Nestled in the stunning Kazbegi Mountains of Georgia, visiting the Gveleti Waterfall is a lovely way to spend a few hours. This relatively short but scenic hike takes you through picturesque landscapes, culminating in the breathtaking sight of the Gveleti Waterfall, one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the region.

The hike to the Gveleti Waterfall takes about 30 to 45 minutes each way, making it accessible for hikers of all levels. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, without need for a guide or local. As you hike, you'll be surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Kazbegi Mountains, with wildflowers and native plants adding splashes of color to the landscape.

**Big Gveleti Waterfall**

The main Gveleti Waterfall itself is a majestic sight, cascading down a sheer rock face into a crystal-clear pool below. The powerful rush of water, combined with the serene mountain setting, creates a tranquil and awe-inspiring atmosphere. The area around the waterfall is perfect for relaxing, taking photos, and enjoying a picnic amidst nature.
For those looking to cool off, the pool at the base of the waterfall offers a refreshing dip, though the water can be quite cold even in the summer months. The sheer cliffs and lush greenery surrounding the waterfall provide an idyllic backdrop, making it a favorite spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Getting to the start of the trail

Gveleti waterfall views Georgia Kazbegi parking sign.jpeg

The journey to the Gveleti Waterfall begins close to the charming village of Gveleti, located just a few kilometers from the town of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). To reach the trailhead, you can either drive or take a taxi from Stepantsminda. The road leading to the village winds through the dramatic Dariali Gorge, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the Tergi River.

We found it a bit complicated to find the trail using google maps, so suggest to look for the physical sign that indicates the waterfalls, and turn off the main road here (you can see it next to the cars in the picture). From there, continue driving up a dirt track towards the trail head. There is a sort of parking not far from the main road, but depending on your comfort off-road driving and the type of car you have, you may want to stop either before or after the parking - the dirt track isn’t the nicest to walk up, so I would suggest to go up as far as you feel comfortable in your 4x4!

The hike to reach the waterfalls

Once you leave the car, continue to follow the dirt road into the valley. As you walk, you will pass a camp and cabins, and perhaps some (more adventurous) 4x4 cars, who decided to push the limits up some steeper rockier “road” to shorten the walk.

About halfway through the hike, you'll reach a fork in the trail. The left path leads to the smaller Gveleti Little Waterfall, while the right path continues to the main Gveleti Waterfall. Both paths are worth exploring if you have the time, as each offers its own unique charm, but if you only have time for one, I would recommend the big waterfall as it’s truly spectacular.

The small waterfall is a nice easy walk with little elevation gain, and can be reached relatively quickly (around 10-15mins depending on your speed).

For the large waterfall, you follow a slightly longer route from the turning, passing across a little bridge, with cute streams to the left. The trail follows the river, and is littered with flowers and fauna as you continue to ascend towards the waterfall. You will need to navigate some rocks on the route - sometimes unsteady, and slippery (particularly when wet). Therefore, although a relatively short journey, I would consider the large waterfall to be more of a hike than a walk, and you need to be quite agile to get to the big waterfall. We saw children and some older couples completing the hike, but I wouldn’t recommend it with smaller children or if you aren’t reasonably fit.