If you’re in Georgia for a limited time, but ticking off exploring the Greater Caucasus mountains off of the bucket list is a must – Kazbegi is likely the best destination for you. It’s got everything you imagine when thinking of Caucasus range - colossal, snow-crowned peaks, deep, green gorges, ancient glaciers and thundering rivers - but getting to them takes only a few hours of scenic drive along the historic Georgian Military Highway treks.
Mount Kazbek, standing at 5,047 meters, is Georgia's third-highest giant, with an icy summit that’s a constant mesmerising beacon for adventurers who step their foot in Stepantsminda. No visitor withstands can withstand its siren song, and, when planned correctly, exploring its slopes (along with other trails around Kazbegi) can create memories that last a lifetime. With “planned correctly” being the keyword.
In the guide below, we’ll break down the very best Kazbegi trekking routes, with a range of options from easy hiking routes for newbies who’re venturing into mountains for the first time, to more perilous options only fit for experienced explorers.
Note: Before we get to the juicy bits, do remember that knowing the proper Kazbegi weather conditions for hiking is vital; and you can easily discern how professional the guide is when relaying the information about weather-appropriate gear. While in general it’s safe to assume that June through September is the most optimal time, there are plenty of hiking and mountaineering opportunities in the region in colder months - as long as you’re properly equipped. The onus of ensuring you are on your guide.
Route 1: Gergeti Trinity Church
The hike to Gergeti Trinity Church (or Tsminda Sameba as Georgians call it), is Kazbegi's most iconic snapshot and often the very first serious hiking adventure for not only international visitors, but locals, as well. The 14th-century monument is sitting right on a hilltop at 2,170 meters with the enormous Mount Kazbek as its backdrop, and is certainly one of the most memorable snapshots one can take in the entire country - it’s not uncommon to find yourself overlooking the clouds once you’re standing at the edge.
While the trek is continuously ascending and twisty, it’s also well-maintained and easy to navigate. From Stepantsminda center, it’s a manageable 6-7 km round trip, an easy to moderate walk that’ll take you 3-4 hours. Even the newbies can easily make it, especially in warmer months with no precipitation. But that doesn’t mean experienced hikers cannot enjoy it.
Just the views would make the Gergeti well-worth visiting, but CaucasTours tries to take it a step further and weaves the trek into longer tours, often as a spectacular launchpad for deeper exploration, like on the road to Gergeti Glacier. In winter, under heavy snow cover, the road can be harder to navigate, so assistance from experienced local guides and well-maintained equipment (like snow shoes) becomes a must. Do not try to navigate Kazbegi mountains in winter by yourself.
Route 2: Gergeti Glacier Trek
The Gergeti Glacier trek we mentioned above requires a bit more experience and endurance than the church route, but delivers an unforgettable punch of raw mountain scenery. It typically kicks off from Gergeti Trinity Church, climbing towards the vast icefall that spills from Mount Kazbek’s formidable flanks.
That said, make no mistake: even with the assistance of experienced guides, the Kazbegi glacier trekking experience is a serious undertaking. The route from Stepantsminda is roughly 20-21 km, demanding 8-10 hours of strenuous effort and good fitness. CaucasTours is always flexible about adjusting the day based on the group's stamina and the mountain's mood, but you do need to be honest about your experience level and possible complications.
It’s a high-altitude destination, with the glacier sitting around 3,200-3,300 meters. The trail makes a steep climb to Sabertse Pass (around 2,900-3,000m), then pushes on to Altihut (3,014m), a modern mountain lodge, before the final push over moraine to the glacier's edge. Acclimatization isn't just recommended; it's essential. The trek involves real risks like crevasses, so attempting it without the right trekking equipment for Caucasus mountains and an experienced guide is not just a risk, it puts your life in serious danger.
Route 3: Truso Valley
Another great option for beginner hikers is Truso Valley. It’s typically a day-long hike that’s relatively easy (well, as easy as a mountain terrain can be on the legs) but with multiple interesting historical locations and surrounded by beautiful scenery. The routes weave through village ruins, mineral springs, and green meadows that are dotting with colorful flowers in spring and summer.
The full walk is about 20-22 km round trip, but with minimal climbing, it usually takes about 7-8 hours at a comfortable pace. The path first squeezes through a narrow gorge before dramatically opening into a wide, sweeping valley. You’ll see those famous orange, white, and red travertine formations, the curious bubbling Abano Mineral Lake, and the haunting outlines of abandoned Ossetian villages with their ancient defensive towers.
