Georgia's mountains are one of the main reasons to visit. Kazbegi, Svaneti, Tusheti, Khevsureti and dozens of other areas offer stunning routes for every level. But the Caucasus are high mountains and demand respect. Most trouble happens not because routes are hard but because people underestimate the weather, overestimate themselves or don't know local quirks. This checklist will help you come back with only good memories.

The emergency number is 112

Georgia's single emergency number is 112 — for rescue, ambulance and police. Operators usually speak English and often Russian. Save it in your phone and write it down.

Tip: before a demanding route, tell your guesthouse hosts, friends or the national park visitor centre your route and expected return time.

Weather

Mountain weather changes very fast; a clear morning can turn into an afternoon storm with hail.

  • Start early. Summer storms usually begin in the afternoon, so tackle passes and peaks in the morning.
  • Check the forecast, but remember it's imprecise in the mountains.
  • Thunderstorms. Get off ridges and summits and away from lone trees and metal objects.
  • Fog can wipe out visibility; without navigation it's easy to lose the trail.
  • Cold. Even in summer, nights at 2,500–3,000 m can be near freezing.

Shepherd dogs

One of the most real dangers in the Georgian mountains is Caucasian shepherd dogs guarding flocks — big dogs that protect sheep from wolves and strangers.

  • Give flocks a wide berth.
  • If dogs run at you, stop; don't run or turn your back.
  • Keep trekking poles or your backpack between you and the dog.
  • Call loudly for the shepherd — usually nearby — to call them off.
  • Avoid waving poles or throwing stones unless absolutely necessary; it provokes them.

River crossings

Glacial rivers are fast and cold, and levels rise towards evening as snow melts.

  • Cross in the morning, when the water is lower.
  • Look for wide sections where the current is slower.
  • Unclip your hip belt so you can shed your pack if you fall.
  • Use poles for extra support.
  • If locals offer a horse crossing, take it.
  • If water is above the knee with a strong current, don't risk it — find another way or wait.

Altitude sickness

Above 2,500 m some people develop altitude sickness: headache, nausea, weakness and insomnia.

  • Gain height gradually.
  • Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol in the first days.
  • If you feel worse, descend — the main and most effective cure.
  • Climb Kazbek and other high peaks only with an experienced guide after acclimatising.

Animals and insects

  • Snakes appear in warm months, especially in dry areas like David Gareja. Watch your step and keep hands out of rock crevices.
  • Ticks are common in forests and meadows. Use repellent, wear long clothes and check yourself after hikes.
  • Bears and wolves — encounters are rare. Make noise on the trail, keep food sealed and leave no rubbish.

Border areas

Many mountain areas lie near the borders with Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia and the boundary lines with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

  • Carry your passport.
  • Some areas may require registration or a border police permit — check in advance.
  • Don't cross borders or marked lines.
  • Follow border guards' instructions.
  • Download offline maps with trails before you go.
  • Bring a power bank — phones drain fast in the mountains.
  • Popular routes are waymarked; wild ones aren't.
  • Don't rely on mobile coverage — many valleys have none.

Gear

  • hiking boots with good grip;
  • a waterproof jacket and a warm layer;
  • a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen — the sun is strong at altitude;
  • enough water and food;
  • a headtorch;
  • trekking poles;
  • a first-aid kit.

First-aid kit

  • painkillers and fever reducers;
  • something for upset stomachs;
  • plasters, a bandage and blister treatment;
  • antihistamines;
  • personal medication;
  • motion-sickness tablets for winding roads.

Guides

For difficult and multi-day routes and for climbs, hire a local guide. They know the trail, the weather and the shepherds, and can help in an emergency. It's safer and more interesting — a guide will tell you things no guidebook has.

Insurance

Get insurance that covers trekking and, if needed, altitude above 3,000 m and evacuation. Many standard policies exclude mountain activities.

In short

Start early, watch the weather, steer clear of flocks, cross rivers in the morning, don't hesitate to descend if you feel unwell, and remember 112. With these simple rules, Georgia's mountains will give you nothing but great memories.