10 most beautiful and unusual places in Kabardino-Balkaria

This region is famous not only for the highest peak in Europe, but also for its fantastic pristine nature — here you can properly relax, both mentally and physically. Would you like to stroll through alpine meadows, swim in mineral springs and admire the breathtaking mountain lakes? To do this, you don't need to go to Switzerland. Welcome to the Kabardino-Balkaria!

1. ADYR-SU GORGE AND ULLU-TAU CAMP

Far from civilization

Most tourists who decide to discover the beauty of the Elbrus region start from the Adyr-Su gorge and the Ullu-Tau alpine camp. This is the place that will make you absolutely amazed by the grandeur and beauty of this region. It all starts with a 14-kilometer journey to an altitude of 1000 meters on a giant ski lift. And right behind it you’ll see flowering alpine meadows, breathe in the freshest mountain air and take in mesmerizing views of the Ullu-Tau Mountain. By the way, the hostel wh ere most travelers stay is named after it. Be warned: reception won’t be great here, as well as your sense of reality — you’ll leave your normal life far below. 

Tip: Ullu-Tau Mountain and the campsite of the same name are located on the border of Russia and Georgia, so do not forget your ID — it will be checked — and also make sure to request the permit in advance.

When to go and how to get there: if you like hiking, visit the gorge and the alpine camp during the warm season. The starting point is the village of Verkhniy Baksan (by the way, fr om here tourists get to Lake Syltrankel and to the Yusengi and Tyutyu-Su gorges, more on that below). The village can be easily reached from Nalchik (100 km away) or Mineralnye Vody (160 km away). Coordinates.

2. DZHILY-SU TRACT

Healing waters from the depths of a volcano

If you want not only to enjoy the landscapes of the Elbrus region, but also to take care of your health, then this place is for you. The legendary Dzhily-Su tract is located on the northern slope of Elbrus, and its name means "warm waters". In this area there are many narzan mineral springs, with very different temperatures and compositions. They are heated by the hot magma of Elbrus, which is actually a dormant volcano. Here you can take a wellness bath right in the fresh air and taste water from a variety of springs.

When to go and how to get there: people visit the tract mostly in the warm season, however, the springs of Dzhily-Su do not freeze, so you can swim in them even in winter. There is a direct road from Kislovodsk, which is 85 km away. Coordinates.

3. POLYANA EMMANUEL IN DZHILY-SU

Middle Ages in a mountain valley

When you find yourself in the Dzhily-Su tract, do not forget to visit this iconic place — it was here, at an altitude of 2500 meters, that the first conquest of Elbrus began almost 200 years ago. In the summer of 1829 the expedition of the Russian general Georgy Emmanuel explored the mountains of the Caucasus and from here began the ascent to the highest point of Russia and Europe. The clearing was named after Emmanuel, and to this day climbers gather here — there is a camp, a rescue base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and a cafe.

When to go and how to get there: the clearing, like the tract, is more often visited during the warmer months. The trek from the tract to Polyana will take about an hour. There is also a road from Kislovodsk (85 km away). Coordinates.

4. TYZYL GORGE

Looking for Bigfoot

Perhaps the greenest and the least known place in Kabardino-Balkaria is the Tyzyl Gorge. Here you will find everything: untouched nature with flowering meadows, waterfalls (in particular, the largest, Tyzyl-Su), caves with fossils, ancient sites. The local landscapes resemble locations from Jurassic Park — it feels like dinosaurs are about to appear from behind the rocks. And among the locals, legends have been circulating for many centuries that Bigfoot lives here somewhere. At least, he definitely has wh ere to hide from prying eyes — there are many secret grottoes in the gorge among rocks and streams.

Tip: remember that the roads are quite difficult here, so tourists usually get to the gorge on jeeps.

When to go and how to get there: the Tyzyl Gorge looks its best in summer. Nalchik is 60 km away, while Kislovodsk is 136 km away.

5. YUSENGI GORGE

  

Near the Baksan River, you can walk along an amazing route to the Yusengi Gorge, which is a small but historically important part of the larger Baksan gorge. According to a popular legend, in 1942 men, women and children from the village of Nizhniy Chegem went from here to the Georgian settlement of Mestia and carried molybdenum ore, thanks to which the tungsten-molybdenum combine continued to work in Georgia during such a difficult time. The Yusengi Pass is generally considered a significant place for local people — since ancient times, the Svans (Georgian highlanders) and Balkars made crossings here. Today you can admire the pristine nature of the gorge, as well as meet local fauna: yaks, tours, wild boars, etc.

Tip: in one day you can visit not only the gorge, but also Lake Syltrankel, which is relatively close to each other (read about it below).

