A wild road to Ushguli in Goergia, the highest town in Europe

Located in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region of Georgia, at the head of the Enguri gorge, Ushguli is the highest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe at an elevation of 2,410m (7,910ft) above sea level.

Can I drive to Ushguli?

Set high on the western part of the country, the road to the town, which consists of four smaller villages, is totally unpaved and usable by anybody with an SUV, a spare tire, and a large, full gas tank, despite the fact that according to several pieces of information and people who have driven here, they believe it’s a mistake to label it as a road for cars on the map, and it should be marked as a mud road or a path for walking.

How long is the road to Ushguli?

The road is 92.3km (57.35 miles) long starting at Tsageri (a town in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region in the west of the country). The journey offers astounding views of mountain peaks, lush valleys, and the remains of glaciers.

Is the road to Ushguli open?

This road is snow-covered for 6 months of the year and usually impassable from late October through late June or early July (depending on snow).

Is the road to Ushguli dangerous?

Located at the feet of Shkhara, one of the highest Caucasian summits, the road to the town is a nightmare. It follows (and crosses many times) the Patara Enguri River. The road can be rough in places, and it’s better to avoid this drive after heavy rains. There is a high risk of rock slides. The path is bumpy, littered with rocks and frequent streams, and has perilously steep drops. It is hardly used because it’s really tough. The road is in awful shape. Periods of heavy rain make the road undrivable, and parts of it may be washed away. The armed robberies you probably heard about seem to be a thing of the past, and you can safely travel across the region and even pick up the occasional hitch-hiker. The road to the town tops out at Zagari Pass, at 2,620m (8,595ft) above sea level.
Pic: Voyager Team