Georgia is a Must-Visit for Globe-Trotting Hikers

If hiking in the mountains and getting off the beaten track is your thing, get yourself to Georgia. Kayne was recently blown away by the Caucasus country that needs to be on every adventure seeker’s bucket list.

Quick Overview

At the intersection of Eastern Europe and Asia, sits Georgia. A country brimming with adventure opportunities with areas like Stepantsminda, Borjomi, and Svaneti making it an absolute playground for hikers.

Epic trails, majestic scenery, and spicing up your ‘I’ve been there’ list are just a few reasons to get yourself to Sakartvelo (the country of Georgians) ASAP.

Looking for more Euro adventures? Kalymnos – A Climbing Haven in Greece

About Georgia

As part of the Caucasus region, Georgia is home to a large portion of the Caucasus mountain range which it shares with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and southern Russia. This provides a population of around 4 million people with some of the highest peaks in Europe, and more hiking opportunities than you can poke a stick at.

Luckily for us, it’s an easy place to explore. It’s affordable and well-connected, and Aussies and Kiwis can visit visa-free for up to 12 months. Yes, it may take 2-3 flights to get there, but it’s about time we break up the photos of Italy, France, and Spain with some slightly different ‘European summer’ destinations.

Swap Aperols for alps

Georgian History

Georgia has a long and complex history. It boasts several impressive accolades including being the home of the first Europeans, its claim as the birthplace of wine, and having the deepest cave anywhere in the world.

Wine was born here? I’ll have to sip it and check

However, being in such a strategic location means Georgia has been subject to historic rivalries between Persia, Turkey, and Russia over the centuries, evidently leading to its inclusion in the Soviet Union between 1922-1991.

These days, Georgia is known for its warm and welcoming people, vibrant and cultural cities, and of course the great outdoors, with easy access to the Caucasus mountains and the Black Sea.

How to Get Around Georgia

Georgia’s not a big country. It’s only marginally bigger than Tasmania which is mind-blowing. This makes it super easy to explore by road.

Hiring a car gives you the freedom to go where and when you want with heaps of great road trip itineraries out there. If hiring a car isn’t your thing, you can look into hiring a driver using sites such as GoTrip, however this can get a little pricey. My preferred option whenever in a new country is public transport. It’s affordable, fun, and helps you to see a country from a local’s perspective.

‘Marchruktas’ are public vans that connect all major cities and towns around Georgia. They’re the perfect way to get an insight into local culture. Sure, they may be a little uncomfortable and unpredictable but they’ll get you from A to B with an added sprinkle of adventure.

Where to Stay When Hiking Georgia

The capital city of Tbilisi, and the centrally located city of Kutaisi, are both perfect bases for a hiking holiday with great transport options to the rest of the country, including the hiking regions of Stepantsminda, Borjomi, and Svaneti.

It’s best to spend a few days in each of these hiking destinations to leave ample time for exploring. They all have loads of accommodation options, stretching from luxury hotels to basic campsites. For a more cultural (and affordable) experience, I recommend finding a local homestay.

We stayed with a lovely family at Guest House Besarioni in Borjomi who helped us scout out some of the harder-to-find trails with their local know-how. We also went the guest house route in Kazbegi with Guest House Tamta which was highly recommended with great facilities and crazy value for money.

Views like this will be right on your doorstep

What to Eat in Georgia

Georgia has some fantastic food. Honorable mentions include:

• The famously cheesy bread that is khachapuri, my favorite (and biggest) version coming from Cozy Corner in Kazbegi
• Khinkali, Georgia’s answer to the dumpling which I was first introduced to at the very cool Wine Factory N1 in Tbilisi
• Badrizhan nigzvit eggplant and walnut rolls that we gorged ourselves on when eating at the very popular Gala in Kutaisi

However if I can offer one bit of advice, it’s to make the most of the bakeries. Delicious, affordable, and dangerously moreish baked goods are constantly at your fingertips, making it essential to hit the trails hard to balance out the extra carb intake.

Essential Gear for Hiking Georgia

• Hiking boots that can withstand some tough mountain terrain
• Warm gear for the mountains (even in the summer)
• Multi-day hiking gear to make the most of the multi-day treks
• Day pack to carry everything you need for some big day trips
• Hat and sunscreen because that’s a no-brainer

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

What It’s Like to Hike in Georgia

Having spent just three weeks in Georgia, I’m not going to claim to have all the answers when it comes to every hiking hot spot. What I will do is give an insight into three of the most well-known hiking regions that we checked out (or tried to) to help kick-start your itinerary.

