Gergeti Trinity Church on a green mountain ridge in the Caucasus Mountains

Stepantsminda

A town in the Greater Caucasus known for Gergeti Trinity Church, Mount Kazbek and its glaciers, and a base for trekking and mountaineering.

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Stepantsminda, formerly called Kazbegi, is a small town in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of north-eastern Georgia and the administrative centre of Kazbegi Municipality. It sits on the banks of the Terek River in the Greater Caucasus, at about 1,750 m above sea level. Mount Kazbek lies immediately west of the town, and the hilltop Gergeti Trinity Church is visible from the town. Stepantsminda is about 157 km north of Tbilisi and about 46 km from Vladikavkaz in Russia.

Trekkers and mountaineers use the town as a base. Kazbegi National Park surrounds it with alpine meadows, forests and glaciers. Day activities include horse riding, paragliding, cycling, glacier visits, climbing Mount Kazbek and walking to the Gveleti waterfall. The Darial Gorge lies about 10 km north. Summers are long and cool, with a July average of about 14.4 °C, and winters are cold and relatively dry.

Stepantsminda in five

Plan for limited rescue before any hikeFCDO says emergency response can be limited on hikes and that safety standards may not match UK ones. Check that your insurance covers hiking, and tell your guesthouse your route before the Gergeti or Truso walk.UK travel advice
Choose the Gergeti walk or a taxi to the churchGeorgia Travel gives a 30 to 40 minute uphill walk of intermediate difficulty that ends at 2,200 m. A paved road also reaches the church, and taxis and jeep tours go up.Gergeti Trinity Church
Carry ID for the Truso Valley permitTruso lies 22 km from the village. Georgia Travel says you need ID for the permit to cross to the village above Zakagori Fortress, because the border with Russia is close.Truso Valley
Pack warm layers even in summerGeorgia Travel says Stepantsminda is always a little chilly, especially at night, in every season. Bring a warm jacket and a rain shell on any day trip into the valleys.
Check road status before the Kazbegi driveThe road from Tbilisi is the M3, the Georgian Military Road. FCDO warns that heavy rain, flooding and snow at altitude can affect roads and that landslides are common; the Roads Department publishes works notices.Roads Department

Things to do in Stepantsminda

See all attractions in Stepantsminda

brown castle near rock formation during daytime

Church · StepantsmindaChurch

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Need to know

Getting there: By road: Tbilisi about 2 h 55 min, Kutaisi about 5 h 30 min
Getting around: Walk the village; taxi, jeep or tour for the valleys
Best base: Stepantsminda village
Time needed: 1 night minimum; 2 or 3 with Truso Valley
Gergeti church: 30 to 40 min uphill walk to 2,200 m, or a taxi

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-15°Low-22°Snow
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh-15°Low-22°Snow
MarchSnow14 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh-11°Low-18°Snowmelt
AprilSnow14 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh-7°Low-14°Mud, cold
MaySnow20 rainy days13 snowy days1 day with stormsHigh-3°Low-10°Green, patchy snow
JuneSnow23 rainy days12 snowy days2 days with stormsHigh4°Low-4°Trails open
JulyRain23 rainy days6 snowy days2 days with stormsHigh6°Low-1°Wildflowers
AugustRain18 rainy days5 snowy days1 day with stormsHigh7°Low-1°Warmest
SeptemberSnow14 rainy days7 snowy days2 days with stormsHigh3°Low-4°Clear, cool
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy days6 snowy days1 day with stormsHigh-2°Low-9°Autumn color
NovemberClear7 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-7°Low-14°Cold
DecemberClear9 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh-12°Low-19°Snow

Average daily high and low in Stepantsminda, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Stepantsminda

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: -1°
Humidity: 86%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 10%

Stepantsminda

01:56 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+4

Today9°3°10%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 10%.
Wed8°4°20%Wednesday: Rain. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 20%.
Thu5°-4°90%Thursday: Snow. High 5°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 90%.
Fri2°-2°43%Friday: Cloudy. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 43%.
Sat3°-5°26%Saturday: Snow. High 3°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 26%.
Sun-5°-13°28%Sunday: Snow. High -5°, Low -13°. Chance of rain 28%.

Updated 09:58 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.595 GEL

Amount

Converted to

GEL · Georgian Lari

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Truso Valley22 km from the villageAbandoned villages, travertine terraces and Zakagori Fortress; bring ID for the permit.
Dariali Gorge and Gveleti Waterfallnorth along the Tergi RiverThe gorge, the waterfall and Dariali Monastery, the first sight on the road from the Russian border.
Gudauriby cable car from KobiThe ski resort that Georgia Travel says you can combine with Kazbegi in one trip.

Before you go to Stepantsminda

Jeep tours and guided hikesGergeti, Dariali and Truso with a driverCompare day trips

Guesthouses in the villageOne night beats a rushed dayCheck availability

eSIM for KazbegiData in town, maps saved offlineRead the guide

Insurance for KazbegiHiking, jeeps and mountain roadsRead the guide

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Rules for Stepantsminda, checked

Gergeti Trinity Church: a 30 to 40 minute uphill walk of intermediate difficulty to 2,200 m; a taxi or jeep tour is the alternative (Georgia Travel).Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Truso Valley: carry ID for the permit to cross to the village above Zakagori Fortress, because the border with Russia is close (Georgia Travel).Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Hiking: emergency response may be limited, so confirm your insurance covers your activities (FCDO).Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source

Plan around Stepantsminda

Tbilisi travel guide

The usual starting point, 2 h 55 min by road

Read the guide Day trips from Tbilisi

How Kazbegi compares with Mtskheta and Kakheti

Read the guide Great Caucasus planner

Kazbegi, Svaneti and Tusheti side by side

Read the guide All of Georgia

Entry rules and where Kazbegi fits a longer route

Read the guide Travel insurance

Activity cover and the 30,000 GEL entry rule

Read the guide

Stepantsminda FAQ

Is Stepantsminda worth visiting?

Yes, for Gergeti Trinity Church, Mount Kazbek views and Truso Valley. Georgia Travel ranks Kazbegi among Georgia's most popular destinations after Tbilisi and Batumi. It is a mountain base, so plan around weather rather than a city schedule.

Can you visit Kazbegi as a day trip from Tbilisi?

Yes, but it is 2 h 55 min each way by road, so the day leaves about six hours of driving. One night gives time for the Gergeti walk and a second viewpoint without rushing.

How long is the walk to Gergeti Trinity Church?

Georgia Travel gives 30 to 40 minutes uphill, rated intermediate, ending at 2,200 m above sea level. A paved road also reaches the church, and taxis and jeep tours go up.

Do you need ID for Truso Valley?

Yes. Georgia Travel says you need ID for the permit to cross to the village above Zakagori Fortress because the Russian border is close. Carry your passport on every border-area day.

When is the best time to visit Stepantsminda?

June to September for trails and clear days; Georgia Travel notes the village stays chilly even in summer. Gudauri, reached by cable car from Kobi, serves the ski season.