Lake Mzy

მზის ტბა

A high-altitude glacial lake above 2000 meters that stays cold and often ringed by snow even in summer. It rewards hikers from the Ritsa area with pristine alpine scenery and remote tranquility.

Things to do

• Hike to the lakeshore — Follow the well-trodden trail from the Auadhara mineral springs area up through alpine meadows to reach Lake Mzy at around 2000 meters.
• Touch the summer snow — Even in July and August you can find lingering snowfields ringing the lake, often reaching right down to the icy water.
• Photograph the alpine reflections — On calm mornings the surrounding peaks and snow patches mirror perfectly in the cold, clear glacial water.
• Picnic in the meadows — Spread out among the wildflower-dotted alpine grasslands surrounding the lake for a quiet break far from crowds.
• Combine with Auadhara springs — Stop at the nearby Auadhara carbonated mineral water springs on the way up or back for a refreshing drink straight from the source.
• Extend to Lake Ritsa area — Base your trip from Lake Ritsa below and make Mzy a full-day high-altitude excursion through the reserve.

Food to try

• Auadhara mineral water — Fill your bottle with the naturally carbonated, iron-rich spring water bottled locally in this exact region.
• Abkhazian smoked cheese — Try local suluguni and smoked mountain cheeses sold by vendors near Ritsa, ideal to carry on the hike.
• Mamaliga with cheese — A thick cornmeal porridge served hot with cheese folded in, the everyday staple of Abkhazian mountain cuisine.
• Ashlaguan (satsivi-style walnut sauce) — Dishes drenched in the pungent walnut-garlic-adjika sauces that define western Caucasus cooking.
• Grilled trout and shashlik — Roadside cafes near Ritsa grill fresh fish and skewered meat over open flames for hungry hikers.
• Adjika — Sample the fiery Abkhazian pepper-and-herb paste that accompanies nearly every meal in the region.

Local customs & good to know

• Carry your passport and permits — Abkhazia is a disputed region and access from Georgia proper is restricted, so check current entry rules and bring documents.
• Dress for sudden cold — At over 2000 meters temperatures drop fast and snow lingers, so bring warm layers and waterproofs even in summer.
• Respect the Ritsa Reserve — The lake sits within a protected relict national park, so pack out all trash and stay on established trails.
• Hire a local guide or driver — Roads beyond Ritsa are rough and unmarked, so arranging a local driver or guide makes reaching Mzy far easier.

Nearby

• Lake Ritsa — 9 km
• Gega Waterfall — 19 km
• Gagra — 38 km
• Pitsunda — 43 km