The highest mountains in Georgia. Mountain peaks of Georgia The highest mountain in Georgia name

TBILISI, December 11 – Sputnik. Since ancient times, Georgia has been famous for its beautiful mountains and peaks, with difficult-to-reach routes. on International Mountain Day, which is celebrated every year on December 11, presents the TOP 7 famous and most difficult mountains of Georgia.

1. Shkhara - height 5,193.2 meters

Thomas Vahe

The highest peak in Georgia. Located in the Svaneti region. Soviet climbers first climbed Shkhara in 1933. At the foot of the southern slopes of Shkhara, at an altitude of 2,200 m above sea level, there is the village of Ushguli in the Mestia region of Svaneti, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

2. Kazbek or Mkinvartsveri - height 5,033.8 meters

© photo: Sputnik / Alexander Imedashvili

It is an extinct stratovolcano. Located on the border of Russia and Georgia. The last eruption supposedly occurred in 650 BC. It was formed, according to experts, 805 million years ago. At approximately an altitude of 3800 m on an 80-meter rock wall in a cave there is the ancient Georgian monastery of Betlemi (Bethlehem).

3. Ushba - height 4,690 meters

© photo: Sputnik / S. Onanov

One of the most famous mountains of the Caucasus. It is located in the Svaneti region. From the Svan language “ush” means trouble, “ba” means mountain. That is, a mountain that brings misfortune. It is called killer mountain or ghost mountain. It was this mountain that caused the death of many climbers who wanted to conquer it.

4. Tetnuldi - height 4,869 meters

A resort of the same name is being built on the slope of the mountain, the ski slope of which will be the longest in the Caucasus - 9.5 kilometers.

5. Diklosmta - height 4,285 meters

© photo: Sputnik / Said Tsarnaev

A mountain range in the eastern part of the Greater Caucasus on the crest of the Snowy Range, which is the natural border of Chechnya, Dagestan and Georgia. Translated from Georgian: “Mta” is a mountain, “Diklo” is one of the oldest villages in Tusheti, located at the foot of the mountain.

Construction of the Veduchi ski resort has begun on the northern slope of the mountain.

The Pillar of Life is an ancient stronghold of faith and tranquility, 10 kilometers from the small industrial town of Chiatura. In pagan times, it was believed that the Katskhin pillar, that is, the pillar of life, symbolizes the local god of fertility. With the advent of Christianity in Georgia in the 4th century, it began to personify a departure from the vanity of everyday life. Here, on top of a pillar, a church was built in the 6th-8th centuries - no one knows exactly how or why. The stylites, hermits from the times of early Christianity, who offered prayers and fasted on top of the pillars, used the Katskhin Pillar for religious rites until the 15th century.

Wild mountains of Tusheti

Wild Mountains of Tusheti are low mountains in Georgia, they are considered the wildest. The local population is “Georgian Indians,” as they call themselves. Many villages do not have roads or electricity. Just like a hundred years ago, they dine there by kerosene lamps, bake bread, churn cheese and butter in barrels, and replace all-terrain jeeps with horses.

Tusheti National Park in the Eastern Caucasus was founded in 2003. Since 2003, Tusheti's protected areas include 10,694 hectares of nature reserve, 83,453 hectares of national park and 27,903 hectares of landscape reserve.

The national park is home to many rare and endangered species of animals. It is also home to endemic rare plants, unique pine forests and many forest-forming tree species such as birch and alpine oak. It is also home to a variety of bird species, including bearded vultures, Caucasian grouse, Caucasian mountain turkeys and pheasants.

The best time to visit the mountains is July, August and September. In May-June it is still cold there and the water level in mountain rivers can be too high. It is better not to go there until May; many passes are closed and covered with snow. In winter, the mountains suddenly become empty; many residents move to the plains.

Mount Mtatsminda

Mount Mtatsminda (translated into Russian as Holy Mountain) is one of the spurs of the Trialeti Range and encloses Tbilisi from the west. Due to its height (770 meters) it is visible in almost all areas of the city and is an integral part of its landscape.

