Samsari Range

Mountains Volcanic mountain range in southern Georgia

The Samsari Range in southern Georgia comprises volcanic peaks and alpine lakes; hikers visit for high-mountain routes, volcanic geology and panoramic views of the surrounding Javakheti highlands.

Main image

The Samsari Range is a volcanic mountain chain on the Javakheti Plateau in southern Georgia. Its landscape is shaped by volcanic cones, ridges and highland basins.

Several summits in the range rise above 3,000 metres and the area includes alpine pasture and crater lakes that are visited by hikers and naturalists. Routes across the range are typically remote and require mountain travel preparations.

The range formed through volcanic activity and has the geomorphology of a high volcanic massif, with lava flows and cratered peaks. Its geology and high elevations distinguish it from lower surrounding country.

Geographically, the Samsari Range lies on the southern Georgian highlands of the Javakheti Plateau, within reach of local towns on the plateau and separated from the main Greater Caucasus by intervening terrain.

  • Terrain: Contains multiple volcanic cones and high plateaux that create a distinctive, open mountain landscape suitable for trekking.
Samsari Range
Samsari Range, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Georgia
41.5167, 43.6666

Tips for Visiting Samsari Range #

  • Plan summer ascents (June-September) when the high routes are snow‑free and weather windows are longest; the range is volcanic and trailheads are remote, so good summer conditions matter.
  • Expect rough gravel roads to trailheads and consider local transport or a 4x4 for the final approach; many hikers start from villages on the southern slopes where access is easier.
  • Allow time for wide open views of the Javakheti plateau and keep an eye out for volcanic features and small alpine lakes that are easy to miss from the main ridgeline.

Best Time to Visit Samsari Range #

Best visited in summer (June-September) for hiking and route access; winters are snowy and suitable only for experienced alpinists.

Summer (trekking season)
June-September · 5-20°C (varies by elevation)
Most accessible period for hiking and scrambling; mountain passes and trails are generally free of snow.
Winter (snow & limited access)
December-March · -10 to 5°C (higher elevations colder)
Heavy snow and winter conditions make routes technical and often inaccessible without alpine equipment.

Weather & Climate near Samsari Range #

Climate

Samsari Range's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -14°C to 16°C. Moderate rainfall (998 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-27°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -7°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-14° -7°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

30 Poor

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-14° -6°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

32 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-12° -3°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-6°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
13.2h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (130 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

130 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
14.4h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
15.0h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

88 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
14.7h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-7° -1°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

29 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-11° -6°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight

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