Chalaadi Glacier is located in Mestia Municipality, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, among the sights, entertainment and leisure spots of the city. It's a massive glacial tongue about 6 kilometres long, formed on the southern slope of Mount Chatini thousands of years ago; meltwater streams from the mountain continue to gradually reshape its outline year by year.
A trekking route leads to the glacier: by car, you can reach a free car park just beyond a bridge over the river, then it's about an hour and a half on foot, following the stream, to the glacier's base, with an elevation gain of around 400 metres. Chalaadi Glacier is a popular destination, drawing hundreds of hikers each year, and the route overall suits an intermediate fitness level, though the final stretch before the glacier itself can be harder for less-prepared hikers and children.
Two honest warnings are worth including. The trail fades in places, especially over rocky stretches, and getting lost is a real possibility: follow the river's course and stay close to it. The view of the glacier's front itself can also change temporarily due to seasonal flooding: according to one recent observation, in mid-June the view was partly obscured by mud and rocks following recent flooding, so impressions may vary depending on when you visit. Approaching the ice cave from which the stream emerges is genuinely risky: rocks and boulders can fall from above.