The Holy Mountain is interesting not only as a natural phenomenon, but also as a historical and religious place. Mtatsminda has been repeatedly sung in poems and songs by Georgian poets.

According to legend, on the mountain there was a cell of one of the founders of Georgian monasticism, David of Gareji. In memory of this, the Church of St. David is now located on the slope of the mountain. Adjacent to it is the Pantheon, a cemetery where famous cultural and public figures of Georgia are buried. The writer Alexander Griboyedov and his wife Nino Chavchavadze are buried here.

Previously, one of the attractions of the mountain was the funicular, which could be used to get to the very top. However, in 2000, the cable car broke and has not yet been restored. Now the only thing that reminds us of it is the observation deck, which offers a beautiful view of the entire city. In addition to the observation deck, at the top of the mountain there is a city television tower (height - 277.4 meters), a small park and a restaurant.

Approximately 250 million years ago, two powerful lithospheric plates - the Eurasian and African-Arabian, as if floating in an ocean of earthly magma - began to approach each other. About 60 million years ago (at the beginning of the Paleogene) this process accelerated. However, even 12 million years ago, on the site of the Caucasus plains there were sea lagoons, above which in some places rose chains of low folded mountains - a prototype of the future Caucasus Range. About 10 million years ago, the Arabian plate began to break away from the African plate and quickly move north. All structures of the marginal seas of southern Eurasia began to be pushed to the surface along with a layer of mineral sediments, large masses of stone with magma outcrops (volcanoes). About 5 million years ago, that stage of formation of the mountains of Europe began, after which they basically acquired the appearance familiar to us today. As a result of a sharp uplift of the earth's crust, the mountains of the Greater Caucasus first reached 2.5 km in height, and after another one and a half million years (during the Quaternary period) they grew in their central part to 4-5 km. The Caucasus is a young mountainous country; the Caucasus Mountains continue to “grow” these days.

MAIN CAUCASIAN (Watershed) RIDGE (GKH)- a continuous mountain chain stretching more than 1100 km from northwest to southeast from the Black Sea (Anapa region) to the Caspian Sea (Mount Ilkhydag northwest of Baku) divides the Caucasus into two parts: Ciscaucasia (North Caucasus) and Transcaucasia (South Caucasus). The Main Caucasus Range separates the basins of the Kuban, Terek, Sulak and Samur rivers in the north and the Inguri, Rioni and Kura rivers in the south.

The mountain system, which includes the Main Caucasus Range, is called the Greater Caucasus (or Greater Caucasus Range). There is also the Lesser Caucasus - this is a vast highland located south of the Rioni and Kura valleys and connected directly with the hills of Western Asia.

The Caucasus ridge can be divided along its length from west to east into seven parts:

Traditionally, the Greater Caucasus is divided into 3 parts:

• Western Caucasus (from the Black Sea to Elbrus)
• Central Caucasus (from Elbrus to Kazbek)
• Eastern Caucasus (from Kazbek to the Caspian Sea).

The middle part of the Caucasus Range (between Elbrus and Kazbek) is the highest; its highest peaks are concentrated here. On the territory of Georgia these are peaks Dzhangitau(5085 m), Shkhara(5068 m), Kazbek(5034 m), Tetnuld(4869 m) and Ushba(4690 m).

The Caucasian ridge is not distinguished by, so to speak, “passability”; Only at its western and eastern extremities are there convenient and low passes that are fully accessible all year round for communication. Throughout the rest of the length, with the exception of the Mamison and Cross passes, the paths through the ridge in most cases are pack or even pedestrian paths, partly completely inaccessible for use in the winter season. Of all the passes, the most important is Krestovy (2379 m), through which passes Georgian Military Road.

