Therese Sta. MariaWhen the pandemic is over, which challenging hiking trail would you like to traverse first? We’ve got a great idea for you if you want to cut across countries and continents! The Transcaucasian Trail remains relatively under the radar since it’s still a work in progress. However, hikers can already trek sections of the trail in Armenia and Georgia. Yup, that’s basically hiking from Asia to Europe!
Also read: Georgia to Allow Entry of Foreigners who Work Remotely via A Long-term Visitor Pass!
What to know about the Transcaucasian Trail
Image credit: jplenio
This trail measures more than 3,000km in length and lies on the Southern Caucasus. The region is made up of the culturally laden countries Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. In case some of you may not know, Azerbaijan and Georgia are mountainous nations located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, while Armenia is generally considered a part of Asia.
Once the whole trail is complete, it will connect more than 20 national parks and countless UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in the three countries. Although developments of the trail are ongoing, the Armenian and Georgian Transcaucasian Trails are officially open to hikers!
If you’re from Asia, you can actually begin a European adventure by hiking from Armenia to Georgia on an 18-day exploration. For travel guides, we suggest you take a look at World Expeditions. The packages that World Expeditions offers are nature and culture escapes of various forms; these include hikes along floral meadows, glacial scenery, ancient churches, and UNESCO world heritage sites.
Tip: The Transcaucasian Trail official website can also enlighten you about volunteer building excursions and the history behind the Caucasus mountains.
The Georgian and Armenian trails
Caucasus, Georgia | Image credit: Marek Piwnicki
The Georgian Transcaucasian Trail highlights the city of Tbilisi, views from Svaneti, and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Jvari Church and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, to name a few. On the other hand, the Armenian Transcaucasian Trail will take you to the first century A.D. Garni Temple, Lake Sevan which is considered to be the Pearl of Armenia, and the charming Dilijan “Little Switzerland.” What’s more, you’ll get to see colourful and remote Armenian villages like Hahgpat and Akner.
Trivia: TIME Magazine actually listed the Caucasus Mountains trail as one of the world’s 100 greatest places in 2019, underscoring the Armenian trail as a must-do experience.
Also read: Siargao, Philippines Made It to Time Magazine as One of the World’s Greatest Places!
Armenia | Image credit: Aram Grigoryan
Sounds like a busy and eye-opening hike, right? That’s because South Caucasus is actually one of the most biologically and culturally diverse regions in the world! If you want to know more about the diversity and views of the Transcaucasian Trail, click here. And if in the future you’ve conquered this Asia to Europe hiking trail, don’t forget to tell us about it on our Facebook Page!
Featured image credit: Patrick Schneider | Unsplash
