Kabardino-Balkaria is a small republic in the south of our country. The greatest pride of the region is the two-headed handsome Elbrus, which is visible even from neighboring regions in good weather. Elbrus region can be called one huge attraction, there are so many beautiful and amazing places created here by nature.
Five large mountain ranges pass through the republic at once. There are 7 peaks over 5000 meters high. Glacier caps give rise to the cleanest rivers: Baksan, Malka, Chegem. Unforgettable views of the Blue Lakes. It is difficult to count all the waterfalls in the mountains, the most famous and powerful are in the Chegem gorge and in the Dzhily-Su tract. The most delicious healing water gushes right out of the ground in the Narzan Valley.
The most interesting and beautiful places
List, photo with names and descriptions of the best attractions in the region.
Mountain Elbrus
The highest peak of Russia and Europe is located on the border of the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Krachayevo-Cherkessia. Covered by 23 glaciers that feed large rivers. The mountain is of volcanic origin, has two peaks at a distance of 1.5 km from each other. The height of the Eastern summit is 5,621 meters, the Western - 5,642 meters, in the saddle between them the highest mountain shelter of the Caucasus (5,416 meters) was built. The cable car rises to a height of 3,847 meters.
National Park "Elbrus"
The natural park is located in the central part of the Caucasus. The territory covers the nearest regions of the Elbrus and Cheget mountains, as well as the Baksan river valley. There are many rare representatives of flora and fauna, some are not represented anywhere else on the planet. Rest in Elbrus is skiing from the mountain slopes in winter, mountaineering trips, clean air, healing narzans. The most popular routes in the park are to Elbrus, to mineral and thermal springs, waterfalls and mountain lakes.
Ski complex "Elbrus-Azau"
The complex is represented by 7 tracks, mostly they belong to the blue category, there is a red and black track. The total length of the slopes is 11 km, and the height difference is about 2 km. On the slopes of the first and second stages there are cafes, snack bars, rental points. At the foot is the village of Polyana Azau - the lowest point of both cable cars and the highest settlement in the Elbrus region. There are hotels along the perimeter, within walking distance from the ski lifts.
Ski complex "Cheget"
Mount Cheget is located slightly south of Elbrus, has two peaks, 3,769 meters high and 3,461 meters high. At the foot there is a glade of the same name with modern hotels and entertainment for tourists. The most experienced skiers ride here: 16 km of tracks belong to the red and black categories, good conditions for off-piste skiing. 4 lifts are raised to a height of 3,050 meters. From the top of Cheget, views of Elbrus, the village of Terskol and the Baksan gorge open up.
Kabardino-Balkarian high mountain reserve
The territory of the reserve covers the highlands of the Greater Caucasus, namely the 13-kilometer ridge of the Bezengi wall. Here is the second highest peak in our country, Mount Dykhtau. More than half of the reserve is occupied by the nival belt; these are 256 glaciers giving rise to a wide network of mountain rivers. The green part of the reserve is forests and alpine meadows. The flora and fauna of these places is very rich, there are species from the Red Data Book and endemics of the Caucasus.
Dzhily-su tract
The place is located on the northern slope of Elbrus. Here, warm narzan springs are gushing from the ground (on average, the temperature is 22 - 24 0FROM). Apart from the treatment, there is a lot to see here. Four waterfalls flow down from the mountains, the largest of them, Sultan, has a height of 40 meters and water, painted in gray. In summer, Emmanuel's glade is covered with a bright yellow carpet of buttercups, and next to it are the unusual rocks "Stone mushrooms". The Silver Spring beats only from August to September, filling a cold healing bath.
Chegem waterfalls
The Chegem Gorge is located an hour's drive from Nalchik. The cliffs here converge very close, along the bottom of the gorge, along the turbulent Chegem River there is an asphalt road. The waterfalls are hundreds of thin streams flying from a great height and carried away by the wind in fine spray. There are cafes and a market on the first observation deck, from here you can climb to the second tier, where the streams are more powerful. In 16 km from the waterfalls there is a paraglider - a gathering place for paragliders.