SIDE RIDGE is the Greater Caucasus mountain range, stretching from the north side parallel to the Main Range. Unlike the Main Caucasus Range, the Side Range does not represent a single continuous chain of mountains, but is divided into independent mountain ranges by transverse faults. The side ridge is separated from the Main Caucasus Range by a deep intermountain depression - a depression running along the fault line of the earth's crust. The main attraction of the Side Range is the presence of the highest mountains in the central part of the Greater Caucasus (Mount Elbrus (5642 m) and Mount Kazbek (5034 m)).

The basis of the ridge is made up of mounds of different types of shale, and part of the mountain ranges is strewn with granite. In the western part, the ridge is composed of Paleozoic and Triassic sedimentary rocks, in the central part - Upper Proterozoic and Paleozoic crystalline shales and granites, in the eastern part - Jurassic shales. The ridge part is characterized by alpine landforms. This area is perfect for studying the processes of natural formation of new rocks. On the massifs of the Greater Range there are high-mountain meadows, and in the central part there is significant glaciation.

BEZENGI WALL is a 13-kilometer mountain range, the highest section of the Main Caucasus (Water Dividing) Range, between the Zanner Pass (3887 m) in the west and the Dykhniaush Pass (3836 m) in the east. Steep, almost vertical slopes, with snow masses hanging on them, often falling onto the surface of the Bezingi glacier. Climbers call this wall the Lesser Himalayas. The Bezengi region can be considered the “heart” of the Greater Caucasus. It contains the largest glaciers and the highest peaks of the Caucasus.

Of the 7 “five thousand meters” of the Greater Caucasus, 5 peaks are concentrated in the Bezengi region, of which two peaks are located on the territory of Georgia. The peaks of the Side Range are Dykhtau (5205 m), Koshtantau (5152 m), Mizhirgi (5019 m) and the peaks of the GKH (in Georgia) - Shkhara (5203 m) and Dzhangitau (5085 m). Also here are the peaks of Katyntau (4974 m), Gestola (4859 m), Yesenin Peak (4346 m), Lyalver (4355 m) and on the territory of Georgia Shota Rustaveli Peak(4859 m) and Tetnuld (4869 m). Along the Bezengi wall there are traverses of 5B and 6A difficulty categories.

SVANETI RIDGE- a mountain range in Georgia and the leading ridge of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus. The length of the ridge is 85 km, the highest height is Mount Laila(4009 m). The ridge is composed of clayey shales and quartzites. The crest of the ridge is occupied by glaciers with a total area of ​​about 30 km². On the slopes there are alpine meadows, turning into coniferous and beech forests. At an altitude of 2600 m there is already constant snow. The northern slopes of the ridge face the valley of the upper reaches of the Inguri River (historical region of Upper Svaneti), the southern slopes face the upper reaches of the Tskhenistskali River (historical region of Lower Svaneti). Upper Svaneti is a high-mountainous picturesque valley, known not only for its magnificent mountain landscapes, but also for its architectural treasures. There are still preserved towers from the 9th-12th centuries and stone Orthodox churches.

LECHKHUM RIDGE- a mountain range in Georgia and the leading ridge of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus. The length of the ridge is about 60 km, the highest height is Mount Samertskhle(3584 m). The ridge is composed of porphyrites, shales, and flysch in the northeast. The ridge is covered with subalpine and alpine meadows, beech and dark coniferous forests. The northern and western steep slopes of the ridge face the valley of the Tskhenistskali River (historical region of Lower Svaneti), the southwestern slopes are located in the historical region of Lechkhumi. The southern and eastern gentle slopes face the valley of the Rioni River (historical region of Racha).

RACHINSKY RIDGE- a mountain range in Georgia and South Ossetia, in the central part of the Greater Caucasus on the southern side. Maximum height - Mount Lebaurismta(2862 m). The Rachinsky ridge separates the basins of the Kishelta, Tsata, Bolshaya Liakhvi rivers in the east and Jochiara, Jodzhora and Rioni in the west. Karst is widely developed (the Shaori basin - a karst field - has been turned into a picturesque reservoir - Lake Shaori). Beech and dark coniferous forests, subalpine and alpine meadows grow on the slopes of the ridge. The Tkibul coal deposit is located near the southwestern spurs. In the northeast there is the Kvaisskoye deposit of lead-zinc ores.

