Kazbegi and the Georgian Military Highway

The drive

The Georgian Military Highway climbs from Tbilisi through Gudauri and over the Jvari Pass. It is about three hours and the road itself is a large part of the point. In winter the pass can close, which is why our climate strip on every Georgia trip page marks the hard months honestly rather than selling the route year round.

The church

Gergeti Trinity sits above the village of Stepantsminda. A 4x4 takes you most of the way; the walk up takes about ninety minutes if you would rather earn it. On a clear day Kazbek fills the sky behind it, and on a bad day you see cloud, which is worth knowing before you book a single night.

Be honest about the weather

Kazbegi averages seventeen rain days in September. That is not a reason to avoid it, but it is a reason to build a trip with more than one mountain day if the mountain is why you are coming.

How long to give it

One night is the common choice and it works. Two if you want to walk rather than drive up.

When to go

Average daytime high, night-time low and rain days for Kazbegi, from five years of recorded observations rather than a forecast or a brochure.

Most workable months: Apr, Aug, Oct. Nowhere here rates as mild on our own scale, which is worth knowing before you book a single night for the view.