Sno Valley is yet another great day trip option from Kazbegi, and can even be the start of a multi-day trek for those feeling adventurous. Stretching southeast from Kazbegi, Sno Valley is best accessed from the village of Juta, approximately 15km along a paved/unpaved road from the highway. Food, lodging, and activity outfitters are growing every year in/around Juta, so just do some research ahead of time if you’re interested in any of these options.
The Sno Valley is significant because it leads to the Chaukhi Pass, which in turn provides passage from the Khevi (Kazbegi) region into the remote Khevsureti region to the east. After a short, steep ascent up and out of the village of Juta, you enter the Sno Valley and can just barely make out the Chaukhi Pass sitting beneath Mt Chaukhi itself (3842m).
It takes about 1.5 hours to walk to the base of the mountain from Juta, 3 hours round-trip (though a full day of walking in summer time can get you up and over the pass and into Roshka in Khevsureti). Taking a seat and listening to falling water all around you while watching the clouds go by is highly recommended, though.
Time Needed: 3 hours minimum, plus driving time (if you plan to return to Kazbegi). This makes a good half-day activity from Kazbegi, though this can also be the starting point for an overnight trek into neighboring Khevsureti.
Distance from Kazbegi: 20km
Difficulty: Easy
Reason To Go: lush valley, off the beaten track, stunning views of Mt Chaukhi
Getting There and Back: taxis from Kazbegi will cost close to 100 lari for round trip, plus a few hours of waiting in Juta.
Once you turn off the Military Highway, you’ll pass through several villages en route to Juta. The road is mostly paved except for the final kilometer or two (though roads are always being improved in regions like this, so that may have already changed). In our case, we experienced yet another sleet storm, as shown on the road.
Always be prepared for changing weather conditions in Georgia, especially in the mountains.
After a short, steep ascent out of Juta, you’ll enter Sno Valley. From here, it is a 1 to 1.5 hour straight shot towards the base of Mt Chaukhi (and the Chaukhi Pass for those heading to Khevsureti and beyond.) As shown above, it is possible and perfectly reasonable to hire a horse for any of these trips – just check in Juta ahead of time.
Like nearly all hikes in this region, you’ll follow a trail that parallels a mountain stream/river with steep embankments on both sides.
The ascent up and out of Juta can take about an hour. Chaukhi Pass, in the distance, is generally passable July – mid-October, though this can change year to year obviously.
Your views are equally stunning if you decide to turn back towards Juta.
As mentioned before, build time into your schedule to sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet. Depending on the time of year, you very may well have this backdrop to yourself.