Update on some of the roads in Georgia

[cliffi]

Living in Georgia, thought riders might find an update on roads helpful for their summer planning.

From Tbilisi to Turkey - there are two main options. First is the main road via Kutaisi and Batumi and then via the Sarpi border crossing. Good roads but lots of traffic and the usual idiot drivers. Another option is via Vale.

From Tbilisi there are two main roads west. The first is mentioned above, but the more fun road for a bike is as follows. From Tbilisi head on the main highway to Marneuli / the main town on the way to Armenia. Just after the village of Koda, turn right on to a wonderful 180 km road, reconstructed thanks to US $$$. Ride via Tsalka (last gas station) and then over the pass, past Paravani lake and into Ninotsminda. FYI - there is more than one town called Ninotsminda in Georgia. From Ninotsminda turn north west - here the road is broken asphalt for about 30kms. Be sure to stop at Vardizia caves and then you will arrive at Akhaltsike. From here it is a short hop to Vale.

Another option is to ride from Akhaltsike to Batumi via the Khulo pass. The distance is only 160 km but it is gravel for about half the way and slow going. Only one major water crossing, the depth depends on the amount of recent rain. This route took me 5 hours with stops for photos and chatting. Certainly not for a cruiser or street bike.

The road to Tusheti is now open and a must ride if you are into serious Adventure riding. There are a lot of videos of the pass including one by BBC. Several guesthouses in upper Omalo. Note there is no fuel station but usually you can buy some from the locals.

There is another thread on the status of the road connecting to Russia.

Come ride in Georgia! Cheers.

[monnomania]

+1 for each the Khulo (Goderdzi pass) and the Tusheti road (Abano pass)

We did both with our camper van June 2016. Beautiful riding routes.

We hear also that the offroad to Shatili is also stunning (A German couple did it in a Delica 4x4) and the unpaved Zagur Pass back road into Mestia is worth a go.

Georgia is the bomb. Just stay away from the Chacha.

[v1nn1e]

Hi, I am planning on riding through Georgia next year, around May time.

I have been considering a route from Batumi around the north-west before getting to Tbilisi, as follows...

Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Mazeri and Ambrolauri, shown on Google maps here...

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4728515686&z=9

Are these roads suitable for a road bike? I will also be exiting over the old Military Road from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz; is that do-able on a road bike? I can be flexible on tyre choice but will be riding from the UK and back so need something pretty tarmac friendly.

[crisidsto]

Originally Posted by v1nn1e

[...]

Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Mazeri and Ambrolauri, shown on Google maps here...

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4728515686&z=9

Are these roads suitable for a road bike?

From Kutaisi to Mestia is tarmac, no problem, I rode it last summer. From Mestia to Lentheki is not, AFAIK: I didn't rode it, but I think it is not easy on a road bike. Road is different than what showed on your map in green, and pass through Ushguli.

Originally Posted by v1nn1e

I will also be exiting over the old Military Road from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz; is that do-able on a road bike? I can be flexible on tyre choice but will be riding from the UK and back so need something pretty tarmac friendly.

"old Military Road from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz" is now main highway connecting Georgia to Russia. Trucks pass every day. Last august there was a few kms of easy gravel doable on every kind of bike, the rest is almost perfect tarmac.

[eurasiaoverland]

The road from Tsalka past the lakes is indeed wonderful, but I wouldn't call it a small road.

If you want to get away from the tourists, my favourite backroads of Georgia would be:

- Borjomi - Bakuriani - Tabatskuri (beautiful lake) - Akhalkalaki:



- Varzia - Apnia. Ever stood in Varzia and seen the switchbacks across the valley? It's a rough road but the perfect plateau at the top, close to the mountains of the Turkish border is one of the most beautiful spots in the country IMO:



- Abastumani - Baghdati. This is a seriously rough 4x4 track, not as bad as the Tusheti road but not far off. A lot of fun and the views are of course heart-stopping:



- Ambrolauri - Oni - Ghebi. This easy road takes you up into Racha, which while not quite as spectacular as Svaneti, Tusheti or Khevsureti (there are no towers), is free from tourists and very nice for a little walking. Also Oni has a synagogue and a few remaining mountain Jews:



I would also recommend the Goderzi (not Khulo) Pass which connects Akhaltsikhe to Batumi if you wish to cross the Turkish border at Sarpi.

