Thru-Hike the Transcaucasian Trail
Your Guide to Thru-hiking the Armenia and Georgia Sections of the TCT
Since 2015, we’ve been stitching together routes, building trails, and (literally) putting new destinations on the map across the Caucasus.
Our goal has been to create the most culturally rich and geographically diverse long-distance hiking trail network across Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan as part of the Transcaucasian Trail.
The result? Challenging and stunning routes connecting the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains. The Transcaucasian Trail weaves between high alpine passes, red desert canyons, bucolic meadows, volcanic plateaus, and more, while creating opportunities to meet shepherds, farmers, villagers, ecotourism entrepreneurs, and perhaps even a few trail crews along the way.
While thru-hiking Azerbaijan is not yet possible, in 2022, we welcomed the first cohort of thru-hikers to test out the 1,540km thru-hike route in Armenia and Georgia. Since then, we’ve consistently tweaked and improved the route and supporting information based on their feedback. In 2023 and 2024, we welcomed larger cohorts of hikers, who helped us improve the route resources significantly by contributing data, testing reroutes, and volunteering their time with us to create new guides and mapping resources.
Now, we’re inviting intrepid hikers to try out the latest iteration of the Transcaucasian Trail through Armenia, Georgia, or both.
At its current stage of development, this route is ideal for experienced hikers who are seeking an adventure few have had the privilege to experience—and who don’t mind a few thorns along the way.
If you’re interested in takin on the challenge of a thru-hike of the TCT, read all the information on this page. If you decide this is for you, we invite you to join our Trailblazers’ Forum, our online discussion forum and support system for long-distance hikers.
Why thru-hike the Transcaucasian Trail?
The South Caucasus nations of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan are defined by the dramatic natural landscapes of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains – two of the most fierce and impenetrable ranges in the world. These mountains form two distinct geological corridors, both of which present an incredible array of landscapes to explore as a hiker.
The richness of biodiversity within the folds of these mountains, ranging from high-altitude grasslands and permanently-snowcapped crags, to coniferous and deciduous forests on the mid-altitude slopes, to shrubby plateaus and swamp forests at lower elevations, has resulted in the region becoming a hotspot for conservationists, biologists, birdwatchers, and botanists. Of the 6,500 plant species found in the Caucasus, approximately 25 percent exist nowhere else on earth. And there is a strikingly varied complement of fauna, including wolf, brown bear, Caucasian leopard, jackal, lynx, hyena, gazelle, and the iconic Bezoar goat.
But it’s not just about the landscapes: The Caucasus region is home to a diverse cultural heritage, rich history, and deep, enduring traditions of hospitality. The region boasts the earliest recorded evidence of wine-making and the first peoples to officially adopt Christianity as a state religion. It’s home to countless ethnic groups and more than 40 indigenous languages–a density surpassed only by Papua New Guinea and the Amazon Rainforest.
A thru-hike on the TCT offers you a chance to experience all of this rich beauty, taking you on a journey through numerous distinct ecosystems and countless towns and villages, where you’ll experience the famous Caucasian hospitality and get a window into the region’s culture and traditions.
If you want to really go deep and explore the landscapes and culture of the region, we believe there’s no better way than on foot. Welcome to the Transcaucasian Trail.
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“There were so many moments of wonder and beauty—it hasn’t really all sunk in. Aside from the scenery, the people I met along the way made this a real joy. After getting out of the mountains at Skuri, I arrogantly thought that I was on the home straight and this flat section would be a doddle…what I hadn’t accounted for was the hospitality I’d experience in my last few days on the trail—I was loaded up with honey, wine, and chestnuts at each house I passed, making a mockery of any idea of a lightweight backpack. I’m humbled. A lovely way to end the walk.”
– Calum, 2023 thru-hiker
“I finished the TCT in Anaklia yesterday. This was my first thru-hike, and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I was drawn to the area by the idea of high alpine mountains, but I had no idea about what else was in store: the volcanic highlands, unbelievable hospitality (one day I had lunch three times), wildlife, flowers and forests, medieval monasteries still functioning, the freshest food, mineral water straight from the rock-face… amazing!”
– Harry, 2023 thru-hiker
Map and Route
What to Expect
The North-South route of the Transcaucasian Trail stretches approximately 1,519km (944 miles) from the northeast corner of Georgia on the Black Sea to the southern border of Armenia with Iran.
In Armenia, the route traverses the mountainous desert scrub of Arevik National Park, the rocky peaks and forested monasteries of Syunik, the red gorges of Vayots Dzor, the high volcanic Gegham mountains, the rolling hills and cliffs of Tavush, the meadows and canyons of Lori, and the grassy steppe of Shirak.
