Kazbegi Area & Military Highway

The Georgian Military Highway is the historic route linking Tbilisi with Vladikavkaz, running for about 212 km through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Caucasus. Long before it became an official road, traders, mountain clans, and invading armies used this corridor. Russian troops first marched through here in 1769, and the route later gained its modern form in the early 19th century when the Russian Empire rebuilt it as a strategic military road.

From the Russian side, the road climbs through the Terek Valley and enters Georgia through the narrow Dariali Gorge. It continues past Stepantsminda and crosses the Greater Caucasus at the Jvari (Cross) Pass, reaching 2,379 meters. Not far from the pass stands the huge Soviet-era Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument from 1983. The road then drops toward Gudauri—today a busy ski resort and a growing summer hub for mountain bikers—before following the valley of the Tetri Aragvi River to the turquoise Jhinvali Reservoir and the medieval Ananuri Fortress. Near Mtskheta it merges with Georgia’s main East–West highway.

Travel writers admired this route even a century ago—Baedeker’s 1914 guide called it “one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the world.” Its importance decreased for a while due to landslides, delays at the border, and Russia’s 2006 border closure. But since the crossing reopened in 2013, the highway has regained its role as a key link, especially for freight moving between Armenia and Russia. Despite its heavy traffic today, it remains one of the most impressive road journeys in the region.

Currently major construction work is in progress which will avoid climbing the Jvari pass through Gudauri and will offer a passage through the tunnel which is being dug out at the moment. So passing the ancient town of Mtskheta, taking a right turn from the main highway towards village Natakhtari, the route continues all the way north, to the border with north Ossetia.

Zhinvali Water Reservoir

Zhinvali Water Reservoir is located in the Mtskheta-Mtaineti region, Dusheti Municipality, north of the small town of Zhinvali, in the middle of the Aragvi River. It is one of the most beautiful places in Georgia and attracts many tourists. There is an important monument of Georgian architecture on the shore of the reservoir – the Ananuri complex, which makes this place even more interesting. Another monument located here is also noteworthy: during the construction of the Zhinvali hydroelectric complex, the 12th century Church of the Cross, which is submerged in water for 6 months and can be seen for 6 months, was flooded. Zhinvali Reservoir is a perfect place to unwind in nature, for a picnic or to escape from the summer heat. The reservoir and its surroundings are beautiful at any time of the year. Here you can get acquainted with important samples of Georgian culture, swim in blue water, sunbathe and enjoy the beauty of nature. The expansive space and the blue-green, rippling water between the mountains create amazing views. Zhinvali Reservoir is located between Alevi, Gudamakari and Kartli ridges. Its surface area is 11.5 km² and the maximum depth is 75 m. The reservoir is of great importance for the water supply of the city of Tbilisi, it supplies drinking water to about half of the population of Tbilisi.

Mere Castle

Mere Castle is located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, Dusheti municipality, in the historical Mtiuleti, 200 meters north of the village of Buchaani, located south of the Pasanauri settlement, on the left bank of the Aragvi River, on a forested slope.

Initially, only a turreted tower stood here. In the second half of the 17th century, one of the feudal lords who rose from Bari, in order to make the tower more defensive, enclosed part of the slope below it with a high fence and built several buildings. He also took control of the Vashloba and Chartli gorges and taxed the local population with tribute. The Mtiuleti could not accept the arbitrariness of the feudal lord who had fortified himself in the castle and, with the help of the Khevsurs, expelled him from the castle. Later, the castle served to protect the Chartli and Vashloba communities from non-Georgian mountain raiders.

Resort Pasanauri & Black and white Aragvi junction

Resort Pasanauri  is located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, Dusheti Municipality, at the confluence of the rivers Mtiuleti Aragvi and Gudamakari Aragvi, at 1050 meters above sea level. It is the center of the historical-geographic region Mtiuleti and according to the legend, it was one of the centers of trade in ancient times. Pasanauri is famous for its natural beauty. Forests, mountains and amazing views attract many tourists. It has a moderately humid climate, with moderately cold winters and long, cool summers. The average annual temperature is 7.8 ° C, January – -4.1 ° C, and July – 18.5 ° C. There are hotels, a visitor center, a hospital, a library and other cultural and educational institutions in Pasanauri. If you love to relax in the mountains, the mountain climate, fresh air and beautiful environment are perfect for unwinding. Here you can also taste Mtiuletian cuisine, khinkali from Pasanauri, which is especially popular. In Pasanauri you will be able to relax in a comfortable, healthy environment and be filled with positive impressions and emotions.

