Stepanzminda is a small town on the Georgian Army Road near the border with Russia in the historical region of Chewi and the modern administrative region Mzcheta-Mtianeti. The town is the administrative seat of Kasbegi Raion, which is still named after the city’s official name of 1925 and 2006. The name Kasbegi is for the place in the vernacular still very present, on signposts, however, is the current name.
The place is known for the nearby Holy Trinity Church Gergetis Sameba, one of Georgia’s landmarks, as well as for the numerous opportunities for mountain sports (hiking, rafting, mountain biking) and as a starting point for the ascent of the mountain Kasbek (5047 m).
Access : Coordinates: 42.6575, 44.645278 / By car : Stepanzminda is located on the highway 3, the Georgian section of the Georgian Army Road, about 160 km north of Tbilisi (journey time about 3 hours). This branches off north of Mzcheta from the 10 kilometers north of Stepanzminda is the border crossing Dariali / Verkhnyj Lars with the Russian Federation. It was closed after the August 2008 war and since 2011 is open to all travelers. Pay attention to visa requirements for Russia!
Note : When traveling from Tbilisi, it should be noted that the road leads over the 2700 m high Kreuzpass. This is i.d.R. Open all year round, but can sometimes be impassable for days to weeks when the snow covers (October to April). / By plane
Nearest scheduled airports: Vladikavkaz and Tbilisi
By bus
From Tbilisi-Didube, there are regular mini-buses (Marschrutkas) to Stepanzminda (3:30 h, 10 GEL). Also all long-distance buses to Russia pass the city.
Attractions :
Historical Museum of Stepanzminda, Al-Kasbegi-Str. 2 Open: every day except Monday 10am – 5pm. Price: Admission 3 GEL
Monument to Alexandre Kasbegi , in the city center In the center of the village stands a monument to Aleksandre Kasbegi.
Holy Trinity Church , Above the village, on the Kwemi Mta at 2170 m, is the built in the 14th century domed church Zminda Sameba
Dariali gorge in the north / the cave Betlemi is located above Stepanzminda / Gweleti. Historic settlement, waterfall and cave
Castle ruin Tamarisziche / the Kreuzpass south / Sno. Old castle and an academy of the Georgian Orthodox church / Truso Gorge. Fantastic high mountain landscape with rare fauna in a side valley to the west at Kobi.
St. Elias the Prophet Church / Gergeti Glacier /
Activities : sightseeing / photo opportunities / Mountain biking, paragliding / Rafting and kayaking on the river Terek / Mountaineering and hiking in the area, there are hiking trails in all levels of difficulty, many accommodations can provide mountain guides /
Ascent of the mountain Kasbek (5047 m) / 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours / Camping / Hike into the Gergeti Glacier at 3000m. /
Events : Kazbegi Marathon – every year at the beginning of September this marathon takes place
Nearby Attractions : Truso Valley , favorite hiking destination / Juta valley / Village Zdo high above the Dariali gorge / Castle ruin Tamarisziche / Sioni Church, in the village of Sioni / Truso Gorge /
Go next : Tbilisi , the capital city of the country of Georgia / Mtskheta / Rustavi / Kakheti region in eastern Georgia /
