The reserve is located on the slopes of the northern part of the Greater Caucasus. On the tops of the mountains there are many glaciers of different sizes, many of them, when melting, form picturesque waterfalls. Mountain rivers and their gorges have unique natural landscapes. Almost 200 lakes are the real adornment of the reserve. Most of the natural sites have tourist routes.
Most of the excursion trails start at the popular resorts - Dombay, Teberda and Arkhyz. The resorts are located in beautiful places of the reserve and have a developed infrastructure. They are very popular not only among tourists, but also among climbers. Rest in the reserve can be combined with medical procedures, because balneological sanatoriums have been built in the resort areas.
What to see and visit in the reserve?
List of the most interesting and beautiful places of the Teberda nature reserve.
Teberda river
A picturesque river, which is a decoration of the reserve. On its shores, it is pleasant to enjoy the clean fresh air and enjoy the beauty of the protected area. The river looks especially beautiful against the background of the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains and the slopes covered with coniferous forests. The popular ski resort Teberda is located near the river. There are many tourist and alpine camps along the river bed.
Baduk lakes
They are a cascade of three mountain lakes. They are located among the coniferous forest and are a popular tourist attraction. For walking along the hiking route to the lakes, you need to pay a symbolic fee to the administration of the reserve. The starting point of the route is a suspension bridge over the Teberda River. The hike to the lakes takes about 4-5 hours, along the way you need to overcome several steep climbs.
Mount Mussa-Achitara
Climbing to the top 3012 meters high and enjoying the beautiful panoramic view will not be difficult. Several chairlifts located on the slopes of the mountain are very popular with tourists. A bird's eye view of glaciers and snow-capped mountains opens up. From the observation deck, tourists will see the Alibek Valley, the gorge of the Amanauz River, several mountain peaks, including the distant beautiful Elbrus.
Lake Kara-Kol
It is the warmest lake in the reserve. In summer, the water temperature in it reaches 20 degrees. The water in the lake has a dark color due to the clay bottom, while it is clean and transparent. The lake has a small size - 250 * 100 meters and a depth of about 3 meters. The lake was formed several centuries ago by the sliding of the glacier, and large stones, once brought by the glacier, are still scattered on its shore.
Mount Dombay-Ulgen
The height of the mountain is 4046 meters. It is covered with glaciers and non-melting snow cover, which feed many mountain rivers. The mountain range consists of granite, gneiss and shale. The standard tourist hiking route runs to the north of the mountain, to the steep ridge of the Dombayskoye saddle. The route is one day. The most difficult to climb is the eastern slope of the mountain. The southern slopes are more gentle.
Muruja lakes
The lake complex consists of two lakes - Black and Blue. They are named after the color of the water in them. The depth of the Blue Muruja Lake is 52 meters, while its length is only 500 meters. The height of the lakes is 2800 meters. They are separated by a small cofferdam, which offers a beautiful view of the lakes and nearby ridges. Trekking to the Muruja lakes is one of the most popular tourist routes.
Alibek waterfall
One of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the reserve. Located in the upper part of the Alibek gorge. The waterfall is formed by the fall of the waters of the Dzhalovchatka River and is 25 meters high. The age of the Alibek waterfall is no more than 100 years old and it owes its appearance to the glacier, which retreats from the rocky ledge by a meter and a half every year. It may not be difficult to get to the waterfall, but the hike will take a whole day.
Turye lake
A beautiful lake surrounded by glaciers and mountains. His visit is included in the one-day excursion route to the Alibek gorge. The size of the lake is about 40 * 40 meters, it is located between two glaciers - Bilingual and Alibek. The lake feeds on melt water from glaciers, so the water in it is very cold. But they appreciate it for its crystal purity and beautiful turquoise color. Often, even in the summer months, ice remains on the lake.
Alibek glacier
It is the most popular with tourists due to its low location. To visit it, you do not need special climbing equipment, but before climbing it is still worth assessing your physical form. The length of the glacier is 4.6 km, the area is 975 hectares. It is covered with cracks, the depth of which reaches 60 meters. Alibek Glacier is surrounded by green forests and meadows, which makes it extremely picturesque.
Climbers cemetery
The memorial cemetery is located near the Dombai glade, in the gorge of the Alibek River. It represents several dozen stone slabs, which are not always real graves. Most of them retain the memory of those climbers who did not return from the mountains for several decades. The tablets attached to the slabs tell stories from their bright life, the names of the conquered peaks, the places of death.
Chuchkhur waterfalls
A place of amazing beauty, located in the Dombai-Ulgen gorge. This is a border zone, you need to get a pass to enter it. You can arrange it at the cable car station. The Chuchkhur cascading waterfalls were formed when the Chuchkhur River fell from a cliff 12 meters high. The mountain water flow originates from the Maly Dombay glacier. The road to the waterfalls leads through forb meadows, fir forest and large picturesque meadows.
Dzhuguturluchat waterfall
It flows down from the mountain range from a height of 20 meters. You don't need to spend a lot of effort to examine it. An excellent view of the waterfall opens while riding the cable car. Many tourists sit in cafes at the cable car stations and enjoy the powerful view of the seething waterfall. For those wishing to come closer, there are observation platforms on Mount Mussa-Achitara, the views from here are considered the most spectacular.
