A Complete Hiking Guide to Juta Valley, Kazbegi

1-2 Days Juta Valley Hiking Itinerary

Your journey will begin in Stepantsminda, the perfect base for exploring Kazbegi and its stunning mountains. To get from Kazbegi to Juta, I highly recommend you go with the shared transfer organized by Mountain Freaks. The transfer runs every day at 9:15 AM and 11:15 AM from their office in town and costs 18 USD per person. They will pick you up again at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM respectively.

The transfer gives you ample time to hike to Juta Waterfall and the lake, and even to Chaukhi Pass if the road construction is completed and there are no roadblocks anymore. Of course, you can also take the tour one-way, stay overnight at the Fifth Season, and take a taxi back on your own for an extra 40 GEL (15 USD).

Keep in mind that they have a very limited space in their Mitsubishi Delica, so make sure you book your seats in advance. One of two days before should be enough in my opinion. You can book the transfer here.

After leaving Stepantsminda, you will make a brief stop at Gigantic Sculptures by Merab Phiranishvili in Sno Village for photos. These stones may seem old, but they were sculpted into faces of important figures from Georgian history by a local sculptor only in the 80s.

Set against the backdrop of the Great Caucasus Mountain Range, these statues sure make for some great photos. If you are driving yourself, you might also want to drop by Sno Castle and explore the village a little while you are at it.

From Sno Village to the Roadblock

After a brief stop at Sno, you will now be driving on an unpaved gravel road that will take you right to the heart of the valley before making your way up to Juta. This should take about 20 minutes before you arrive at the roadblock, where you will then have to disembark and start hiking to Juta.

With the shared transfer, this is where they will come and pick you up either at 5:30 PM or 7:30 PM depending on your departure time. If you drive a 4WD yourself, you can park the car on the side of the dirt road at the roadblock.

From the Roadblock to Juta Village

It's unclear how long the road construction will last, as it has been ongoing for a few years now. Regardless, you'll need to walk the final 3-km stretch to Juta. The walk is fairly easy, following a relatively flat trail with minimal incline. It should take about an hour to reach Juta from the roadblock on foot.

If you prefer not to hike the extra 3 km, there are drivers waiting on the other side of the roadblock who can give you a quick lift to Juta Village. It should cost around 20-30 GEL per person, and you'll reach the village in about 10 minutes.

Once you arrive at the village, you will find many cafes and restaurants where you can take a break, or you can push further to get to the Fifth Season. Personally, I would push further as the view is much better up there than in Juta Village.

From Juta Village to the Fifth Season (Overnight option)

In Juta Village, you should notice a directional sign to either the Fifth Season or Zeta Camp. You can follow these signs through the village, and you will start climbing the extremely steep trail, eventually taking you to the Fifth Season.

This trail is probably the most difficult part of the hike (except maybe the 2-hour hike to Chaukhi Pass), as you will be walking on an extremely steep trail all the way to the Fifth Season. It should take you about 30 minutes without rest to tackle the climb.

Upon arriving at the Fifth Season, you'll be greeted by an incredible view of the entire valley, with the snow-capped jagged peaks of Juta towering above. The breathtaking scenery will quickly make you forget just how tired you were from climbing up that steep trail. Trust me!

Now, if you are planning to spend a night at the Fifth Season, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the view from the hotel. There is a cafe and plenty of outdoor spaces with hammocks and bean bags you can enjoy. Again, the Fifth Season gets booked out very fast, so be sure to reserve a room in advance. They really do have the best view in the valley!

If you are not planning to spend a night here, you can rest at the Fifth Season for about 30 minutes before we continue our journey to Juta Waterfall and the Lake.

From the Fifth Season to Juta Waterfall and the Lake

If you are spending the night at the Fifth Season, you can start this part of the hike early in the morning the next day. If not, then by this point, you should have around 4.5 hours before you have to get back to the pick-up point, which is plenty of time to do this portion of the hike.

From the Fifth Season, the trail levels out as it follows the river running through the valley. You'll be hiking mostly on flat terrain, with a few uphill sections as you approach Juta Lake. The views along the trail are stunning, with the entire valley opening up before you, so keep your camera ready.

As you hike, the trail splits into two: the left path continues on the left side of the river, while the right path crosses the river and continues upward, running parallel to the left. Both trails lead to Juta Lake, each crossing the river at different points.

I recommend crossing the river at the split and continuing your hike to Juta Lake along the right path. The river crossing here is fairly shallow and wide, with plenty of stones to step on, so you can avoid getting your feet wet. On the other side, the crossing is narrower, and you're more likely to get your feet wet.

I found this part of the trail to be quite relaxing, and it only took me about an hour and a half, without breaks, to reach Juta Waterfall and the lake. It felt more like a stroll than a hike at this point.

That said, I wouldn't say that Juta Waterfall and the Lake are a must-see. The view is already stunning as seen from the Fifth Season, so if you do not feel like hiking, you don't really have to. You are already getting the best view from where you are.

