The Dariali Gorge is the narrow canyon through which the Terek River — and the Georgian Military Highway — crosses into Russia. The cliffs rise almost vertically on both sides, pinching the valley to a few dozen metres in places. It was one of the most strategically important passes in the entire Caucasus: whoever held the gorge controlled movement between the steppe and the South Caucasus.
The gorge sits a few kilometres north of Stepantsminda and is easily reached by road. There is a ruined fortress on the Georgian side, and the scenery is spectacular in a raw, almost oppressive way — the walls close in and the light goes flat even on sunny days. The Russian border crossing is at the far end; non-Russians should not attempt to cross.