When to go and how to get there: the hiking trail in the Yusengi Gorge, which starts on the outskirts of the village of Tegenekli, is popular all year round. Nalchik is 117 km away, Kislovodsk is 200 km and the village of Verkhniy Baksan is 14 km away. Coordinates.

6. LAKE SYLTRANKEL

The most beautiful lake in the Elbrus region

At an altitude of 3000 meters, exactly between the two mountain peaks Syltran and Mukal, there is a "beautiful lake" — this is how Syltrankel is translated from Kabardian. And you can’t argue with that for sure: a glacial greenish-blue 35 meters deep lake that covers 30 hectares is astonishing. In clear weather the eastern peak of Elbrus is visible from the shore of the lake. It is covered with ice for 10 months a year, which makes it especially beautiful in winter. In the warmer months flowers and shrubs bloom among the rocks, which wild goats come to feast on. 

Tip: the lake can only be reached on foot along the trail leading from the village of Verkhniy Baksan. The 10 km path often runs at a steep upward angle, so be prepared for that kind of exercise. 

When to go and how to get there: tourists visit the lake throughout the year. It is 74 km from Nalchik and 66 km from Kislovodsk. Coordinates.

7. TYUTYU-SU GORGE

A gem hidden from prying eyes

The unique and wild Tyutyu-Su gorge is quite difficult to find, tourists rarely come there and even locals rarely walk along the valley. This is what makes this place so precious. There are different versions of the name’s origin: from Balkar this word can be spelled as "tyurtyu" — "barberry" and also "tyutyun" — "smoke". Both options are quite fair: in summer you can pick a lot of berries (including barberry) in the gorge, and the nearest mountain — Tyutyu — is almost always enveloped in a haze of fog. People who are fond of unknown places are highly recommended to visit.

When to go and how to get there: it’s best to visit the gorge in summer or autumn. The nearest place is Verkhniy Baksan, 15 km away. Nalchik is 90 km away and Kislovodsk is 180 km away. Coordinates.

8. BEZENGI

The Himalayas of the Caucasus

This region of Kabardino-Balkaria is the highest part of the Caucasus Mountains; there are five of the seven Caucasus peaks, which reach a height of over 5000 meters. These mountains are covered with eternal glaciers, the main of which is the largest in Russia and gave the name to the entire mountainous region. They’ve been nicknamed "Small Himalayas” by climbers because of how tough they are. Here, at the intersection of two gorges, from which the Northern massif and the Bezengi wall (13 km long) begin, there is a large alpine camp of the same name, Bezengi. This area is one of the most beautiful and majestic places in the entire Caucasus!

Tip: firstly, you won't be able to get to the camp by a regular car, you’ll need a transfer. Secondly, the Bezengi base is located at the border of the Russian Federation, so you will need to get a special pass, find out the details here. 

When to go and how to get there: you can visit the area all year round. The camp can be reached by transfer from Nalchik (100 km away). Coordinates.

9. USHTULU VALLEY

Middle Ages in a mountain valley

Near the village of Upper Balkaria there is a valley and the gorge of the same name — Ushtulu, a picturesque and practically unknown place. People have lived in this region for ages — at the end of the 19th century mummies were found here. Also here you can see the ruins of ancient auls (those mummies belong to their former inhabitants). Also at the Ushtulu Valley you can see local flora and fauna and relax in cozy guest houses.

Tip: Upper Balkaria and the Ushtulu Valley are located near the Bezengi region (about 50 km away), therefore, when planning your trip, you can devote 1 or 2 days to each of these places. 

When to go and how to get there: the Ushtulu Valley, like the village of Upper Balkaria, can be visited any time throughout the year. Upper Balkaria is 25 km away and Nalchik is 55 km away. Coordinates.

10. GEDMISHKH FALLS

Cinematic waterfalls

This top 10 of best places in Kabardino-Balkaria ends with a truly magnificent place. One of the most beautiful landscapes of Kabardino-Balkaria and the entire North Caucasus is the Gedmishkh Falls. This stunning nature miracle has other names as well — "Tsar's Crown", "Waterfall of 70 jets" and the most interesting — "Avatar Falls" because it looks like it belongs in the world of the famous James Cameron film. The source of the cascading waterfall is a spring in the rock at a height of 100 meters. This water is very clean and the locals believe it has healing properties.

When to go and how to get there: you can go to the Gedmishkh Falls all year round (in winter it transforms into an extraordinary ice sculpture), but most tourists come here in warmer months. The nearest village is Khabaz, 15 km away. The village is 85 km from Nalchik and 70 km from Kislovodsk. Coordinates. 

We’ve only covered 10 unusual places in Kabardino-Balkaria. The Elbrus region is famous for its incredible beauty all over the world and has a lot more to offer, so this region is definitely worthy of your attention.