9 ROUTES.
EVERY CORNER OF GEORGIA.

One of the most iconic drives in Georgia. The Military Highway climbs through dramatic gorges before reaching Stepantsminda at 1,750m — dominated by Gergeti Trinity Church perched on a rocky outcrop at 2,170m with Mt. Kazbek (5,047m) looming behind. The Rubicon's advantage is on the surrounding tracks — Truso Valley and Juta — that most tourists never see.

The Abano Pass is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Fatal accidents occur every summer season. A narrow clay track carved into cliff faces with 200–400m drops and zero guardrails. On the other side: medieval stone towers, wolf-herding shepherds, zero phone signal, and villages unchanged since the 15th century. This is the route the Rubicon was built for.

Georgia's crown jewel — a UNESCO World Heritage highland region of medieval stone towers, snowcapped 5,000m peaks, and villages older than the Byzantine Empire. The road to Mestia and Ushguli was improved in 2024 and is now mostly paved. The Rubicon's advantage is on the off-road spurs: Koruldi Lakes (2,700m), Zagari Pass, and the Shkhara glacier approach.

Georgia's desert — and almost nobody knows it exists. Semi-arid canyons, badlands, and steppe on the Azerbaijan border at 800–900m. Mandatory permits, one water source in the entire park, zero phone signal. The clay tracks become completely impassable in wet conditions — even the Rubicon with diff locks cannot move when rain has fallen. Do not visit in June–August (40°C+ heat, active venomous snakes).

Two countries, one road trip. Cross the Georgia–Armenia border at Sadakhlo (usually 20–45 min) and enter the first Christian nation on earth. All routes are paved — no off-road required — but the historical density is extraordinary: a 7th-century monastery below Mt. Ararat, a 13th-century canyon monastery in terracotta rock, a Greco-Roman temple next to alien basalt columns. Requires the ROAM cross-border permit add-on ($89 flat fee).

Georgia's least-visited mountain region and arguably its most haunting. The Khevsurs were legendary warriors who wore chainmail into the early 20th century. Wedged between Tusheti to the east and Kazbegi to the west, the fortress culture here predates recorded history. Shatili's tightly-packed stone towers were built for clan warfare — a completely different character from Tusheti's towers, despite being contemporaries.

Georgia's secret lake district at 2,000m — and almost nobody visits. A high volcanic plateau above the Armenian border containing 60+ lakes of varying sizes, created by eruptions of Didi Abuli volcano (3,300m). The population is predominantly ethnic Armenian. The landscapes feel more like highland Tibet than the Caucasus. Flamingos visit in spring. The Abuli volcano track requires serious 4x4 and gives 360° views of the entire plateau.

Vardzia, Adjara Highlands, and the Black Sea coast — three completely different Georgias connected by one continuous route. Start at a 12th-century cave city containing 6,000 cave chambers on a cliff face, cross two mountain passes through yayla shepherd settlements, and finish on the subtropical Black Sea coast with palm trees and seafood. No two days feel like the same country.

The complete country in a single continuous loop. All nine regions. Every landscape Georgia has to offer: Caucasus alpine meadows at 2,900m, medieval cave cities, semi-arid desert canyons, volcanic lake plateaus, Islamic highland culture, Black Sea coast — and a foreign country. In a country the size of Ireland. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the only single vehicle that can do every section without compromise.