Arsha: Hotels and Accommodations

Anyone wishing to book a hotel in Arsha can continue searching for accommodation afterward. The pair of cascading waterfalls is located near Toti. The path from Arsha to the first waterfall is about 1.5 kilometers long; the second, called “Woman’s Hair,” is another 10–15 minutes away.

Nature

The path to the first waterfall is comparatively easy, while access to the second is more difficult because of the steep slopes. The hike from the main road to Arsha Waterfall is described as taking about 30–40 minutes; it leads through alpine meadows. The hike through the Arsha Valley is described as a steady half-day tour with views extending beyond Gergeti.

History

An apseless church dating from the 9th–10th century has been preserved within the Arsha Fortress complex. The medieval Arsha Fortress stands above the valley and was designed to monitor and control passage through the gorge. The fortress was built in the 16th–17th century and served as a refuge for the inhabitants of Khevi during enemy invasions.

Geographical Setting

Arsha lies at an elevation of 1,760 meters above sea level in historic Khevi, along the corridor of the upper Terek Valley in Mtskheta-Mtianeti. The village is framed by limestone and slate formations of the Greater Caucasus; steep slopes descend toward the river plain. Arsha has cool summers and long, snowy winters.

Arsha is located directly on the main route leading toward Georgia’s northern border. The Georgian Military Highway is a 212-kilometer-long, scenic route that crosses the Greater Caucasus between Tbilisi and Vladikavkaz.

Other destinations: Dusheti, Tsodoreti, Chargali, Ananuri, Lami, Natakhtari, Stepantsminda, Juta

To the higher-level travel overview: Mtskheta-Mtianeti.