I Explored The High Mountains Of Svaneti In The Nation Of Georgia. What I Saw Was Rugged, Natural And Beautiful.
Svaneti is home to four of the small nation of Georgia's highest peaks, and four of the highest peaks in the entire Caucasus range.
It's a place of rugged peaks, snow capped mountain tops and isolated villages. The weather is harsh, the climate is cold, and there is snow for most of the year. Many villages are cut off from the rest of the country for much of the year, as roads close and the snow literally keeps people in their homes.
This a place that has through the centuries been fiercely independent from the rest of the Georgian region. The wild weather and harsh isolation has led to the creation of the Svan people's distinct culture, language and architecture, and built high up in these mountains are the unique Svan Towers, a formidable defensive structure that the people here still call home.
These Are The Mountains Of Svaneti...
The ancient land of Svaneti is the highest region of Georgian. It's found high in the Caucasus Mountains, directly on the border with Russia.
The roads into this mountainous region are steep, winding and deadly. The road has only recently been constructed,a and even today a journey of only a hundred kilometres or so will take hours by car. And until the road was built, a journey to the lower parts of Georgia could take weeks.
The largest town in Svaneti is Mestia, a small place of few people, but the most accessible town in an inaccessible region. The town is dominated by the Svan Towers. Until very recently most people would live in these, and many families do still call them home today.
The best mode of transport is by horse or foot in Svaneti. Old bridges will take you over the rivers on hikes through the mountains.
Near Mestia is the ever encroaching Chaladi Glacier, a huge barrier of ice and rock that forms part of the Russian border. a challenging hike through deep snow and across raging rivers will lead you right to the base of this natural wonder.
The Glacier extends to the edge of a vast forest, and can only be reached during the Summer, when the snow even in the hotter months is a fierce obstacle. Attempt to hike here to early in the year, in the Spring when the ice begins to thaw and shift the rocks, and you could be in for a deadly avalanche.
Only a few kilometres from Mestia, but either a four day hike or day long return drive in a four wheel drive vehicle is Ushguli. This is one of the most remote villages in Europe, and the highest altitude village in Europe that is inhabited all year round.
Ushguli is only accessible for a very few months of the year. During the colder months, these days the children are sent to the Georgian cities for schooling, but the hardy old timers stay here all through the cold, cold winter.
Ushguli has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ancient Svan Towers are hudreds of years old, and despite the fierce weather they still stand today.
The village is only around 40 Kilometres from Mestia. The dirt roads are difficult to navigate though, even once the snow has melted. It's a truly isolated, and harsh place to live.
This isolated region is an incredible place of raw, natural and rugged beauty. It's a land that is still almost untouched by tourist, that still has incredible hikes, spectacular views and awe inspiring scenery to marvel at.