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'''Svaneti''' is a region in the north of [[Georgia]] bordering , in the Caucasus mountains near the border with [[Russia]].

Hitching through Svaneti is an ordeal! Start early. Give yourself ; 0500 is a lot of good time because even with a ride . Though you'll probably move more quickly, ensure that you have two days to get anywhere, as the road conditions make the drive a long roads are in poor condition and bumpy onethere is little traffic. There are two ways to get into Svaneti - , the western approach beginning in [[Zugdidi]] and the eastern approach most likely beginning in [[Kutaisi]]. The western approach into the higher elevations of Svaneti is the more traveled by cars. It is supposedly the better cared-for road (even though you wouldn't believe it when you ride on it).

The two most visited cities in Svaneti are [[Mestia]] and [[Ushguli]]. Because more traffic climbs up from the west, [[Mestia]] will be reached first. Then another climb even higher into the mountains will take you to [[Ushguli]], called the highest permanent village settlement in [[Europe]].

This road travels through [[Zugdidi]], [[Jvari]], [[Khaishi]], [[Dizi]], and a slew of small villages before you get to the administrative capital of Upper Svaneti region - , [[Mestia]].

[[Most traffic out of Zugdidi]] is a large town by Georgian standardsonly going as far as Jvari. When heading into Svaneti you will need to walk north out of townFrom there, there are very few private cars onward, past the mashrudtka station that is west of the city square and near the medieval-looking tower. After walking the gauntlet of taxi and mashrudtka drivers you need to keep walking for another kilometer or so through can wait hours without seeing anything but a residential area''marshrutka''. The road will dead-end and you will turn left and walk on and over an overpass until you see the road sign for [[Mestia]] (136 km) pointing you to the right (north again). This is the road that travels all the way through Svaneti and back down to [[Kutaisi]]. Once you start walking north on this roadVillages are mainly kept supplied by these ''marshrutkas'', any place to begin hitching so there is as good as the nextlittle truck traffic.

The traffic that travels this road makes it a little difficult to catch a ride. Many of the cars are stuffed with people because going between cities and villages in Svaneti is a whole day's outing. As with most places in [[Georgia]], a little knowledge of Russian or Georgian is helpful, but not necessary. If breaking the ride up into segments is necessary, the larger towns on the road are [[Jvari]], [[Khaishi]] and [[Mestia]]. Many of the locals are likely chipping in money for petrol, so if you are traveling free then make sure to clear up any expectations for gas money in the beginning. The road between [[Zugdidi]] and [[Khaishi]] is mostly paved with numerous rough sections. The road north of [[Khaishi]] is much more rough with some sections still being constructed. Even with the road in such poor condition, all kinds of vehicles still make the trip. Cars, SUVs, vans, lumber trucks and marshrudtkas all slowly crawl along. The traffic gets naturally thinner as you climb higher into the mountains.