In Elizabeth’s Words:

Why did you want to join the TCT?

The TCT combines so many things I’m passionate about—the outdoors, education, and development—in a fascinating part of the world. It’s not every day that you get to explore such a unique, remote area, and some of the places along this trail feel like stepping back in time. Many of the communities I passed through when I first hiked the trail still maintain traditions that have been alive for centuries. I’ve always been interested in sustainable tourism, so it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a project that connects people to these special places in a way that respects and preserves them.

Favorite part/section of the TCT:

I adore the Upper Svaneti section in Georgia, especially the part between Nakra and Etseri. Most people hike from Mestia to Ushguli, which leaves the part west of Mestia uncrowded. I love hiking alone, maybe seeing 1-2 people along the way, and the section between Chuberi and Mestia is perfect for that. 

I’ve spent a lot of time between Nakra and Etseri during the summer of 2023, and really got to know it. Becoming that familiar with a trail – knowing all the turns and recognizing when you’re coming up to this hill or that switchback – it makes it feel like home.

Favorite place in the Caucasus: 

That’s a tough one! Until a couple years ago, I would have said Kazbegi, the mountainous region north of Tbilisi. When I lived in Tbilisi in 2011, I took my first solo weekend trip to Stepantsminda, and stayed at the guesthouse of a woman who met me at the marshrutka station, looking for tourists who might need a place to stay – this was well before the time of Booking.com and other online accommodation sites. I arrived at night, and can still remember looking up at the stars and suddenly seeing black, where the mountains touched the sky. And the next morning, looking up at those peaks – I’d never seen mountains quite like that, quite so close. 

But now, it’s probably a tie between Kazbegi and Svaneti. I lived in Mestia for a summer, and loved being right on the trails. Waking up each morning and hiking to the cross overlooking Mestia was incredibly peaceful, and was always a great start to the day. There’s something about the combination of natural beauty, quiet mornings, and the sense of connection to the land in both places that makes them special in their own way.

Memorable moment:

I was hiking from Mazeri to the Koruldi Lakes on the Upper Svaneti section of the TCT in Georgia, and it started pouring right as I reached Guli Pass. It didn’t stop until just before I reached the lakes over an hour later. The evening sun broke through, the clouds overhead cleared, and I got a breathtaking view of the mountains below with white clouds wisping between the peaks.

Most special part of the TCT:

The TCT is so much more than a hiking trail. The most special part to me is how the trail promotes economic and community development across the Caucasus. As the trail expands, it creates opportunities for rural communities by encouraging sustainable tourism. Guesthouses, cafes, and small businesses are being built to serve hikers, and they provide a direct source of income for local families. Young people in the CCC are exploring new interests and career paths, and villages along the route are becoming revitalized and restored. The TCT helps strengthen local economies while preserving the region’s cultural and natural heritage, and it’s a powerful way to make a lasting impact.

Why should people hike or get involved with the TCT?

The TCT is such a unique trail. Spanning three countries in a part of the world that is still developing its tourism and hiking industries, the trail offers hikers an experience that they’re unlikely to have elsewhere. From the spectacular views to the local food to the incredible hospitality, from busy towns to stretches where you don’t see another person for several days, the TCT has something for everyone.