One of the best day hikes in Svaneti is the Koruldi Lakes hike, an epic 7.5-hour trek that rewards those crazy enough to tackle it on foot with breathtaking views of hidden lakes nestled between the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Great Caucasus Mountain Range.
It was probably one of the most challenging and memorable hikes I've done in Georgia. Within this guide, I'll provide all the information you need to hike from Mestia to Koruldi Lakes in one day. So without further ado, here's a complete hiking guide to Koruldi Lakes:
- Koruldi Lakes Hiking Itinerary Map
- One-Day Hiking Itinerary for Koruldi Lakes
- Where to Stay in Mestia?
- When to Hike Koruldi Lakes?
- How to Get to Koruldi Lakes?
- How Long Does It Take to Hike Koruldi Lakes?
- How Difficult Is It to Hike Koruldi Lakes?
- What to Pack for Koruldi Lakes?
- Further Reading for Georgia
Koruldi Lakes Hiking Itinerary Map
| 🌤️ Best time: | June-September |
| 🚘 Getting there: | Hike or organized tours |
| 🕓 Time to spend: | 7.5 - 10 hours |
| 🚶♂️ Difficulty: | Easy-Moderate |
| 💰 Cost: | Free |
One-Day Hiking Itinerary for Koruldi Lakes
From Mestia to the Trailhead
Hiking Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Our journey begins at Seti Square in Mestia early in the morning. Since the hike takes the entire day, I highly recommend starting as early as possible. I woke up at 6 AM and by 6:30 AM, I was already walking towards the trailhead.
You can begin making your way east from the square and take the road up towards Old House Hotel. Even from here, you will begin to climb up the cobblestone road, and it will become steeper the closer you are to the trailhead. It should take you about 30 minutes to reach the trailhead at the foothill of the mountain.
From the Trailhead to the Cross Over Mestia
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Difficult
From the trailhead, you'll see a hiking sign with an arrow pointing right toward Koruldi Lakes. Follow this arrow, and you'll pass through a thick forest as the trail climbs significantly.
- Hotel Lemi (Budget)
- Hotel Chatini Mestia (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Hotel Mestia Inn (High-End)
- Koruldi Lake Private Tour From Mestia (3 - 4 hours)
- Day Tour from Mestia to Ushguli (6 hours)
- Chalaadi Glacier tour (3 hours)
There is also a shortcut that goes left and up straight to the Cross Over Mestia, our next stop, but I have heard reports that the trail is extremely steep and has zero traction, so I wouldn't recommend it.
As you follow the trail through a wooded area for about 20 minutes, you should arrive at a small opening where you will be able to get a glimpse of the view of Mestia from above. Take a rest here for a bit before continuing up another part of the trail.
For about one hour, you should be above the treeline and the whole view of the valley should open up to you. The trail also merges with a dirt track; follow it for a bit until you find a small hiking trail that goes up the hill. Take that instead of following the dirt track, and it should take you another 30 minutes before you arrive at the Cross Over Mestia.
From the Cross Over Mestia to the Cafe
Hiking Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Now that you have arrived at the Cross Over Mestia, you have finally completed the steepest part of the trek, so congratulations. Right next to the cross, you will find a pavilion overlooking the valley where you can relax.
Spend a few minutes here and enjoy the view before continuing your journey to the café, located on a hilltop about 10 minutes from the cross.
The view at the cross is nice, but it's even better at the café, so I recommend you power through it and make your way there so you can fully enjoy your break at the café.
The cafe is run by a lovely Ukrainian family and offers an incredible view of not just the valley below, but also the stunning snow-capped mountains behind it, where we will be heading next.
The café offers only drinks, such as coffee and local lemonade, each priced at 5 GEL, which is surprisingly affordable given its remote location. You can spend about 30 minutes relaxing on the balcony with a cup of coffee and take the opportunity to refill your water bottle before continuing your journey to Koruldi Lakes.
From the Cafe to Koruldi Lakes
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
From the café, follow the dirt track road all the way to Koruldi Lakes. This part of the trek is about 6 kilometers one way, which is quite long, but it has a less steep incline compared to the climb up to the cross. It’s still an incline, but not as steep or tiring.
