Georgia: A Destination That Offers Year-Round Adventure

Whether you’ve visited the country or not, you may be familiar with Georgia’s signature sights: ancient monasteries set against dizzying mountains, Tbilisi’s evocative mix of cultures and architectural styles, wine festivals and the Black Sea coast.

But for dedicated pursuers of thrills, Georgia’s mountains, rivers, coastlines, valleys and skies are a secret playground.

“I feel really proud when I’m being an ambassador of my country because I show visitors something that is very special,” says local mountaineer and tour guide Nick Phaliani. “They go deeply into these secrets, exploring these unknown areas—this is so exciting for them. I have also discovered many areas that I have not been to before. That’s always a really good moment.”

More than half of Georgia is higher than 900 meters in elevation. The country is dominated by the Caucasus—the sublime, mythical and sometimes fearsome chain of mountains that runs along its northern border.

At more than 5,000 meters, Mount Kazbeg is the third-highest peak in the Caucasus and the number-one place for mountaineering and adventure. Just three hours’ drive from Tbilisi International Airport, the mountain is easily accessible—and the peak is also accessible if you are fit and willing. If you have never attempted the ascent of a 5,000-meter peak before, this—accompanied by a professional guide, of course—might be the perfect place to start.

But it’s not all about the summit, and mountaineers go ice climbing in winter and rock climbing all year round. Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi) offers skiing, horse riding and, of course, hiking. Near this small town, at the heart of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, you will find the famously iconic Gergeti Trinity Church, set in the mountains.

Skiing is taking off in a big way in Georgia. In 2023, Bakuriani hosted the Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships, and it hosted the slopestyle events in the 2021–22 Snowboard World Cup. At $10–$15, daily ski passes are significantly cheaper than in the Alps.

Set in central Georgia, Bakuriani is situated between the major centers of Batumi and Tbilisi, although you may prefer to fly to the city of Kutaisi. Situated much closer to the slopes, Kutaisi has become a hub for adventure seekers. “If people have a free day in Kutaisi and they just want to do something crazy, it’s normally a one-day adventure trip from Kutaisi and back,” explains Giorgi Enuquidze, a canyoning and adventure tour guide.

“Something crazy” might include abseiling down a waterfall as part of a canyoning adventure. Think of canyoning as the heptathlon of adventure pursuits: You get to climb, abseil, hike and swim. The Dzmuisi canyon is a two-hour drive from Kutaisi and, following a walk through the forest, there are waterfalls, cliff jumps and natural water slides to navigate. As Enuquidze puts it, ”canyoning is freedom, adventure and lots of adrenaline."

Dzmuisi is also a whitewater rafting experience—Georgia’s most popular adventure sport. Whether you are based in Tbilisi, near the Aragvi River; in Batumi, near the Adjaristskali River; or in many other regions around the country, you can find every category of rafting, from the shallow, smooth waters of category 1 to the white-knuckle waterfalls and rapids of category 6.

For adventure guide Vika Pilpani, freedom is being “part of the air, part of the clouds.” She finds that freedom as a paragliding solo pilot. Her favorite spot is the spectacular landscape of Svaneti, “because there are really good conditions for paragliding. Autumn is the best season; the winds are just right. You can fly the whole day carefully. And behind you, you have Mount Ushba. It’s amazing.”

Svaneti—actually two regions, Lower and Upper Svaneti—is also a hiker’s heaven. Lower Svaneti offers wonderful walks through river valleys, meadows and low hills—but it’s probably the peaks, glaciers and monasteries of Upper Svaneti that you’ve seen on Instagram feeds.

Svaneti is a year-round destination, with excellent winter skiing at Hatsvali and Tetnuldi. At the height of summer, guesthouses along the celebrated trail between Mestia and Ushguli can be busy, while September is a great time to enjoy warm temperatures and quieter sights.

If you are flying into Tbilisi, you don’t have to wait long after your arrival to lace up your boots and hit the trails. The city offers a variety of hikes, from moderate walks (Turtle Lake) to the short but demanding TV Tower trail. You can then choose to head to nearby Tusheti National Park or Stepantsminda.

Georgia is fast developing a wide network of professional guided adventure companies. But sometimes we just want to discover for ourselves.

Chris Caldicott is a photographer, food writer and explorer. He has worked with the British Royal Geographical Society for four decades. He recently returned from his first trip to Georgia.

“For a photographer, it’s magical,” he says. “I can’t wait to go through my pictures. I think I have done the best landscape photography of my career there.

“Georgia feels like a secret of world travel no one knows about. It’s empty and wild, yet it’s also full of bounty—vineyards, orchards, walnut and pomegranate trees. It’s at once exotic and Asian and familiar and European. As a walker, I have never been to a country that gives you more.”