The Darial Gorge was carved out by the Terek River that crosses the border between Georgia and Russia. The gorge is about 13 km (8.1 mi) long with granite walls that are as much as 1,800 m (5,900 ft) tall in some places. It is also often referred to as the Dariall Gorge, or the Darial Pass.

Its name derives from Dar-i-Alān (در الان), which means 'The Gate of the Alans'. It is also known as the Iberian Gates, or the Caucasian Gates. In Georgian it is called დარიალის ხეობა and in Russian as Дарьяльское ущелье.

The Georgian Orthodox Church of the Archangel is situated inside the Dariali Gorge, not far from the border with Russia.

The Georgian Military Road runs through the gorge. On the Russian side, the gorge ends not far south from Vladikavkaz.