TRAIL RUN GEORGIA
BRAND NEW DATE: 12 - 20 JULY 2025
PRICE:
£2495PP
BOOK WITH JUST 10% DEPOSIT + PAY OFF IN SIX INSTALLMENTS
SINGLE ROOM UPGRADE: £250 PER PERSON
“Pure Trails is probably the best running adventure operator, at least for me. ”
Would you like a short video explaining more about this trip?
EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
Peel back the veil on Georgia and you will find something magical; loaded with culture and a vast array of differing landscapes, mountain trails meander through centuries-old townships, and monasteries straddle ridgelines against a peak studded mountain backdrop.
Our journey starts in lively Tbilisi, reputed to be one of the coolest cities in Europe where we will get a slice of Georgian culture with good food and wine while we prepare for our journey to the mountain kingdom of Svaneti.
In Svaneti, we will spend five-core days of running traversing trails as we dip in and out of picturesque mountain villages, alpine meadows, and snow-capped mountain peaks that sow above 5000m.
We’ll experience the very best that Georgia has to offer seeing glaciers, waterfalls, and empty trails. Our nightly accommodation will be cosy local guesthouses with delicious Georgian cuisine and wine to ensure we are well-rested and recovered.
INCLUDES:
9 nights accommodation (twin or double room share) in a 4* hotel in Tbilisi & family-run hotels, and simple guesthouses when in the mountains
Fully-supported trail running trip
Cultural sightseeing
Full board throughout (inclusive of breakfast, picnic lunches, lunches & dinners)
Group arrival/departure transfers at set times
All local transportation in 4WD minivans
4:1 Runners to Guide Ratio
Trails & Trees: with every booking, we plant a tree
SHARE THIS TRIP
ITINERARY
+ DAY 1: ARRIVE IN TBILISI (TBS)
+ DAY 2: TBILISI TO MAZERI
+ DAY 3: TRAIL RUNNING MAZERI - USHBA WATERFALLS
+ DAY 4: TRAIL RUNNING MAZERI - MESTIA, VIA GULI
+ DAY 5: MESTIA - TRAIL RUN HATSVALI - ADISIHI
+ DAY 6: ADISHI - USHGULI
+ DAY 7: USHGULI - LOWER SVANETI, VIA THE ZAGARO PASS
+ DAY 8: KUTAISI - TBILISI, VIA MTSKHETA
+ DAY 9: HOMEWARD BOUND
Would you like to talk to a Pure Trails team member to learn more about this trip?
OUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 | ARRIVE TBILISI
Welcome to Tbilisi!
The majority of international flights arrive very early in the morning into the capital, once you have processed immigration (you won't miss us!) make your way through to the arrivals hall where our group transfer will be waiting to meet you.
We'll transfer directly to the hotel with immediate check-in to your rooms so that you have time to relax and rest after the long journey.
Late morning we'll meet for late breakfast with the rest of the group with a briefing about what the experience has in store. In the afternoon, the group will head out into Tbilisi for a slow-paced run/walk to stretch legs and explore this mysterious city. Then it's back to the hotel for time to chill before we head out for a welcome dinner in the city.
DAY 2 | ONWARD TO MAZERI
NO TRAIL RUNNING. TRAVEL DAY.
After an early breakfast and final kit check, we’ll take a 4WD as we travel to the Svaneti National Park in Western Georgia.
It's a long drive today (approx. 8.5 hours), but we'll be making stops along the way via the cities of Kutaisi and Zugdidi for lunch. We'll continue to the village of Mazeri (1,660m) which routes through the impressive river gorge of Enguri and where the mountains begin to jut on the horizon.
Arriving in Mazeri, we check into our village accommodation, explore the surrounding area and feast on some delicious Georgian cuisine. We'll also discuss our trail running plans and ensure everyone is prepared before we hit the trail in the morning.
DAY 3 | TRAIL RUNNING TO USHBA WATERFALL
TRAIL RUNNING: APPROX. 14KM (450m+)
Today is a perfect day for acclimatisation and as such we'll be staying another night in Mazeri.
After breakfast, we'll begin on a local trail as we follow the mountain path toward the impressive Ushba Waterfall. This is a stunning day as we start easy along the valley bottom with mountains surrounding us on almost all sides. The Dolra River flanks us to the left as we pass through small Georgian settlements.
At the top of the valley, we'll start heading uphill (which we'll walk) as we head towards a viewing point of the Ushba Waterfall - one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. We'll double back and head back down to Mazeri along the trail we came, arriving back at our guesthouse for lunch. With the rest of the afternoon to explore and chill.
DAY 4 | TRAIL RUNNING MAZERI TO MESTIA, VIA GULI
TRAIL RUNNING: APPROX. 22KM (1900m+)
We'll check out after an early breakfast and pack up our luggage which will be transferred by vehicle to our hotel in Mestia.
Ahead of us today is a very beautiful, but demanding trail which offers jaw-dropping views of Mt. Ushba, via the high Guli pass. The trail starts from Mazeri, heading first to the village of Bagvdanari where we enter the Gulichala valley. From here we slowly begin to climb to a ridge that opens into a tranquil meadow where the ruins of the Gul village lie.
