Last August two Bulgarian bikes crossed from Russian to Georgia: Пътуване до Кавказ - Страница 3. Here is the route they took: https://picasaweb.google.com/1097777...15528320305378 Border was opened for all in last June/July for everybody.

I almost tried it as well, but after unsuccessful entry to Abkhazia decided to drive via Turkey back to Europe.

I'm an American citizen and I crossed this border last year in early October, going from Russia to Georgia near Kazbegi. So it was definitely open as of last autumn and I have seen nothing to suggest that it has been closed since. There was a bit of confusion on how to deal with me on the Russian side, but I was through the Georgian side in less than 10 minutes. The Georgian Military Highway is spectacular, enjoy.

Crossing from Georgia to Russia via Kazbegi/Vladikavkaz border point May 2012:
 

Went Friday 11 May 2012 up from Tbilisi to Kazbegi via Georgian Military Highway. The road is very nice, except for the crossing over the pass, where you have 14 km of really bad road. The rest is brand new and fun to ride.
Went up to the border point,parked the bike and asked the guy from custom if I can cross as a non russian/georgian/CIS citizen the border. The answer was YES YOU CAN!
I asked then again, and mentioned that last year the border was closed for foreigners. They said yes, it was closed but now it's open, it is ok to cross to Russia. If you have a russian visa, of course.
I did not crossed because I wanted to go to Azerbaijan and from there to Turmenistan on the way to Mongolia and Siberia.

That's good to know. However, this crosses into a region that the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office advise not to travel through:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/content/en/tra...ssia/672443082

I know FCO advice needs to be taken with a pinch of salt just as travelling through the area would require heightened caution but what are peoples thoughts on travelling through this region despite what the FCO advise? Particularly interested in views from those who HAVE travelled, & RECENTLY, through these areas.

Good news
 

Crossed the Kazbegi border day before yesterday - easy efficient.
British Citizen.

Be:funmeteryes:st wishes - Alec

Which direction? Did you cross with a motorbike? Did you feel safe travelling through these 'no go' areas?

'Which direction? Did you cross with a motorbike? Did you feel safe travelling through these 'no go' areas?'

I crossed from from Georgia to Russia on my Yamaha TT250R.
Don't know about no go areas, most normal border crossing ever.
Both border control areas are very smart, Russian one looks new, and well staffed.
The russians appeared to want to process me fast and efficiently.
Never once did I feel unsafe. Infact I rough camped in farm workers shelter that night.


Alec

That's excellent news. I might use this border in August rather than the Trabzon-Sochi. I'm glad you felt safe, it just shows that the FCO travel advice should be taken with a punch of salt.

It should be noted that I headed towards Elista (Little Mongolia), rather than Groznyy.

Alec

Great News
 

Hi Alec
What time was the border open or is it 24hrs??
We are heading to Astrakhan may follow a similar route and avoid Grozny

Eric

Thanks for sharing this. I'll be there in 3 weeks time.

Do you have any updated schedule about Trabzon-Sochi ferry? The only I found is this

Commercial Sea Port of Sochi

which is refferring to an hydrofoil vessel, not suitable for a bike. I have no info about a Ro-Ro type.

Thanks to all!

Excellent, let us know how you get on.

Google:

Commercial Sea Port of Sochi

trabzon-sochi ferry - Hubb

Sochi - Trabzon Ferry - ADVrider

Day 8 – Sochi; Sochi – Trabzon – by ferry | There and back again

I have some notes with links somewhere I'll try and find them...

Verhni Lars -Kazbegi border between georgia and russia is open now..we got messages from 2 UK.bikers who have done this easily and fast...also confirmed by georgian consulate in İstanbul..5 more UK. biker friends,1 with sidecar,will be there within a few days to cross in russia..
pleasure to take this a change to wish them happy,safe,lucky trips who were at the club a while ago..
Good-bye and good luck Willie,Gobi Girls,Nadine,Belinda, İain, Debby, Daren, Leigh,

@naga
talked to the owner of the ferry ERKE yesterday..ask and visit sarı denizcilik at trabzon seaport..easy to find..some english and russian spoken..
During May, from Trabzon to Sochi, only 1 ferry service available each week on Fridays..Departure time at 6 pm..but you must be there before 4 pm.for formalities..time is 12-14 hours..

Prices.For May only.
250 usd. for 1 bike
120 passenger seat
150 passenger bed in cabin.
FERRY NAME ERKE
schedule will be changed in June.

SARI DENIZCILIK

Best Wishes.

That's EXCELLENT information, thank you! This news will go a long way in alleviating the concerns of my family and friends about me travelling through the Caucasus Region. They hear Chechnya and remember Belsan and have stroke!

$500+ usd is a lot of money compared to taking the border crossing...

bier

@istanbul bisiklet motosiklet
Thanks for this extremely detailed information.
I’ll make use of the Trabzon-Sochi ferry as a back-up solution only; and since you confirm that Kazbegi is open for non-CSI citizens ... a bunch of money can be saved!:clap:
@stephen
The same goes for my families too!
However, I plan to visit Beslan and I imagine it will be a bery sad day….:(