Baksan Gorge - one of the most picturesque and famous in the Central Caucasus, which leads to the foot of Mount Elbrus. It is located in Kabardino-Balkaria and is very popular among skiers and climbers, not only because of its proximity to Elbrus, but also for its beauty and unusualness. It is the oldest resort in Russia, attracting lovers of mountains and extreme sports since the 19th century, and as an all-Union and all-Russian resort it has been popular since the second half of the 20th century. Below is a description of the Baksan gorge, its history and sights, tells how it is most convenient to get to these beautiful mountainous places.
The path to the gorge
The Baksan gorge originates near the village of Lashkuta in a sparsely forested area near the Pasture and Rocky Ranges. From here, the character of nature completely changes: on the one hand, pale yellow sheer walls of limestone pile up, on the other, a cliff descends down to the Baksan River. The gorge is at first quite wide, then (after passing the village of Byloye) the walls narrow sharply and lengthen upwards.
Mountains begin to change their hue and become angular and darker due tothe presence of crystalline rocks inherent in the Lateral Caucasus Range.
A civilized paved road has been laid through the entire gorge, which reaches almost to Elbrus. This road is considered the highest in the Caucasus mountains.
On the sides there are numerous side gorges (Adyl-Su, Irik, etc.), through which you can get, for example, to an incredibly beautiful lake. If you turn into the Itkol gorge, then in clear weather you can look at the gray-haired Elbrus.
On the page you can see what the Baksan gorge is like: the photo of mountain landscapes is truly mesmerizing.
If you move further, passing the town of Tyrnyuz, then the tourist will see completely different pictures - very picturesque majestic coniferous forests will appear before him, which reach the Azau glade (altitude 2300 km) and the town of Terskol. Here begins the road, the ultimate goal of which is Elbrus.
Elbrus region
Prielbrusye is a large ski region, which includes two areas for skiing (Elbrus and Cheget) and many small settlements: the glades of Cheget and Azau, the towns of Baidayevo, Tegenekli and Elbrus.
Sights of the Elbrus region (Baksan Gorge, Chegem and others, mountains, waterfalls, museums) can be listed for a long time, let's focus on the most interesting and impressive:
- Scenic mountain scenery is notleave no one indifferent. There really is something to see here, local beauties deserve to come here at least once.
- In the village. Tegenekli houses the Vysotsky Mountaineering and Hunting Museum (exhibited various hunting trophies, photographs of Elbrus lovers, photos from the filming of the film "Vertical").
- There is the Elbrus Defense Museum in Terskol.
- The Chegem Gorge and waterfalls look especially spectacular in winter and resemble the realm of the Snow Queen.
- Terskol gorge and glacier.
- Baksan Gorge, where there are three main climbing glades: Cheget, Azau and Narzanov Glade, and 9 side gorges.
Baksan River
The gorge got its name from the river of the same name, which originates in the Elbrus glaciers and then flows into the tributary of the Terek - the Malka River (length 173 km). Baksan flows quickly through the entire gorge, carrying its boiling white waters and turning over stones with noise. It is unsuitable for descents and rafting.
The river has its own legend, which tells that the name was given to it in honor of Prince Baksan, whose whole family and himself were buried near the reservoir after the insidious murder.
On the banks of the river there are 5 settlements (quite modern) and one of the oldest hydroelectric power plants in Russia - the Baksan hydroelectric power station.
In 1986, the Elbrus National Park was formed, the purpose of which is to preserve the unique nature of this region, to assist climbers and tourists in laying interestingroutes.
The river itself and its tributaries are places of permanent climbers' camps.
Local legends
Like any mysterious and beautiful place on Earth, the Baksan gorge has its own legend, according to which the gorge itself and others nearby were formed from the blows of the tail of the Master of the Underworld. This happened when he was in terrible agony after being touched by the hands of one of the Saints. Satan tried to free himself from these touches, while hitting his tail hard, which led to the emergence of many gorges in the Elbrus mountains.
