Where in the world is Peggy Peg? Gergeti, Trinity Church, Georgia

Where in the world is Peggy Peg? Gergeti, Trinity Church

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Travel Blog: A Moment of Light – Gergeti Trinity Church in the Mountains of Georgia

I’m not religious. I never have been. I’m more of a spiritual being, a believer in energy and the souls and spirits of others living on long after their physical beings have ceased to be. But what’s that got to do with travel, I hear you say. A valid question, to which there is a simple answer. Churches and candles. If that sounds cryptic, it’s not meant to be. 

You see, as we have travelled far and wide, there have been a few mainstays of all we’ve seen and experienced, amongst which are a divine array of churches. While I don’t subscribe to a particular religion, I have always taken great solace from visiting churches and maintaining a multi-generational family tradition of lighting candles for those loved ones who have moved on from this life. In visiting such sacred places, I’ve always felt that there’s a deeper sense of connection to the spiritual energies that travel with us.

For all of the churches we have visited, and there have been plenty, few can compare to Gergeti Trinity Church in northern Georgia. It’s more than a church though, it’s an icon of Georgia itself, perched atop a hillock of rock and surrounded in the background by a cirque of towering iridescent mountains that mark the border with Russia. In truth, there are more aesthetically pleasing churches, and many bigger ones, but none have the prominence of Gergeti, its position high in the mountains enhancing its celestial beauty. 

Arriving in the small town of Stepantsminda, there’s little to suggest that just a few kilometres up a nondescript side road sits one of the country’s most frequented landmarks, other than a row of battered 4x4 mini buses that is. These old workhorses are synonymous with Georgia, to be found across the country wherever there is a place of interest to be visited. Until recently, they would have been an essential part of any visit to Gergeti Trinity Church, given that the only way up used to be on an old dirt track, 

Thankfully for us, although maybe not the disgruntled 4x4 drivers who now have a lot less business, there’s a new, perfectly smooth paved road that snakes its way up the side of the mountain. What’s more, there’s a large car park and grass meadow where you can wild camp, which we strongly recommend, in order to marvel at the church and accompanying mountains in the ever-changing light throughout the day. This also allows for a visit to the church at a time when there are fewer people who have just come up for a visit during the day. 

The very nature of travel means that every day is different, new experiences transpire, a mix of divergent people flows through our world, and our surroundings continually unfold before our eyes. Yet within this ever-evolving existence, certain moments stand out; they linger a little longer in the mind, they evoke something within that creates a deeper impression. Moments such as the one where we sat by the campfire, its burning embers crackling and flickering, cradled in nature’s bosom as the sun slid behind the mountains and the church bathed in an ethereal light. 

These are the moments that will stand out in years to come, when the fire has long gone out and we are looking back with a different perspective on the world, one shaped by our travels and experiences. However, we and our views of the world might change, but there will always be churches and candles. There will always be a connection to those on the other side. And there will always be that night in the mountains by Gergeti Trinity Church. 

Where in the World:
Gergeti Trinity Church sits above Stepantsminda in northern Georgia, a few kilometres before the border with Russia. Built in the 14th century, it is one of the country’s most iconic and visited churches. 

How to Get There:
Head north from Tbilisi on the M3, which is also known as the Old Military Highway, until you reach Stepantsminda, around 160km. As you exit the town, there’s a turning on your left, signposted for the church. This road is approximately three kilometres long and will bring you to the church. 

Where to Stay:
If you have driven in your own vehicle then for the full experience of seeing sunrise and sunset, there’s no better place to stay than wild camping near the church itself. For this, there are two options: the car park on the right as you come to the top of the road leading to the church, or in one of the meadows in front of the church, both of which are easily accessible from the road. If you don’t have the option to sleep in your vehicle then there are a number of small hotels and guest houses in Stepantsminda. 

Peggy Pegs used
The ground around Gergeti Trinity Church is firm and rocky, ideal for the Peggy Peg System. We used the Fix&Go Anchor Plates 2.0 together with the hit-in Screw-out Peg hardcore Peggy to secure our awning. For extra wind protection, we added the TieStraps 2.0 fastened with hit-in Screw-out Peg hardcore Peggy, perfect for mountain conditions. 

Key Facts

Discover Gergeti Trinity Church – Georgia’s Celestial Landmark

Why visit

A place where faith, history and nature meet. The church is a true symbol of Georgia and offers breathtaking views over the Greater Caucasus mountains.

Getting there

Drive north from Tbilisi along the Old Military Highway for around 160 kilometres to Stepantsminda. From there, a short, well-paved road leads up to the church.

Where to stay

Wild camping near the church offers the most magical experience, especially at sunrise and sunset. For those without their own vehicle, Stepantsminda has several cozy guesthouses and small hotels.

Peggy Pegs used

The ground around Gergeti Trinity Church is firm and rocky, ideal for the Peggy Peg System. We used the Fix&Go Anchor Plates 2.0 together with the hit-in Screw-out Peg hardcore Peggy to secure our awning. For extra wind protection, we added the TieStraps 2.0 fastened with hit-in Screw-out Peg hardcore Peggy, perfect for mountain conditions. 

Activities and adventures

• Watch the sunrise over the peaks
• Explore the valleys
• Meet the welcoming locals.

This is the perfect destination for those seeking peace and space.

Insider tip

Visit early in the morning when the church is quiet. As the first light hits the mountains, the scene becomes truly ethereal.

Conclusion

Gergeti Trinity Church is more than a place. It’s a feeling – a moment of stillness that stays with you long after you’ve left.

Marcus is a husband, a father, an adventure athlete and an award-winning writer, who travels the world in their Bailey of Bristol motorhome with his wife Kim and his two kids.

If you have any questions about their life on the road or simply want to follow their travels more closely, you can contact Marcus and Kim over on Instagram through @marcusleachglobal and @our.roaming.odyssey