Georgian Military Highway

Introducing Georgian Military Highway

This ancient passage from Tbilisi over the Caucasus to Vladikavkaz in Russia is a spectacular adventure. The dirt track through the challenging mountain terrain was only properly engineered as a road in the early 19th century with the Russian annexation of the Caucasus. The scenery is dramatic even before the road gets into the Caucasus itself – the road clings to the side of the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and passes the sublime architecture of Ananuri and the ski resort of Gudauri before entering the most remote, eerily deserted mountain regions around its highest point, the Jvari (Cross) Pass. It then descends the Tergi (Terek in Russian) valley with its several settlements as it approaches the Russian border. Unfortunately, due to the continued closure of the Russian–Georgian border, the route is currently a dead end, but Kazbegi, the last town, is a superb base for walking, climbing and bird-watching.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009