Cross Pass

The Jvari Pass is located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, in the Kazbegi municipality. It is located on the main ridge of the Khevi Caucasus. On the watershed of the Bidari (right tributary of the Tergi) and Mtiuleti Aragvi rivers. The altitude is 2379 m above sea level. The Georgian Military Road passes through it. It is built of Quaternary effusives and intrusive diabases. There are subalpine and alpine landscapes in the area of the pass. The Gudauri winter sports and recreation complex is located on the southwestern slope.

As is known, the Jvari Pass is built of young volcanic rocks that appeared here after the eruption of lava from the Small Mefiskalo. The erupted lavas created a flow towards the Jvari Pass. The lava flow filled the valley of that old river. Before the lava eruption, the height of the Jvari Pass must have been a little more than 2000 m (the thickness of the lava flow is 360 m). The lava flow significantly increased the height of the pass. Later, in the development of the modern appearance of the Jvari Pass, glaciers undoubtedly played a major role.

"Jvari Pass" is also known in sources as Jvartakeli and Gudauri Pass.