A Hike to the Chalaadi Glacier

A brief note about the Chalaadi Glacier

The Chalaadi Glacier (also spelled Chaaladi or Chaladi) is located near Mestia, in Georgia’s Svaneti region, on the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. It descends from Mount Ushba and Mount Chatyn-Tau, forming part of the Enguri River basin.The Chalaadistskali River originates directly from the glacier’s melting ice and soon merges with the Mestiachala River, which then flows into the Enguri River — one of western Georgia’s major waterways. The glacier is roughly 6–7 kilometers long, and its tongue lies at an elevation of around 1,850–2,000 meters above sea level.Thanks to its easy accessibility, Chalaadi is one of the most visited glaciers in the Caucasus.

The road to Chalaadi glacier

After spending a night in Mestia at Babale’s Guesthouse, together with Malene we set off by car to reach the trailhead to Chalaadi Glacier. The road is around 10 km one way — well maintained but unpaved. I drove my Mitsubishi Pajero 4, which handled it effortlessly, though it’s still possible to make it in a sedan. Personally, I don’t recommend hiking all the way to the Chali bridge; it’s better to take a taxi there and start your hike from that point.

The parking area where you leave your car and from where the hike begins. When we arrived, we were surprised to see many cars there despite it being the off-season.

The parking lot is just a few dozen meters from the bridge, which looked quite worn compared to photos I had seen earlier. On a rainy day, the bridge can be slippery, so be cautious — especially if you’re hiking with kids.

The trail starts at 1,670 meters above sea level and climbs to about 1,950 meters. After crossing the bridge, we passed a few small cafés — closed for the season — and then entered a beautiful evergreen pine forest. The bright green colors were refreshing and soothing to the eyes.

Soon, the Mestiachala River greeted us with its powerful roar, and the terrain became rockier. The day was cloudy and rainy, but from time to time the clouds lifted, revealing the towering snowy peaks around us.

After around 3 km of hiking and gaining around 280 meters in elevation, we reached the glacier. Along the way, we met many other hikers, all greeting each other warmly. The trail is easy, and you can easily manage without a guide to navigate the terrain and reach the glacier.

Other tourists had already reached the area near the Chalaadi Glacier and were enjoying the view from a nearby hill. We, however, decided to move closer — which turned out to be a risky decision.

It's highly recommended not to get too close to the glacier and to stay alert for falling rocks and possible mudslides. Here is what happened to us.

When we arrived, I suddenly heard a loud noise. I didn’t even look up at first — with my cap pulled low and my head down, I thought it was just thunder. But Malene’s shouts brought me back to reality. I looked up and saw a massive mudslide rolling down. Luckily, I was still at a safe distance. I started running back while pulling out my camera to record it.

It was an incredible sight — the raw, destructive force of nature unfolding before my eyes. Yet despite the chaos, the whole hike felt peaceful and beautiful. As I write these lines, I can still see everything so vividly. I envy those who will hike there for the first time and witness that beauty with fresh eyes.

Chalaadi Glacier trailhead coordinates: 43°06'35"N 42°44'40"E