The Bursachiri waterfall is located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, in the Dusheti Municipality, east of the abandoned village of the Gudamakari community, Salagobo, in the middle of the Bursachiri river, at 2,170 meters above sea level. The total height of the waterfall is about 20 meters. It falls in two steps, the upper step is 3-4 meters high, and the lower step is 16-17 meters. The waterfall flowing among the huge rocks creates a delightful sight. Bursachiri Fall is a very impressive place and is perfect for a short trip. Alpine meadows, mountains, cliffs and a stunning waterfall attract many lovers of nature and wandering. The walking distance is only 2-2.5 km, so pretty easily you can make an unforgettable adventure and unwind with friends or family.

Nestled not far from the bustling city of Gudauri, Khada Gorge is a stunning tributary of the expansive Aragvi Gorge. The gorge derives its name from the Khadiskhali River that flows beneath it. While it might seem unassuming compared to its neighboring gorges, Khada is distinguished by the ancient towers that dot its slopes. Locals recount tales of nearly 60 towers once standing in this area, though today only about a dozen are still visible, and many remain hidden from view at the gorge’s base.

The village of Bedoni is the only settlement that boasts year-round residents. The entrance to Khada Gorge begins at the village of Kvesheti, located about 90 kilometers from Tbilisi. Near Bedoni, visitors can find a mineral spring rich in iron, though the taste of this water may not appeal to everyone. Once, a temple stood beside the spring, but now only its foundation remains.

The iconic towers of Khada Gorge have long been shrouded in mystery and have traditionally been off-limits to visitors. Their doors would only open during religious holidays, and access was restricted to men. Each tower is said to house a sanctuary, and one captivating legend speaks of golden sheep that once grazed near the farthest tower at the gorge’s end, echoing the myth of the Golden Fleece.

Khada Waterfall – is located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, Dusheti municipality, in the historical region of Mtiuleti, in the Khada Gorge. The waterfall flows in several steps and creates small pools in the rock in the Khadistskali River Gorge. At the foot of the waterfall is a gorge into which the river flows, after the waterfall.

Lomisa Church

Lomisa Church (Lomisa Shrine) – The oldest shrine, Church of St. George, a monument of Georgian architecture, is located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, Dusheti Municipality, in historical Mtiuleti, on the pass of River Ksani and River Argvi, 6 kilometers to the south of the village Lower Mleta.

Georgian architecture monument of St. George of Mleta belongs to the IX-X centuries. The complex includes the following buildings – a church, a bell tower and crypts. The plan of the building is a simple three-aisled basilica (14.5X7.8 m). It is built of rubble stone. The roofing chamber leans on a support arch raised on pilasters. There are niches in the longitudinal walls. Remains of various buildings are preserved around the temple.

To the south of the church stands a two-story bell tower of late medieval stone buildings. Currently, only the northern half of it is survived (both of the first floor towers and part of the second floor outer towers). The piers on the second floor are relatively narrow, with one similar pier placed between them. The first floor of the bell tower was covered with a low arch. The shape of the roof of the second floor is not determined.

Lomisa was a pre-Christian deity in Mtiuleti. According to the tradition, the name is associated with the lioness. Later, this cult was associated with the deity of the moon. This is evidenced by the fact that cult images of bulls (horns) often have the appearance of a new moon. According to legends and rituals, Lomisa deity was the hunter and the rider.

After the Christianization of the mountain, a Christian church was built on the site of the Temple of the Moon. The signs of a pagan cult got associated with St. Contacted George. He is a warrior, a rider of Christ. At the same time, the bull is known to be one of its symbols. Lomisa was the first shrine of the population of Mtiuleti and Ksani valleys. Many economic, political and military issues were resolved here.

Lomisoba – The Lomisoba celebration was held on Wednesday of the 7th week of Easter (and is still held). On this day, worshipers from all over eastern Georgia gathered in Mleta. The deacons were carrying out the flag and singing the song “Ferkhisa” while bringing the flag to the mountain, where the festival was held with a sacrifice. In the form of a Lomisa, they worshiped the leading cross, which was attached to the handle and had solar symbols – balls attached to the four ends.

There is a 6 km long hiking trail from Mleta village to the Lomisa shrine.

Jvari Pass

Jvari Pass Travertine Natural Monument is calcareous sinter or tufa in Baidara River valley on the left bank of the road tunnel of the Kobi-Gudauri motorway at 2197 meters above the sea level in Kazbegi Municipality, Georgia. This limestone was formed when carbonate minerals precipitate out of ambient temperature water. Travertine in some places is covered with a thin layer of transparent water on the white surface of the slopes where the intensive development process is still ongoing. It is part of Kazbegi Protected Areas.

