Difference between revisions of "Zugdidi"

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'''Zugdidi''' is a town in western [[Georgia]].
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'''Zugdidi''' is a town in western [[Georgia]].  
  
== Hitching out ==
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== Hitchhiking out ==
  
 
=== North towards [[Svaneti]] ===
 
=== North towards [[Svaneti]] ===
  
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.
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This road travels through Jvari, Khaishi, Dizi, and a slew of small villages before you get to the administrative capital of Upper Svaneti region, [[Mestia]].
  
You will need to walk north out of town, past the ''mashrutka'' station that is west of the city square and near the medieval-looking tower. After walking the gauntlet of taxi and ''mashrutka'' drivers, continue another kilometre or so through a residential area. 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 road, any place to begin hitching is as good as the next.
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If you are in the city centre (say Dadiani Palace), you can walk to the best hitchhiking spot. Pass Dadiani palace and the little church, go down the small stairs and follow the road to the right, cross the river and follow Merab Kostava street, keep left until you reach Pushkin Street where you turn right. Now you are on Soxumi Street at the crossroad. You can find a Sunday Supermarket there to get some last minute supplies. Follow the Zugdidi-Jvari-Mestia Road - it will eventuall lead you to Mestia, even though the first cars might just take you to the nearest village. After passing the very impressive Enguri dam, the traffic gets naturally thinner as you climb higher into the mountains. The traffic that travels this road makes it a little difficult to catch a ride. Many of the cars are stuffed with people because ''marshrutkas'' are the typical way of getting around. 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 travelling free then make sure to clear up any expectations for gas money in the beginning.  
  
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.
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=== South towards [[Senaki]], [[Poti]] (S1) ===
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From the city centre, passing McDonalds on your right, simply walk South on the Senaki Highway. You can try to hitchhike cars directly from there, though it is better to walk a couple of kilometres until you reach a pillar announcing the start of the city. It is best to stand after the petrol station, before the sign showing the distance to Senaki and other points. If you are going to Poti, you will have to leave the car at a crossroad directly after crossing train racks before Senaki.
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=== West towards [[Anaklia]] ===
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Hitchhiking to Anaklia, effectively the nearest beach in Zugdidi, might be difficult. Follow Rustaveli Street, pass the station and then just continue walking on that road. You may try to stop cars at any point. Do not stay at the beach for too long, as catching a ride back to Zugdidi after 5pm, even in the summer, might be tricky. There are also local Marshrutkas for less than 1€ in case you get stuck. Basic knowledge of Georgian/Russian can help you here. The local police is very friendly and might offer you a ride if you're stuck.  
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== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
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{{nomadwiki}}
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{{IsIn|Georgia (country)}}
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[[Category:Georgia]]
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[[Category:E97]]

Latest revision as of 13:36, 4 February 2021

Zugdidi is a town in western Georgia.

Hitchhiking out

North towards Svaneti

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

If you are in the city centre (say Dadiani Palace), you can walk to the best hitchhiking spot. Pass Dadiani palace and the little church, go down the small stairs and follow the road to the right, cross the river and follow Merab Kostava street, keep left until you reach Pushkin Street where you turn right. Now you are on Soxumi Street at the crossroad. You can find a Sunday Supermarket there to get some last minute supplies. Follow the Zugdidi-Jvari-Mestia Road - it will eventuall lead you to Mestia, even though the first cars might just take you to the nearest village. After passing the very impressive Enguri dam, the traffic gets naturally thinner as you climb higher into the mountains. The traffic that travels this road makes it a little difficult to catch a ride. Many of the cars are stuffed with people because marshrutkas are the typical way of getting around. 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 travelling free then make sure to clear up any expectations for gas money in the beginning.


South towards Senaki, Poti (S1)

From the city centre, passing McDonalds on your right, simply walk South on the Senaki Highway. You can try to hitchhike cars directly from there, though it is better to walk a couple of kilometres until you reach a pillar announcing the start of the city. It is best to stand after the petrol station, before the sign showing the distance to Senaki and other points. If you are going to Poti, you will have to leave the car at a crossroad directly after crossing train racks before Senaki.

West towards Anaklia

Hitchhiking to Anaklia, effectively the nearest beach in Zugdidi, might be difficult. Follow Rustaveli Street, pass the station and then just continue walking on that road. You may try to stop cars at any point. Do not stay at the beach for too long, as catching a ride back to Zugdidi after 5pm, even in the summer, might be tricky. There are also local Marshrutkas for less than 1€ in case you get stuck. Basic knowledge of Georgian/Russian can help you here. The local police is very friendly and might offer you a ride if you're stuck.


Nomadwiki & Trashwiki

Check Nomadwiki for info on accommodation, showers etc. or Trashwiki for dumpsters...and share your wisdom :)