Kakheti / Tusheti · Georgia
Abano Pass
M44Zemo Alvani to Omalo
One of the world’s most extreme mountain drives: an entirely unpaved Soviet-era track climbing to 2,826 m with no guardrails, opening the ancient highland province of Tusheti for about 16 weeks a year.
The M44 leaves the Alazani Valley at Zemo Alvani and begins a relentless ascent on a graded gravel track — no tarmac on the whole route. Tight switchbacks and cliff-edge traverses lead to the Abano Pass at 2,826 m, the highest road pass in Georgia, before dropping into the remote Tusheti highland of medieval towers and stone villages. A bulldozer opens it in late May; it closes with the first October snows. High-clearance 4WD required.
Scenery
Where it runs
Navigate to the start: Apple Maps · Google Maps
Character
More hairpins than 9 in 10 roads · steeper than 9 in 10 roads here in the catalogue.
Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%437 – 2,874 mHazards
- no guardrails
- deep drop-offs
- river fords
- rockfall
- mud and loose gravel
- closed October to late May
- 4WD mandatory
See the typical season and live conditions for the high passes ›
Sources: Road geometry © OpenStreetMap contributors
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Abano Pass.