In Georgia, the route traverses the windswept plateaus of Javakheti, the old-growth forests of Borjomi, the dense hills of Imereti, the wild valleys of Racha, the dramatic high peaks of Svaneti, the alpine lakes of Samegrelo, and finally, the subtropical plains leading to the Black Sea Coast.
An overview of the Armenia section is already on our website, with additional trail notes and a guidebook in progress. Some sections of the Georgia route are still in development– either via active trail building projects or ongoing scouting efforts– and will change over the next few years, so these sections are not yet publicly listed on our website or maps. However, we will share the current iteration of the route (and all the advice we have about how to tackle it) with registered hikers in the Trailblazers Forum.
The Transcaucasian Trail is still very much a work in progress, and you won’t find perfectly-groomed trails (or at some points, any trails) along your way. You need to be self-sufficient and comfortable with bush-whacking and navigating off-trail. You’ll put your physical limits to the test, as you trek over 1,519km (944 miles) and climb more than 55,000 meters (181,000 feet) along your way. It certainly won’t be easy and requires careful planning, but the reward is well worth it!
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“Arrived in Anaklia yesterday after a big last stage with 40.7 km! We were welcomed by friends we met along the trail. What an absolutely beautiful way to end an absolutely beautiful thru-hike after 2 months and 5 days. From the green, rolling mountains of Armenia to the enormous peaks of the high Caucasus, it was an amazing trip. To meet the stunningly hospitable people of Armenia and Georgia was a pleasure and gave us insights into society, history and culture. For us, the TCT was a perfect match for a thru-hike. We did not expect perfect trails, but a path to explore the Caucasus region. And that was the case, with all the ups and downs.”
– Yara and Tom, 2023 thru-hikers
“What a special journey it has been! We knew there would be beautiful scenery, but we weren’t expecting such diversity. From Iceland to Southern California in a single day. We knew the reputation of the hospitality, but we weren’t expecting to meet so many kind people, most of whom would happily share food and drink with someone who did not even share a language. We were expecting some gnarly bushwhacking…and that was spot on. But there is also some really beautiful trail (and more on the way.) The last descent down into Meghri was spectacular and such a beautiful capstone to the whole experience.”
– Jeff, 2023 thru-hiker
Prepare for your Thru-Hike
Thru-hiking the TCT is an exciting, but difficult endeavor and requires careful planning and preparation. Find out all you need to know on the pages below.
Getting to and around the Caucasus
If you’re interested in becoming a 2025 TCT thru-hiker, we invite you to join our innovative Trailblazers Program, where you’ll have access to an exclusive hikers’ community, one-on-one advice, updated GPX tracks, and more.
On the Trail: Trail Conditions
Some sections of the route, such as those already on our website, are proper trails that are marked, easy to follow, and somewhat regularly maintained. Other parts of the route (many of which are not yet public) contain off-trail sections and require independent route-finding.
The thru-hiking route is a new and evolving route that may change for various reasons, including snow levels, weather, high rivers, rockfall/landslides, and other circumstances beyond our control. Hikers need to be prepared to adjust accordingly.
In general, the terrain and weather conditions in the Caucasus can be harsh. The elevation gain and loss of this hike — and the steepness of the terrain — should not be underestimated.
While we are actively working to improve trail infrastructure across the region, even the most developed trails in the Caucasus often challenge hikers in ways that the well-groomed trails of North America and Europe do not.
Hikers must be prepared to be self-sufficient for extended sections and aware that emergency medical care and search and rescue are often unavailable.
In short, you must be prepared to navigate off-trail. You must be prepared for overgrown trails, river crossings (including fording fast and cold mountain rivers), bushwhacking, and thorns. Good judgment is essential, and we highly recommend a good sense of humor.
But hikers who come prepared for self-sufficiency, diverse terrain, and off-trail travel will be rewarded with an incredible experience traversing one of the most culturally, linguistically, and geographically diverse parts of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to thru-hike the TCT?
In general, summer is the primary season for hiking the TCT. The northbound thru-hiking window is roughly from mid-May to the end of September. Earlier starts or later finishes may be possible, but you will likely have to contend with snow in the higher mountains and be prepared to take alternate routes if necessary. The southbound thru-hike route runs from the beginning of July to mid-October. If you want to ask us detailed questions about the timing of your hike or alternate routes, join our Trailblazers program, where we discuss this topic in detail.
Should I hike northbound or southbound?
