Mestia to Ushguli Trek
Classic four-day trek of about 55 km through Svan tower villages, past glaciers and over the Chkhunderi Pass, sleeping in guesthouses each night.
Mestia to Ushguli TrekPhoto: Q-lieb-in, CC BY-SA 4.0The trek from Mestia to Ushguli is the best-known multi-day walk in Georgia. Over four days and roughly 55 to 60 km, it links the two main settlements of Upper Svaneti through remote tower villages, alpine meadows and forest, with close views of glaciers and peaks over 4,000 m. Every night you sleep in a family guesthouse that serves dinner and breakfast, so there is no need to carry a tent or more than a day's food. The usual stages are Mestia to Zhabeshi, Zhabeshi to Adishi, Adishi to Iprali and Iprali to Ushguli.
Day one, about 15 km, climbs above Mestia to a ridge with views of Ushba and Tetnuldi, then drops to Zhabeshi; signs are patchy. Day two, about 11 km, is short but steep, climbing more than 900 m past the Tetnuldi ski lifts before descending to Adishi. Day three, about 18 km, is the hardest, with a ford of the Adishchala River, views of the Adishi Glacier and the Chkhunderi Pass at around 2,700 m. Day four, about 12 km, is an easy walk via Davberi and Murkmeli into Ushguli.
What to see and do
- Svan tower villages of Zhabeshi, Adishi, Khalde and Iprali
- Views of Ushba, Tetnuldi and the Adishi Glacier
- Fording the Adishchala River or crossing on horseback
- The Chkhunderi Pass at around 2,700 m
- Walking into Ushguli below Shkhara
How to visit
Getting there
The trek starts in Mestia, about 130 km (3 hours) from Zugdidi, and ends in Ushguli, from where shared 4x4s and taxis return to Mestia in about 1.5 hours.
When to go
July to mid-September. Plan 4 days here.
- Carry an offline map app; signage is patchy, especially on day one.
- Cross the Adishchala River early in the morning, when the water is usually lowest, or pay for a horse.
- Bring cash for guesthouses, horses and transport back from Ushguli.
- In June, snow on the pass and high rivers can make the route difficult; ask locally before setting out.
Mestia to Ushguli Trek: FAQ
How difficult is the Mestia to Ushguli trek?
It is a moderate trek. Daily distances run from about 11 to 19 km with up to around 900 m of climbing, and paths are mostly clear. Reasonable fitness and good boots are enough in summer, but the river crossing and the pass need care.
Do you need a tent for the Mestia to Ushguli trek?
No. Each overnight village has family guesthouses that provide a bed, dinner and breakfast, though booking ahead is wise in July and August.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Mestia to Ushguli Trek.