EGRIS(also called as Odisha or Megrelian) RIDGE- a mountain range in Georgia on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, stretching parallel to the Main Caucasus Range between the Inguri and Tskhenistskali rivers (70 km long and 32 km wide). The highest peak of the ridge is Mount Chitagwala(3226 m). The mountain slopes are covered with broad-leaved oak and beech forests, giving way to picturesque alpine meadows at an altitude of more than 2000 meters. It has a unique climate and easy climbing.

KARTLIAN RIDGE- a mountain range in Georgia, on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, located between the Pshavskaya Aragvi and Iori rivers. The length of the ridge is over 100 km. The heights reach 3000 m in the north. The ridge is composed mainly of sandstones, marls and shales. The slopes are covered with beech and oak forests. On the peaks (north and center of the ridge) there are mountain meadows.

KHOKH RIDGE- part of the Lateral Caucasus Range, passing through the territory of Georgia and Russia (North Ossetia). From the Ossetian language “khokh” is translated as “mountain”. The Khokhsky ridge runs north of the Main Caucasus Range, separated from it by the Trusovsky Gorge. The ridge is cut by the Ardon and Terek gorges. Highest point - Mount Kazbek(5034 m). It also includes mountains: Siveraut (3767 m), Dzhimara (4780 m), Mailikhokh (4598 m) and glaciers: northern slope - Midagrabin, Maili, Chach, Devdoraki; southern slope - Abana, Mna, Savitisi. The ridge is rich in mineral springs, which is why it is nicknamed the “Valley of Narzans.”

TUSHETSKY (Perekitelsky) RIDGE- a mountain range in the eastern part of the Greater Caucasus (stretching parallel to the lower Vodorazdelnyi Range), located between the Andian Koisu and Argun rivers. The ridge lies on the border of Georgia, Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan. The length of the ridge is 80 km. Highest point - Mount Tebulosmta(4493 m). The ridge is composed of clayey shales and sandstones of Lower Jurassic age. On the slopes there are alpine and subalpine meadows. There are glaciers on the highest massifs. The ridge is named after the ethnographic group of Georgians - the Tushins.

KAKHETI (Zivi-Gombor) Ridge- a mountain range in Georgia, in the southern part of the Greater Caucasus. The ridge serves as a watershed for the Iori and Alazani rivers. The length of the ridge is about 120 km (starts from Mount Borbalo (3296 m)). The geological continuation of the ridge is the Tsivi-Gombori ridge, above (north) of which the Kakheti Valley stretches. Maximum height of the ridge - Mount Lagaismta(2506 m). The ridge is composed mainly of sandstones, marls, and shales. The slopes are covered with deciduous forests and shrubs. At an altitude of 2000 m there are mountain meadows. In the lower parts of the slopes there are vineyards.

TRIALETSKY RIDGE is a mountain range in Georgia on the right bank of the Kura River (west of Tbilisi). Its length is 150-200 km, width - about 30 km. Highest point - Mount Shaviklde(2850 m), translated from Georgian - “Black Mountain”. Other peaks are Sakvelosmta (2803 m), Arjevani (2757 m), Dalitsavariyatag (2708 m), Ortatavi (2513 m), Kenchakaro (2320 m) and Kvajvari (2280 m).

The ridge was formed by volcanic activity of the Paleogene era and is composed of flysch and volcanogenic rocks. The Trialeti ridge serves as a large watershed. On the slopes of Trialeti, the rivers Khrami, Gujaretistskali, and the tributaries Tedzami, Algeti, Digmistskali and Vere originate. The Trialeti ridge is covered mainly by deciduous forests (oak, hornbeam, beech). In the western, higher part, there are coniferous (fir, pine, spruce) and mixed forests. There are many small lakes hidden in the forests. On the southern slopes of the ridge there are meadows.

