Kazbegi & the Military Road

3-min read

The Georgian Military Road has been the main pass through the central Caucasus for two millennia — Russian empire engineers gave it its current name and shape in the 19th century. It climbs the Aragvi valley past Ananuri’s lakeside fortress, over the ski slopes of Gudauri and the high Cross Pass, then drops to Stepantsminda under Mount Kazbek.

The day ends with the walk up to Gergeti Trinity Church — a 14th-century sanctuary alone on its ridge at 2,170 m, with the 5,054 m ice pyramid of Kazbek behind it. It is the single most photographed view in Georgia, and it earns it.

🎒 The Gergeti climb is about 90 minutes at an easy pace. Take water and a layer — it can be 15° colder up there than in Tbilisi where you started.