The route can be hiked in either direction (northbound or southbound) with slight shifts in timing. Southbound hikers are likely to find the challenging final stages between Kapan and Meghri easier with a few weeks’ conditioning; northbound hikers will be well and truly in at the deep end!
From either endpoint, we recommend timing your hike to make sure you can safely pass the Geghams and Greater Caucasus, which are reliably snowbound from October to June, and September to July, respectively.
Can’t I just stitch together my own route?
Of course you can. What we’re creating is a community of TCT hikers who want to be engaged in the trail’s development, who want to be some of the earliest hikers on the official route, and who want to benefit from the resources and expertise our team can offer.
How long will it take to thru-hike this route?
The route is roughly 1,540km. The elevation gain and loss is more than 55,000 meters. How fast you cover this ground is up to you. A reasonable window to expect is 2-4 months. You’ll be on the shorter end if you prefer to travel light, hike longer days, and cover lots of ground while staying on the main route. You’ll be on the longer end if you prefer to take your time, visit lots of cultural sites along the way, and accept lots of invitations for coffee/wine/vodka. We heartily endorse both methods of travel.
How many people have thru-hiked this route so far?
A small but steadily growing number. Before we launched the route, a few impressive people charted their own routes to hike an earlier version of the TCT, and four people thru-hiked the Armenia section in summer 2021. In 2022, several people successfully thru-hiked Armenia, a few thru-hiked Georgia, and a few more hiked very long stretches in both countries. In 2023, we had several more successful very long hikes on the TCT, and about 8 people successfully hiked the whole thing between Meghri, Armenia and Anaklia, Georgia (both northbound and southbound). In 2024, the number of completed thru-hikes continued to rise. However, the number of thru-hikers is a tiny percentage of the number of people who use the trail overall.
But of course, people have been crossing the Caucasus for millennia. Would any of them have chosen to take the route we’ll send you on? Well… we’ll let you debate that for yourself.
Can I use my thru-hike to raise money to support the trail’s development?
We love this question! Yes, we love seeing hikers finding ways to give back to the trails that make their journeys possible — and it will make a big difference in what we’re able to accomplish next year. If you’re interested in doing a charity hike or running a crowdfunding campaign, we can help you set up a personalized donation page that’s linked to our main donation page. This is also a great strategy if the membership fee is expensive for you but you still want to contribute to the trail’s development. Ask us for more info.
What permits do I need?
You don’t need any permits to walk most of the TCT, although you do need to check in with the rangers in certain protected areas, and some national parks require a small usage fee.
In Armenia, the two national parks along the border (Arevik National Park and Lake Arpi National Park) have requested that all trail users register in advance. We will provide you information on how to do this online so you don’t have to spend time making in-person visits to park HQs.
In Georgia, you need to have a border permit to be in the border zone along Georgia’s border with Russia. We will provide further instructions on how to obtain a border permit, depending on your direction of travel for the section of the trail that this is required for (between Zeskho and Ghebi, Georgia). There is also one section of trail in Borjomi National Park that requires registration at the national park ranger stations.
Where do I cross the border between Armenia and Georgia?
Cross at the official border crossing at Bavra. The TCT will take you to the border crossing, so you don’t need to go off-trail to reach it. Do not cross the border except at official crossing points.
What are the resupply options like en route?
The thru-hiking route passes larger towns with supermarkets roughly every 50–100km, either directly or via a short hitch. Larger supermarkets are available in Meghri, Kapan, Goris, Sisian, Jermuk, Yeghegnadzor, Sevan, Dilijan, Alaverdi and Stepanavan in Armenia, and Borjomi, Oni, Mestia, and Tsalenjikha in Georgia. Many, but not all, of the villages along the route have a small village shop, which tend to sell more basic and long-lasting staples.
Can I stay at guesthouses along the whole route?
You can find guesthouses along many, but not all, sections of the route. Learn more about existing guesthouse infrastructure along our more developed trail sections. If you attempt the whole route, you should be prepared to carry a tent and camp.
Can I wild camp along the whole route?
If desired, it is easily possible to camp for all or most of the TCT route through Armenia and Georgia. Camping away from the small number of designated campsites is widely tolerated, with most land being community-owned rather than privately owned. (Notable exceptions are state reserves such as Shikahogh State Reserve in southern Armenia and Borjomi National Park in Georgia, where wild camping is forbidden.)
Please behave courteously and keep in mind that you may be camping on land that people use for their livelihood. Follow Leave No Trace principles to help ensure future hikers can camp with the same freedom.
Who can I contact with specific planning questions?
Join the Trailblazers program! We designed this program specifically so your questions can be answered and help you connect with a community of fellow hikers that you can plan alongside and learn from.
