Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Zolsky and Tyrnauz districts
Founding history
The unique nature of the Elbrus region attracts tourists from all over the world who want to enjoy the view of the majestic Elbrus, snow-capped mountain peaks, picturesque gorges of the North Caucasus. Marvelous landscapes, clean mountain air, mineral springs, snow sparkling in the bright sun - all this can be found here in abundance.
To preserve this unique natural complex and develop sustainable tourism, the Elbrus region national park with an area of 101 thousand hectares was established in 1986.
Physiographical features
The territory of the national park is located in the central Caucasus region and includes part of the Main Caucasian and Side ranges.
The most famous object of the national park is Mount Elbrus (6542 and 5621 meters). This is an extinct volcano, on the eastern peak of which there are emissions of sulfur dioxide - signs of ongoing volcanic activity.
In the area of the mountain, lava flows are widely developed, flowing from it along the valleys of the main rivers. In the valley of the Malki River, the length of the lava flow is 23 km. About 15% of the entire park territory is occupied by glaciers and snow.
There are more than 100 springs concentrated in the park mineral waters, many picturesque lakes. One of the most interesting is Syltran-Kol, located in the upper reaches of the Syltran River.
The rivers of the Elbrus region are famous for their waterfalls. This is "Maiden's Braids", a waterfall listed in the book "100 Most beautiful waterfalls peace", Sultan and others.
The climate in the national park is generally temperate continental, with cold winters and hot summers. Very complex terrain, significant difference absolute altitudes above sea level, the influence of glaciers, the proximity of the Black Sea and the large volume of air exchange with the free atmosphere - all this ensures a rather sharp difference in the climatic characteristics of this region from others. The coldest month is February with temperatures of -17.7ºC at 4,100 meters above sea level and -3.4ºC at 1,467 meters. In August, the temperature at an altitude of 1467 meters is +17.0ºС, and at 2600 meters it is higher than +0.2ºС.
Diversity of flora and fauna
Climate change with altitude determines the vertical zonation of vegetation cover. A thick belt of coniferous forests gives way to a narrow strip of tree and shrub woodlands, which gradually transform into a belt of subalpine and then alpine meadows. The most interesting plant in the park is the Caucasian rhododendron, the largest in the heather family. Its lush inflorescences of cream and pale pink form giant fairy beds, beautifully combined with dark green foliage.
High mountain forests are rich in mushrooms, lingonberries, blueberries, strawberries, and boneberries. Sea buckthorn is widespread, and its thickets along the Baksan River are strictly protected.
The fauna of the Elbrus region is predominantly Asian in nature. Before the start of the great glaciation, the Caucasus connected with the land of Western Asia, through which animals from Central Asia.
One of the ancient relics is the tour. This is where Severtsov's tur and the Dagestan tur meet. This is probably the most famous animal of the high mountain Caucasus. Another numerous species is the wild boar, which also lives in mountain forests. Chamois are less common. In the forests of the Elbrus region there are wolves, jackals, common fox, lynxes, and brown bears.
Of the mammals living in the park, 8 species are listed in the Red Book of Russia, including the Central Asian leopard, Caucasian forest cat, pointed-eared bat and giant noctule.
Among the birds, 11 are listed in the Red Book: Caucasian black grouse, saker falcon, golden eagle, imperial eagle, Caucasian peregrine falcon, bearded vulture, vulture, white-tailed eagle and others.
What to watch
The park has a huge number of wonderful places worth visiting. These are many natural monuments: the Narzan Glade, the upper reaches of the Malki River, the Sultan waterfall, the Jil-Su tract at the foot of Elbrus and others.
Monuments of history, archeology and ethnography are represented here by the remains of residential and outbuildings, and burials. At the entrance to the national park in the Baksan Gorge, a historical and cultural zone is created with a network of historical and ethnographic excursions and routes, as well as workshops on folk crafts.
You can combine a visit to the park with a visit to the astronomical and neutrino observatories; the Museum of Glaciology of the Moscow State University educational base is open for you in Azau.
