Glacier · Mestia Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Shkhara Glacier
შხარის მყინვარი
The glacier at the foot of Mount Shkhara, Georgia's highest peak, at the head of the upper Enguri valley above Ushguli, reached on foot up the valley from the village.
Where it is
42.9796, 43.1093
Why go
Shkhara Glacier lies under the south face of Mount Shkhara, which the national tourism administration (GNTA) names as Georgia's highest peak, at the head of the valley above the Ushguli villages in Upper Svaneti. GNTA's walking route starts in Ushguli and ends at the base of the mountain, following the upper Enguri valley with Shkhara in view ahead. The glacier is a separate subject from the mountain itself, which is a technical climb rather than a walk.
Near Shkhara Glacier
Church
Nakipari St George Church
A small hall church on a hill above the hamlet of Nakipari in Upper Svaneti, painted inside in 1130 by the royal painter Tevdore, with frescoes and animal reliefs on its east façade.
24 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Lake
Koruldi Lakes
A group of small alpine lakes at about 2,850 metres on the slopes above Mestia, looking across the Enguri valley to Ushba, Tetnuldi, Shkhara and Laila.
35 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Glacier
Chalaadi Glacier
A valley glacier at the source of the Mestiachala river north of Mestia, in Upper Svaneti, reached on foot through forest and moraine from a drive out of town.
36 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ
Church
Ienashi Church of the Prophet Jonah
A stone church in the Svan village of Ienashi, nine kilometres from Mestia, with an aisle wrapped round three sides of the nave and 14th-century wall paintings that include Jonah escaping the whale.
39 km · straight-line distance; driving distance and time differ