Didi Okrotskali Lake

Didi Okrotskali Lake (Big Golden Water Lake) is an alpine lake in Upper Svaneti, sitting on the border with Abkhazia along the eastern slopes of the Khojali Range. Tucked away in a remote part of the Mestia Municipality, the lake sits at an altitude of approximately 2,700 meters above sea level. It is completely isolated from the standard tourist tracks, offering a pristine and rugged environment where wild mountain ridges reflect clearly in the deep turquoise waters. Unlike more accessible alpine spots, this lake retains an completely untouched, wild atmosphere.

Geographic Setting and Wilderness Environment

The lake is fed by glaciers and seasonal snowmelt from the surrounding peaks of the Kodori Valley and Khojali systems. The geographic landscape changes sharply as you move from the valleys into the alpine zone. Lower elevations features dense pine forests, which gradually give way to massive alpine meadows and fields of wildflowers. As you push closer to the lake, the vegetation thins out into steep, rocky moraines, loose shale, and raw mountain scree. Due to the high altitude, the water temperature remains close to freezing even during the peak of summer.

The Hiking Route from Chuberi

Reaching Didi Okrotskali requires a multi-day commitment and solid physical preparation. The wilderness trek normally begins from the remote communities of Chuberi or Khaishi (specifically near Lekhi village). The trail follows the dramatic canyon carved by the Okrotskali River before confronting a steep headwall.

• The Waterfall Ascent: Before reaching the lake, the trail traces a deep mountain valley where the river drops down a dramatic, multi-tiered waterfall cascade over 400 meters high.
• The Final Scramble: The final section up to the lake basin has no fixed path. It requires navigating a steep, trackless slope covered in loose rock and alpine sod, gaining roughly 400 vertical meters over a short horizontal distance.
• The Small Twin: A short but challenging ridge hike from the main lake basin leads to Patara Okrotskali (Small Okrotskali Lake), which features a darker, deeper blue hue and sits slightly higher up the mountain shelf.