Based on materials from oopt.info and zapoved.ru
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Text content of presentation slides: National Park "Elbrus" Main objectives of the National Park "Elbrus": Preservation of reference and unique natural complexes and objects, as well as historical, cultural and other cultural heritage sites; Creation of conditions for regulated tourism and recreation in natural conditions; Development and implementation of scientific methods for preserving natural complexes in conditions of recreational use; Organization of environmental education of the population; Conducting environmental monitoring. The unique nature of the Elbrus region attracts tourists from all over the world who want to enjoy the view of the majestic Elbrus, snow-capped mountain peaks, and picturesque gorges of the North Caucasus. Marvelous landscapes, clean mountain air, mineral springs, snow sparkling in the bright sun - all this can be found here in abundance. To preserve this unique natural complex and develop sustainable tourism, the Elbrus region national park was established in 1986 with an area of 101 thousand hectares. The territory of the national park is located in the central Caucasus region and includes part of the Main Caucasian and Side ranges. The most famous object of the national park is Mount Elbrus (6542 and 5621 meters). This is an extinct volcano, on the eastern peak of which there are emissions of sulfur dioxide - signs of ongoing volcanic activity. In the area of the mountain, lava flows are widely developed, flowing from it along the valleys of the main rivers. In the valley of the Malki River, the length of the lava flow is 23 km. About 15% of the entire territory of the park is occupied by glaciers and snow. On the territory of the national park, the climate is generally temperate continental, with cold winters and hot summers. The very complex terrain of the territory, a significant difference in absolute heights above sea level, the influence of glaciers, the proximity of the Black Sea and a large volume of air exchange with the free atmosphere - all this ensures a rather sharp difference in the climatic characteristics of this region from others. The coldest month is February with temperatures of -17.7C at 4,100 meters above sea level and -3.4C at 1,467 meters. In August, the temperature at an altitude of 1467 meters is +17.0 C, and at 2600 meters higher than +0.2 C. Climate of the Elbrus National Park: Reservoirs of the Elbrus National Park: Two main rivers flow through the Elbrus region: Malka and its right tributary, the river. Baksan. Other large tributaries of the Malka river: Kyzyl-kol, Shau-kol, Ingushli, Kharbaz, etc. The main tributaries of the river. Baksan: Terskol, Donguz-Orun-Baksan, Yusengi, Adyl-Su, Irik-Chat, Kurmychi, Gubasanty-Su, Adyr-Su, Syltran, Kyrtyk, Chelmas, etc. Rivers form picturesque mountain gorges. The most visited of them by recreationists are the upper reaches of the Malki River (the Djily-Su tract), Adyl-Su, Adyr-Su. Within the territory of the Elbrus region, more than 100 sources of mineral waters are concentrated in the upper reaches of pp. Malka and Baksan. The Malkinsky group includes springs located in the Djily-Su tract, the Elbrus group - located in the Irik, Adyl-Su, Kyrtyk gorges, as well as in the upper reaches of the Baksan river (Achi-Su and Polyana Narzanov). The most powerful, easily accessible and visited by recreationists is the group of springs Baksan-Bashi-Ullu-Gara, emerging on the right bank terrace of the Baksan River (Narzanov Glade). There are many lakes in the upper reaches of the Elbrus rivers. They are mainly of the glacial type. Such moraine lakes are usually located near glacier tongues. These include lakes Azau, Bashkara, etc. The most beautiful of them is about. Donguz-Orun-Kol. It is located on the southeastern slope of Cheget. One of the most interesting lakes is o. Syltran-Kol, located in the upper reaches of the Syltran river, the left tributary of the Baksan river. This lake, unlike others, is of tectonic origin. There are many beautiful waterfalls on the rivers of the Elbrus region. Only in the Djily-Su tract in the upper reaches of the Malka River there are several of them. The most beautiful and largest is the Sultan waterfall. It falls from a height of more than forty meters. In the upper reaches of the Baksan River there are also waterfalls at pp. Azau, Garabashi, Terskol. The "Maiden's Braids" waterfall on the Gara-Bashi river is included in the book "100 most beautiful waterfalls in the world." The exceptional diversity of relief, temperature, moisture, and soils contribute to the development of a wide variety of landscapes. The isolation of individual gorges and basins contributes to the formation of endemic species and the preservation of relict species. The