Prepared by Sakhva Travel Georgia Guide, a tours and travel platform for Georgia. Sakhva Travel office: 14 Merab Kostava St, Tbilisi.
Tour on this topic: Truso Gorge tour from Tbilisi — from ₾265
About the gorge
The valley starts at the village of Kvesheti on the Georgian Military Road and runs west along the Terek. Ossetians once lived here; now the villages are almost empty, and stone towers and abandoned houses stand along the river.
Truso is one of the most beautiful places in Kazbegi for an easy walk: the elevation change is small and the trail follows the valley floor.
Route
The hike starts at the bridge in Okrokana, which you can reach by car. From there the track follows the river to the village of Ketrisi — about 9 km one way — and a few more kilometres to Zakagori fortress.
Along the way are the mineral lake Abano, where gas bubbles rise from the bottom, rust-coloured travertine deposits and springs of sparkling water you can drink straight from the ground. There and back takes 5–7 hours at an easy pace.
When to go
The best time is from June to early October. In May there is still snow in the valley, and in autumn it gets cold quickly. Mountain weather changes within an hour: bring a raincoat and a warm layer even in summer.
How to get there
From Tbilisi to Kvesheti is about 2.5–3 hours, then a dirt road to Okrokana that is best driven in an off-road vehicle. Many people stay overnight in Stepantsminda and go to Truso by 4x4 in the morning.
Near Zakagori there is a border zone: bring your passport, as border guards may check documents.
What to bring
Comfortable hiking boots, water and snacks — there are no cafés in the valley. Sunscreen is a must: the altitude is about 2000 m. Coverage drops out in places, so download an offline map in advance.
“A great guide. He showed and told us everything about sunny Georgia. Speaks excellent Russian.”