Stepantsminda – North East Georgia

Stepantsminda, more commonly known as Kazbegi, is one of the most visited places in Georgia, and for good reason. Sitting at 1,740m, it provides postcard-worthy views of the Greater Caucasus mountains.

A trip to Kazbegi isn’t complete without hiking to the famous Gergeti Trinity Church. The 493m climb up the 6km trail is a historic pilgrimage for the local population. We made the climb after a solid dump of snow, providing both killer views and wet socks thanks to our unrelenting faith in our Blundstones.

Not your average route to a Sunday service

The church sits at the base of Mount Kazbek, the third-highest mountain in Georgia at 5,054m and known locally as ‘The Bride’. The mountain offers a great introduction to mountaineering with plenty of guided and non-guided 4-5 day expeditions kicking off from Kazbegi.

The snow did play a factor during our stay, rendering a lot of trails around Juta, Sno, and the Truso Valley unreachable. The views of the snowy mountains were unbeatable, but if we had our time again we’d plan our trip during the summer months to unlock everything the region has to offer.

The Gveleti Big Waterfall in Kazbegi

Borjomi – Southern Georgia

Unlike Stepantsminda, Borjomi is more accessible year-round thanks to its position in the Lesser Caucasus mountains. The stunning resort town on the banks of the Kura River is famous for its spring water.

Russian royalty used to travel to the area to bathe in its springs and benefit from its supposed healing agents. You can still take a dip in the springs today but be aware that there’s a reason they’re simply called ‘springs’ and not ‘hot springs’.

Borjomi consistently comes up when making the inevitable search for ‘best hiking places in Georgia’, primarily thanks to the beautiful Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. We spent four days exploring some of its trails including the Borjomi Footprints Trail (15.3km), Cross Mountain Trail (3.4km), and the Borjomi River Walk (11.1km).

Be sure to pack your tent if you’re keen on some multi-day treks. We spotted a few cracker campsites and couldn’t imagine a better place to spend a few days soaking up some crispy mountain air as you stroll through the forest taking in the ridiculous views.

Svaneti – North West Georgia

Svaneti is the toughest region to get to of the three, making it the most rewarding. The most popular multi-day trek in Georgia is the 3-4 day hike between the small rural towns of Mestia and Ushgali.

The epically scenic 57km trail takes you through the heart of beautiful mountain communities and offers incredible views of the mountainous region.

Play spot the glacier

You can even leave the tent and cooker at home for this one and opt to stay in local guesthouses along the way, most of which serve up some tasty local cuisine as part of the package.

If you don’t have the time (or the legs) for the multi-day endeavor, there are a plethora of beautiful one-day alternatives with the majority of trailheads starting in Mestia.

Unfortunately, we found out the hard way that it’s best to plan a trip to Svanti closer to the summer months. The roads are likely to be closed the closer you get to winter and a lot of the trails become too dangerous without proper preparation.

Not to worry though, it simply adds to the pile of reasons for us to come back.

Thank you for all the beautiful hikes Georgia

Tips for Visiting Georgia

• Make sure you’re reading information about Georgia the country. You won’t find anywhere called Stepantsminda in the US state
• Time your trip for May – October to make the most of summer. Whilst we were blessed with some amazing snowy views, visiting in March meant a lot of the trails were closed
• A lot of places accept cards but be sure to have plenty of cash on you, especially when visiting smaller towns
• Consider popping over to the other Caucasus countries of Armenia and Azerbaijan while you’re in the area. You can easily get to both by train from Tbilisi
• The blog Wander-lush become our go-to resource for everything Georgian. The amount of detailed information (including more about a lot of these regions) makes planning a trip to the Caucasus region a breeze

FAQs About Georgia

Is Georgia in Asia or Europe?

Georgia is technically a transcontinental nation in both Asia and Europe, but is generally regarded as a European country. In 2023, the European Union granted them candidate status, so that’s something I guess!

What currency does Georgia use?

Georgia’s official currency is the Georgian Lari. At the time of writing, one Georgian Lari is equivalent to about 55c in Australia.

Do I need a visa to visit Georgia?

If you have an Australian passport, you can visit Georgia for up to 12 months without a visa. You’ll need to obtain one if you plan to stay longer. Check Smart Traveller for any updates!