nature of the park is characterized by a combination in the animal and plant world of species typical of the steppe, Mediterranean regions of Western Asia. The vertical zonation of the climate determines the vertical zonality of the vegetation cover. The main belt types of vegetation of the national park are: nival, subnival, alpine, subalpine, mountain-forest and mountain-steppe. The predominant type of vegetation cover is meadows. A thick belt of coniferous forests gives way to a narrow strip of tree and shrub woodlands, which gradually transform into a belt of subalpine and then alpine meadows. The latter are directly adjacent to snowfields and firn fields. The flora of flowering and higher vascular plants of Kabardino-Balkaria includes about 3000 species, which is 50% of the species growing in the Caucasus as a whole. The most attractive are alpine and subalpine meadows with grass heights of 8-15 cm and from 40-50 to 70-80 cm, respectively. Among the rare plants there are many endemics of the Caucasus: Nefedov's bell (Latin: Campanula nefedovii), small chickpea (Latin: Cicer minutum) . . Pulsatilla albana), dolomite bell (lat. Campanula dolomitica), etc. A particularly protected species of the mountain-meadow subalpine landscape is the Caucasian rhododendron (lat. Rhododendron caucasicum) - an evergreen shrub from the heather familyFlora and vegetation of the Elbrus National Park: Plant species included in the Red book of the Russian Federation: Angiosperms: Radde Birch / Betula raddeana Baksan wolfberry / Daphne baksanica Columnar saxifrage / Saxifraga columnaris Dolomite bell / Campanula dolomitica Caucasian fritillary / Fritillaria caucasica Fauna and animal world Elbrus National Park: The fauna of the national park is rich and includes 63 species of mammals, 111 species of birds, 11 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 6 species of fish and a huge number of species of insects. The national park is home to animals of both European broad-leaved forests - pine marten, European forest cat, Brown bear , roe deer, many birds, and the steppe zone of Europe - the common mole rat, the common hamster, the steppe ferret, the gray partridge, etc. Among the endemics of the Caucasus are the West Caucasian tur (lat. Capra caucasica), the Caucasian snowcock (lat. Tetraogallus caucasicus), the Caucasian grouse (lat. Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi), Caucasian otter (lat. Lutra lutra meridionalis), etc. According to the 1995 census, there are 4,600 individuals of the Caucasian tur (lat. Capra caucasica) in the territory of the national park. Among mammals, interesting species living in the park , it should be noted chamois, among fish - brook trout (lat. Salmo trutta morpha fario). There are many endemic forms among insects. Thus, out of 63 species of diurnal butterflies, 20 species are found only in the Elbrus region. Species of animals included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation: Invertebrates: Mnemosyne / Parnassius mnemosyne amphibians: Asia Minor newt / Triturus vittatus birds: Saker falcon / Falco cherrug Griffon vulture / Gyps fulvus Golden eagle / Aquila chrysaetos Bearded vulture / Gypaetus barbatus European tuvik / Accipiter brevi pesCaucasian grouse / Lyrurus mlokosiewicziBone / Aquila heliacaWhite-tailed eagle / Haliaeetus albicilla Peregrine falcon / Falco peregrinus Vulture / Neophron percnopterus Black vulture / Aegypius monachusmammals: Greater horseshoe bat / Rhinolophus ferrumequinumGiant noctule / Nyctalus lasiopterusCaucasian otter / Lutra lutra meridionalisCaucasian forest cat / Felis silvestris caucasicaLeopard / Panther a pardus Lesser horseshoe bat / Rhinolophus hipposideros Sharp-eared bat / Myotis blythi Tricolored bat / Myotis emarginatus Tourism: On On the territory of the national park there are 23 recreational institutions, where about 5 thousand people can relax during the season. Planned tourism is mainly carried out under the auspices of the Elbrus Council for Tourism and Excursions. Excursions are conducted along 16 thematic routes. The park has a huge number of wonderful places worth visiting. These are many natural monuments: the Narzan Glade, the upper reaches of the Malki River, the Sultan waterfall, the Jil-Su tract at the foot of Elbrus and others. Monuments of history, archeology and ethnography are represented here by the remains of residential and outbuildings, and burials. At the entrance to the national park in the Baksan Gorge, a historical and cultural zone is created with a network of historical and ethnographic excursions and routes, as well as workshops on folk crafts. A visit to the park can be combined with a visit to the astronomical and neutrino observatories; a museum of glaciology at the training base of Moscow State University has been opened in Azau.
