Shiomgvime Monastery
and Ksani Fortress

1 day

duration

below average

difficulty

15 km

distance

↑↓600 m

elevation gain / loss

We'll drive right up to the monastery. First, we'll check out the Church of St. John the Baptist (the very first building in the complex, by the way) and the Church of the Mother of God (also called the "upper church" because, you guessed it, it's higher up). There's also a cave-well on the grounds where St. Shio is said to have lived.

A small trail leads up from the monastery; we'll follow it to a tiny church at the top of the hill. It's super cozy and doubles as a great viewpoint.

We'll take a shuttle to the viewpoint overlooking Shio-Mgvime Monastery. From there, we'll head through the forest toward Ksani Fortress. It's about a 10-kilometer hike.

We'll emerge from the woods at the small Church of St. George. From there, you can already see Ksani Fortress, and we'll head down the ridge toward it.
The fortress is in pretty good shape: you can spot qvevri fragments, large water cisterns, and even some old chimneys.

what to wear?
what to pack?

Proper gear is key to making sure your trip is all about good vibes. Check out this quick guide on clothes and footwear.

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