Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) & Gudauri

At the end of the Georgian Military Road, Gergeti Trinity Church sits beneath Mount Kazbek's snowy summit. Hike Juta and the Truso Valley in summer, and ski Gudauri in winter.

The Kazbegi region (Khevi) lies in the Greater Caucasus Mountains of northern Georgia, along the Georgian Military Road (Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz in Russia). Its central town, Stepantsminda, sits at about 1,750 m, beneath the 5,054 m snowy peak of Mount Kazbek and Gergeti Trinity Church. Heading north from the south, the route passes Ananuri Fortress and the Zhinvali Reservoir, the Gudauri ski area, the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument and the Jvari (Cross) Pass before reaching Kazbegi. Around town: walk or take a taxi up to Trinity Church, then continue hiking to a viewpoint of the Gergeti Glacier. To the north are the Dariali Gorge and the Gveleti waterfalls; to the south are Sno village, the Juta Valley and the Truso Valley. The best hiking season is Jun–Sep, with autumn colors in Sep–Oct. Gudauri skiing runs Dec–Apr, but the Jvari Pass is often closed by avalanches. Getting there: minibuses from Tbilisi's Didube station take about 3 hours, or book a private day tour, which allows more freedom to stop along the way. A 4×4 is needed for Juta and Truso. We recommend 1–2 nights in Stepantsminda to catch the alpenglow on the peaks. Note: mountain weather is changeable, so bring warm and rainproof clothing. Truso and Dariali are close to the border and the administrative boundary line, so carry your passport.

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