National Park "Elbrus"
The Elbrus region National Park was created by Decree of the Government of the RSFSR No. 407 of September 22, 1986 on the territory of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria in order to preserve the unique natural complex of the Elbrus region and create conditions for development organized holiday, tourism and mountaineering. Reports to the Forestry Department of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. The territory of the national park is located within two administrative districts of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria: Zolsky and Tyrnauzsky. Within the boundaries of the park there are 6 settlements with a population of about 6 thousand people.
The national park was provided with 75.4 thousand hectares (74.5% of the total area) of forest fund lands, 25.8 thousand hectares (25.5%) of lands of other owners, holders and users entered the boundaries of the park without withdrawal from economic use. Forest lands occupy 10.3 thousand hectares (10.2%). The national park is located 90 km west of Nalchik along the high-mountainous part of the Baksan River basin and its tributaries, from the southern slopes of Elbrus to the Main Caucasus Range, and on the northern slopes of Elbrus, in the upper reaches of the Malka River.
The climatic features of individual areas of the park are determined by the mountainous terrain and large differences in elevation. Temperature contrasts are characteristic both across the seasons of the year and throughout the day. Average daily fluctuations in air temperature in the valleys are 19°-20°C. With increasing altitude, the annual sum of positive temperatures decreases by 120°-130°C for every 100 m of altitude and at a level of approximately 4000-4200 m it becomes 0°C. At an altitude of 3400 m, the duration of snow cover is 235-260 days. An increase in precipitation occurs up to the level of 3500 m, where it is about 1000 mm; above that, the amount of precipitation decreases. With altitude, the intensity of solar radiation increases, atmospheric pressure and the weight content of oxygen decrease.
The territory of the national park is located in the central Caucasus, mid-mountain and high-mountain zones (1400-5642 m above sea level), and includes part of the Main Caucasian and Side ranges. Within the boundaries of the national park, several morphological forms of relief are distinguished: high-altitude glacial, mid-altitude mountainous relief, lava flows, and lacustrine-basin.
The high-mountainous glacial (alpine) relief includes a complex of individual ridges and massifs of the Main and Side ranges: Elbrus - 6542 m and 5621 m, Ushba - 4700 m, Shkhelda - 4320 m, Irikchat - 4050 m, g Sullu-Kol-Bashek - 4424 m, Dzhan-Tugan - 4012 m, Disayly-Subashi - 4424 m, etc. Elbrus is an extinct volcano; on the eastern peak there are signs of volcanic activity that has not yet died out - the release of sulfur dioxide.
Glaciers and snow occupy 155.5 km2 or 15.3% of the entire park territory. Mountain glaciers serve as storage water resources, melt water from glaciers takes part in feeding rivers. The river valleys are cut to a depth of 250-400 m and have a spur character, which is due to previous glacial activity and erosion processes, which also developed the modern branched network of tributaries of the main rivers. A characteristic feature of the high-mountainous terrain is the presence of waterfalls (the largest are in the upper reaches of the Malka River) and large screes formed as a result of high-mountain weathering and occupying significant areas.
The territory, in conditions of medium-altitude mountainous relief, is characterized by small relative elevations (up to 1300 m), gentle and flat watersheds and a significant development of rock formations and screes.
Lava flows are widespread in the area of Elbrus, from which they flowed down the valleys of the main rivers. In the river valley Malki lava flow length is 23 km.
Lake-basin relief - in small areas in the valley of the Malka River with lakes present here. In places where lake-basin relief develops, the surface is almost perfectly flat.
Modern processes and phenomena observed here are weathering, erosion-accumulation and mudflow processes (turbulent mudflows of water-rock composition, mud-stone flows in the zone of clay-shale rocks), gravitational processes (landslides on clayey deposits and shale, landslides on rocky slopes, activated by earthquakes).
The area of the national park is prone to avalanches. Avalanche processes in the form of snow and snow-rock avalanches in the highlands and midlands are associated with heavy snowfalls and sudden temperature changes during the spring warming period. Avalanches are a natural phenomenon that can catastrophically change the state of ecosystems and cause enormous damage. They destroy forest over large areas, helping to reduce its upper boundaries. In places where coniferous forests are destroyed, birch forests appear. Avalanche safety is provided by the operational units of the Elbrus Council for Tourism and Excursions and the service for active influence on avalanches at the High Mountain Geophysical Institute of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic.
Soils are distributed according to altitudinal zones.
