Difference between revisions of "Zugdidi"
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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. | 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. | ||
| − | The traffic that travels this road makes it a little difficult to catch a ride. Many of the cars are stuffed with people because | + | The road is new and travel times are much shorter than they used to be (when it took a whole day to get from Zugdidi to Mestia). 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. |
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=== South towards [[Senaki]], [[Poti]] (S1) === | === South towards [[Senaki]], [[Poti]] (S1) === | ||
Revision as of 10:05, 17 August 2012
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.
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.
The road is new and travel times are much shorter than they used to be (when it took a whole day to get from Zugdidi to Mestia). 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 simply walk south on the main street Agmashenebeli. After a couple of kilometres you will 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.
