Pshav-Khevsureti National Park

In the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, the Pshavi and Khevsureti regions include some of the wildest and least explored mountains in Georgia. Many of the villages are empty, with hardly any inhabitants left. As tourism becomes more and more popular, the region is getting more and more prosperous and more and more young people are moving there to start their own guesthouses, tours and other hospitality businesses.

Distance: 150km from Tbilisi (3 hours)
Best for: Hiking, Rafting, Kayaking, Cycling
Best time: May – October
Addon: You can either hike to Kazbegi (Via Chaukhi & Sadzele pass) or Tusheti area (via Atsunta pass) to expand your hiking/cycling trip.

How to Get

Public Transport

There are several minibus destinations, such as Shatili and Bariskho villages. You can arrive at Didube station and ask for the exact time of departure, which changes from time to time.

Private 4wd vehicle

There is only one road leading to the Pshav-Khevsureti National Park and we recommend that you have a 4×4 vehicle as there is no asphalt and the roads can be tricky during rainfall.

If you plan to go to the Assa Valley, there is a road from Roshka village to Amgha village. This particular route is quite advanced and should only be done by experienced off-road drivers. Having a 4wd vehicle is a must and almost having extra spare tires as well.

Eat and Sleep

You can get food in most villages, but there are few cafes or supermarkets. Your best bet is to ask for a meal at a guesthouse.

Water is plentiful in the Pshav-Khevsureti nature reserve. There are natural and man-made springs that have the tastiest water you can drink, so there is no need to bring water from Tbilisi. Make sure you have bottles in case you plan to hike on hide ridges.

There are guesthouses in all major tourist destinations, but you should book in advance as they may be overbooked during high season.
There are no active guesthouses in the Assa Valley, but you may be able to find a place if you ask the locals.
Camping in tents is possible in any area as long as it’s not a sacred religious site, so ask the locals if it’s okay to camp or not.

What to Do

Hiking

The Pshav-Khevsureti protected area is a paradise for hikers. Here you can find some of the wildest and best preserved trails leading to remote valleys and communities. Some areas have a constant stream of hikers, such as the Atsunta Pass to Tusheti, but other areas have hardly any visitors, such as the Assa Valley.

Many of the routes require backpacking and a tent due to the lack of mountain refuges. If you decide to hike in the Assa Valley, make sure to get a travel permit, which is done by the local border police.

Trekking in the Chaukhi area (Rosha and Abudelauri lakes) is relatively easy and can be done in 1 or 2 days, depending on your fitness level. No travel permit is required for this route.

Cycling & Mountain Biking

There are more biking routes in Pshav-Khevsureti National Park than we could cover, besides most of the routes are extensions of other national parks, such as Kazbegi National Park and Tusheti National Park. These parks are somewhat intertwined and create excellent cycling and mountain biking routes. This area is not necessarily beginner friendly, but there are several relatively moderate routes, such as biking to Shatili village via Datvijvari Pass.
More advanced routes include the Atsunta Pass, Chaukhi Pass and the road to the Assa Valley.

Rafting

Rafting is one of the most popular activities in Pshav-Khevsureti area. Aragvi river is a beginner friendly, category II-III river, which is just 1 hour drive from Tbilisi. You can book your rafting on www.jomardi.ge or visit rafting basecamp in Pshavi.

Kayaking & Canoeing

You can either kayak on the Aragvi River or explore Jhinvali Lake in a more relaxed way. Both options are very rewarding and lake kayaking does not require prior kayaking experience, just make sure you have all the safety equipment such as a life jacket, thermal jacket and waterproof bag.