In the alpine belt there are mountain meadow turf, mostly underdeveloped gravelly soils.
In the subalpine zone there are mountain-meadow turfy loamy soils.
In the forest belt under the birch forest there are mountain-forest soddy-peaty brown soils on steep slopes of northern exposure; under the high-mountain birch forests there are brown mountain forest podzolic, relatively more fertile (thickness of the humus horizon up to 30-40 cm) soils on less steep slopes. The soils of high-mountain pine forests are formed mainly on crystalline rocks; they are poorer and drier than under birch forests. They represent 3 subgroups: primary mountain-forest skeletal; light brown, mountain-forest sod-podzolic; dark brown mountain forest soddy-podzolic.
In the mountain-steppe belt there are mountain-meadow-steppe turf and chernozem-like mountain-steppe gravelly soils.
According to geobotanical zoning, the national park is located in the Elbrus and Terek subprovinces of the North Caucasus province.
The flora of the Elbrus region has about 400 species. Among the rare plants there are many endemics of the Caucasus: Nefedov's bell (Campanula nefedovii), small chickpea (Cicer minutum), Baksan wolfberry (Daphne baksanica), lily (Lilium monadelphum), Dinnik saxifrage (Saxifraga diimikii), amazing cinquefoil (Potentilla divina), columbine Olympic (Aquilegia olympica), Albanian lumbago (Pulsatilla albana), dolomite bell (Campanula dolomitica), etc. A particularly protected species of the mountain-meadow subalpine landscape is the Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum) - an evergreen shrub from the heather family (Ericaceae). It can withstand a snow cover of up to 1.5 m. It blooms in early summer; its bushes with lush inflorescences of cream and pale pink color form giant flower beds.
The following plant species are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation: common hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), Radde birch (Betula raddeana), Dinnik saxifrage (Saxifraga dinnikii), dolomite bellflower (Campanula dolomitica), small chickpea (Cicer minutum). Birch Radde was described in 1885 by the famous naturalist of the Caucasus G. Radde; it is a winter-hardy tree with branches growing upward, pink bark and dark green leaves. This endemic relict species is found only in a few regions of the Caucasus.
Vegetation is characterized by vertical zoning. Above 3400-3500 m there is a nival belt, consisting mainly of glaciers and eternal snow. Mosses, lichens, and some types of algae and bacteria are found on screes and steep cliffs. Below (from 3000 to 3400-3500 m) there is a subnival belt, its border is uneven in places and in the Azau valley it drops to 2700 m. The soils are primitive, located in patches (fragments). Due to the lack of typical soils, higher flowering plants do not form closed communities. There are few lichens. The alpine belt, which occupies altitudes from 2700 to 3000-3100 m, is dominated by alpine meadows and carpets, which are dominated by sheep fescue (Festuca ovina), shady sedge (Carex umbrosa), bellflower (Campanula tridentata), Caucasian mantle (Alchemilla caucasica), Steven's dandelion (Taraxacum stevenii), multi-flowered dandelion (Luzula multiflora), etc. In the upper reaches of the river. There are also mesophilic alpine meadows: forb-grass with species of the genus Kobresia spp., fescue, fescue-sedge with Medvedev's sedge and pseudosedge (Carex medwedewii, C. micropodioides). The grass stand is low (5-20 cm). The subalpine belt (from 2100 to 2800 m above sea level) is transitional between the alpine and mountain forest belts. Subalpine meadows, quite rich in species composition, predominate here. In the upper reaches of the Malka there are subalpine swampy meadows (sedge), subalpine steppe fescue-sedge meadows (Festuca valesiaca - Carex huetiana) and cereal meadows with variegated fescue (Festuca varia). The mountain forest belt (up to 2450-2700 m) is dominated by pine (Pinus kochiana, Pinus sylvestris) and pine-birch (P. sylvestris - Betula litwinowii) forests. On the slopes of the southern exposure of the Side Range there are mountain steppes.
