The most impressive photos I see in trail-running race reports often capture runners storming ridges. Whether hilly or rocky, wide or narrow, risky or relatively easy, each image makes my palms sweat as I watch athletes navigating the edge of a cornice.
There are plenty of ridges visible from my window, but most are on the other side and require some driving to reach. I will get there one day—no doubt about it.
The nearest ridge easily accessible from Gudauri is the hilly mountain with the challenging name, Chrdili. Standing at 2,500 meters, the climb is tough, averaging 180 meters of elevation gain per kilometer.
As always, I started my journey right from my house. Part of the route followed the same stony road, but I left it midway and headed towards the base of Mt. Chrdili. The ascent begins at around 2,300 meters, and you can reach the summit in approximately 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your fitness level.
My 9-year-old husky dog, however, seemed skeptical about climbing up and chose instead to run back and forth along the hill, about 50 meters below me, so I reached the summit a good 15 minutes ahead of him.
The view from the top was richly rewarding. Not only did I see the Gudauri resort, but the other side of the ridge opened up to the stunning Khado Valley—a place filled with hundreds of Svan towers. It was immersive, vast, and simply fabulous. Endless valleys, hidden towers, and the ruins of churches and villages stretched out before me. This area is highly remote, with inhabitants mostly present during the summer months. In winter, it is blanketed in snow, and only a few enthusiasts embark on backcountry tours to Khado Valley. However, freeriding through untouched snow makes all the effort and fatigue worthwhile.
There are plenty of ridges visible from my window, but most are on the other side and require some driving to reach. I will get there one day—no doubt about it.
The nearest ridge easily accessible from Gudauri is the hilly mountain with the challenging name, Chrdili. Standing at 2,500 meters, the climb is tough, averaging 180 meters of elevation gain per kilometer.
As always, I started my journey right from my house. Part of the route followed the same stony road, but I left it midway and headed towards the base of Mt. Chrdili. The ascent begins at around 2,300 meters, and you can reach the summit in approximately 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your fitness level.
My 9-year-old husky dog, however, seemed skeptical about climbing up and chose instead to run back and forth along the hill, about 50 meters below me, so I reached the summit a good 15 minutes ahead of him.
The view from the top was richly rewarding. Not only did I see the Gudauri resort, but the other side of the ridge opened up to the stunning Khado Valley—a place filled with hundreds of Svan towers. It was immersive, vast, and simply fabulous. Endless valleys, hidden towers, and the ruins of churches and villages stretched out before me. This area is highly remote, with inhabitants mostly present during the summer months. In winter, it is blanketed in snow, and only a few enthusiasts embark on backcountry tours to Khado Valley. However, freeriding through untouched snow makes all the effort and fatigue worthwhile.
Itinerary
- Starting Point: Mountain Cricket Chalet
- Route: Follow the stone road up to the middle of the hill, then veer right along the ski slopes until reaching the base of Mt. Chrdili.
- Distance: Approximately 9 km (varies based on the chosen route)
- Surface: A mix of stone, grassy hills with boulders, and clay
- Elevation Range: 2,200 - 2,500 meters
- Elevation Gain: 400 meters
- Facilities: Access to those available in Gudauri
- Difficulty Level: Medium. The ascent is challenging but quick, with a climb of only 200 meters.
