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Russia-Georgia-Turkey in mid winter? Russia-Georgia-Turkey in mid winter?
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  #1  
Old 3 Nov 2014
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Russia-Georgia-Turkey in mid winter?
Hi,

My wife an I are planning a trip to Almaty and back over Christmas, we would like to come back through Turkey.
Anyone know what are the chances of the mountain passes being passable?
We will be in a suitably equipped 2 wheel drive car.

Andy
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  #2  
Old 7 Nov 2014
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So you want to drive between Vladikavkaz and Tbilisi via Kazbegi in winter.
It is difficult to foresee how the road will look like.

I drove my 2WD van between Kazbegi and Tbilisi (and back) in May 2011. There were still snow, ice and a lot of mud. Driving inside the tunnels was quite scaring. When I was going to Kazbegi I met a group of Germans with their vans who had given up because they were worried about the tunnels and they turned back near Gudauri. But I decided to proceed at my own risk... and I made it and saw that local people drive in such conditions with normal 2WD cars.

Maybe, in the middle of winter, when everything is frozen (no mud) it is easier. And maybe the interior of the tunnels has been rebuilt recently. Who knows.

Here my video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlCobjZo0tQ .
Good luck and let us know.
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  #3  
Old 8 Nov 2014
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Originally Posted by cruiser81 View Post
So you want to drive between Vladikavkaz and Tbilisi via Kazbegi in winter.
It is difficult to foresee how the road will look like.
Its closed in winter due to weather
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Old 22 Nov 2014
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Originally Posted by WesleyDRZ400 View Post
Its closed in winter due to weather

Are you sure about this? (source)


The Georgian Military Highway is such a major road connection, I was pretty sure it's kept open year-round.


Just drove there in November, not much snow yet,
Last edited by Travelbug; 22 Nov 2014 at 18:39.
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Old 22 Nov 2014
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Hi
I was on The Georgian Military Highway last September and there was some pretty big road improvements going on, the road was not to bad very muddy and slippery in the snowy parts but passable. it should be much improved by now. skip
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Old 23 Nov 2014
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Originally Posted by Travelbug View Post
Are you sure about this? (source)


The Georgian Military Highway is such a major road connection, I was pretty sure it's kept open year-round.


Just drove there in November, not much snow yet,
The source was border guards I asked last year on both sides as back then I was considering leaving my bike there over winter if I was to pass back that way and was told ofton during winter during heavy snow the road is closed, not sure if they stated just for a few days or maybe weeks?
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Old 23 Nov 2014
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Originally Posted by WesleyDRZ400 View Post
The source was border guards I asked last year on both sides as back then I was considering leaving my bike there over winter if I was to pass back that way and was told ofton during winter during heavy snow the road is closed, not sure if they stated just for a few days or maybe weeks?

OK, that sounds more like what I thought. Road may be blocked, until snow is cleared. Given that the snowy side is in Georgia and the highest point near the Georgian city of Kazbegi / Stepantsminda, with big hotels and even a casino, the road-clearing will be done quickly. Cheers.
Last edited by Travelbug; 25 Nov 2014 at 20:08.
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Old 10 Nov 2014
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Low Temperatures and Black Ice
Hi

I drove through Northern Iran and Eastern Turkey in November 2011. Although there was not much snow yet the temps were -14 to -23 at night and until about 10AM.

Driving was quite strenuous due to lots of black ice but traffic went on as normal.

Our route was Tabriz- Dogubayazit-Erzurum-Trabzond-Black sea coast to Istanbul.

High altitude and Black Ice from Iran to Erzurum but then drop down to Black Sea at Trabzond and lose it. Starts again at West end of Black Sea when you go into hills again heading for Istanbul.

Hope this helps.
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