Georgia

Greater Caucasus

Image of Greater Caucasus

  • Location: Northern Georgia, along the border with Russia.
  • Characteristics: This range includes Georgia’s highest peaks, glaciers, and alpine landscapes.
  • Main Regions: Svaneti, Kazbegi, and Tusheti.

🏔️ Svaneti Region

✔️ Mestia, capital of Svaneti, known for its medieval towers and traditional culture.

Popular Activities:

  • Hiking and Trekking: Numerous trails, including to Ushguli and Chalaadi Glacier.
  • Skiing and Snowboarding: Tetnuldi and Hatsvali ski resorts.
  • Paragliding: Aerial views of mountains around Mestia.

Highlights: Mestia Ethnographic Museum, Chalaadi Glacier.

✔️ Ushguli, a UNESCO-listed village at 2,100 meters, one of Europe’s highest settlements.

Popular Activities:

  • Trekking: Trails from Mestia to Ushguli and to Shkhara Glacier.

  • Horseback Riding: A popular way to explore surrounding landscapes.

  • Highlights: Stone towers, views of Mount Shkhara.

ℹ️ Treks and Outdoor Adventures in Svaneti

🟢 Mestia to Ushguli

  • Duration: 4 days.
  • Difficulty: Moderate.
  • Best Season: Summer (June to September).
  • Description: Trekking through villages and past glaciers.

🟢 Chalaadi Glacier

  • Duration: 1 day.
  • Difficulty: Easy.
  • Description: A hike to the Chalaadi Glacier.

🏔️ Kazbegi Region

Popular Activities:

  • Hiking and Trekking: Trails to Gergeti Trinity Church, Truso Valley, and Kazbek Glacier.
  • Mountaineering: Mount Kazbek attracts experienced climbers.
  • Mountain Biking: Trails around Kazbegi.

Highlights: Gergeti Trinity Church, Mount Kazbek.

ℹ️ Treks and Outdoor Adventures in Kazbegi

🟢 Gergeti Trinity Church and Mount Kazbek

  • Duration: 1–3 days.
  • Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.
  • Best Season: June to September.
  • Description: Scenic trek with views of Mount Kazbek.

🟢 Truso Valley

  • Duration: 1 day.
  • Difficulty: Easy.
  • Description: Unique landscapes with hot springs and travertine formations.

🏔️ Tusheti Region

✔️ Omalo, Tusheti’s main town, open only in summer due to its remote location.

  • Popular Activities:
    • Trekking: Omalo to Shatili trek is a challenging, high-altitude route.
    • Horseback Riding: Omalo’s traditional horseback culture.
  • Highlights: Keselo Fortress, Omalo’s stone towers.

ℹ️ Treks and Outdoor Adventures in Tusheti

🟢 Omalo to Shatili

  • Duration: 4–5 days.
  • Difficulty: Difficult.
  • Best Season: Summer (July to September).
  • Description: A challenging trek linking Tusheti and Khevsureti.

🟢 Trek to Dartlo

  • Duration: 1–2 days.
  • Difficulty: Moderate.
  • Description: A route to the traditional village of Dartlo.

💡Recommendations and Tips

  • Best Season: June to September in highland areas; May to October for the Lesser Caucasus.
  • Equipment: Bring warm layers, sturdy boots, and camping gear.
  • Guides and Permits: In remote areas like Tusheti, a local guide is advisable; some trails require permits.
  • Weather: Summers are mild; winters in highland areas are severe, making some regions inaccessible.