If you have a free day in Kazbegi, you’re in luck! A great option is the hike to Gveleti Waterfall. This is one of the short day hikes in Kazbegi that we highly recommend.
Gveleti Waterfall is often referred to as Kazbegi Waterfalls. And the bonus is that it’s not just one waterfall; but two.
It’s an easy day hike. But despite sounding short there is much to see. And even if the weather isn’t great it is still well worth it. The scenery is beautiful.
Plus, if you’ve already hiked up to the Trinity Church or Gergeti Glacier and you’re after an easier day, then the hike to Gveleti Waterfall ticks all the boxes.
- Distance: 4.2km return
- Elevation gain: 191m
- Time needed: 1.5 – 2 hours (walking time)
- Trail type: Roundtrip (same way in and out)
- Min. elevation: 1507m
- Max. elevation: 1698m
- Cost: Free
- Track difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Pram/wheelchair access: No
- Toilets: There are no toilets on the track
- Mobile coverage: There is mobile reception
- Location (Big Waterfall): 42.70521, 44.61475
How to get to the Gveleti Waterfall hike
There is no option for public transport to get to the Gveleti Waterfall hike so you have two options (*unless you walk there!).
To get to the start of the waterfall hike you can either drive yourself or take a taxi.
*Walking to the hike isn’t advisable, based on the number of trucks heading for the border and the lack of lane-space for two vehicles. (Let alone any space for foot traffic).
Getting to Gveleti Waterfall by taxi
Taxi is definitely the easiest option.
Starting from Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) as soon as you step out into the main road you will be approached by taxi drivers offering to take you to the ‘waterfall, waterfall?’.
The vehicles are 7-seater Mitsubish 4×4’s and the drivers are negotiable for a return trip to the waterfalls.
The start of the track is only 7km from Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) but your driver can drop you off and return to pick you up (or wait for you if you arrange it).
The first price we were offered was 80 GEL. In the end a second driver took us there and back for 50 GEL.
The road to the start of the track
This is main Georgian Military Highway going all the way to Russia. It is not a road for hiking and this portion of the road (beyond Stepantsminda) is not in great condition.
There are a few narrow places where your driver will need to pull over and wait to let traffic past. And there is a narrow and pitch black tunnel where the old road has been bypassed.
Take care if you are driving yourself and certainly don’t be shy to ask your driver to slow down if you feel uncomfortable. Remember that these guys drive this road every day and don’t have the same regard for safety and/or speed limits.
The first parking area is just 50 metres from the main road. From here you will need to walk the first 1km along the un-sealed gravel road into the valley.
Although this is not a through-road you do need to watch out for the occasional 4×4 taxi dropping other hikers off. (In some parts they need a run-up as the ‘road’ is less than achievable without one).
And on that note, you can opt to be driven by 4×4 right up to the start of the track. In which case, the return hike to both waterfalls will take you less than one hour return.
Finding the start of the hiking track
Follow the dirt road into the valley for almost a kilometre.
You will pass an abandoned restaurant and small camp on the left side and several empty cabins and containers.
After a kilometre the canyon splits into two branches and you will see the second signpost for both the Big and Small Waterfall.
This is where the track officially starts.
About the track to the Big Waterfall
We took the path to the big waterfall first. This heads off to your right and across a small footbridge onto a hiking trail on the other side.
The track to the Gveleti Big Waterfall took us 15-20 minutes to the foot of the waterfall.
The trail is not technically easy as there are places where the path narrows, and you have to scramble up the rocks. But it isn’t steep or with huge inclines.
The path follows alongside the river which is beautiful, and it isn’t log before you get a first glimpse of the Big Waterfall.
- Note: Even if you don’t want to do the final scramble to the foot of the Big Waterfall it is still well worth the walk.
Turn around at the waterfall (or near to it) and return along the track the same way.
About the track to the Small Waterfall
From where the trail originally branches into two (at the signpost) head this time to the left (when facing into the canyon) and take the other trail to the Small Waterfall.
This path is much easier and wider to begin with.
It is only a 10-minute walk to the Small Waterfall.
Return the same way back to the trail head.
Returning to the car park (or to where your taxi is waiting)
This is an out-and-back hike, so you need to take the same path and hike back to where you began.
We had asked our driver to wait for 2 hours (which was more than we needed).
He arrived back exactly on time, and we were waiting for him at the carpark near the main road.
What to bring on the Gveleti Waterfall hike
The hike to Gveleti Waterfall is not far from Kazbegi and it is only a short hike, so you don’t need to bring too much. It did rain a bit while we were walking so, we were glad to have brought rain jackets.
Remember you are in the mountains and the weather can be changeable.
What to bring on the Gveleti Waterfall hike:
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Phone
- Camera
- Rain jacket
- Fleece or warm layer
- Hiking shoes (you do need good footwear)
- Snacks
We asked our taxi driver to come back and get us in 2 hours which was more time than we actually needed. (We were glad to have packed some snacks while we waited!).
Returning to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
Our driver offered to take us to the Russian border for a look. This is up to you.
Otherwise enjoy the views as you drive back and if you haven’t already arranged it you can ask your driver to drop you back at your hotel.
Enjoy Kazbegi!
For your travels in Georgia and beyond…
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- 5 Reasons we loved Kyrgyzstan (and why you need to visit).
- Kyrgyz’ what? A complete travel guide to Kyrgyzstan.
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