Hikes in Mtskheta-Mtianeti

The classic hike from Omalo to Schatili via the Atsunta Pass is certainly one of the most interesting hiking routes in the Caucasus.

Through the quiet high valley to the small waterfalls at the foot of the Chaukhi massif On this leisurely excursion to the small but fine waterfalls in the high valley near Juta, you can enjoy the beauty of nature without much effort. At the 5th Season Hut, you can admire the rugged rock faces of the 3842 m high Asatianis in the Chaukhi massif from the hammock, which attracts many climbers.

Quiet walk with new perspectives on a familiar motif Away from the hustle and bustle, this tour leads to a newly built monastery above Stepantsminda, dedicated to the prophet Elias. Since all visitors pilgrimage to the famous Gergeti Church on the other side of the valley, this hike is refreshingly quiet. Although the new monastery cannot compete with its older sister in terms of age or interior furnishings, a visit is worthwhile just for the beautiful views.

Georgia's most popular photo motif High above Stepantsminda, the Trinity Church towers before the unmistakable summit of Kazbek, known to everyone from pictures. The church is one of the country's most important pilgrimage sites, with entire school classes tumbling down the steep dirt path in summer and locals having sacrificial animals blessed. And because the view is overwhelming, the church itself was a popular excursion destination even in Soviet times, when services were not allowed. The Soviets built a cable car to the sacred site in 1988 – the locals were not only outraged by this inappropriate means of transport but also promptly destroyed the cable car. Lazy pilgrims now get driven up by jeep, often causing traffic jams in summer.

Through the wide valley to the remote mountain village of With the majestic Kasbek always behind us at the beginning, we hike through the Snotal, where a carpet of flowers spreads out in spring and summer, to the remote mountain village of Juta. Only 20 families live in this outpost of civilization, yet Juta is well known among climbers and hikers: The Chaukhi massif behind Juta is a climber's paradise and a multi-day trek that leads via Shatili in Khevsureti to Tusheti starts here.

Walk to the Arsha WaterfallsMost will have seen more impressive waterfalls, but those who want to stretch their legs a bit will surely not regret the detour into the beautiful side valley south of Stepanzminda. Between large trachyte rocks, traces of the volcanic origin of the Caucasus, a small path leads to the waterfalls.

Hike to the foot of the most fascinating mountain of the CaucasusMajestically, it rises behind the Gergeti Sameba Church; the legends surrounding it are dark: At the summit of Kasbek, the god's son Prometheus is said to have served his punishment for bringing fire to humans. He wanted to come down from the mountain back then, while climbers today want to go up: Kasbek is considered one of the technically easiest 5,000-meter peaks. Those who prefer to stay down can also enjoy an excellent view of the impressive tongue of the ice giant from the Arsha Pass.

The "Gergeti Trinity Church" or Gergeti Sameba Church—also known as the Tsminda Samebaa Church—is located at an elevation of 2,181 meters above Stepanzminda and has brought the town great fame. It was built in the 14th century, in part to convert the mountain peoples of Georgia, who were still unfamiliar with Christianity. Until then, they had clung to their pagan customs. The complex consists of a Georgian cross-domed church, a freestanding bell tower that provides access to the complex, and a stone wall. In 2006, a fresco of Saint Nino was uncovered on a tall stone iconostasis. She was a missionary and healer who initiated the conversion of the Georgians to Christianity. The Georgian Orthodox Church places her on a par with the apostles and calls her the “Enlightener of Georgia.” Nestled in the rugged mountain landscape of the Greater Caucasus, this unique location has offered a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding mountains for centuries.> After passing Café Gergeti and Parking Lot 01 Gergeti (1,865 m), we hike uphill along the trail. At the first fork in the trail, either path will take us where we need to go, as they rejoin later. The trail winds around the ruins of the “Gergeti Tower,” and a little higher up we reach a beautiful 02 viewpoint (1,949 m) overlooking the sea of houses in Stepanzminda all the way to the mountains beyond. In the beautiful gorge with the small stream, the trail forks; we take the right-hand branch. After leaving the gorge behind us, we’re treated to a beautiful view of Mount Kazbek. At a trail junction, we do not follow the path continuing into the high valley, but instead turn sharply right and head uphill to the Trinity Church ( 2,181 m). After the visit, we descend to the parking lot and then take a sharp right below the complex along a trail to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the church. Back at the parking lot, we follow one of the many cattle trails to the left of and parallel to the access road through a valley to another parking lot. From here, we continue to the right on the access road and cross 04 Road (2,175 m). At the benches, the descent begins through the sparse birch forest. After a short stretch parallel to the road, we cross it, heading slightly to the left. The descent forks into two branches; taking the path slightly to the left, we follow steps to the 05 chapel (1,999 m) with its freestanding bell. We cross the road straight ahead and continue on the dirt road, which turns into a trail after a few meters. We pass through the village of Gergeti and can already see from a distance the parking lot at the start and finish point, slightly above 01 Gergeti (1,865 m).

Through a spectacular gorge to geological treasures Between steep basalt walls and bizarre slate cliffs, the Tergi carves a deep gorge and reveals traces of the volcanic formation of the Caucasus. The hike into the enchanted Truso Valley is a trip to a geological wonderland: brilliantly white travertine terraces, a mineral lake bubbling with carbonic acid, sulfur springs colored yellow and red that can be smelled from afar. The valley lies close to the border of the autonomous region of South Ossetia. Ossetians used to live here, but today only a few shepherds and small villages remain, falling into ruin.

Excursion to an idyllic mountain valley on the border with RussiaBehind the ruins of an old, legendary fortress, a narrow side valley near Gveleti leads to these two pretty waterfalls. The valley is popular with bird watchers and also a delight for plant enthusiasts: among other things, more than twenty endemic species of bell trees grow here. Anyone who is not so much interested in details but in great impressions will already get their money’s worth on the journey: even the writer Alexandre Dumas raved about the rugged Darial Gorge, through which we travel on the way there.