LIKHSKY (Suramsky) Ridge- ridge of the Georgian-Imereti and Meskhi mountains, located on the territory of South Ossetia and Georgia. The Likhsky ridge is the only continuous watershed ridge connecting the Greater Caucasus with the Lesser Caucasus. The highest point is Mount Lokhoni (1926 m). The ridge begins at the top of Zikari (2206 m) of the Main Caucasus Range, then heads to the southwest and, adjacent to the latitudinal chain (the northern edge of the Lesser Caucasus), divides the Kura and Rioni basins, dividing Transcaucasia into two parts, very different in climate and vegetation and other parameters - eastern and western (watershed of the Black and Caspian seas). The Likhsky ridge is composed of granites and chalk rocks. The ridge is mostly covered with forest.

Until the 20th century, the Likhsky ridge was also known as the Vakhansky ridge. Previously (during the time of the Russian Empire), the Transcaucasian railway passed through the Likhsky ridge near the Suramsky pass (949 m), located in the middle part of the ridge. This was an important road from Imereti to Kartli (from Kutaisi province to Tiflis). In 1980, the construction of the Suram Tunnel was completed, so today the railway passes through it.

SAMSARA RIDGE is a plateau-like watershed of the basins of the right tributaries of the Kura - the Paravani River (from the southeast, south and west) and the Khrami River (from the northeast and north). The ridge stretches 75 km from the highest point of the Trialeti ridge - Mount Shaviklde (2850 m): 25 km to the east (in this part of the watershed there is mountain lake Tabatskuri) and then 50 km to the south to Lake Sagamo (Tumangel) on the Paravani River. Highest point - Mount Samsari(3284 m) - located between lakes Tabatskuri and Paravani (the largest lake in Georgia). Other peaks are Shavnabad (2929 m), Chareli (2652 m), Tavkvetili (2582 m) and Mshralimta (2481 m).

The plateau of the Samsara watershed, 3000 m high, is of volcanic origin and is composed predominantly of trachyte lavas of brick-brown or black color. There are many huge jagged craters here, devoid of vegetation, like most of the ridge. At the bottom of the craters there are white fields of snow, sometimes not having time to thaw during the summer, and surrounded by snowy cornices of the lake, in the water surface of which the “fingers” of the volcanic remnants bordering them are reflected. Between the gentle ridges and ridges of the mountain steppes, the mirror surfaces of many lakes also shine. All lakes are fed by groundwater and partly by precipitation. Some of the lakes flow to the east - into Lake Paravani, and some - to the northeast - into the Khrami River.

The climate on the plateau is the harshest in Georgia: summers are short and cool, winters are unusually cold for Transcaucasia (frost here reaches 25-35 degrees). There are no forests here at all. The slopes are covered only with mountain-meadow (swamp) or mountain-steppe vegetation.

MESKHETI RIDGE- a mountain range in Georgia, occupies the northern territory of the Lesser Caucasus. The length of the ridge from the west (from the Adjarian coast) to the northeast is about 240 km. Maximum height - Mount Mepiskaro(2850 m). The Meskheti ridge is one of the ridges along which the watershed between the Black and Caspian seas passes. The ridge is composed of volcanogenic and flysch sedimentary rocks. There are also many karst formations here. On the slopes there are often broad-leaved and dark-coniferous forests, and at an altitude of more than 2000 m there are subalpine and alpine meadows, which serve as excellent pastures in the warm season. It is one of the ridges along which the watershed between the Black and Caspian seas passes. The slopes of the ridge are covered with dense dark coniferous and broad-leaved forests, as well as alpine meadows (at an altitude of more than 2000 m). In the warm season they provide excellent pastures.

