# Kazbegi Municipality - URL: https://explore-georgia.ge/en/municipalities/kazbegi-municipality - Type: municipality - Region: Mtskheta-Mtianeti - Official website: https://kazbegi.gov.ge ## History Kazbegi Municipality lies in the far north of the **Mtskheta-Mtianeti** region, in the high valley of the **Tergi (Terek) River** on the northern side of the main Caucasus watershed. Its administrative centre is **Stepantsminda**, at about 1,740 m above sea level, at the foot of **Mount Kazbek**. The municipality covers about **1,082 km²** of high mountains, glaciers and alpine valleys. It borders **Russia** to the north and Dusheti Municipality to the west and south; the **Georgian Military Road** crosses it from the Jvari Pass to the Larsi border crossing, about 12 km north of Stepantsminda. Stepantsminda takes its name from the hermitage of a monk named Stephan. In 1925 it was renamed **Kazbegi** after the writer **Alexander Kazbegi** (1848–1890), who was born here and whose house is now a museum; the historical name was restored in **2006**. Above the town, at about 2,170 m, stands the iconic **Gergeti Trinity Church**, built in the **14th century**, which together with the snow-capped **Mount Kazbek** (5,054 m), a dormant volcano, has become one of the most recognisable images of Georgia. The first recorded ascent of Kazbek was in **1868**. North of Stepantsminda, the Tergi cuts through the dramatic **Dariali Gorge**, with walls rising up to about 1,800 m — the historic gateway through the Caucasus. Nearby is the **Gveleti waterfall**, about 7 km from Stepantsminda. Side valleys offer superb hiking: **Juta** (about 2,200 m), the highest inhabited village of the municipality, below the Chaukhi massif; the **Truso** valley with its travertines, mineral springs and abandoned towers; and the **Sno** valley. The southern part of the municipality includes **Gudauri**, Georgia’s largest ski resort, at about 2,196 m, with lifts reaching above 3,200 m. Just above it, the **Jvari Pass** (2,379 m) is the highest point of the Georgian Military Road, near the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument built in 1983. Much of the mountain landscape is protected by **Kazbegi National Park**, established in **1976**. For travellers, Kazbegi is one of Georgia’s top mountain destinations in every season: skiing and freeride in Gudauri in winter; in summer, the hike to Gergeti Trinity, trips to Juta, Truso and Gveleti, and the climb towards the Gergeti glacier and Mount Kazbek. Stepantsminda has many guesthouses and is about three hours’ drive from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Road. ## FAQ **1) Where is Kazbegi Municipality located?** In the far north of Mtskheta-Mtianeti, in the Tergi (Terek) valley on the border with Russia. **2) What is the administrative centre?** Stepantsminda, at about 1,740 m above sea level. **3) Why was the town called Kazbegi?** It was renamed in 1925 after the writer Alexander Kazbegi; the name Stepantsminda was restored in 2006. **4) When was Gergeti Trinity Church built?** In the 14th century; it stands at about 2,170 m above Stepantsminda. **5) How high is Mount Kazbek?** 5,054 m; it is a dormant volcano. **6) Is Gudauri in Kazbegi Municipality?** Yes, Georgia’s largest ski resort is in Kazbegi Municipality. **7) What is the Jvari Pass?** The highest point of the Georgian Military Road, at 2,379 m. **8) When was Kazbegi National Park established?** In 1976. **9) Which side valleys are good for hiking?** Juta, Truso and Sno, as well as the Dariali Gorge and Gveleti waterfall. **10) Where can I find official municipal information?** On the municipality’s official website. ## Sources - [Kazbegi Municipality — official website](https://kazbegi.gov.ge) - [Kazbegi Municipality (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazbegi_Municipality) - [Stepantsminda (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stepantsminda) - [Gergeti Trinity Church — Georgia Travel](https://georgia.travel/en_US/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi/Gergeti-Trinity-Church) - [Mount Kazbek (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kazbek) - [Kazbegi National Park — Agency of Protected Areas](https://www.apa.gov.ge/en/protected-areas/cattestone/yazbegis-erovnuli-parkis-administracia) - [Gudauri (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudauri) - [Georgian Military Road (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_Military_Road) ## Settlements - [Abano](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/abano): Discover Abano, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Achkhoti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/achkhoti): Discover Achkhoti, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Akhaltsikhe](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/akhaltsikhe): Discover Akhaltsikhe, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Almasiani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/almasiani): Discover Almasiani, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Arsha](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/arsha): Discover Arsha, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Artkhmo](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/artkhmo): Discover Artkhmo, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Burmasigi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/burmasigi): Discover Burmasigi, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Desi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/desi): Discover Desi, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Ereto](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/ereto): Discover Ereto, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gaiboteni](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/gaiboteni): Discover Gaiboteni, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Ganisi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/ganisi): Discover