Truso Travertines Natural Monument is a calcareous sinter or tufa in Truso valley on the right bank of Terek river at 2093 meters above the sea level in Kazbegi Municipality, Georgia. It is located about 2 km from village Keterisi where the local population lives only seasonally.

This limestone was formed when carbonate minerals precipitate out of ambient temperature water. Travertine in some places is covered with a thin layer of transparent water on the white surface of the slopes where intensive development is still ongoing.

Abano Mineral Lake Natural Monument  is a small karst lake in Kazbegi Municipality in Truso valley on the left bank of Terek River, to the east of the village Abano at 2,127 m above sea level. 

The lake was created by a carbon dioxide filled underground stream flowing to the surface through carbonate rocks from the late Jurassic period. The lake “boils” loudly with carbon dioxide bubbles bursting. The outflow of the stream is 2.5 million liters per 24 hours. The total surface area of the lake is 0.04 ha. The emission of gas in calm weather causes carbon dioxide to accumulate in lower levels. Small animals suffocate when they get near the lake, which is why there are dead animals there, such as mice, lizards, frogs and some birds

Keterisi Mineral Vaucluse Natural Monument is a cluster of powerful artesian aquifers pouring out mineral water at the foot of the Greater Caucasus, known as Narzan vaucluse: these mineral springs provide 25-30 million liters of hydrocarbonate-calcium water per day, (300-350 liters per second). It is the source of a stream with waterfalls in the village of Keterisi.

Zakagori – a fortress-town, a settlement in Kazbegi Municipality (Kobi Community), located in the Truso Gorge, on the left bank of the Tergi River. 2240 meters above sea level. 35 kilometers from Stepantsminda.


Abano Nunnery is located in the village of Abano, in the Truso Gorge, Kazbegi Municipality. The complex includes towers of the 17th-18th centuries and a basilica of the 19th century.

The southwest tower is five-story, 20 meters high, narrowing sharply at the top. The entrance is from the north, 3 meters above the ground. The first floor is filled in. There are loopholes in the walls of all five floors. The northwest tower is rectangular in plan, four-story, 15 meters high. The entrance is from the south, 2 meters above the ground. There are windows and loopholes on all floors. The northeast tower is also rectangular in plan. Only the first floor has survived, which is currently being renovated and has nuns’ cells.

The church is a hall (12.9 X 6.4 m), built of finely processed orange tuff squares. The entrance is from the west. The door is covered with a semicircular arch. On the east is a semicircular apse with a pointed arch. It repeats the internal outline from the outside. The apse is directly connected to the longitudinal walls of the hall from the inside and from the west. The church has one arched window on each of the four sides. The hall was covered with a semicircular vault, which rested on a semicircular arched arch supported by corner pilasters. On the wall on both sides of the window, a poorly executed figure of a man in a sharavandi is depicted. On the facades, a simple relief capital is removed by removing the background on the window covering stone. A cross-shaped stone is set in a row above the window, on which a relief cross is drawn. A dirt road leads to the monastery.

Sno Fortress, built in the 16th/17th century, is on a cliff in Sno village. It has a tower, a wall with gunports, and was part of Shiola Gudushauri’s domain. In the past, Sno Fortress acted as the valley’s main defensive fortification, where the inhabitants of the village could defend themselves during invasions. It is unknown who built the fortress, but its placement at the edge of the village was ideally chosen. The fortress allowed its holder to control the Sno River Valley and the roads that led to Khevshureti, Pshavi, and Mtiuleti through the Gudamakari Valley. Built of crushed stone and black slate, the fortress is composed of one tower and an almost completely circular wall with gunports and murder holes. Defenders would try to repulse the enemy by shooting from the gunports, but if the enemy made it to the base of the fortress, the murder holes were used to drop rocks atop them.

Giant head Sculptures

In a village of Sno, near Stepantsminda , lies a captivating open-air gallery of stone sculptures known as the Stone Heads of Sno. Created by self-taught sculptor Merab Piranishvili, these remarkable stone heads pay homage to prominent Georgian figures, such as Ilia Chavchavadze, Akaki Tsereteli, Vazha Pshavela, Shota Rustaveli, and even Jesus Christ. Stone Heads of Sno offer a unique and memorable experience for those who take the time to visit. To support Piranishvili’s artistic endeavors, visitors can leave donations in a small wooden box near the sculptures. Reaching the Stone Heads of Sno is a breeze; a quick drive from Stepantsminda along the E117 (Georgian Military Highway) leads to the Sno-Akhaltsikhe-Juta road, where the open-air exhibition awaits on the right.