SOMKHETSKY RIDGE- a mountain range on the territory of Georgia and Armenia, located in the middle part of the Lesser Caucasus. From Georgian “Somkhetian” means “Armenian”. The length of the ridge is 75 km. The maximum height is Mount Lalvar (2543 m). The ridge is dissected by the transverse gorge of the Debed River and is composed of basalts, andesites, sandstones and limestones with granitoid intrusions. The ridge has gentle slopes in the western part and steep ones in the eastern part. The northern slope of the ridge is covered with forest; the southern slope is mainly dominated by mountain steppe with sparse bushes. A deposit of copper ore (Alaverdi) was also discovered on the southern slope. A deposit of copper ore (Alaverdi) was also discovered on the southern slope. The ridge represents the watershed of the tributary basins of the Mashavera, Khrami and Shulaveri rivers, as well as Dzoraget-Debsd.

JAVAKHETI RANGE (Javakhk, Kechut ridge or Wet mountains)- a mountain range located on the territory of Georgia and Armenia. The length of the ridge is about 50 km. The highest peak is Mount Achkasar(3196 m) is located on the territory of Armenia. The Javakheti ridge was formed at the site of the split of the tectonic plate by a chain of numerous volcanoes that were active in the Quaternary period. Now there are several volcanoes that are active from time to time.

The name “Wet Mountains” is associated with the climate of these places - there is a lot of rainfall here. Moist air promotes the growth of many types of aquatic plants. Tall grasses, thanks to constant replenishment of water, cover almost the entire foot of the ridge. The vegetation is characteristic of mountain steppes, subalpine and alpine meadows. On the ridge (on the slopes of the oldest volcano) the large mountain rivers Tzakhkashen, Ghukasyan and Chichkhan originate.

ARSIAN RIDGE- a mountain range in southern Georgia and eastern Turkey (northwestern framing of the Armenian Highlands). Its northern part is part of the Lesser Caucasus mountain system and in the east borders the upper reaches of a river called Adzharistskali (this is the right tributary of the Chorokh River). The southwestern part of the ridge ends at the confluence of two rivers - Chorukh and Olta. The total length of the ridge is about 150 km. Maximum height - Mount Arsyan(3165 m). The ridge is composed of clayey shales and sandstones, which alternate with volcanogenic strata.

The Georgian part of the Arsian Range passes through a historical and geographical region called Adjara (the administrative center of the region is the resort city of Batumi). Due to its nature and location, the Arsian ridge retains moisture coming from the sea. The flora and fauna of the area is quite diverse and has a positive effect on health. Fir-spruce, beech-chestnut and beech forests, as well as alpine meadows, grow here.

SHAVSHETSKY RIDGE- a mountain range in the southwest of Transcaucasia, on the border of Georgia (Adjara region) and Turkey. The length of the ridge is about 65 km. Highest point - Mount Heva(2812 m). The ridge is made of sandstone and volcanic formations. Plateau-shaped surfaces predominate. Broad-leaved and spruce-fir forests and evergreen shrubs grow on the slopes of the ridge. On the ridge there are subalpine and alpine meadows. On the slopes of the ridge there are tourist centers, resort parks and sanatoriums. Travelers love this area for the fresh mountain air, the beauty of nature and the unique opportunity to combine active recreation with treatment and healing of the body.

PONTIUS RIDGE (Pontic Mountains or North Anatolian Mountains) is a mountain system in northern Turkey, stretching along the southern coast of the Black Sea, from the mouths of the Yesilirmak River to the mouths of the Choroh River and the peak of Karchal (3428 m), which is considered the eastern end of this mountain system. The Pontic Mountains are also known as "Parhar Mountains" in local Turkish and Greek languages. The term "Parhar" comes from a Hittite word meaning "high" or "summit".

The length of the Pontic Mountains is 976 km, width - 303 km. Highest point - Mount Kachkar(3931 m). The chain runs roughly east to west, parallel to and close to the southern coast of the Black Sea. Then it expands in the northeast into Georgia and west into the Sea of ​​Marmara.