Ptysh waterfalls
The excursion usually includes not only viewing the waterfalls, but also a visit to the glacier of the same name. Beautiful waterfalls cascade down from a height of 15 meters. The falls are located in a wild canyon, so mountain tours often come here. Rare unique plants included in the Red Book grow on the trail to the waterfall. For example - pink rhododendron.
Lake Tumanly-Kel
This lake is called Trout among local residents because of the large number of trout living in it. However, most tourists come to him not for fishing, but to enjoy the beautiful and picturesque mountain landscapes of the Gonachkhirskoye gorge. The lake is located at an altitude of 1850 meters. In summer, the water in it warms up to 20 degrees. An asphalt road has been laid to the Tumanly-Kel lake.
Klukhorskoe lake
The lake is located near the Kulukhor pass at an altitude of 1850 meters. Its dimensions are 400 * 300 meters, the depth reaches 35 meters. The lake is surrounded by rocks and snow-capped peaks. The water in it does not warm up even in summer, and even in July ice floes can float on its surface. Tourists are attracted by the unusual color of the water in the lake - turquoise-greenish with a milky tint. There is a small glacier on the southern side of the lake.
Sofrudzhinsky waterfalls
Three large waterfalls are located in the gorge formed by the Amanauz River. Waterfalls form streams of water flowing from the Sofrudzhinsky glacier. The height of the jets falling reaches 40 meters.The trail to the waterfalls is about 4 km long and starts at the village. The route is not difficult, the most difficult part is the ascent to the second waterfall. The difference in altitude between the end and the start point of the route is 500 meters.
Devil's Mill Waterfall
Located at the border zone near the mouth of the Indryuka River. It seethes in a narrow canyon formed by the closing of high cliffs. The waterfall got its name because of its unusual appearance. When water falls from an impressive height, the streams seem to be ground in millstones, forming funnels. It is quite difficult to get to the observation deck, for this you need to cross the mountain river along the logs thrown over it.
Jamagat Narzans
Natural sources of mineral water in the Jamagat gorge. There are two sources, and they are located next to each other. The water in the springs is cold, its temperature does not exceed 6 degrees. The mineralization of water in the springs is weak, but it is saturated with trace elements. The tourist route attracts them with magnificent views of the mountains and the river. The length of the route is 8 km. The trail runs along seething rivers, murmuring streams and dense forests.
Mukhinskoe gorge
The route along the gorge is 12 kilometers long, and tourists overcome it in different ways. You can walk along it not only on foot, but also by bicycle, ATV or SUV. Hiking involves spending the night in the gorge, because only a few can overcome 12 km and a drop in altitude of 1400 meters and return back in one day. There are no outstanding sights along the way; tourists are attracted by the process of travel itself.
Shumka waterfall
Located at an altitude of 1523 meters. The height of the fall of water from the ledge is 13 meters. The walking route to it is not difficult and passes through a beautiful and dense forest. The waterfall is hidden from view behind the trees, so tourists who come to it first hear the sound of falling water, and then only see it. It is because of this effect that the waterfall got its name. The hike to the waterfall from Dombai will take no more than an hour.
Lake of Love (Lake Suuk-Djurek)
An unusual heart-shaped body of water is very popular with tourists. The lake is located at an altitude of 2350 meters on the Morg-Syrty plateau. The route to it is not difficult, but you need to overcome a small ascent along the Arkhyz saddle pass. Visiting the waterfall is especially popular with couples in love looking for true love. It is believed that its delicate turquoise color symbolizes the depth and purity of this light feeling.
Valley of the Kizgych river
A beautiful valley, a visit to which is possible only with the permission of the administration of the Teberda nature reserve. The valley is inhabited by young bison specially brought here. The road to the valley leads past the lake, with the unusual name Dead. After the lake, the hiking route passes through several picturesque meadows, along a suspension bridge, past the Uzhum waterfall and through a pine and fir forest. Some of the trees are over 700 years old.
Visit Center of the Teberda Nature Reserve
Located in the central estate of the reserve. There are stands with the location of tourist routes and ecological trails. A separate stand informs visitors about the tasks and goals of the reserve, tells about its unique features. Employees of the visit center advise visitors on the complexity of the route, select the most interesting excursion, help to issue a pass to the border zone.
Museum of Nature
Also located in the central estate of the reserve. The expositions are located in four halls. The museum invites tourists to view the collections of minerals, herbs, flowers and animals. The map of the reserve, located in the opening hall, conveys all the features of the relief of its territory. In other halls, there are stuffed animals of the forest, alpine and subalpine zones. In one of the halls, the stuffed animals are placed against the background of dioramas.
Open-air cage complex of the Teberda nature reserve
Large recreational facility on the territory of the reserve. Its area is 8 hectares, which are spacious enclosures for keeping wild animals. More than 50 animals of 20 different species have become the inhabitants of the complex. Of particular interest are wolves, deer, yaks, bears. There are artificial ponds in the aviaries where birds live. Observation platforms are equipped for comfortable observation of animals.
