In search of adventure we enter the infamous Abano Pass in Georgia, a challenge we do not shy away from.
Locals shake their heads, think we are crazy, and look at us in disbelief. But we, Milene and Yuri, have faith in our faithful companion alexine, our Volkswagen T2. We are determined to Abano Pass to conquer, located at 2900 meters altitude, notorious as one of the most dangerous roads in Georgia, if not the world.
Sawadee offers ready-made tours for Georgia and is a well-known player in the Netherlands when it comes to unique trips to unique destinations.
- Good price / quality ratio
- Very flexible
- 20 years of experience
The challenge of the Abano Pass
It doesn't scare us; sometimes we feel fearless and our bus shares that courage. After we've visited one of the most beautiful parts of Georgia, Svaneti, had skipped, this seemed like a worthy alternative.
Late in the evening we reached the foot of the pass. We decided to drive up a bit and find a suitable camping spot. Unknowingly we passed the last possible camping spot before the pass. And so we climbed steadily, slowly but steadily.
Small sharp rocks everywhere, hairpin bends galore and steep climbs. Without a 4×4, we relied on the power of the engine in the back. The beginning of the pass enchanted us with a rocky ride along the river through an enchanted forest.
Also read: Georgia revealed in 3 seconds
About the Abano Pass
Important to know; the pass (location here) is only open 4 months a year and experienced drivers sometimes meet their end here. Locals call it 'inexperienced driving', but this pass is a challenge for even the most experienced drivers.
Out of the forest and past the tree line the road becomes less rocky, but more dangerous. Potholes so deep that a Mini would fit in them completely. In addition, we cross many streams that come from waterfalls, some quite deep. On one side steep rocks, on the other side a deep abyss. Some bends are narrow and incredibly steep. alexine manages it, but it is not an easy task.
Reaching the top
At 20.00pm we finally reached the top, after two hours of driving for 25 kilometres. It was a slow journey. We slept on top of the pass, exposed to the wind and rain, but it was a restful stay. The next morning a shepherd greeted us, surprised. Not by us, but by the bus.
The descent and the victory
The next day we descended, starting early with confidence. alexine stands high on its wheels, which comes in handy with the deep holes in the road. We passed motorcyclists, hikers and especially tourists in 4x4 minibuses, all with the same astonished look as the shepherd.
More about it Tusheti National Park will follow in another blog. This story is about the incredible road to and from this remote area in Georgia. We arrived in Tusheti. Great, but will we get out of this? And more importantly, without damage?
Looking back on the trip
Fast forward to the way back! We slept at the ranger station before the pass and decided to leave at 9 in the morning. No real road, more like a rocky path through the mountains. The way up from the Tusheti side is shorter but steeper. Of course, going down is different than going up.
Some of the bends on this side are so steep and strewn with large rocks that alexine couldn’t get through and we had to drive back a bit. Luckily there was room to do this. She did it well, seemingly effortlessly, although it seemed that way from a distance. From the drone perhaps. It’s not easy, we can assure you.
The reward after the descent
At the top of the Abano Pass we took a break and enjoyed the view. The hardest part was behind us, right? Then the descent began. Not very exciting. alexine did what she is supposed to do, although she does not like shifting to gear 1 or 2 when going downhill. She spluttered a bit, but otherwise it went pretty smoothly. As we went further downhill, the road got worse and at times we feared for alexine and her tires.
Also read: Vanlife & Overland challenges | A journey through motorcycle repairs
After an hour we reached the foot of the mountain in one piece. We had made it! A Volkswagen T2 can conquer the Abano Pass, one of the most dangerous roads. A friend said that we are probably the first Volkswagen T2 in the Tusheti National Park. Wouldn't that be great? alexine, the namesake, would be proud of her. An explorer in heart and engine!
Sawadee offers ready-made tours for Georgia and is a well-known player in the Netherlands when it comes to unique trips to unique destinations.
- Good price / quality ratio
- Very flexible
- 20 years of experience