Blue Lakes
Five lakes of karst origin are located 30 km south of Nalchik, in the valley of the Cherek Balkarsky river. The lower lake - the deepest, presumably 279 meters, has clear water with the smell of hydrogen sulfide. The two upper lakes are not very deep, about 18 - 20 meters. The dry lake is a large body of water at the bottom of a deep depression 177 meters deep. The secret lake is approximately equal in size to the Lower one, but has a shallow depth. All lakes, except for the Lower, are reported to have trout.
Gedmishh waterfall
The waterfall is located on the right tributary of the Gedmishkh river near the village of Khabaz, Zolsky district. Height is about 60 meters. You can get to it along a dirt road, but the last section of the route will have to be walked. It feeds from a mountain spring. The waterfall is called royal for its magnificent views. Among the green mountain meadows, thousands of jets fly from a high hill, breaking into fine mist.
Baksan gorge
The most famous gorge of the Elbrus region: ski fields are located here and all climbing routes begin. The Baksan river flows along it, the highway passes, the cities of Tyrnyauz, Baksan, the villages of Terskol and Elbrus are located here. All the way, the landscapes are very picturesque, the slopes converge very closely and part, smaller gorges diverge, the rocks change their shade. In the second half of the way, a dense coniferous forest begins, right up to Elbrus itself.
Baksan glacier
The second name of the glacier is Big Azau. It is the largest in the Elbrus region, its length is 9.28 km, and its area is 23 km2... It is located at the headwaters of the Azau River, in a deep gorge near the Kyukurtlu spurs. As a result of melting, it retreats by 31 meters per year. To climb it, you need training and climbing equipment. It is unsafe on the surface: slippery ice under the shallow scree of stones, rockfalls and icefalls occur.
Valley of the Narzan
The valley of the Hasaut River, surrounded by mountains and protected from the winds, got its name from the abundance of mineral water springs. Within 3 km you can find 20 powerful springs, it seems that the water literally boils in them. It is heavily carbonated with carbon dioxide, the composition is rich in trace elements, especially iron. The valley itself is covered with grasses of subalpine meadows, surrounded by a coniferous forest. There are waterfalls and caves in the vicinity.
Chateau Erken castle
A small corner of medieval Europe is located not far from Nalchik, near the village of Chernaya Rechka. A beautiful castle was built in our time, it stands in the middle of a pond, surrounded by a park complex, a swing bridge leads to the gate. The entire complex belongs to a local wine-making enterprise, it is open to tourists, excursions are paid, by appointment. The best wines are kept in the cellars, tasting is available.
Shadhurei lakes
Karst lakes, surrounded by alpine meadows, are located in the Zolsk region of the republic, 5 km from the village of Kamennomostskoe. There used to be three lakes, but one of them has become shallow. Water bodies are not fed by external sources, water does not flow out of them. They are poorly studied due to their great depth (presumably more than 200 meters), strong underwater eddies and currents. The large lake has dimensions of 270 by 170 meters, the small one - 165 by 110 meters.
Kanzhol plateau
A very convenient observation point is located 10 km from the foot of Elbrus.In good weather, the plateau offers a beautiful view of the highest mountain in the country. In summer they come here with tents to enjoy the view at dawn. The height of the plateau above sea level is 2,900 meters. You can get here by car with good cross-country ability, turning from the Baksan gorge towards the village of Kendelen, and then driving over the Tyzyl gorge.
Waterfall "Maiden Braids"
The waterfall is located in the upper reaches of the Baksan Gorge, on a tributary of the Garabashi River, a little higher to the northwest of the village of Terskol. You can reach it on foot, the trail goes up from the village, the journey will take 2-3 hours. Breaking down from a sheer cliff, the waterfall spills into many streams, like a girl's hair. The height is 25 meters, and the width of the stream reaches 14 meters. Scenes for the film Vertical were filmed near this place.