Ganisi, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Garbani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/garbani): Discover Garbani, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Goristsikhe](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/goristsikhe): Discover Goristsikhe, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Gudauri](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/gudauri): Gudauri at 2,196 m: lifts up to 3,279 m, a December–April season and 120 km from Tbilisi. Pistes, freeriding and how to get to the resort. - [Gveleti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/gveleti): Discover Gveleti, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Jimara](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/jimara): Discover Jimara, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Juta](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/juta): Juta at 2,200 m: the Chaukhi massif, the Abudelauri lakes and the passes to Khevsureti. 24 km from Stepantsminda, inside Kazbegi National Pa... - [Karkucha](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/karkucha): Discover Karkucha, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kartsopeli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/kartsopeli): Discover Kartsopeli, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia... - [Ketrisi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/ketrisi): Discover Ketrisi, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Khurtisi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/khurtisi): Discover Khurtisi, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kobi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/kobi): Discover Kobi, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Koseli](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/koseli): Discover Koseli, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kumlistsikhe](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/kumlistsikhe): Discover Kumlistsikhe, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Kvemo Okroqana](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/kvemo-okroqana): Discover Kvemo Okroqana, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Mna](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/mna): Discover Mna, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Nogqau](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/nogqau): Discover Nogqau, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Palagqau](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/palagqau): Discover Palagqau, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Pansheti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/pansheti): Discover Pansheti, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Pkhelshe](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/pkhelshe): Discover Pkhelshe, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Qanobi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/qanobi): Discover Qanobi, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Resi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/resi): Discover Resi, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Saquriani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/saquriani): Discover Saquriani, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Satargmno](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/satargmno): Discover Satargmno, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Shevardeni](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/shevardeni): Discover Shevardeni, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia... - [Sioni](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/sioni): Discover Sioni, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Sno](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/sno): Sno, 20 km from Stepantsminda: the 16th-17th-century Sno fortress, Merab Piranishvili's carved stone heads and the road to Juta and Chaukhi. - [Stepantsminda](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/stepantsminda): Stepantsminda at 1,740 m: the 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church, Mount Kazbek and Kazbegi National Park. 157 km from Tbilisi on the Milita... - [Suatisi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/suatisi): Discover Suatisi, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tepi](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/tepi): Discover Tepi, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Toti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/toti): Discover Toti, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tqarsheti](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/tqarsheti): Discover Tqarsheti, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tsdo](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/tsdo): Discover Tsdo, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Tsotsolta](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/tsotsolta): Discover Tsotsolta, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Ukhati](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/ukhati): Discover Ukhati, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Vardisubani](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/vardisubani): Discover Vardisubani, a village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Zakagori](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/zakagori): Discover Zakagori, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Georgia. - [Zemo Okroqana](https://explore-georgia.ge/en/mtskheta-mtianeti/kazbegi-municipality/zemo-okroqana): Discover Zemo Okroqana, a abandoned village in Kazbegi Municipality, Mtskheta-Mtianeti. View location, basic details and map on Explore Geor... ## This page in other languages - [Georgian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ka/municipalitetebi/kazbegi-municipality) - [Russian](https://explore-georgia.ge/ru/municipalitety/kazbegi-municipality)