We start off with a few curvy tarmac roads. Great to throw the motorcycle around; feel the handling, weight distribution and so on. Arriving at the Zhinvali reservoir the are two roads. One leading to the more well-known village of Stepantsminda, the other road leading to, the mysterious and lesser known Khevshureti. After we leave the reservoir behind us we start climbing up our first gravel trails to the high mountains. Khevshureti is a region famous for its fierce warriors and is most certainly one of Georgia’s less travelled regions. Spectacular nature and the odd fortress or church is all we encounter. We pass Shatili, a 60-tower counting fortress build in the 12th century. Our accommodation is truly an oasis of peace.
Distance Covered: 200 KM
Riding hours: 5
Average speed: 40 KM/H
Highest point: 2400 M
We trail back down South. Slowly the gravel roads of the Greater Caucasus mountain range make place for the more civilized towns of Georgia’s most famous wine region: Kakheti. We spend the night in Telavi, the regions capital. The host at our local guesthouse makes some amazing local wines. Georgian wine making traditions trail back 8000 years and our host is an example how the traditions was passed down from father to son.
Distance Covered: 185 KM
Riding hours: 5
Average speed: 40 KM/H
Highest point: 2400 M
From the buzzling wine region we head up to Tusheti, and long yet rewarding day. Many Georgian writers have stated that the heart & soul of the Georgian people is to be found in the countries highlands. Exactly the trails we follow. Tusheti shares a few characteristics with Khevshureti due to its isolation and to a lesser extent within its cultural traditions.
The famous Abono Pass is said to be the most dangerous road of Georgia. Yet it is the only road by which you can reach Tusheti. Awe-inspiring nature and technical gravel riding mark todays trip. We arrive in Tusheti’s main village: Omalo. It feels is as if you are riding above the sky.
Distance Covered: 120 KM
Riding hours: 4.5
Average speed: 30 KM/H
Highest point: 2800 M
We spent the day discovering one of the most remote places you can find in the higher Caucasus. Tusheti is marked by medieval settlements. Some are barely populated, some not at all. During winter the road up here is closed. For around eight months a year the local inhabitants have to be self-reliant. We make a ride to Dartlo and discover the wider region.
Distance Covered: 50-100
Riding hours: 2-4
Average speed: 25 KM/H
Highest point: 2900 M
We leave magical Tusheti and trail back down to Georgia’s South. The mighty mountains make place for sloping hills and Mediterranean sceneries. We end up in the historic fortified town of Sighnaghi. A beautifully renovated Kakhetian town with views all over the slopes of the Caucasus mountains. At our family guesthouse we enjoy the best home grown foods, delicious wines and traditional meals. We have a traditional Georgian dining feast with stunning sights over the endless plains with the eternal snowcapped Caucasian mountains right behind us.
Distance Covered: 180
Riding hours: 5.5
Average speed: 35 KM/H
Highest point: 2800 M
Today we fire away into the dusty trails of Georgia’s semi-dessert. Through some dirt tracks we visit the Khornabuji fortress; a medieval fortress build on top of a rock settlement. From the top of the fortress amazing views over the plains await us. The trails closer to the Vashlovani Nature reserve are a joy to ride. It is all about fast paced dirt riding through moon-like surroundings. We finish the desert riding section to the West and head back to Sighnaghi.
Distance Covered: 175
Riding hours: 6
Average speed: 30 KM/H
Highest point: 1100 M
Today we ride towards through the Western bit of the desert in the direction of Tbilisi. From the small village of Iormughanlo we head on South, towards the Azerbaijani border. Close to the border in a steppe like area we find the David Gareja monestary complex. A beautifully well preserved sight with many fresco’s and rock hewn livings for priests.
After the monastery we head towards Rustavi. Rustavi was built in the Soviet era with the idea to become a worker’s paradise. The whole town revolved around its gigantic steel factory. Here it feels like you are riding in a different era.
From Rustavi it is a short ride our HQ in Tbilisi.
Distance Covered: 150
Riding hours: 5
Average speed: 30 KM/H
Highest point: 900 M
| Price | Upgrade to CRF1100 A2 | Upgrade to XL750 Transalp | Pillion | Private Room (limited availability) |
€2145 |
€280 |
€210 |
NA |
€400 |