The challenge with this part of the trek is that you'll be completely exposed to the elements for the entire 2-hour duration, all the way to the lake. This can be uncomfortable if it's sunny, so be sure to apply sunscreen before tackling it.
Much of the trail will also be on a dirt track, and by this time, you might start seeing some tours driving up with their 4WD vehicles kicking up dust all over the place. I won't lie, sharing the trail with cars was not my favorite part of the hike.
Thankfully, the tours often stop at another café about 30 minutes from the previous one where we stopped earlier, and they usually stay there for a while. This means you should be able to beat them to Koruldi Lakes.
Just past the café, you'll see a signpost claiming it's about 30 minutes to Koruldi Lakes. That's probably the greatest lie of all time! Maybe with a car, but it took me about 1.5 hours to reach the lake on foot, so don't get your hopes up 😂.
Exploring Koruldi Lakes
Hiking Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
After a 2-hour hike from the café, you will arrive at Koruldi Lakes, a collection of small, beautiful lakes offering possibly one of the most stunning views in Svaneti. Keep in mind that the water in the lakes is rather murky, so it is not recommended to drink from or swim in it.
Out of all the places I've been in Svaneti, this is hands down one of my favorite spots, not because it is the most beautiful, but because of how much effort it requires to get there... well of course, unless you hire a local driver to take you there.
If you started out at 6:30 AM, as I did, you should get here by 11:30 AM. You can spend 1 - 2 hours here, relaxing and enjoying your lunch break at one of the lakes with a killer view of the 4,690-meter-high jagged snow-capped peaks of Ushba Mountain.
You can wait for the wind to calm down and capture the still water of one of the lakes, creating a perfect mirror that reflects the beautiful surroundings. It sure was quite a sight to behold.
You can also continue hiking further up to see more lakes. The higher you go on the ridge, the more lakes you'll see. Many people who drive up here choose to hike all the way up the ridge to see some snow, but you don't need to do that, as the view from the lakes is already quite stunning.
You'll want to save your energy for the return trip, which is another 3-hour hike down the same way, and since it is mid-day, the heat will be even more unbearable, so rest up while you can.
From Koruldi Lakes back to Mestia
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
I spent about an hour relaxing at the lake before I made my way down slowly. It took me about 1 hour to get back to the cafe by the Cross Over Mestia, and another 2 hours before I arrived back in Mestia.
Going up is one thing, but going down is where you will do the most damage to your body, especially your knees, so be sure to take it slow. In total, you can expect to spend between 7.5 to 10 hours completing the Koruldi Lakes hike, depending on how often you rest and how long you spend at the lakes.
Where to Stay in Mestia?
When to Hike Koruldi Lakes?
The best time to hike Koruldi Lakes is during the summer months between June and September. During this period, the weather is generally favorable with minimal rain. Although it can be quite hot at times, the conditions are great for hiking and I'd take hot days over rainy ones any day.
How to Get to Koruldi Lakes?
To get to Koruldi Lakes, you will have to get yourself to Mestia, a remote mountain town in Svaneti where we will be using as a home base to hike to the lake.
To get to Mestia, you have quite a few options as you can travel here from Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi, the 3 largest cities in Georgia. There are several flights, both direct and non-direct, to these cities' airports, and it will depend on what your Georgia itinerary looks like. You can browse for cheap flights through Skyscanner or Expedia.
Getting from Tbilisi to Mestia
Tbilisi is the capital city of Georgia, and it is the furthest away from Mestia out of all 3. Mestia is over 400 km away from Tbilisi, so you can expect to spend at least 10 hours or more if you rely on public transportation.
By Private Transfer: The easiest and most convenient way is to organize a private transfer from Tbilisi. It will cost you 260 USD and take about 10 hours with optional stops along the way. It is quite expensive, but it is direct and less hassle than the other options.
By Public Transportation: For public transportation, the best way is to take the train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi, and then catch a Marshrutka van to Mestia. There is one train at 8:20 AM for about 10 USD and you should get to Zugdidi in 6 hours, arriving at 2:30 PM. Keep in mind that trains in Georgia get booked out days in advance, so be sure to book it early.