CaucasTours standard Kazbegi itineraries dedicate a day to exploring the diverse Truso Valley hiking routes whenever possible (and, of course, you can always ask for it to be included in your personalized itinerary). The best starting point is the nearby Kobi village. One thing to keep in mind: the valley stretches towards a sensitive border area, and you’ll need a permit to go beyond Zakagori Fortress. It’s another way in which joining a guided tour really pays off, as experienced guides make sure there are no logistical hurdles.
Route 4: Juta to Roshka (Abudelauri Lakes)
The trek from Juta, a village that feels like it's at the edge of the world in Kazbegi, crossing over to Khevsureti’s village Roshka, is possibly the second most famous hike to make in the region.
The best-known path takes you over the Chaukhi Pass. The guide (please don’t make a trek that covers multiple regions with sparsely demarcated roads without a guide!) might have you stay overnight in Juta, then hike to Roshka. At CaucasTours we make the trek via the less-trodden Sadzele Pass that not many tourists visit. We make sure to save a separate day for a dedicated hike from Roshka to one of Khevsureti’s most beautiful natural sites, the colorful trio of the Blue, Green, and White Abudelauri Lakes. This way, you get to really savor the views of the Chaukhi Massif – often called the "Georgian Dolomites" – without it being a massive endurance test all in one go.
We must warn you though, that it’s certainly not a hike for newbies. The traditional Juta to Kazbegi trek (well, to Roshka, which is a stone's throw from the broader Kazbegi area) via Chaukhi Pass is a good 17-18 km. And the entire route is pretty high-altitude: starting from Juta at 2,150m and hitting 3,340m at the Chaukhi Pass. It usually takes a full day to cover even with well-experienced adventurers who have experience with high-altitude hiking, and can last up to two if there are relatively inexperienced members in the group. The hike is best done between early July and late September when the pass is most likely to be snow-free.
Route 5: Mount Kazbek Summit Climb
Climbing Mount Kazbek, all 5,047 meters of it, is the ultimate ambition for intrepid adventurers who visit the country. This isn't just a hike; it's a serious high-altitude expedition, with the standard route being a significant physical challenge (alpine grade PD/PD+), that doesn’t suffer fools who overestimate their abilities. Basic skills with an ice axe and crampons are a must.
On the other hand, if you already have a couple mountain expeditions under your belt, and have a solid understanding of your abilities, this might be just the climb to further your skills. Sure, it requires solid preparation, specialized gear, and careful acclimatization. But under supervision of an expert guide, you should be fine as long as you carefully listen to their instructions, especially about acclimatization. CaucasTours runs dedicated trips for this iconic peak that are built around IFMGA-certified guides and a structured, safety-first approach.
Here’s the short Mount Kazbek hiking guide breakdown: the first leg of the hike is getting to Altihut (3,014m), the most popular Kazbegi accommodation for hikers on the mountain, where you’ll stay overnight. The hike isn’t very long - about 5km - but it does typically take around 4 hours to cover. The second day you’ll hike up to a point at about 4000m high, and then descend to spend the night at the Bethlemi Hut (Meteo Station, 3,653m). It’s a comparatively slow day that is mainly necessary for proper acclimatization. On the third day, you’ll be making the hike to the summit itself, which you should reach at around noon. The rest of the day will be spent descending to Altihut.
Note: this is a more or less standard itinerary. Depending on your skill levels, you may need a more personalized tour, one that spends more time acclimating and/or adds an extra overnight stay at Betlemi Hut and postpones descent to Altihut to the next day.
You can also check our trekking tours throughout Georgia, discover the best routes for your requirements.
Responsible Trekking with CaucasTours
For CaucasTours truly appreciating Kazbegi means also accepting the responsibility of protecting its incredible environment. All our trips are planned with careful consideration of responsible travel rules.
This means championing sustainable, small-scale tourism that encourages genuine cultural connections and benefits local communities. We always adhere to the Leave No Trace principles – plan carefully, pack in everything you pack out, leave nature as you find it, give wildlife its space, and be considerate of fellow travelers and local traditions. By partnering with local services and always working with expert guides local to the region, CaucasTours helps keep the benefits of tourism within the community.
Ready to answer the call of Kazbegi's mountains? CaucasTours will be happy to become your go-to expert for an unforgettable adventure. Our standard itineraries are thoughtfully planned to provide unique experiences. But if you have something specific in mind, we’ll create a custom trip tailored specifically to you.
