Truso Valley
Truso Valley, source of Tegri (Terek) River is quite mystical and spectacular , worth hitchhiking+hiking if you happen to be in Kazbegi for more than a day.
Truso valley is known for its mineral water springs, white/yellow travertines, mineral lake with bubbles, towers of middle ages, -most notably Zakagori castle, villages on a very high altitude such as Resi (2350m), tasty cheese and Ossetian Khabidzginas (khachapuri with cheese and potatoes) and nice people.
Unfortunately, conflict between Ossetians and Georgians and border closure by Russian government (Locals had winter pastures in the lowlands of northern Ossetia) made this gorge abandoned.
Travertines seen from the Serpantines, Early summer
Truso Valley Hiking Routes
Easy to hike/bike, if you want to reach abandoned tower villages of Zakagori, Ketrisi and Abano but experienced hikers can find it extremely interesting and unique experience to visit Alpine Lakes of Keli pleatau – Kelitsadi Lake (3100m or smaller one at the altitude of 3300m) or alpine lake on the other slope in Mna gorge (3300m).
You can also get a border permit to travel beyond Zakagori fortress. There are abandoned beautiful villages which are worth visiting especially in October when its yellow and water levels are lower as you will have to cross the river. There you can visit empty villages near the border: Karatkau ,Tsotsolta, Bumargisi – which are very beautiful and worth visiting.
Trip to Abandoned villages of Truso Valley – Burmagisi
Mna Gorge, Views to Mna fang – July
Mna Waterfall By Giorgi Chubinidze
Best Time to Visit Truso Valley
The best time to visit is from May to November for the valley which is very beautiful in spring bloom and yellow/white in late autumn. Sunny weather with a blue sky and Mt. Kazbeg and ,,Mna Fang” – (rock with a a particular shape is called მნის ეშვი -Mna fang – among Georgian hikers) could be seen is the best time to visit Truso.
How to Get to Truso Valley
To reach Truso either you take a jeep from Kazbegi or hitchike/take a taxi (Marshutka from Tbilisi) to Kobi village on the central highway – it is just 17km. From there you will have a long and enjoyable journey in the gorge.
Disclaimer: Both treks are difficult so be fully prepared and request some information from border post and locals about current conditions of snow/etc
Mna Gorge Lake
Mna Gorge Lake is on the other side of Tergi river, in the valley of Mna which flows down from the glaciers of Mt. Kazbeg. I have not personally visited that lake but I am planning to, only my friends did and as I know there is no path leading to that lake but it is very spectacular! Coordinates :  42.633794° 44.501112°;
You can further go up to Sherkhota vulcano (3570m) from the lake. On the way to the lake you can visit waterfalls of Mna valley. For the waterfalls and to reach Bethlehem Hut (Meteo station) from Mna valley you can download the gps tracks provided by Geoland. But you should be specially prepared for the last one as there is a glacier to cross on the way to meteo station.
Mna Gorge lake
View from Mt.Sherkhota to the lake (Mna gorge) July
You can also hike to Kelitsadi Lake
Photo Credits go to photographer Giorgi Chubinidze and Green Zebra Hiking Club.
5 comments
Hello,
first of all – your website seems to be very very useful 🙂
My question – we are going to Georgia next week and we have 4-5 days, which we want spend near Mt.Kazbeg. One day we have reserved for Gergeti trinity church and in next days we want make some hiking trip nearby. I like Truso valley, but you write about some permit – do you have idea where we can get it a how much it could cost? Thanks
Hi Jan, It depends what you would like to do. For an easy walk in Truso valley to the villages Abano, Ketrisi and Zakagori castle you dont need any permit. For Kelitsadi Lake which will be not or hardly accessible till the end of June, you will need permit. Its free and you can get it in Dariali near Russian border check point or in Tbilisi at border police office at Kandekali st. http://bpg.gov.ge/en/border-police/structure/land-border-defence-department.
Enjoy your stay. You can also visit Tsdo and Juta villages near Kazbegi.
Hello!
We are coming to Georgia in August for 2 weeks and we would like to do this trekking to Kelisadi lake. If I understand right, you have to sleep in the tents during this trekking? What about drinking water? Should we bring it for the whole trek or is it possible to get it somewhere on the way? Thank you and regards
Route up to ketitsadi, you need to take some water, for descending route not. (Look at gps track provided)
Is it possible to get to the Zakagori fortress in mid-April?