Shkhara

Mountain Georgia's highest peak in the Greater Caucasus

Shkhara, on Georgia’s northern spine of the Greater Caucasus, reaches glaciated slopes and high-altitude ridges. Mountaineers and experienced trekkers visit for technical climbs, alpine scenery and access to remote Svaneti approaches.

Main image

Shkhara is a high peak in the Greater Caucasus range on the border between Georgia and Russia, reaching approximately 5,193 metres in elevation. It is the highest mountain in Georgia and a prominent glaciated summit in the Caucasus.

The mountain features steep ice and rock faces and is known for technical climbing routes and long approaches from high valleys. Shkhara forms part of a rugged massif that includes several subsidiary peaks and extensive glaciers.

The mountain is located in the Svaneti region of northwestern Georgia, overlooking deep alpine valleys and high glacier-fed basins; access is typically from mountain towns and villages in Svaneti.

  • Elevation: Summit elevation is 5,193 metres, making it the highest point in Georgia and one of the highest peaks of the Greater Caucasus.
  • Climbing note: Located on the border with Russia, the mountain is a technical climb that attracts experienced mountaineers rather than casual hikers.
Shkhara
42.9994, 43.1117
Google Maps Apple Maps

How to Get to Shkhara #

Shkhara is approached from the Svaneti highlands: first get to Mestia (Svaneti) by shared minibus (marshrutka) or taxi from Zugdidi or by road from Kutaisi/Mestia area. From Mestia you travel east toward the high villages (often by 4x4 taxi) to reach Ushguli and the trailheads used for approaches to Mount Shkhara.

From Ushguli the mountain is a multi-day trek and technical glacier/climb; reaching the base requires hiking from the village along marked highland tracks and valley routes, or hiring local guides/transport for the mountaineering approach.

Tips for Visiting Shkhara #

  • Visit Shkhara from late June through September when the high valleys are most accessible and weather windows for clear views are likeliest; mornings often give the clearest light before afternoon cloud build-up.
  • Use Ushguli or Mestia as your logistical base and arrange transport and a certified local mountain guide there - the rough mountain roads require 4x4 vehicles and local knowledge of passes and glacier approaches.
  • Don't just aim for the summit: take the short walks around Ushguli (UNESCO villages) at sunrise for classic panoramas of Shkhara's north face that many climbers and day-trippers miss.

Best Time to Visit Shkhara #

Best visited in summer (June-August) for the most reliable weather and safest window for high-altitude trekking and climbing.

Summer (climbing/trekking season)
June-August · Base ~10-20°C; high elevations often at or below 0°C
Warmest and most stable weather for approaches and climbs; glaciers and high routes still cold and require proper mountaineering gear.
Spring/Autumn (shoulder seasons)
May, September-October · Base ~5-15°C; high elevations often below freezing
Unpredictable conditions with increased chance of snow and storms at altitude; fewer visitors but more objective hazards.
Winter
November-April · Often well below 0°C at elevation
Heavy snow, severe cold and avalanche risk - generally only for experienced alpinists with winter equipment.

Weather & Climate near Shkhara #

Climate

Shkhara's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -22°C to 3°C. Abundant rainfall (1172 mm/year), wettest in June.

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
24°
Warmest Month
-32°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -15°C and lows of -21°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

29 Poor

Comfort

-18°
Feels Like Freezing
-18°C
Temperature
-21° – -15°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
6.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -15°C and lows of -22°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-19°
Feels Like Freezing
-19°C
Temperature
-22° – -15°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -14°C and lows of -21°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

27 Poor

Comfort

-17°
Feels Like Freezing
-17°C
Temperature
-21° – -14°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -14°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

27 Poor

Comfort

-12°
Feels Like Freezing
-12°C
Temperature
-14° – -9°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

114 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
13.2h daylight

May

May is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -10°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

29 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-10° – -5°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

132 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
14.4h daylight

June

June is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -7°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (133 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-7° – -1°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

133 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
15.1h daylight

July

July is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

0°
Feels Like Freezing
0°C
Temperature
-3° – 3°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.8h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

0°
Feels Like Cold
0°C
Temperature
-3° – 3°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

September

September is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-5° – -1°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

88 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

33 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-10° – -6°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

86 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -15°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-15° – -11°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
6.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -14°C and lows of -19°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

27 Poor

Comfort

-16°
Feels Like Freezing
-16°C
Temperature
-19° – -14°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

84 mm
Rainfall
7.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.0h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Shkhara

Janga (mountain)
Janga (mountain)
Alpine peak in the Greater Caucasus, Georgia
Mountain 4.9 km
Dykh-Tau
Dykh-Tau
Second-highest peak in the Caucasus, technical climb
Mountain 6.0 km
Katyn-Tau
Katyn-Tau
Caucasus mountain peak on the Russia–Georgia border
Mountain 7.0 km
Ailama
Ailama
Notable Caucasus mountain peak on Russia–Georgia border
Mountain 7.3 km
Gistola
Gistola
High Caucasus peak on the Georgia–Russia border
Mountain 8.9 km
Koshtan-Tau
Koshtan-Tau
Prominent Caucasus peak notable for technical climbs
Mountain 9.9 km
Tetnuldi
Tetnuldi
High Caucasus mountain and popular ski destination
Mountain 10.2 km
Svan towers
Svan towers
Medieval defensive stone towers in Svaneti region
Tower 12.3 km