Village Juta

located high in the mountains, at 2200 meters above sea level. In winter, only a few families stay here, but in summer lots of locals and tourists visit the village. Juta is the last village of the valley, from where the footpath will take you to the Chiukh (Chaukh) Massif – which at first glance seems impregnable but is the best place for both beginners and professional climbers and mountaineers. The massif has several peaks higher than 3500 meters, on which routes of different categories and difficulty can be approached. However, this does not mean that Chiukhi is only for mountaineers, there is a 4 km easy hiking trail from Juta to the base of the Chiuhi massif that takes 1.5 hours to complete. On the trail, you will also come across the ice-cold Juti Lake.

Chaukhi Mountains

Situated on the eastern part of the Caucasus range, the Chaukhi Mountains form a rugged mountain massif often likened to the Georgian Dolomites. This region boasts 14 summits ranging in difficulty, ascending from the easiest routes to the more technically challenging ones, with the highest point reaching 3800 meters.
Nestled at an elevation of 2550 meters on a verdant grassy meadow between two rivers, the base camp offers a stunningly picturesque setting. This base camp serves as a favored destination for trekkers exploring the area. The trek to the base camp spans 2-3 hours and commences from the village of Juta. For travelers seeking accommodation, the vicinity features the cozy “Zeta” private camping area and the quaint 5th Season hotel.

Stepantsminda

The small town of Stepantsminda, formerly known as Kazbegi, is situated at an elevation of 1700 meters above sea level in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of northeastern Georgia. From both a historical and ethnographic standpoint, the town is intricately connected to the Khevi province. It serves as the central hub of the Kazbegi Municipality.
Resting along the banks of the Terek River, Stepantsminda is positioned 157 kilometers (98 miles) to the north of Tbilisi. The climate in Stepantsminda is characterized by moderate humidity, with relatively dry, chilly winters and extended, mild summers. The town is encompassed by imposing mountains on all sides, with Mount Kazbek, the region’s most prominent peak, situated immediately to the west of the town.
The naming of Stepantsminda, which translates to “Saint Stephan,” is rooted in tradition. Legend holds that a Georgian Orthodox monk named Stephan established a hermitage at this location, which later evolved into the Georgian Military Highway.
The name “Kazbegi” also has ties to the renowned Georgian writer Alexander Kazbegi (1848–1893). Alexander Kazbegi was the great-grandson of Kazibek Chopikashvili, a local feudal magnate who was responsible for collecting tolls on the Georgian Military Highway. After studying in Tbilisi, Saint Petersburg, and Moscow, Alexander Kazbegi returned to his hometown and took on the role of a shepherd to gain insight into the lives of the local people. He subsequently pursued a career as a journalist, followed by a transition into being a novelist and playwright. The final resting place of Alexander Kazbegi is within his ancestor’s former residence, which now serves as a museum in his honor. A monument dedicated to the writer stands in the heart of the town. When in town, do not miss:

• An afternoon beer at cafe 5047 in the very center of the town 
• Dinner on a terrace or library of Rooms Hotel Kazbegi 
• A swim in the natural, carbonated swimming pool, 2km from the town
• Hike to Gegreti Trinity Church and higher towards alpine cottages on the slopes of Mt. Kazbegi

Gergeti Trinity Church

Gergeti Trinity Church is a popular name for the Holy Trinity Church near the village of Stepantsminda in Georgia. The church is situated on the right bank of the river Chkheri (the left tributary of the river Terek), at an elevation of 2,170 metres, under Mount Kazbek.

The Gergeti Trinity Church was built in the 14th century by an unknown architect, and is the only cross-cupola church in Khevi province. The separate belltower dates from the same period as the church itself, but built somewhat later. Its isolated location on top of a steep mountain surrounded by the vastness of nature has made it a symbol for Georgia. The 18th century Georgian author Vakhushti Batonishvili wrote that in times of danger, precious relics from Mtskheta, including Saint Nino’s Cross were brought here for safekeeping. During the Soviet era, all religious services were prohibited, but the church remained a popular tourist destination. The church is now an active establishment of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. The church is a popular waypoint for trekkers in the area, and can be reached by a steep 1.5-hour climb up the mountain.

Climbing Mt. Kazbegi