This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Stepantsminda.
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is a small mountain village by the Georgian Military Highway, some ten kilometers south of the Russian border. To make things even a bit more confusing, the western part of the village is known as Gergeti and that's where many of the hostels and guesthouses are located.
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Georgia, mostly because of the stunning mountain scenery and the much-photographed Gergeti Trinity Church that overlooks the village. While Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) can be easily reached by a three-hour minibus ride from Tbilisi, it is often visited on a day trip from the capital. Nevertheless, Kazbegi is definitely worth spending at least a couple of nights -- there is not much to do in the village itself but it is a wonderful base for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. For instance, the insanely popular hike to the Gergeti Trinity Church (one to two hours uphill) can be extended to a full-day hike to the Gergeti glacier and even a two-day trip to the old Meteo station, which is also a base camp for summitting Mount Kazbeg (just over five thousand meters). The local travel agencies are happy to help you with planning the hikes and they hire bicycles and horses.
It is never hard to find a bed in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), as every second house is renting out rooms. There are choices for Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) hostels and hotels in the village, too. That being said, advance booking is necessary for groups but solo travelers and couples can always find a place to put down their heads.
Written by local enthusiast for Stepantsminda hostels
Lotta Kauppi
