Georgian Military Highway

The Georgian Military Highway follows the only through route across the central Caucasus, running north from Tbilisi past Mtskheta, along the Aragvi valley and the Zhinvali reservoir, up through Pasanauri and Gudauri to the Jvari pass at two thousand three hundred and seventy-nine metres, then down the Terek valley past Stepantsminda and through the Dariali gorge to the border. It was made into a proper road in the nineteenth century along a route used for far longer. Almost everything worth stopping for in this part of the country is on it: Ananuri, the Khada valley, Gudauri, the pass viewpoint, Gergeti and Truso.

What you actually see

• The Jvari pass at 2,379 metres - the crossing of the central Caucasus.
• The Aragvi valley and Zhinvali reservoir - the southern approach.
• Ananuri fortress - the walled castle above the water.
• The Terek descent to Dariali - the northern side of the pass.

When to go

May to October for a straightforward drive; the pass is open in winter but closes in storms and requires chains or winter tyres. A day each way, two with stops.

Honest expectations

The pass closes without warning in snow and vehicles are held for hours. Heavy lorry traffic makes overtaking dangerous. Landslides and rockfall close sections after rain. Marshrutka drivers on this road are not always cautious.

Nearby

Tbilisi is at the southern end; Stepantsminda lies below the pass.