Only a tenth of the national park's territory is occupied by forests. Of the coniferous species, the most common is Koch pine (Pinus kochiana) - 4.2 thousand hectares (46.7%), and of deciduous species - Litvinov birch (Betula litwinowii) and Radde birch (B. raddeana) - 4.7 thousand hectares (52.6%). Other species account for less than 100 hectares (0.7%). The undergrowth contains mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia), currant (Ribes sp.), hemispherical juniper (Juniperus hemisphaerica), etc. In the forest belt, among pine forests, mesoxerophilic (71.3%) and mesophilic communities (23.3%) predominate, the driest Xerophilous pine forests account for no more than 5.4%. But the groups of planting steepness are distributed as follows: slopes with a steepness of 0°-10° occupy 4.5% of plantings, 11°-20° - 9.1%, 21°-30° - 14.7%, more than 31° - 71, 7%. On hard-to-reach slopes under the forest canopy, successful regeneration of pine occurs, resulting in the formation of a forest stand with a mixed-age structure.
The fauna of the Elbrus region is quite rich and highly endemic. It is home to 63 species of mammals, 111 species of birds, 11 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 6 species of fish and a huge number of insect species.
Here live animals of both European broad-leaved forests - the pine marten (Martes martes), European forest cat (Felis silvestris), brown bear (Ursus arctos), roe deer (Capreplus capreolus), many birds, and the steppe zone of Europe - the common mole rat (Spalax microphtalmus ), common hamster (Cricetus cricetus), steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni), gray partridge (Perdix perdix), etc. Among the endemics of the Caucasus are the Caucasian tur (Cara caucasica), Caucasian snowcock (Tetraogallus caucasicus), Caucasian grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi), Caucasian otter (Lutra lutra meridionalis), etc. The Elbrus region is the center of distribution of the Caucasian tur. According to the 1995 census, there are 4,600 individuals of this species in the national park. One species and one subspecies of mammals are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation - the giant noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus) and the Caucasian otter, 11 species of birds - the Caucasian grouse, saker falcon (Falco cherrug), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), peregrine falcon ( Falco peregrinus), bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), vulture (Neophron percnopterus), white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), European tuvik (Accipiter soloensis), griffon vulture (Gyps fulvns), red wren (Regulus ignicapillus), 1 reptile species - Caucasian viper (Vipera kaznakowi), 1 species of amphibian - Asia Minor newt (Triturus vittatus ophryticus). Among other interesting species of mammals living in the park, the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) should be noted, and among the fish - brook trout (Salmo trutta morpha fario). There are many endemic forms among insects. Thus, out of 63 species of diurnal butterflies, 20 species are found only in the Elbrus region.
On the territory of the national park there are several scientific institutions: a station of Moscow State University, a scientific base of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University, etc. They conduct independent scientific research programs in various directions.
The national park itself is working to accumulate information data.
A large number of natural monuments are registered on the territory of the national park. Complex natural monuments: the glades of Narzan, Cheget and Azau have health and aesthetic significance. Geomorphological: Mount Azau-Bashi, Lake Donguz-Orunkel, into which glacial rivers and streams fall like waterfalls; the northeastern slopes of Umgu-Kara with pine forests and clumps of rhododendron; the Dzhil-Su tract at the foot of Elbrus; the upper reaches of the Malka River with an area of 3 km2. The source of the Malka River breaks out of an ice grotto and flows through a wide valley carved out by a glacier. The spherical lavas give the landscape its originality, which is why the second name is “Moon Valley”. The left source cuts through a deep gap and falls from a height of 40 m with the Sultan waterfall. On the right bank of the Malka River there are 2 mineral springs - cold and warm. Botanical monuments - Caucasian rhododendron (slopes in the upper reaches of the Adyl-Su river, slopes of the city of Cheget).
The territory of the national park is rich in historical, archeological, and ethnographic monuments. The remains of residential, commercial and domestic buildings, villages, and burials were found here. Based on the placement of archaeological monuments, it is possible to recreate non-traditional Balkar culture with further use in the ethnographic museum complex. There are also monuments to the Great Patriotic War; at the Mir station there is a museum of the Great Patriotic War. In Azau, at the educational base of Moscow State University, there is a museum of glaciology.
The Caucasus is a symbol of the beauty of mountain nature, which excited the imagination of Pushkin, Lermontov, Griboyedov, and many other Russian and foreign classics, and continues to captivate tourists from all over the world with its extraordinary entertainment.
Of particular interest to everyone is the Elbrus National Park, located on the territory of the Baksan Valley, at the foot of one of the highest peaks Europe - Mount Elbrus, famous for its two peaks.
Elbrus National Park, located around Mount Elbrus.