Terskol waterfall (Men's tears)
A powerful and very beautiful waterfall is located in the Terskol gorge, 5 km from the village of the same name. You can get to it along the walking path. The spring water is cold, very clean and tasty. The stream breaks off a sheer basalt rock, divided into longitudinal layers. If you go up to the base of the waterfall, you can leave the gorge through the pass and get to the observatory.
Thermal springs of Aushiger
Lake Tambukan
A large drainless salt lake is located on the border of Kabardino-Balkaria and Stavropol, 9 km from Pyatigorsk. At the bottom of the reservoir there are about 1.5 million tons of medicinal mud used in medicine and cosmetology, it is supplied to the health resorts of the Caucasus. Lake area 1.7 km2, the average depth is about 2 meters. The water seems to be very dark due to dirt, it has a specific smell. It is easy to get to the lake along the Pyatigorsk-Nalchik highway.
Terskol Peak Observatory
The international station is located on the southern shoulder of Elbrus, at an altitude of 3,150 meters. You can get to it by going up a little higher to the north of the village of Terskol, a dirt road leads past the Maiden Spit waterfall. The observatory is operated jointly with Ukraine, the entrance is closed for tourists inside. The ascent to the object is used for acclimatization, and beautiful views of the gorge and Elbrus open from here.
Lake Donguz Orun-Kol
The mountain lake is located on the southern slope of Cheget at an altitude of 2,800 meters, in a very picturesque valley covered with alpine meadows. This is the border area between Russia and Georgia. The lake is flowing, the stream and river flowing into it carry eroded rocks from the tops, which is why the water is beautifully colored, the banks are swampy. You can go down to the lake from the top of Cheget or walk from the cable car station, the route is not difficult.
National Museum of Kabardino-Balkaria
The museum in the capital of the republic has been operating since 1921, has several structural subdivisions, the collection has more than 1,500 items. Excursion programs and lectures are aimed at preserving knowledge about the history, art and geography of the region. Exhibitions of contemporary artists, a rich exposition of archaeological finds are held, special attention is paid to the history of defense during the Great Patriotic War.
Azau waterfall
An ecological route from the Cheget glade leads to the waterfall. If you go from Terskol, the path will take no more than 20 minutes, the trail is not difficult, it goes through beautiful forests along the Baksan River, difficulties can only be on the last 50 meters of the path. It is located on the Azau River, which originates from the glacier of the same name. The waterfall is powerful enough, in winter it turns into a huge block of ice hanging from a sheer cliff.
Lake Syltrankel
A very beautiful zero is located in the vicinity of the village of Verkhny Baksan, in a hollow at the foot of the Syltran and Mukal mountains. There is a walking trail from the village to the lake, the path is not short, it can take up to 6 hours one way. The reservoir is framed by rocky shores with islets of green vegetation, on one side it is fenced off by a natural dam of ruined rocks. On the other hand, there is an ascent to a mountain pass, from which a view of Elbrus opens.
Archaeological and tourist complex "Upper Balkaria"
The village of Upper Balkaria is located in the Cherek region, 65 km from Nalchik. The road to it goes through the Cherekskoe gorge. A single archaeological and tourist complex was formed here, uniting the ruins of ancient mountain settlements, watchtowers, crypts. The complex also includes natural attractions: Cherekskaya gorge, Ushtulu tract with mineral springs.
"City of the Dead" in Eltyubu
The village of Eltyubu is located in the Chegem region, 17 km from the Chegem waterfalls. A Balkarian settlement has been in this place since ancient times. On one of the slopes of the mountains surrounding the village, there are remains of burial vaults of the 11th - 18th centuries. The interior decoration of the buildings has not survived. The city of the dead is recognized as a historical monument. The place is beautiful and very picturesque, imbued with an atmosphere of antiquity and tranquility.
