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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; 0500 is a good time. Give yourself Though you'll probably move more quickly, ensure that you have two days to get anywhere, as there is little traffic and a lot portion of time because even with a ride the road conditions make the drive a long and bumpy oneis in bad state. 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). [[File:roadsignsvaneti.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Have a nice trip!]]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 settlement in [[Europe]].

== 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]], the highest permanent village in [[Europe]].Western Approach ==

This road travels through [[Most traffic out of Zugdidi]], [[is only going as far as Jvari]], [[Khaishi]]. From there, [[Dizi]]there are very few private cars onward, and you can wait hours without seeing anything but a slew of small villages before you get to the administrative capital of Upper Svaneti region - [[Mestia]]''marshrutka''. Villages are mainly kept supplied by these ''marshrutkas'', so there is little truck traffic.

The road between [[Zugdidi]] and [[Mestia]] is a large town by Georgian standards. When heading into Svaneti you will need to walk north out of townnew, past the mashrudtka station that is west of the city square and near the medievalwell-looking tower. After walking the gauntlet of taxi and mashrudtka drivers you need to keep walking for another kilometer or so through a residential areapaved road. The road will dead-end and you will turn left and walk on and over an overpass until you see the road sign for north of [[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 road, any place to begin hitching is as good as the nextmuch more rough.

== 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.Eastern Approach ==

The road between '''First''': the eastern approach is absolutelly challenging to hitchhike!!! There are places where you can be stuck for days!!! Most Jeep safaris go from [[Zugdidi]] and - [[KhaishiMestia]] is mostly paved with numerous rough sections. The road north of - [[Ushguli]] - [[KhaishiLentekhi]] is much more rough with some sections still being constructed. Even with the road in such poor conditionIf you want to hitchhike whole Svaneti, all kinds of vehicles still make do it the trip. Cars, SUVs, vans, lumber trucks and marshrudtkas all slowly crawl alongsame way. The traffic gets naturally thinner as you climb higher into Almost nobody goes the mountainsother way round.

==There are several eastern approaches to the Svaneti road. There is a road from the south that originates in [[Kutaisi]] and then travels through [[Tskaltubo]] and [[Tsageri]]. Another road starts in [[Kutaisi]], travels through [[Lajanurhesi]], and then joins with the road going on to [[Lentekhi]]. The Eastern Approach==third approach is from the [[Racha]] region, east of Svaneti. It travels through [[Ambrolauri]], onto [[Lajanurhesi]] and then up to [[Lentekhi]]. The Svaneti road then travels through the cities of [[Lentekhi]], [[Ushguli]], [[Jpari]], [[Zhabeshi]], etc.

There are several eastern approaches If you want to the Svaneti road. There is a road from the south that originates in [[Kutaisi]] and then travels through [[Tskaltubo]] and [[Tsageri]]. Another road starts in [[Kutaisi]], travels through [[Lajanurhesi]], and then joins with the road going on go to [[Lentekhi]]. The third approach is Mestia from the [[Racha]] region, east of Svaneti. It travels through [[Ambrolauri]], onto [[Lajanurhesi]] and then up there are two steps to [[Lentekhi]]. The Svaneti road then travels through the cities of [[Lentekhi]], [[Ushguli]], [[Jpari]], [[Zhabeshi]], etc. do:

*'''[[Lentekhi]] - [[Ushguli]]'''This is by far the hardest part in [[Svaneti]]. There are also several mountain passes on this approach. These include Zagaro Pass and Ughviri Pass (1700 2700 meters). Both can be snowed in late into the season so check conditions or be prepared to walk. According to locals There are for sure no ''marshrutkas'' between [[Lentekhi]] and Ushguli. The road is a seasonal road for summer driving only, means that there are is almost no mashrudtkas taking the eastern approach up into Svaneti"real traffic" but a few foreigners do this road as a special challenge with their jeeps.