Atsunta pass

Atsunta Pass is a mountain crossing that connects Shatili and Omalo through steep rocky terrain and alpine meadows, rising above 3500 meters in elevation. The route moves through diverse landscapes of exposed ridges and open grasslands.

In medieval times, the pass was a crucial trade route linking mountain communities, with stone fortifications and defensive structures built on either side to control movement. These strongholds reveal how important this connection was for commerce between isolated regions.

Shepherds have used this crossing for generations, moving livestock between seasonal grazing areas while keeping alive the pastoral traditions of these mountain communities.

The trek takes several days and is only manageable during warmer months, as snow and weather make the pass inaccessible in winter. Water sources exist along the route, but you need to bring camping gear and supplies.

The crossing passes through distinct climate zones where different plant species appear at each elevation, some found nowhere else in the Caucasus. This rapid botanical change creates a rare natural laboratory of mountain ecosystems.