Founded in 1986, the park is equipped with everything necessary for tourists and skiers to relax: there are excellent recreation centers and boarding houses, convenient ski lifts and wonderful ski slopes. Skiing is possible almost all year round, except for early spring, when avalanches are possible due to melting glaciers. The dazzling beauty of the snowy peaks, clean mountain air, Caucasian hospitality - all this makes a holiday in the Elbrus region unique for everyone who has visited here.
Big Azau (Baksan Glacier) is a landmark of the Elbrus region. In the Elbrus region you can not only relax and practice skiing, but also admire the exotic creations of the mountain nature. There's a lot to see here.
Elbrus itself is a unique creation in the series of Caucasus mountains: its Western peak reaches 5642 meters in height, and its Eastern peak reaches 5621 meters. This is an extinct volcano made of granite and crystalline schists, its slopes are ideal for ski slopes.
Next to Elbrus is Mount Cheget, whose height reaches 3650 meters. Not only professional climbers conquer this peak, but also just tourists to enjoy the fantastic beautiful views Baksan Gorge, which opens from the top of Cheget. From here you can also see the picturesque village of Terskol, inhabited by hospitable and hardworking Kabardino-Balkars, the peaks of Donguz-Orun, Kogutan and Nakra, covered with glaciers sparkling in the sun. The slopes of Cheget are recognized as the most difficult ski slopes in the world.
Here is also Mount Gud, the history of which is connected with the legend of the evil spirit Gud. Lermontov, who knew this legend, used its motifs in his poem “The Demon”. From the top of Guda you can also observe pictures of the majestic beauty of the Elbrus region.
The Narzan Valley, which welcomes guests of the Caucasus into its “baths”. A unique creation of Caucasian nature is the Narzan Valley, located in the Baksan Gorge. Narzan, gushing out of the ground, is so rich in iron that it has turned it a red-brown rust color. The jets of Narzan impress with their thickness and power.
Mineral water from the springs of Djily-Su attracts many people who take medicinal baths and drink healing water.
The natural wonder of the Elbrus region is the Valley of Castles. The Valley of “Castles” is another miracle of nature, consisting of bizarre forms of moraine remains - the remains of hard rocks that have not succumbed to wind erosion. They rise on the plain, reminiscent of ancient exotic castles and creating an unforgettable sight.
Stone mushrooms of the Elbrus region national park. Stone “mushrooms” are the result of the impact of wind erosion on rocks, from the massif of which only pillars of stone with flat caps remain. Exotic “mushrooms” are found at an altitude of 3200 m.
No less exotic figures, striking the imagination with their bizarre forms, were formed from solidified lava at the foot of Elbrus.
The Kyzyl-Kol River is famous for its waterfalls, the height of which is about 30 meters. You can admire the jets and splashes sparkling in the sun endlessly: this spectacle is simply mesmerizing and makes you think about the power of the water element, capable of making its way even in volcanic frozen lava. But what attracts even more attention is the two-cascade waterfall on the Balyk-Su River, located near the confluence of this river with the Kyzyl-Kol.
One cannot remain indifferent to the contemplation of another unique place in the Elbrus region - a plane with a smooth surface, located at an altitude of 2900 m, with an area of at least 400,000 sq.m. It was popularly called the “German airfield”: among local residents there is an opinion that during the 1941-45 war German planes landed on this plane. This information has not been confirmed by anything, but the area allows a large plane to land.
While visiting the Elbrus region you can hear different legends. One of them tells about the healing power of narzan. A young man named Nart, which means hero, climbed into the mountains to destroy the monster that was tormenting the mountaineers. The monster chained Nart, exhausted by the struggle, to a rock. Nart cried because he could not help his brothers, and his tears made their way through the stones and became healing springs. People, after drinking this water, became strong, were able to kill the monster and free Nart. And Narzan became a drink that gives heroic strength.
A place called the "German airfield". The Elbrus region is a wonderful place for lovers of alpine skiing and adventure, connoisseurs of extraordinary natural beauty and incredible sensations.
Anyone who visits these places can bring home a wide variety of hand-knitted wool and down items made by local craftsmen.
Here you can buy various souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones, such as aurochs horns, coinage and ceramics. Connoisseurs national cuisine will be able to try ayran, cheeses, dried lamb and many other Caucasian delicacies.
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