Hiking in Mestia - Beginner-Friendly Version Day 1 🏔🏔

Mestia is a classic hiking route where you’ll meet many Europeans trekking through. The trail is well-marked with clear arrows, so beginners can confidently go for it! Route: Mestia → Zhabeshi → Adishi 💛 First Leg: Mestia to Zhabeshi (by car) The traditional route is a 4-day, 3-night trek, but since the first leg (Mestia-Zhabeshi) isn’t particularly scenic, we opted for a quick 30-minute car ride instead. 🚗 Car hire details: Price: 60 GEL for a minivan (3 people) Where to book: Mestia Bus Station (lots of drivers available) Tip: Bargain hard! We got it down from 70 to 60 GEL. More people? Even cheaper! 💛 Second Leg: Zhabeshi to Adishi (13km, ~6h hike) We started at 9 AM in Zhabeshi (a cute village with nice guesthouses). At the trailhead, there’s a map—follow the long shepherd’s path uphill. The route is well-marked with arrows, so no worries about getting lost. First section: A 700m ascent (~2h) on small trails. After the climb: You’ll reach a ski slope & cable car with a rest stop (drinks, coffee, toilets). Prices are fair, and the mountain views are stunning! 📸 Next part: Walk along the gentle ski slope—this was the most scenic part of the day! Open views of snow-capped peaks—perfect for photos. ‼️ Key turn: At , there’s a fork—go RIGHT (the left path is not the main route). From here, it’s a 2h downhill hike through a dense forest, with wildflowers and occasional mountain glimpses. Arrival in Adishi (~3 PM): A tiny village where we followed a Dutch hiker to find a guesthouse. 🏡 Accommodation deal: Initial ask: 70 GEL for 3 people Bargained down to 60 GEL/person (includes breakfast, dinner, and lodging). Rooms: Basic but clean, with private bathroom & WiFi. The host spoke English! 💚 Overall experience: Easy & enjoyable—great for beginners! Friendly hikers (mostly French & Dutch)—lots of greetings along the way. Plenty of rest stops (3-4 along the route). Packing tip: Just bring clothes, toiletries, and some snacks—travel light! Final verdict: Beginner-approved! 🎉 #MestiaHiking #HikingForBeginners #GeorgiaTravel