Kazbegi (Stepantsminda), Georgia: travel guide
A high Caucasus town beneath Mount Kazbek and a hilltop church
High-mountain town on the Georgian Military Highway beneath 5,033 m Mount Kazbek, best known for the hilltop Gergeti Trinity Church and dramatic Greater Caucasus hiking.
About Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
Kazbegi, officially called Stepantsminda, is a mountain town on the Georgian Military Highway in the Greater Caucasus. It sits beneath Mount Kazbek, a snowcapped peak of around 5,000 metres, and is the starting point for some of the most dramatic walking in the country.
The signature image is the Gergeti Trinity Church, a small stone church on a ridge above the town with the mountain rising behind it. You can hike up on foot or go by vehicle, and further trails lead into nearby valleys. Guesthouses serve hearty mountain food such as khinkali dumplings.
Kazbegi suits hikers and photographers. Summer and early autumn are the usual seasons for walking, while winter brings snow and a quieter, colder atmosphere.
- Country
- Georgia
- Currency
- GEL
- Time zone
- Asia/Tbilisi
Last updated
Plan a Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) trip
Top places to visit in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
Gergeti Trinity Church (Tsminda Sameba)
mountain_church · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 14th-century church standing alone at 2,170 m beneath the glaciers of Mount Kazbek — Georgia's most iconic mountain image, reached on foot or by 4x4 above Stepantsminda.
Gveleti Waterfall
waterfall · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A powerful waterfall in a side gorge off the Dariali valley north of Stepantsminda, reached by a short scenic walk from the Georgian Military Highway.
Dariali Monastery Complex
orthodox · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
A modern Orthodox monastery at the Dariali Gorge on the Russian border, set beneath towering cliffs where the Terek River carves the historic Caucasus gateway.
Truso Valley
valley · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A wide glacial valley off the Military Highway dotted with mineral springs, travertine terraces, ruined defensive towers and the abandoned village of Ketrisi — superb day hiking.
Juta Village
mountain_village · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the highest inhabited villages in Europe at ~2,200 m, the trailhead for the Chaukhi massif and Abudelauri lakes — a favourite of trekkers and climbers.
Things to do
- Gergeti Trinity Church 4x4 Trip Adventure · 2.5 h · from GEL 60 per person
- Juta Valley & Chaukhi Day Hike Hiking · 8 h · from GEL 140 per person
- Truso Valley Guided Hike Hiking · 7 h · from GEL 120 per person
Where to stay in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
- Stepantsminda Town about GEL 150 per night
The mountain village base for Kazbegi, most guesthouses with Kazbek and Gergeti church views.
Hotels
- Rooms Hotel Kazbegi 5-star · GEL 350 to GEL 800 per night
- Hotel Porta Caucasia Kazbegi 4-star · GEL 180 to GEL 380 per night
- Stepantsminda Guesthouse 3-star · GEL 60 to GEL 150 per night
Where to eat
- Rooms Hotel Kazbegi Restaurant Georgian, International · about GEL 60 per person
- Cafe 5047 Georgian · about GEL 30 per person
Getting to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
Nearest airport: Tbilisi (TBS), about 113 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Minibus
- Offroad Vehicle
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Georgia
Frequently asked questions about Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
- What are the main places to visit in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)?
- Places covered in our Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) guide include Gergeti Trinity Church (Tsminda Sameba), Gveleti Waterfall, Dariali Monastery Complex, Truso Valley, Juta Village.
- Where should I stay in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda): Stepantsminda Town.
- How do I get around Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)?
- Ways to get around Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) covered in our guide: Minibus, Off-road vehicle, Taxi, Walking.