Shkhara glacier

The hike starts in Ushguli and climbs through the villages of Ushguli up to the Lamaria church. From here a magnificient view opens up down towards the Ushguli villages and in the other direction towards the Inguri valley and Mount Shkhara, the highest mountain of Svaneti and Georgia. The hike continues through the Inguri valley on the western side of the Inguri river. The marked trail more or less follow a little dirt road and a larger path and climbs little for the following five – six kilometres. If visibility is good, more and more of Mount Shkhara can be seen as you hike through the valley. The last couple of kilometres the trail climbs a little bit, goes through low forests, across many rocks and small creeks. The trail ends at 2 390 metres at the Shkhara glacier where the Inguri river originates below the glacier. Be careful close to the glacier as big and small rocks can come rolling and jumping down across the glacier. Return the same way as you came. If the weather has been cloudy and you have not seen Mount Shkhara on the way towards the glacier, you can check if the the veil of clouds over the Mount Shkhara has lifted on the way back. Sometimes Shkhara reveals her unique beauty for a minute or two.