Zuruldi Ridge Walk above Mestia
The easiest big view in Svaneti: two lifts carry you from Mestia to the Zuruldi ridge, and a gentle crest path leads to the Mentashi viewpoint facing Ushba and Tetnuldi. About 6 km there and back on the ridge, 8 km with the town walk, and some 2 hours on foot.
Ushba from the Zuruldi ridgePhoto: G.N., CC BY-SA 3.0Zuruldi is the long grassy ridge on the south side of Mestia, the one you see above the town from every guesthouse balcony. Its upper slopes are the Hatsvali ski area in winter, and in summer the same lifts take walkers almost to the crest. From the top you look straight across the valley at Ushba's two granite horns, with Tetnuldi's white pyramid further east and the stone towers of Mestia far below.
Most of the climbing is done by the lifts. The walk itself follows a broad track east along the crest, dipping a little and then rising to a telecom mast at the Mentashi viewpoint, roughly 2,460 m. There are gentle ups and downs and one short steep pull at the end. We grade it 1 of 5: it suits families, first days in the mountains and anyone who wants the view without the 1,000 m climb.
The lifts are the catch. They do not run every summer day, and they stop in bad weather, so check the evening before. On a closed day you can still walk up through the forest, which turns this into a real half-day hike.
Highlights
- Ushba's twin summits straight across the valley
- Tetnuldi and the main Caucasus ridge from the Mentashi viewpoint
- Mestia and its stone towers seen from above
- Two lift rides, an easy treat for children
- Rhododendrons along the crest in June
Trail facts
Last checked Oct 2026 by the Maspindzeli team. Mountain conditions change: ask us before you go.
Is this right for you?
Three quick questions for a friendly second opinion. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Stage by stage
| Day | From → to | Distance | Up | Down | Hours | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seti Square, Mestia → Zuruldi top station | ~1 km | +0 m | −0 m | 0.5 h | ~2,350 m |
| 1 | Zuruldi top station → Mentashi viewpoint | ~3 km | ~+180 m | ~−60 m | 1 h | ~2,460 m |
| 1 | Mentashi viewpoint → Seti Square, Mestia | ~4 km | ~+60 m | ~−180 m | 1.5 h | ~2,460 m |
01Mestia to the Zuruldi top stationSeti Square, Mestia → Zuruldi top station · ~1 km · 0.5 h
A short stroll across the river and past the museum brings you to the bottom station. The first lift swings up over meadows and pine forest to Hatsvali, where you change cars for the steeper second section. Step out at the top beside the cafe and the first big panorama: Mestia, Ushba and the main Caucasus ridge.
01Along the crest to the Mentashi viewpointZuruldi top station → Mentashi viewpoint · ~3 km · 1 h
Walk back past the lift and take the dirt track to its right, heading north. After a short drop, turn right onto the crest and follow the wide track east, ignoring the path signed downhill to Ieli about half an hour along. The last stretch climbs steeply to the fenced mast; skirt the fence on the left by the yellow mark and walk round under the dish to the viewpoint on the far side. A private fence closed an older path east of the lift in 2024, so stay on the track.
01Back to the lift and down to MestiaMentashi viewpoint → Seti Square, Mestia · ~4 km · 1.5 h
Retrace the crest to the top station, with Ushba in front of you all the way, and stop at the cafe if it is open. Ride both lifts down and walk the last 15 minutes back into town.
Practical information
Getting there
Start on foot in central Mestia. From Seti Square cross the Mestiachala to the south bank, pass the Svaneti Museum and keep east along the road for about 15 minutes to the bottom station of the Hatsvali lift, on the edge of town. Ride it to Hatsvali (about 1,870 m, roughly 10 minutes), then change to the Zuruldi lift for the last 5 minutes to the top station at about 2,350 m. In summer the lifts have usually run from about 10:00 or 11:00 until 16:00, not every day, and they stop in rain, fog or strong wind, so ask at the Mestia visitor centre the day before. If they are closed, a 4x4 can take the rough road up the ridge for about 100 GEL (about $37) a car (2024).
