Koruldi Lakes

The Koruldi Lakes are tarns, really, but beautiful nonetheless, nestled at around 2,750m on a comfortable shoulder of the mountain north of Mestia where a ridge joins a more substantial peak. It has to be said, you can drive to the Lakes, and they are somewhat spoilt as a result.

You can either drive up a track to start your walk higher, or make longer walks (see below).

Drive up a long zig-zag rough dirt road up the hill directly north above Mestia. 1hr or so, appalling ruts. Attractive mixed scrubby forest, alpine fields, passing a little church on a knoll and a variety of huts. Emerge suddenly above the treeline, into a world of rough grasslands climbing relentlessly towards rough peaks.

Disembark further on, where the track gets steeper. Head on up the track, climbing steadily with some steep sections, to the first lake in 1hr or so. 450m of climb. You could walk as far as you like on up the track, which switchbacks up the mountain to get round to a glacier.

The early views are westward, across a bowl towards the high ridge which separates Mestia from the Becho valley. They are good, but it is the views which gradually open up to the north which really amaze: along the upper Mestia valley to the fantastically sharp peaks – veritable aiguilles – and glaciers around the high Russian border ridge.

An alternative could be to climb the steep path (or the vehicle track) from Mestia to the cross high above the valley, but you would miss the huge views from the higher ground around the lakes. Masochists would walk to the lakes from Mestia, via the cross, an altitude gain of some 1,350m. We would argue that the reward-to-effort ratio is better than on other walks.

A long downward plod and messy suburbs around the airport.

For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Greater Caucasus Mountains walk page.

See also: https://www.caucasus-trekking.com/treks/hike-to-koruldi-lakes