Memorial complex "100 steps to Kaisyn"
Kaysyn Kuliev is a Soviet Balkarian poet, beloved in his homeland. In memory of the poet, his native village, Verkhny Chegem, a memorial complex was built with folk funds. It is a stone gate, from which there is a stone wall 350 meters long, to the very estate of the Kulievs. It contains 100 black slabs with poems of the poet and quotes from famous people about him applied on them.
Kyzylkol-su waterfall
This waterfall is a must-see for everyone who comes to the Dzhily-Su tract, it is located behind the main meadow, 400 meters from the Sultan waterfall. The name translates to "red water" as the surrounding rocks are red in color. The Kyzyl-Kol River breaks down from a height of 20 meters, forming a small canyon beneath it. You can admire the waterfall from the top of the rocky ledge; going down is very difficult and dangerous.
Karakaya-su waterfall
One of the most powerful waterfalls of the Dzhily-Su tract, is a half-hour walk down the Malka River, 30 meters high. It was formed at the confluence of the Karakaya-Su river. The name means "black water", the reddish-yellow rocks here have black stripes. The stream is beautiful at any time of the year, fine spray is carried far around. Freezing in winter, the waterfall forms a fabulous ice outgrowth on the rock.
Tyzylskaya gorge
The very beautiful gorge of the Kendelen-Tyzy River is recognized as a natural monument. The site has a length of 35 km, the slopes can converge very closely, and in some places, on the contrary, they become gentle and widely spaced. The gorge is very green, with numerous small waterfalls flowing down its slopes. At the end there is a plateau with a whole complex of waterfalls, under them there is an entrance to a cave with the fossilized remains of an unknown animal.
Mountaineering Museum named after Vladimir Vysotsky
A museum in the Elbrus region, in the mountain village of Tegenkli, has been operating since 1997. Here are collected hunting trophies and stuffed animals, climbers' equipment, household items of highlanders. The central place of the exposition is occupied by an exhibition dedicated to Vladimir Vysotsky. He often visited these places, was friends with the director and founder of the museum. Of interest are also the picturesque surroundings and the building itself, built of solidified lava.
Memorial House-Museum Marko Vovchok
The house of the Ukrainian writer, where she lived for the last two years of her life, from 1906 to 1907, became a museum. It preserved personal belongings and all the furnishings as it was during the life of Marko Vovchok, as well as correspondence with Shevchenko, Pisarev, Hugo, Dumas. Her grave is located here, on the territory of the estate. The building is recognized as an architectural monument, it is the only museum of the writer. It is located in Nalchik on Vovchok street.
Monument to the Heroes of the Defense of the Elbrus Region
The monument was opened in 1987 on the slope of Mount Elbrus. It is located near the Museum of Military Glory at the Mir cable car station at an altitude of 3,500 meters. It is a stele 4.5 meters high, surrounded by smaller steles with the names of those killed in battles inscribed on them.The fascists believed in a mystical victory, trying to stay on top, they were stopped by the feat of the Elbrus defenders. It is the highest mountain monument in the world.
Monument to the wars who died during the defense of Elbrus in 1942-1943
In the village of Terskol, on the right slope of the Baksan gorge, there is a monument. The remains of the bodies of the company of Lieutenant Grigoryants were buried here, which was completely destroyed by the Edelweiss detachment during an assault attempt in 1942. They were discovered only in 2013, and buried before the 70th anniversary of the Victory. A plate with the names of the warriors is installed above the burial, an eternal flame burns.
Atazhukinsky garden
The recreation park of the city of Nalchik is considered the second largest in the North Caucasus, after the Kislovodsk park. The area is over 250 hectares, the main alley is 1.5 km long. Music is played on weekends and holidays. The territory is very green, there are rare exotic plants, blue spruce trees, there are many children's zones and attractions. The cable car leads from the park to the Malaya Kizilovka mountain, directly to the Sosruko restaurant.
