A wild road to Ushguli in Goergia, the highest town in Europe
Georgia, europe
92.3 km
2,411 m
hard
Year-round
Way up in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia, nestled at the top of the Enguri gorge, lies Ushguli, the highest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe, sitting pretty at 2,410m (7,910ft)!
Tucked away in the western part of the country, getting to this town—really a collection of four tiny villages—is an adventure in itself. The road is completely unpaved, so you'll need an SUV, a spare tire, and a full tank of gas. Some even say calling it a "road" is generous; think more like a challenging mud track or a seriously rugged walking path.
Starting from Tsageri (a town in the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region), the 92.3km (57.35 miles) journey serves up breathtaking views of towering peaks, vibrant valleys, and the ghostly remains of glaciers.
Keep in mind, this road is usually snowed under for about six months of the year, making it impassable from late October until late June or early July (weather depending, of course).
Located at the foot of Shkhara, one of the highest peaks in the Caucasus, the road to Ushguli can be a real beast. It constantly crisscrosses the Patara Enguri River, and things get dicey after heavy rains—rock slides are a real risk. Expect a bumpy ride full of rocks, frequent streams, and seriously steep drops. It's not for the faint of heart! The road is in rough shape, and heavy rains can make it completely undrivable, even washing sections away. Fortunately, those armed robbery stories seem to be a thing of the past, so feel free to explore and even pick up a hitchhiker or two. The highest point of the road is at Zagari Pass, reaching a staggering 2,620m (8,595ft) above sea level.
Where is it?
A wild road to Ushguli in Goergia, the highest town in Europe is located in Georgia (europe). Coordinates: 42.1932, 43.2204
Road Details
- Country
- Georgia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 92.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,411 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.1932, 43.2204
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