Trekking in Georgia: Complete Guide to Hiking the Caucasus
Georgia has some of the best mountain trekking in Europe, and almost nobody knows about it yet. While the Alps and Dolomites fill with crowds every summer, trails in Svaneti, Tusheti, and Kazbegi remain empty. You can hike for days through 5,000-meter peaks, medieval villages, and alpine meadows without seeing another group.
This page covers everything you need to plan a trekking trip to Georgia: which region to choose, when to go, what to expect, and how we can help.
Why Trek in Georgia?
Dramatic landscapes without the crowds. The Greater Caucasus range includes peaks over 5,000 meters, glacial valleys, and high-altitude plateaus. Most trails see a fraction of the traffic you’d find in Western Europe.
Living mountain culture. Unlike the Alps, Georgia’s mountain villages aren’t museums. In Svaneti and Tusheti, people still live in medieval tower houses, speak ancient languages, and maintain traditions largely unchanged for centuries.
Affordable. Guesthouses cost 60-100 GEL ($20-35) per night with meals. Guides and porters are reasonably priced. A week of trekking in Georgia costs less than a weekend in Chamonix.
Accessible remoteness. Tbilisi has direct flights from most European capitals. From there, even the most remote trailheads are reachable within a day. You can combine serious mountain trekking with city culture and wine regions.
Georgia’s Trekking Regions Compared
Svaneti – The Classic Choice
- Best for: First-time visitors, photography, cultural immersion.
- Difficulty: Easy to challenging (options for all levels)
- Season: Mid-June to early October
- Base villages: Mestia, Ushguli
Svaneti is Georgia’s premier trekking destination and for good reason. The landscape combines everything: glaciated peaks (including Ushba and Shkhara), flower-filled meadows, and villages dominated by thousand-year-old defensive towers. The Mestia-to-Ushguli trek is the country’s most famous multi-day route.
Popular treks:
- Mestia to Ushguli (4 days, moderate)
- Koruldi Lakes day hike (6-8 hours, moderate)
- Shkhara Glacier trail (full day, challenging)
- Chalaadi Glacier (half day, easy)
Why choose Svaneti: Best infrastructure, most route options, iconic scenery. If you only trek one region in Georgia, this is it.
Kazbegi – Accessible High Mountains
- Best for: Short trips, Mount Kazbek views, and combining with a Tbilisi visit.
- Difficulty: Easy to very challenging (Kazbek summit requires experience)
- Season: June to September (summit attempts July-August only)
- Base town: Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
Kazbegi offers the most accessible high-mountain scenery in Georgia – just 3 hours from Tbilisi on a paved road. The region centers on Mount Kazbek (5,047m), a dormant volcano with glaciers visible from town. Day hikes reach the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church; multi-day routes cross high passes into Khevsureti.
Popular treks:
- Gergeti Trinity Church (3-4 hours, easy-moderate)
- Gveleti Waterfalls (2-3 hours, easy)
- Juta to Roshka via Chaukhi Pass (2-3 days, challenging)
- Mount Kazbek summit (2-3 days, mountaineering experience required)
Why choose Kazbegi: Quick access from Tbilisi, dramatic glaciated peak, good for shorter trips or combining with a broader Georgia itinerary.
Tusheti – Remote and Untouched
- Best for: Experienced trekkers, solitude, and authentic village life.
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.
- Season: Late June to mid-September (road access limited)
- Base villages: Omalo, Dartlo
Tusheti is Georgia’s most isolated inhabited region – accessible only by a notoriously rough mountain road that opens in late June when snow clears. This isolation preserved a unique culture: fortified villages, animist-influenced traditions, and shepherds who still drive flocks to high pastures each summer.
Trekking here feels genuinely remote. Villages have no ATMs, limited phone signal, and accommodation in family homes rather than hotels. The landscape is drier and more austere than Svaneti – rolling highlands rather than glaciated peaks.
Popular treks:
- 3 days jeep tour in Tusheti
- Horse riding in Tusheti (4 days)
- Atsunta Pass to Khevsureti (8-9 days, challenging)
Why choose Tusheti: True remoteness, fewer tourists than anywhere else, unique culture. Best for experienced trekkers comfortable with basic facilities.
Khevsureti – Medieval Fortresses and High Passes
- Best for: History enthusiasts, challenging terrain, and photography.
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.
- Season: July to September
- Base town: Shatili (or approach from Kazbegi/Tusheti)
Khevsureti feels like stepping into the past. The region’s fortress-villages – especially Shatili and Mutso – are architectural wonders: stone towers clustered on ridges, largely abandoned but hauntingly intact. Until recently, locals here wore chainmail and carried swords for traditional festivals.
Access is difficult (rough roads, limited transport), which keeps crowds away. Most trekkers reach Khevsureti by crossing passes from Kazbegi or Tusheti rather than driving in directly.
Popular treks:
Why choose Khevsureti: Unique architecture, sense of discovery, excellent multi-day routes connecting to other regions.
Racha – Forests, Lakes, and Wine
- Best for: Easier terrain, nature lovers, and combining with wine culture.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Season: May to October
- Base towns: Ambrolauri, Oni
Racha is Georgia’s least-known trekking region – greener and gentler than the high Caucasus, with forested hills, the turquoise Shaori Reservoir, and villages producing Georgia’s most prized wine (Khvanchkara). The trekking here is less dramatic but more relaxed: good trails through beech forests, swimming lakes, and excellent food and wine at day’s end.
Why choose Racha: Milder terrain, fewer crowds than anywhere, excellent wine, and hospitality. Good for those wanting nature without extreme altitude.