If you're doing Juta Valley as a day trip and the road is still under construction (adding 2 hours to your hike), you can stop here, head back down to the Fifth Season to relax and enjoy the view before returning to the pick-up point, and making your way back to Kazbegi.

If you spent the night in Juta or if the road is completed and your transfer can drop you off directly in Juta, you'll have more time to tackle the next part of the hike.

From Juta Waterfall and the Lake to Chaukhi Pass

This is the toughest part of the hike as you will be hiking for another 2 hours to get to Chaukhi Pass located at over 3,000 meters above sea level. You will be climbing gradually as you hike, and when you arrive at the pass, you will be rewarded with an incredible view of both sides of the valley.

Before you embark on this journey, be sure to ask the locals in Juta whether the pass is free of snow. Snow can cover the pass as late as mid-June, and you may need technical gear to navigate snow-covered paths.

From the pass, you should be able to see the three-colored lakes of Abudelauri if the weather is good. However, I wouldn't recommend hiking down unless you're confident that you have enough time to return to Juta before sundown. The trail down is extremely steep and can be very slippery due to gravel and loose rocks.

From Chaukhi Pass back to Fifth Season

Once you are done at Chaukhi Pass, you can make your way down to the Fifth Season on the same trail. The entire hike from Juta to Chaukhi Pass and back should take about 7 - 8 hours, depending on how many breaks you take, so be sure to plan your time carefully.

From Fifth Season back to the Roadblock and Kazbegi

From the Fifth Season, it should take about an hour to return to the roadblock, where you can catch your transfer back to Kazbegi, which will take another 45 minutes. This will complete your trip to Juta Valley. Congratulations!

Where to Stay in Juta Valley?

Budget

Mountain House in Juta

$ | Double Room

See Availability

Mid-Range

Zeta Camping

$$ | Double Room

See Availability

👍 Top Pick

High-End

Fifth Season

$$$ | Double Room

See Availability

View More Hotels

Things to Know Before Hiking in Juta Valley

• The roadblock: As of 2024, road construction is underway about 3 km from Juta Valley, preventing any cars from passing through. You will need to hike from the roadblock to the village yourself. It should take about 1 hour one-way on an easy trail with small gradual climb.
• Best viewpoint: The most stunning view is from the Fifth Season and beyond, where the jagged mountain peaks are fully visible. Even if you continue hiking to Juta Waterfall and the lake, the view remains the same. So, if you'd prefer to relax at the Fifth Season instead of hiking further, that's perfectly fine.
• Best Light for Photography: For photographers, the best light is in the evening when the sun illuminates the jagged peaks of Juta. This is one of the main reasons I recommend staying overnight rather than visiting on a day trip.
• Fitness Level: If you plan to hike all the way from Juta to Chaukhi Pass, you will have to be in a great shape and at a certain level of fitness. It's a long hike that requires you to go all the way up to 3,000+ meters above sea-level. For other parts, it should be pretty doable to most although the hike from Juta Village to the Fifth Season can be quite challenging to some. As long as you take it slow, you should get there without problems.
• Water Source: You will be walking along the river, so a water source can be found along the way from the Fifth Season to Juta Lake, but from there, you won't find any so be sure to carry enough water if you want to tackle Chaukhi Pass.
• Bathroom Access: There aren't many discrete areas along the hiking trail between Juta and Chaukhi Pass, so your best option for bathroom access is at the Fifth Season. Beyond that, you'll need to get a bit creative and find a spot behind a rock, which may not be as readily available.
• Pack Layers: Juta Valley is around 2,500 meters above sea level and it can get pretty cold even in the summer months, especially after sundown, so be sure to pack layers.
• Wi-Fi and cell service: You'll have cell service and Wi-Fi in the Fifth Season, but none beyond that point. Be sure to download Maps.me and the trails around Kazbegi before your arrival so you can rely on it for hiking when you're without cell service.
• Food availability: Food is available to order in the Fifth Season, with the price starting at around 30 GEL per dish. No need to pack your own food if you do not want to. Credit cards are accepted (sometimes) but cash is preferred.
• Cash Situation: ATM is not available in Juta and most businesses do not accept credit cards so be sure to get cash from Kazbegi before you make the journey.

When to Visit Juta Valley?

If you're looking to hike, the best time to visit Juta Valley is during the summer months between June and September. During this period, the weather is generally favorable, with minimal rain. Although it can be quite hot at times, the conditions are great for hiking, and I'd take hot days over rainy ones any day.

You can hike off-season, but you have to be extra careful and equipped with proper gear as much of the trails are likely to be covered in snow. I would avoid visiting outside of the recommended period if you are not used to hiking in the snow.

For photographers, the best light is in the evening when the sun illuminates the jagged peaks of Juta. This is one of the main reasons I recommend staying overnight rather than visiting on a day trip.

How to Get to Juta Valley?

To get to Juta Valley, you will have to first fly into Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia. There are not many flights flying to Tbilisi directly, so you will have to rely on transit flights like Turkish Airlines via Ankara, Qatar Airlines via Doha, or Air Astana via Almaty. You can browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find the cheapest flight from your home country to here.