Getting back
Ride both lifts down, and ask at the top when the last car leaves; it has been around 16:00. If you miss it, walk down: a forest path with yellow signs brings you back to the Svaneti Museum in about 2 to 2.5 hours, steep in places.
Water
None on the ridge. Cafe Zuruldi at the top station sells drinks when the lift is running, but do not count on it outside high summer. Take 1 litre each.
Phone signal
Usually good. The ridge faces Mestia and ends at a telecom mast, so Magti and Silknet normally work along the whole walk.
Nearest help
Dial 112. Lift staff work at both stations while the lifts run, and Mestia's hospital is a few minutes' drive from the bottom station.
Permits
No permit and no fee to walk on the ridge. You only pay for the lifts: a return ride has cost about 20 to 25 GEL (about $7 to $9; 2024 prices, check at the ticket office).
Gear and safety
What to bring
- Trainers or light hiking shoes; the track is easy but the last climb is loose
- Windproof and a warm layer, as the crest is exposed and often cooler than Mestia
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- 1 litre of water each and a snack
- Cash in lari for the lift tickets and the cafe
Stay safe
- The lifts close in rain, fog and wind and can stop for the day without notice: keep enough time and energy to walk down.
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, and the bare crest is no place to be in one. Go in the morning.
- The final climb to the mast is short but steep and loose; take it slowly on the way down.
- Stay on the main track: fences mark private land and the mast area is closed.
- Walk up from Mestia: about 8.5 km and 1,100 m of climbing one way to the Mentashi viewpoint, about 4 hours, on yellow-marked paths from near the Svaneti Museum. Ride down if the lifts are running.
- Shortest: ride to the top, enjoy the view from the cafe terrace and ride down, no walking at all.
- Longer: from the Mentashi viewpoint keep following the ridge towards the quieter high point of Mount Zuruldi, roughly 6 km and 300 m of climbing more.
- Full day: continue over the ridge and down through forest to Tsvirmi village, an 18 km, roughly 9-hour route described by the national tourism board for July to September.
- Across the valley: the Mestia Cross and the Koruldi lakes on the north side give the same peaks from closer, with much more climbing (see the Koruldi Lakes page).
- Lifts shut or cloud down: walk to the Chalaadi Glacier instead, a forest route along the river that bad weather barely affects.
Emergency number in Georgia: 112. Tell your guesthouse your plan before you set off.
Places on and near the route
Tours that include this trail
Zuruldi Ridge Walk above Mestia: FAQ
How long is the Zuruldi ridge hike?
About 6 km there and back from the top of the lift to the Mentashi viewpoint, with roughly 250 to 400 m of gentle ups and downs. That is about 2 hours of walking, or 3 to 4 hours from Mestia with the lift rides and breaks.
Does the Hatsvali lift run in summer?
Often, but not every day. Recent summers saw it working roughly 10:00 to 16:00, and wind, rain or fog shut it. The visitor centre on Seti Square can tell you the evening before.
Can I walk to Zuruldi without the lift?
Yes. Yellow-marked paths climb through the forest from Mestia; allow about 4 hours up, covering roughly 8.5 km with some 1,100 m of ascent to the Mentashi viewpoint.
Is the Zuruldi ridge walk good for children?
Yes, it is one of the easiest mountain walks in Svaneti. Children enjoy the lifts, the track is wide, and you can turn back at any point. Keep a hand on small children near the steep last climb.
Last checked Oct 2026 by the Maspindzeli team. Mountain conditions change: ask us before you go.
Read our guide
Photo: georgia.travelThe complete planner for Upper Svaneti: how to reach Mestia, what to see in Ushguli, which hikes suit you, when to go, where to sleep and how many days to give it.
Photo: georgia.travelWhere to walk in Georgia's mountains and forests, when the passes open, how hard each trail is, what permits you need and how to stay safe, with tables of top walks and treks.