From Zugdidi, you should be able to catch a Marshrutka just outside the train station. It should take another 3 - 4 hours and cost around 40 GEL before you arrive in Mestia. The van will leave when it is full. Keep in mind that Marshrutka vans rarely come with AC, and if you travel in the summer, it can be quite unbearably hot, so make sure you seat yourself by the window that actually opens.
For a more comfortable ride from Zugdidi to Mestia, you might also find shared taxis waiting for you in front of the train station. They are a bit pricier at 50+ GEL per person, 150 - 200 GEL for the whole car, but way more comfortable and a bit faster than a Marshrutka van.
Getting from Kutaisi to Mestia
By Shared Transfer: The easiest and most convenient way is to organize a shared transfer from Kutaisi. It costs 33 USD and takes about 6 hours. They leave every morning at 7 AM from the organizer's office in Kutaisi city center.
This is how I got to Mestia, and I found the trip very comfortable and on time. There were only 5 people in the car, and we arrived in Mestia around 1 PM. The mountain road to Mestia can be pretty rough at times, so I'm glad I chose this option.
By Public Transportation: From Kutaisi Bus Station, you should be able to find a Marshrutka van to Zugdidi leaving at all hours during the day. They leave when it is full so the schedule is not fixed. The journey should take about 2 hours and cost 7 - 10 GEL per person.
From Zugdidi, you should be able to catch a Marshrutka just outside the train station. It should take another 3 - 4 hours and cost around 40 GEL before you arrive in Mestia. Keep in mind that Marshrutka vans rarely come with AC, and if you travel in the summer, it can be quite unbearably hot, so make sure you seat yourself by the window that actually opens.
For a more comfortable ride from Zugdidi to Mestia, you might also find shared taxis waiting for you in front of the train station. They are a bit pricier at 50+ GEL per person, 150 - 200 GEL for the whole car, but way more comfortable and a bit faster than a Marshrutka van.
Getting from Batumi to Mestia
By Shared Transfer: The easiest and most convenient way is to organize a shared transfer from Batumi. It costs 80 GEL and takes about 7 hours. They leave every morning at 6:30 AM from the organizer's office in Batumi.
By Public Transportation: From Batumi Bus Station, you should be able to find a Marshrutka van to Zugdidi leaving at all hours during the day from 8 AM - 8 PM. They leave when it is full so the schedule is not fixed. The journey should take about 3 hours and cost 7 - 10 GEL per person.
From Zugdidi, you should be able to catch a Marshrutka just outside the train station. It should take another 3-4 hours and cost around 40 GEL before you arrive in Mestia. Keep in mind that Marshrutka vans rarely come with AC, and if you travel in the summer, it can be quite unbearably hot, so make sure you seat yourself by the window that actually opens.
For a more comfortable ride from Zugdidi to Mestia, you might also find shared taxis waiting for you in front of the train station. They are a bit pricier at 50+ GEL per person, 150 - 200 GEL for the whole car, but way more comfortable and a bit faster than a Marshrutka van.
Getting Mestia to Koruldi Lakes
By Hiking: The best way to get to Koruldi Lakes is to hike from Mestia as the scenery you see along the way is absolutely breathtaking, but I am not going to sugarcoat it, it was a hell of a hike.
It took me about 4.5 hours to hike non-stop from Mestia to Koruldi Lakes and another 3 hours to get down. I ended up spending almost 10 hours up there, including many MANY rests! This is the type of hike that will destroy your knees afterward!
By Organized Tour: Of course, hiking is not for everyone, especially given how crazy steep the trail to the lake is. So, if you do not want to hike the whole way, you can also go with an organized tour, which you can book here or organize from any tour agency in town a day before.
It should cost around 250 GEL (90-100 USD) to hire someone to drive you up there and back, and it takes around 4 hours in total.
How Long Does It Take to Hike Koruldi Lakes?
The hike from Mestia to Koruldi Lakes is about 7 km one way, 14 km in total, and you will be starting at around 1,400 meters above sea level and going all the way up to 2,743 km, gaining an elevation of over 1 km in a few hours. I told you it is a steep hike!