Once you arrive in Tbilisi, you will then have to get to Kazbegi or Stepantsminda, a base where you will be exploring Juta Valley. You can take a day trip from Tbilisi and ask them to drop you off in Kazbegi, take a local Marshrutka van from Didude Bus Terminal, or rent a car and drive yourself.

The journey should take about 3-4 hours, and depending on the option you choose, it could cost between 5 USD to 25 USD. Once you arrive in Kazbegi, you can spend the night there and either take a shared transfer organized by Mountain Freaks which costs 18 USD both ways or find a taxi to drive you to Juta from Kazbegi Town Square. The latter will cost you around 40 GEL (15 USD) one-way, and 80 GEL (30 USD) roundtrip.

If you have a 4WD, you can drive, as the route involves an unpaved gravel road. I don't recommend driving if you've rented a regular sedan. That said, as of 2024, road construction is underway about 3 km from Juta Valley, preventing any cars from passing through. You'll need to park along the dirt road and hike for about an hour to reach Juta Village.

Of course, if you do not want to hike an extra 3 km, there will be some drivers waiting for you on the other side of the roadblock in case you want a quick lift to Juta Village. It should cost you around 20-30 GEL per person, and you should be there in about 10 minutes.

The journey from Kazbegi to the roadblock should take about 45 minutes and another 1 hour of hiking before you arrive in Juta Village. When the road is completed, it should take you about 1 hour from Kazbegi to Juta Valley.

How Many Days to Spend in Juta Valley?

You can make a day trip via the shared transfer organized by Mountain Freaks, but if you can secure a room at the Fifth Season, I highly recommend you spend at least 1 night (2 days) there, so you can witness both the sunrise and sunset over the valley as well as have time to hike further to Chaukhi Pass and beyond. Here is my 2-day suggested itinerary:

• Day 1: Travel from Kazbegi to Juta and hike to the Fifth Season. Spend the night there.
• Day 2: Hike to Juta Waterfall, the lake, and Chaukhi Pass, then return. Travel back to Kazbegi in the evening.

You can add another day to the itinerary if you want to have a rest day after the long hike to Chaukhi Pass. Be sure to book the Fifth Season hotel in advance as it gets booked out pretty fast. On your way back, you should be able to find a taxi in Juta Village to take you back to Kazbegi for about 40 GEL (15 USD).

How Difficult is the hike in Juta Valley?

The hike's difficulty will depend on how far you want to hike in Juta Valley. Here is a complete breakdown of the hike in Juta Valley:

• The roadblock to Juta Village: 1 hour one-way on a relatively flat trail with small incline: Easy.
• Juta Village to the Fifth Season: 30 minutes one-way on an extreme steep trail: Difficult.
• The Fifth Season to Juta Waterfall & the Lake: 1.5 hours flat trail one-way: Easy.
• Juta Waterfall & the Lake to Chaukhi Pass: 2 hours one-way on a moderately incline trail: Moderate.
• Chaukhi Pass to Juta: 3 - 3.5 hours downhill: Easy.

What to Pack for Juta Valley?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Juta, Georgia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Juta, Georgia while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Georgia

I hope you found this Georgia travel guide useful. If you are looking for something to read to help with your Georgia trip planning even further, be sure to check out the articles below:

• For a complete itinerary to Georgia, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Georgia Itinerary.
• Tbilisi is definitely one of my favorite cities in the Caucasus with its vibrancy and liveliness that rival no one. If you are planning a trip here, be sure to check out our guide: 15 Incredible Things to Do in Tbilisi.
• Looking for a great day trip from Tbilisi? How about visiting the romantic wine region of Kakheti? Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Kakheti.
• Nestled between the rolling mountains of the Greater Caucasus Range, Kazbegi is hands down one of the best places to visit in Georgia. From the photogenic Gergeti Trinity Church to all the awesome hikes you can do, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Kazbegi.
• An alternative day trip you can make in Kazbegi is to spend a day hiking in Truso Valley, where stunning nature meets incredible history. To help you plan the ultimate trip, here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Truso Valley.
• As one of the oldest cities in Georgia, with a history spanning 3,000 years, Kutaisi has a ton of things for you to see and do. If you're planning a visit, be sure to check out our 10 best things to do in Kutaisi.
• Svaneti is one of the most beautiful regions in Georgia. It is home to not just beautiful mountains, but also the Svans with their rich history, and unique culture. If you want to visit Svaneti, this is the travel guide for you: A Complete Travel Guide to Svaneti
• One of the best hikes you can do in Svaneti is the Koruldi Lakse hike. Here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Koruldi Lakes
• For a complete list of things to do in Mestia, check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Mestia
• Ushguli is one of the highest inhabited settlements in Europe, and it is a must-visit if you are exploring Svaneti. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Ushguli
• Batumi is more than just the Dubai of the Black Sea; it has a rich history, delicious cuisine, and plenty of things to do. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Batumi.
• Wondering where to go after Georgia? Why not drop by Armenia or Azerbaijan afterward?
• For all articles about Georgia, visit our Georgia Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to the Caucasus Region? Check out all my articles about the region here: The Caucasus Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.