We'll head through the ruins and further uphill until we reach a collection of shepherd huts which signify the start of the climb to the Guli Pass. We'll rest here and soak up the view. The trail snakes its way uphill until we finally reach the Guli Pass (2,974m) which has some of the finest views of Mt. Ushba. From here we'll begin our descent to Mestia, which can be steep at times, crossing the Pushkueri River and continuing until we reach our final destination for the day - the village of Mestia.
DAY 5 | TRAIL RUNNING HATSVALI TO ADISIHI
TRAIL RUNNING: APPROX. 25KM (1500m+)
Beginning in the village of Mestia we leave the tourist town behind and transfer to the Mestia ski-lift which cuts a bulk of the climb as we head uphill to Hatsvali.
It's a stunning trail ahead of us today as we warm up on flatter roads, before flowing through valleys and medieval villages cutting right just before the end of the valley and climbing over the pass. A beautiful trail awaits us on the other side as we descend into the fairytale village of Adishi. Arriving at Adishi we check into our accommodation with the rest of the day to chill and explore.
DAY 6 | TRAIL RUNNING ADISHI - USHGULI VIA KHALDE GLACIER
TRAIL RUNNING: APPROX. 19KM+ (1000m+)
A truly magical trail that takes us through one of the most beautiful valleys in Svaneti.
We'll take an early start as a river crossing awaits you, five kilometres from Adishi. The Adischala River is at its lowest in the morning with the option to cross the river by horseback in the summer as the water is powerful and rocks slippery. Once crossed, by foot or horseback, take a moment on the other side to defrost your feet and admire the impressive glacier in front of you. We'll then continue, climbing steeply up to Chkhunderi pass and onwards to Ushguli village which is our finish for the day. Check-in, relax with time to explore the village.
DAY 7 | USHGULI - LOWER SVANETI, VIA THE ZAGARO PASS
TRAIL RUNNING: APPROX. 19KM+ (655m+)
Our final day on the trail as we leave Ushguli behind and follow the flatter jeep tracks to ease us in. The trail gradually rises until we reach the Zagaro pass which has breathtaking views in all directions.
We'll begin descending into a valley, passing abandoned villages and the ruins of an old arsenic factory at the glacial foothills. Arriving in Tsana we've officially completed our crossing of the Transcaucasian trail.
We'll take a group transfer to the town of Tskaltubo where we'll check into our hotel, with plenty of time to rest, use the spa and celebrate our journey.
DAY 8 | JOURNEY TO TBILISI, VIA MTSKHETA
NO TRAIL RUNNING. TRAVEL DAY.
We check out of our hotel today with breakfast overlooking the magnificent mountains for one final time.
Our group transfer will then take us back to Tbilisi with a visit to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, where we'll stop to have lunch. We'll reach Tbilisi in the afternoon where we'll check-in at our hotel first, with an afternoon to relax before heading out for our farewell meal.
DAY 8 | HOMEWARD BOUND
NO TRAIL RUNNING.
It’s time to pack up and bid farewell to your new found trail running friends and our local team.
Group transfer is arranged for you back to Tbilisi International Airport in time to connect with your onward flight back home.
WHERE WE STAY
The Glarros Hotel, Tbilisi
One of the coolest capitals in Europe, Tbilisi has no shortage of classy modern 4* hotels.
We’ll be staying at the Glarros hotel which is amazingly located in the capitals old town.
Mountain Guesthouses
Travelling in remote parts of Georgia means we will make the most of staying in a variety of family-run guesthouses.
Clean and very charming, the guesthouses will form the backbone of accommodation for the trip. All of which serve up ample amounts of delicious Georgian cuisine. It’s worth knowing when we travel to the villages of Adishi and Ushguli the facilities can be a bit more simple, but provide everything we need for a night in the mountains.
FAQ
FLIGHTS
We specialise in arranging excellent trail running holidays but do not book international flights.
There is a great variety of flights departing from all over the world to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). The vast majority of them arrive in Tbilisi in the very early hours of the morning, usually, around 4 am.
VISAS
British, American and, EU citizens can enter and remain in Georgia for a maximum of 365 days without a visa.
GROUP MANAGEMENT
Being a group of max. 12 runners with a mixture of ages and running abilities we may decide to split into flexible groups, all of which will be supported by our Georgian running guides who will travel with us on the trip.
By splitting the group will allow us all to move more fluidly, allowing all team members to run at their own comfortable pace, without feeling pressured.
TRAIL RUNNING
Trail running in Georgia is spectacular with very few other groups delivering experiences in this style. The country is still well off the beaten path with very few travellers making it to the Georgian Caucasus.
We expect the trails to be empty, travelling through alpine meadows, waterfalls, glaciers, and mountain trails.
At times we will cross over from one valley to the next, climbing stepper paths with boulder and dry rock sections. Our maximum altitude will reach around 2,970m.
Our large luggage will be transported by vehicle from point to point.
TEMPERATURES
Travelling to Georgia in July is peak time and we can expect temperatures in the mid-20 degrees C. When we are in the mountains the air is refreshing and that bit cooler with very pleasant daytime temperatures. At night temperatures can drop a touch to the high teens (C). We anticipate the conditions to be perfect for trail running.
NEWS FROM BASECAMP
We look at the top five places in the world to trail run