Many short spurs, heading north and covered with dense forests, abut the sea and form gorges through which small rivers flow; the southern slopes and spurs of the ridge are mostly treeless. The Pontic Mountains reach their greatest heights in the eastern part, where snow lies all year round. The passes over the Pontic Mountains are few and quite difficult. In the eastern part, the Pontic Mountains are cut through by the Chorokh River. The northern slopes are covered with dense forests, mainly coniferous. The eastern part is covered with mixed forest.

In Russia, there is a mythological idea of ​​Georgia as a mountainous country inhabited by mountaineers. In fact, Georgians are the same mountain people as Italians or Spaniards: Italy also has mountains, but the culture of the country as a whole is still flat. It’s the same in Georgia. There are mountains and foothills in it, but they are sparsely populated. There are also mountaineers, but there are not many of them. There are about 50,000 Pshavs, about 80,000 Svans, and Khevsurs - it’s not very clear how many, but also not many.

The mountainous regions of Georgia have common properties. There are few roads in these areas and their quality is poor. There are very few shops here and finding food can be a challenge. It is always cooler here than in the rest of the country. There is almost no wine here - with the exception of Lechkhumi and Racha, which generally bear little resemblance to other mountainous regions.

Let's list the regions from east to west. In the extreme east, adjacent to Dagestan, is located Tusheti. This is the most cultivated mountainous region in Georgia. Within itself, Tusheti is divided into 4 parts. Adjacent to it to the west Khevsureti, also consisting of 4 parts. This is the wildest of the mountain regions. South of Khevsureti there is an area already absorbed by lowland civilization Pshavi. West of Pshavi and Khevsureti there is a region Heavy, whose inhabitants are called Mohaves. To the north - already Russia, to the south, beyond the Cross Pass - Mtiuletia. Mtiuleti and Gudamakari are also mountainous areas, but easily accessible and well explored. West of Khevi live the Ossetians, who have now become isolated and partially settled to the south, to the plains. To the west of the Ossetians is the region Racha-Lechkhumi, in which the Racha and Lechkhum residents live, respectively. Further west Lower Svaneti, and then Upper Svaneti, which is divided into two parts of varying degrees of civilization.

There is another mountain region that does not belong to the classic ones. These are the Trialeti Range, the Meskheti Range and the Adjara Mountains. These are quite mountains, with altitudes up to 2000 and higher, but without their own mountaineers and without their own special culture. On the Meskheti ridge there is the Borjomi National Park with paved trails, camping sites and other useful infrastructure.

In terms of tourism the most iconic place is Upper Svaneti, slightly less popular is Tusheti, and even less popular is Khevsureti. In summer there is a very dense flow of tourists to the Kazbegi region - they go there to photograph Mount Kazbek or climb it. Of course, it is influenced by the fact that Tbilisi is not far away, there is a highway and minibuses, and it only takes about five hours to get there.

There is now a distinct Tusheti National Park in Tusheti.

Pshavi, Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti are almost unknown to tourists, and Racha is not seriously considered a mountain, it is simply perceived as a resort.

Glaciers

If you really want to walk on glaciers, then the simplest solution is the vicinity of Kazbek. It is close and convenient, although there are not many glaciers there. Most of all this activity in Svaneti is the glaciers of Ushba, Tetnuldi and Shkhara. There are few glaciers in Tusheti and they are very difficult to reach. Tusheti is not about them. Khevsureti is also not a glacial region.

Lakes

The Georgian mountains are interesting for their lakes. This is a kind of reason to go to the mountains. Many trekking routes are laid specifically to the lakes. Lake Kelitsad near the Cross Pass is considered the highest, but it is difficult to get there. A little lower are the Abudelaur Lakes (2815), where tourists go up quite often. Even lower is the Lake of the Black Rocks on the territory of the Lagodekhi Nature Reserve - people go there as a three-day trekking. Lake Tobavarchkhila in Megrelia enjoys great fame. Also famous are Green Lake in Adjara, Lake Tabatskuri on the Javakheti plateau and, finally, Lake Paravani, which can be reached simply by car.

