Hike through Chauki Pass

You can walk through the valley of the Snostkali River, which takes all day from Kazbegi to Juta. Or you can drive, which will help anyone in the city. From Kazbek in the back it continues almost to Juta.

It is only a short walk from Juta. It is possible to sleep in a campsite or in a small guest house, but he wants to have supplies in advance.

Above the village, the footpath winds freely through the landscape and the Chauki massif is outlined in the background. However, it does not go around from the right, as might be offered at first, but from the left, ie from the north. The exit path is therefore still hidden.

For a long time you can count on water, which does not have to be all dragged on the back.

The lush green slowly fades and the rocky phase of the ascent comes. From this side of the ascent to the saddle, the steepest climb is just beginning.

The saddle itself is relatively flat and comfortably passable when there is no snow. The views are breathtaking, the Caucasus as far as the eye can see.

The Caucasus as far as the eye can see.

When viewed from the saddle to the south, you can already see the small moraine lakes of Abudelauri. The moraine itself disappears in the afternoon shadow cast by the Chauki massif. The descent to this side of the ridge is very steep and basically all in the rubble. What we felt on one side for several hours can be „run in“ in less than three-quarters of an hour … But in the opposite direction, it will be quite a cut.

Two of the three Abudelauri lakes are visible in the old glacial moraine. The path over the ridge and the Chauki saddle itself bypasses the jagged rock walls and the rock ridge follows.

Unfortunately, the lakes are quite dirty and overgrown with algae for some part of the year. Herds of sheep and horses graze around and the animals come here to drink. The cleanest is the highest lake and springs of fresh water, which springs nearby. He just has to look a little.

The descent to the village is already a relatively easy walk along the path down the valley. Some tourists come to the village by car directly from Tbilisi for a day hike to the lakes.

From the village you still have to go down into the valley to the main road. The descent can take time, as the road zigzags in an infinite number of serpentines for many kilometers. From there, you can take the road straight north to the world-famous Shatili, or take a shuttle bus to Tbilisi.