Chalaadi Glacier Hike
Chalaadi Glacier is a very beautiful spot not far from Mestia. The 6 km round-trip trail takes you through lush pine forests and rocky moraine, offering breathtaking views of Mount Ushba. Ideal for nature enthusiasts seeking a memorable day hike. Getting there is quite easy — it’s an easy hike that doesn’t require much effort, preparation, or gear. I recommend wearing sneakers rather than flip-flops; everything else depends on the weather.
I share my experience hiking to Chalaadi Glacier.
From Mestia to the start of the road to the glacier, it’s about 10 km. You can drive there in any car; near the bridge where the trek begins, there’s a parking area (43.110874, 42.744620). If it’s full, look for spots along the road nearby where you can squeeze in.
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You can also walk these 10 km, but it’s very dusty, so it’s better to take a taxi from Mestia and get to the bridge.
Almost the entire path goes through forest trails. The road goes up and down. There are no other forks — just keep going straight.
The hike to the glacier is 3 km. We spent 1.5 hours on it.
After a while, the path starts running along a fast-flowing river.
Closer to the glacier, the easy part ends, and a couple of times you’ll have to scramble over rocks. Be careful when it’s raining — you can slip. There aren’t many sections with steep rocks.
The most beautiful views of the glacier open up on the approach, from a distance.
It’s beautiful both ahead and behind. Turn your head and take it all in! 🙂
The only mountains better than mountains are mountains with glaciers. Chalaadi Glacier is a 6 km-long glacial tongue, starting on the slopes of Mounts Chatili and Ushba, then following the Chalaadi River gorge and descending into the Mestiashala River valley.
Just keep going straight — the glacier is your landmark. No need to climb the mountains; rocks can fall from all sides.
IMPORTANT! DO NOT GO CLOSE TO THE GLACIER! Under no circumstances, do what the tourist in the photo below did. Rocks from the glacier fly long distances. The day before our hike, a tourist died on the spot. He just decided to take a dramatic selfie under the glacier.
Be sure to take some water and snacks — you’ll want to sit down for a bit near the glacier.