Separately, we can mention the numerous tiny lakes scattered along the Samsara ridge at an altitude of about 2200 meters from sea level.

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Currently, highways - at least in the form of dirt roads - lead to all mountainous regions: to Tushino Omalo, Khevsur Shatili, Mohev Kazbegi, Lechkhumi

The mountains of Georgia have long been considered one of the main attractions of the Caucasian country. The peaks of the main Caucasian ridge impress with their landscapes and captivate lovers at first sight. Having visited such places, the soul finds peace, the body is charged with frantic energy, and life takes on a new meaning.

A trip to the Caucasus to see the Georgian mountains is an excellent option for a family holiday or an unforgettable vacation. When visiting Georgian settlements in the intermountain regions, the likelihood of getting acquainted with ancient traditions increases, because it is here that the village cherishes the instructions of its great-grandfathers.

The location of Georgia extends to the heights of Abkhazia, abutting the borders of the Russian Federation, and covers Dagestan and Azerbaijan. Mountainous Georgia is one of the most beautiful in the world; the highest mountain in Europe and Russia, Elbrus, one of the seven parts of the world “Seven Peaks,” stretches here. The height of nature’s creation is impressive - it reached 5642 meters above sea level. The first ascent to the highest point in Georgia was recorded on July 20, 1874. The best time for tourists to visit villages is the month of August, but for walks in most areas of the Caucasus Mountains it is from June to September inclusive.

Note! Some of the regions, for example, Tusheti or Khevsureti, are open to tourists only for a few summer months.

In winter, mountainous Georgia invites all residents of Russia and Europe to its wide open spaces and ski slopes. This village is located on the southern side of the Great Caucasus Range, Kazbegi Municipality of Georgia, near the Cross Pass (altitude 2150 meters above sea level).

The highest mountain in Georgia is Shkhara

The name “shkhara” was given apparently because the massif often stands out above the crest of the monumental Bezengi wall. Another interpretation is the “ninth peak,” but in fact, counting from the west according to the increase in height, the main peak of the mountain is the ninth.

Villages located in the intermountain region of Georgia

A common occurrence is the location of villages and towns at the foot of high mountains. Georgians in such areas live modestly, run a large household, and make money from tourists during the high season. Without thinking about hygiene and misfortune due to possible earthquakes, eruptions of dormant volcanoes, they spend many years of life far from European standards. You can't help but be amazed at the hospitality of these people - they are ready to feed, drink and sleep with the first person they meet. But every second person has a large family, which is already difficult to feed!

The most common occupation in the village is sheep breeding, raising cattle, and making homemade wines from grown grapes.

It is safe to say that this is where the most natural product is found. The intermountain point in cool seasons has lower temperatures than in Russia, so it is categorically not recommended to go there at all. Residents of these villages try to move to the plains during such periods.

Trinity Church Gergeti

The popular name is “Gergetis Tsminta Samena” - an ordinary medieval church, erected on the edge of a steep hillock made of red stone. The spire has a prominent dome, the background of smoky mountains creates a mesmerizing effect. Looking at the church towards Mount Kazbeki, the structure is barely noticeable from the valley. The church received this name due to the adjacent village of a similar name. The climb to the goal supposedly takes about 40 minutes and burns a lot of calories. The mountain range on which the Georgian building is located (the only one in Europe) can be overcome not only on foot, but also with the help of a local guide in a Jeep. Such a taxi will unceremoniously drop you off at a certain point where tourists most like to take photographs.

On a note! When planning to have a great vacation, you should remember to be careful so as not to injure your limbs while hiking. To confidently climb to the top of the mountain, it is recommended to have a strong cane with you, which you can rely on in force majeure circumstances.

Conclusion

Georgia is an amazing country, with unforgettable landscapes, diverse. Everything is beautiful here: people, cities and nature - at any time of the year. If you decide to clear your mind, practice various exercises for the body and connect with nature, then this is the place to go!