the bridge is slippery.
- Bring a warm layer; it is cold near the ice.
Chalaadi Glacier: FAQ
How long is the Chalaadi Glacier hike?
From the bridge over the Mestiachala River it is about 3 km each way with roughly 300 m of climbing, around 2 to 3 hours return. Walking from central Mestia adds about 10 km each way.
Can you walk on the Chalaadi Glacier?
It is not recommended without a guide and proper equipment. The glacier front is unstable and rocks often fall from the ice.
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Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Chalaadi Glacier.