EO

[roro]

Thanks EO for these nice pictures and report!
I'm going to check these routes for our planned trip in Georgia.

RR.

[chasbmw]

Are there any possibilities of Bike hire in Georgia....Lightweight trail bikes would be great. Don't really want to spend all that time riding down through, so renting bikes would be great.

Charles

[mickey76]

Originally Posted by v1nn1e

Hi, I am planning on riding through Georgia next year, around May time.

I have been considering a route from Batumi around the north-west before getting to Tbilisi, as follows...

Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Mazeri and Ambrolauri, shown on Google maps here...

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4728515686&z=9

Are these roads suitable for a road bike? I will also be exiting over the old Military Road from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz; is that do-able on a road bike? I can be flexible on tyre choice but will be riding from the UK and back so need something pretty tarmac friendly.

hi, as you shew us, your trip on the map you have to understand that is impossible to cross the border line between armenia and azerbadjan , and also with turkey ! armenia borderlines juste open with georgia and iran ! my wife and i, plan to ride trough georgia in may 2017 you can contact me if you want !

[nivadoo]

Originally Posted by v1nn1e

Hi, I am planning on riding through Georgia next year, around May time.

I have been considering a route from Batumi around the north-west before getting to Tbilisi, as follows...

Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Mazeri and Ambrolauri, shown on Google maps here...

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4728515686&z=9

Are these roads suitable for a road bike? I will also be exiting over the old Military Road from Tbilisi to Vladikavkaz; is that do-able on a road bike? I can be flexible on tyre choice but will be riding from the UK and back so need something pretty tarmac friendly.

I rode from Lentenghi to Mestia in september with my AT. It is a bad gravel road, it is not suitable for a road bike. The road is not maintained and only used by 4x4.

[duibhceK]

Originally Posted by mickey76

hi, as you shew us, your trip on the map you have to understand that is impossible to cross the border line between armenia and azerbadjan

It is possible to cross between Armenia and Karabach and back, but not into the rest of Azerbaijan.

[v1nn1e]

Apologies, I plagiarised that Google map from The Caucasian Challenge. It was only ever my intention to do the brown/blue/green/red sections from Turkey to Tbilisi and no further, as my route from Tbilisi will be north to Russia.

However, I am now thinking of being more conservative on my bike, but investigate the possibility of hiring a trail/off-road bike for 2-3 days instead.

[v1nn1e]

Further update to my route...

I will now be coming south from Russia into Georgia. Unfortunately I've rescheduled and won't have enough time to stop and hire a trail bike. However, I'm considering doing the road west from Akhaltsikhe over the Khulo pass to Batumi.

From some of the Internet maps, it appears to be mainly tarmac with about 20 miles or so of gravel - is that the case? Is this road do-able on a road bike with dual-sport tyres?

Thanks

[klausmong1]

If it is not raining, it should not be a Problem.

When raining it depends on your driving skills and the tires.

Here in this video you can see the street....

[schrpa]

I want to try to go over the Abano Pass to Omalo on 24th June (this week on Saturday). The weather should be fine but as I'm traveling alone I would be more than happy about anyone (Motorcycle or Car) who wants to join me.

Paul

[cliffi]

Was there last weekend on a motorbike - some tough spots around km 57 at the spot of the spring landslide. Was a fair bit of traffic heading up as locals were moving up for the summer. Water is flowing across the road pretty strong in two places. Check-in with the drivers at the gathering point near the Alaverdi Monastery - they know the current conditions of the road and will let you tag along, but they drive steady and fast.

Good luck!