This equates to you having to hike about 4.5 hours to get up and around 3 - 3.5 hours to get down, not including rest stops and a lunch break. It took me almost 10 hours to complete the entire trek. I started out at 6:30 AM in town and got up to the Cross Over Mestia at around 8:30 AM.
I hiked up another 10 minutes to the cafe and spent about an hour resting, taking photos, and chilling there before I made my way up to the lake at around 9:40 AM. I arrived at the lake at around 11:40 AM with a few short rests along the way.
I spent about 1 hour and 10 minutes having my lunch and relaxing by the lakes before I headed back down at around 12:50 PM and got back to Mestia by 4 PM. It took me 9.5 hours to complete the hike to Koruldi Lakes. Your mileage may vary, but expect to spend an entire day for this.
How Difficult Is It to Hike Koruldi Lakes?
The trek is definitely not for everyone. I hike often, and I still found the steep incline from Mestia to the Cross Over Mestia challenging. I even spoke to a couple of marathoners I met up there, and they mentioned that part of the hike was more difficult than they expected, which was reassuring.
After the cross, the climb becomes a bit more manageable, but now the challenge is that you're above the treeline, fully exposed to the elements all the way to the lake. The heat from the midday sun can be especially brutal. You definitely need to be in good physical condition to tackle this hike.
What to Pack for Koruldi Lakes?
- Download Maps.me: For this hike, I highly recommend downloading the Maps.me app on your phone and downloading the Georgia map offline before your hike. This way, you can navigate the trail without needing an internet connection. The signs are generally clear, but it's always good to have a backup plan in case you're unsure of the direction.
- Lunch: Since you'll be spending the entire day hiking, make sure to pack a lunch the day before. There are SPAR stores in Mestia where you can stock up. You won't find anything up there but beautiful nature.
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts: It's gonna be a long hike so be sure to pack some breathable shorts for it. For women, a legging is excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: To prepare for unpredictable weather in the mountains, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: Be sure to pack a water bottle that holds at least 1 liter for this hike. You can refill it at the café above the Cross Over Mestia. The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great option, whether you're in the city or on hiking trails. It's lightweight and keeps your water cold or warm for over 12 hours, definitely a game-changer.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Georgia
I hope you found this Georgia travel guide useful. If you are looking for something to read to help with your Georgia trip planning even further, be sure to check out the articles below:
- For a complete itinerary to Georgia, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Georgia Itinerary.
- Tbilisi is definitely one of my favorite cities in the Caucasus with its vibrancy and liveliness that rival no one. If you are planning a trip here, be sure to check out our guide: 15 Incredible Things to Do in Tbilisi.
- Looking for a great day trip from Tbilisi? How about visiting the romantic wine region of Kakheti? Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Kakheti.
- Nestled between the rolling mountains of the Greater Caucasus Range, Kazbegi is hands down one of the best places to visit in Georgia. From the photogenic Gergeti Trinity Church to all the awesome hikes you can do, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Kazbegi.
- One of the best day trips you can make in Kazbegi is to visit Juta Valley and go hiking around one of the many hiking trails here. Here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Juta Valley.
- An alternative day trip you can make in Kazbegi is to spend a day hiking in Truso Valley, where stunning nature meets incredible history. To help you plan the ultimate trip, here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Truso Valley.
- As one of the oldest cities in Georgia, with a history spanning 3,000 years, Kutaisi has a ton of things for you to see and do. If you're planning a visit, be sure to check out our 10 best things to do in Kutaisi.
- Svaneti is one of the most beautiful regions in Georgia. It is home to not just beautiful mountains, but also the Svans with their rich history, and unique culture. If you want to visit Svaneti, this is the travel guide for you: A Complete Travel Guide to Svaneti
- For a complete list of things to do in Mestia, check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Mestia
- Ushguli is one of the highest inhabited settlements in Europe, and it is a must-visit if you are exploring Svaneti. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Ushguli
- Batumi is more than just the Dubai of the Black Sea; it has a rich history, delicious cuisine, and plenty of things to do. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Batumi.
- Wondering where to go after Georgia? Why not drop by Armenia or Azerbaijan afterward?
- For all articles about Georgia, visit our Georgia Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to the Caucasus Region? Check out all my articles about the region here: The Caucasus Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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