When to Go: Trekking Seasons by Region
June: Early season. Lower trails are accessible; high passes may have snow. Wildflower season begins. Tusheti road typically opens in late June.
July-August: Peak season. All trails and passes are open. Warmest weather, longest days. Busiest period (though still uncrowded by Alpine standards). Best window for Kazbek summit attempts.
September: Ideal conditions. Stable weather, fewer visitors, autumn colors beginning. High passes remain open until mid-month.
October: Late season. Lower elevation trails are still good. High passes close after the first significant snowfall (usually mid-October). Svaneti is accessible; the Tusheti road is closed.
November-May: Most mountain trails are inaccessible due to snow. Winter activities (skiing, snowshoeing) are possible in some areas.
Our recommendation: Second half of June or September for the best balance of good weather, open trails, and fewer people.
What to Expect on a Georgia Trek
Trail Conditions
Georgia’s trails range from well-marked paths to faint shepherd tracks. Svaneti has the best trail infrastructure; Tusheti and Khevsureti require more navigation skills. River crossings without bridges are common on multi-day routes – water levels are highest in early summer.
Accommodation
Multi-day treks typically use village guesthouses rather than mountain huts. Expect simple private rooms, shared bathrooms, and huge home-cooked meals. Some routes require camping (we provide equipment). In Tusheti, accommodation is in family homes – basic but authentic.
Altitude
Most trekking in Georgia happens between 2,000 and 3,500 meters. Passes can exceed 3,800 meters. Altitude sickness is uncommon at these elevations, but proper acclimatization matters for high passes. We build rest days into itineraries where needed.
Weather
Mountain weather is unpredictable. Even in summer, expect temperature swings from 25 °C in valleys to near-freezing on passes. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Waterproof layers and warm clothing are essential regardless of the season.
Communication
Phone signal exists in most villages but disappears on trails and high passes. We carry satellite communicators on remote routes for emergencies.
Our Trekking Tours
We offer guided treks across all of Georgia’s mountain regions, from single-day hikes to multi-week expeditions. All trips include:
- Experienced local guides (English-speaking, certified in wilderness first aid)
- All ground transportation
- Accommodation (guesthouses or quality camping equipment)
- All meals on the trail
- Permits were required
- Emergency communication equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
How fit do I need to be for trekking in Georgia?
It depends on the route. Day hikes like Gergeti Church or Koruldi Lakes require basic fitness – if you can walk 4-6 hours on uneven terrain, you’ll manage. Multi-day treks with pass crossings need more stamina: expect 6-8 hours of walking daily with significant elevation gain. We match routes to your fitness level and can modify itineraries.
Do I need trekking experience?
Not necessarily. Easier routes in Svaneti and Kazbegi suit beginners with reasonable fitness. Remote routes in Tusheti and Khevsureti, or high passes like Atsunta, are better for those with multi-day trekking experience. We’ll advise honestly based on your background.
Can I trek independently, or do I need a guide?
Independent trekking is possible on well-marked routes like Mestia-Ushguli. However, trail marking is inconsistent elsewhere, the weather changes fast, and emergency services are limited. We recommend guides for remote areas, pass crossings, and anyone unfamiliar with mountain navigation. Guides also handle logistics (accommodation, meals, transport) that are difficult to arrange independently.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Essential: sturdy hiking boots (broken in), layered clothing, waterproof jacket, daypack, sun protection, headlamp. We provide camping equipment on routes that require it. A detailed packing list comes with every booking. Trekking poles are highly recommended for steep terrain.
Is trekking in Georgia safe?
Yes. The mountains themselves are the main risk – weather, river crossings, remote terrain. Our guides are trained in wilderness first aid and carry emergency communication. Political safety is not a concern; the trekking regions are far from any conflict zones. Solo female trekkers report feeling safe throughout the country.
What about the border with Russia?
Some trekking regions (Kazbegi, Tusheti, Khevsureti) are near the Russian border, but all routes we operate stay well within Georgian territory. Border areas require permits, which we arrange. You won’t encounter any checkpoints or restrictions on standard trekking routes.
How do I get to the trailheads?
We include all transportation. Typically: flight to Tbilisi, then shared vehicle or private transfer to the region. Mestia is 8-9 hours from Tbilisi by road (or 45 minutes by small plane). Kazbegi is 3 hours. Tusheti requires 4×4 transport on a rough mountain road. We handle all logistics.
Can I combine trekking with other activities?
Absolutely. Popular combinations: trekking in Svaneti + wine touring in Kakheti, Kazbegi hiking + Tbilisi city break, Tusheti trek + Vardzia and southern Georgia. We design custom itineraries mixing trekking with cultural touring.
What’s the best trek for a first visit to Georgia?
For most people, we recommend 4-5 days in Svaneti. It has the best combination of dramatic scenery, cultural interest, good infrastructure, and route options for different fitness levels. The Mestia-Ushguli trek is the classic choice; alternatively, a Svaneti Highlights itinerary based in Mestia offers flexibility without heavy packs.
When should I book?
Popular routes in July-August can fill accommodation in small villages. Book at least 2-3 months ahead for peak season. Shoulder season (June, September) is more flexible but still benefits from advance planning, especially for Tusheti, where guesthouse options are limited.
Plan Your Trek
Ready to start planning? Contact us with your dates, group size, and interests. We’ll recommend routes, provide detailed itineraries, and answer any questions.
Georgia Tours EU operates trekking trips throughout the Georgian Caucasus. Our guides are local mountaineers with intimate knowledge of the trails, villages, and conditions in each region. We’ve been organizing treks here since [year].
