Mutso Castle: Georgia's Remote Mountain Fortress
Explore Mutso Castle, a medieval fortress in the Georgian mountains, offering stunning views and a glimpse into the region's rich history and culture.
Mutso Castle, a medieval fortress village in Georgia's Khevsureti region, is perched high on a mountainside at 1,880 meters above sea level. Once the most inviolable stronghold on Georgia's northeastern frontier, its tower-dwellings are interlinked to form a single line of defense. The challenging journey to Mutso is rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the Caucasus mountains.
A brief summary to Mutso-castle
- J645+V25, Mutso, GE
Local tips
- The best time to visit Mutso is between late May and mid-October when the weather is more forgiving and the paths are safer.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the steep, one-kilometer hike up to the fortress-village.
- Bring water for the uphill hike.
- Consider visiting early morning or late afternoon for the best lighting for photographs.
Getting There
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Driving
The only way to reach Mutso is via the road from Shatili and Korsha through the Datvisjvari Pass. Public transport (marshrutka vans) goes only as far as Shatili, so unless you have your own car, you will need to find a private driver to take you the rest of the way. From Shatili, it is approximately 12 kilometers or 45 minutes by road to Mutso. Be aware that road conditions in Khevsureti are varied, with challenging gravel roads prone to flooding and landslips. A 4WD vehicle is recommended. Park at the base of the castle and hike the last part, which is about a 20-minute walk uphill.
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Walking
From the base of Mutso Hill, it's a short but steep climb (341 meters, including 91 meters uphill, duration 20-30 minutes) to the Mutso Fortress. Make sure to bring good hiking shoes.
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