In one place, the rock Kyzburun (“Maiden Rock”) hangs over the road, which has its own legend, according to which, in ancient times, residents threw naughty mountain girls and unfaithful wives from it. The mountain is clearly visible from the village of Kyzburun-2. Although according to other sources, the rock is translated from Turkic as "Red Nose", most likely because of its shape and the red color of the rocks.
There is another mysterious place here - the Kyzburun hills, which have recently attracted pilgrims here who believe that Muslim preachers are buried on the hills, and archaeologists (they are looking for Scythian burials). According to the stories of local residents, the hills sometimes glow with "unearthly" fire.
Historical facts
This region has a long history, the first mention of it dates back to the 15th-16th centuries. For a long time Balkarians lived here, then Karachais, immigrants from the Balkar and Chegem communities, Svanetia and Kabarda came.
One of the historical places - the village of UpperBaskan (the old name is Urusbiev), which was owned by the influential local family of princes Urusbiev before the revolution. The most famous of them was Izmail Urusbiev, a highly educated noble prince who lived in the 19th century and knew many languages, who did a lot to familiarize other peoples with the traditions and spiritual values of the Karachays and Balkars. He met with musicians and cultural figures of Russia, told them the legends and legends of these places.
In 1922, the Baksan Society became part of the Kabardino-Balkarian Autonomous Region, at that time there were 28 settlements, but by the beginning of the 21st century, there were already 11 settlements left.
During the Great Patriotic War, the line of defense of the Red Army passed along the right bank of the Baksan (later it became known as the "Cloudy Front"), and the Nazi division "Edelweiss" was located on the left. All the years that have passed since the war, local residents periodically find parts of weapons, the remains of Soviet soldiers. They are buried with honor near the monument to the heroes of the Elbrus region in the village of Terskol. Traces of military events can be seen even now.
Baksan Gorge: Attractions
The main attraction is the natural beauty of the gorge. But there are also other interesting places here:
- In the city of Baksan there is a monument to the classic of Kabardian literature - the poet Ali Shogentsukov, who died at the beginning of World War II.
- In 1913, this village served as a hotbed of the Zol uprising. In the center of the settlement, a mound has been preserved, standing on which the rebels took an oathloy alty to each other and promised to win.
- In with. Kyzburun-1, the most remarkable is the Baksan HPP.
- Approx. Terskol at an altitude of 3150 m is the International Astronomical Observatory, founded in 1980.
- In the city of Gundelene there is a monument to the Mourning Highlander, erected in honor of the inhabitants of this settlement, who gave their lives during the revolution and the Great Patriotic War.
- Not far from the city of Bylym there is a monument of 4-8 centuries AD. e. - a burial ground, although plundered, and along the river bank there are traces of primitive people and medieval monuments.
- A useful attraction for tourists is the large number of mineral springs located along the entire route, which have been used for many years to treat various diseases.
Mysterious Cave
Several years ago, in the area of the Baksan Gorge (near the village of Zayukovo), local enthusiasts Kotlyarovs discovered an unusual mine that leads to a huge cave at a depth of 70 m. The walls of the mine are lined with megaliths, clearly processed by human hands. At the entrance (at a height of 1 km) there is a swastika, which suggests the connection of this cave with the Nazi Edelweiss division present in these places during the war.
The mysterious cave in the Baksan Gorge consists of several rooms and chambers, the walls and ceiling of the largest 36-meter underground hall are lined with huge slabs resembling blocks in Egyptian pyramids. According to the conclusion of geologists, the mine and the cave are obviously artificialorigin, although no traces of human presence have been found here.
The age of the cave is supposedly 5 thousand years. Some researchers consider it technical, once used as a wave transmitter or energy converter. Other experts suggest the presence of an entire underground city in the Baksan Gorge. Legends about similar cities in the North Caucasus are often passed on to the next generations.
How to get to the Baksan Gorge
There are several ways to get to the Elbrus region:
- By plane (the fastest way) to Nalchik or Mineralnye Vody, from there by taxi, minibus or ski bus.
- By train to the station of Prokhladny, Nalchik, Mineralnye Vody or Pyatigorsk, then also a taxi or bus to the village. Terskol (the beginning of the Baksan Gorge).
- On the bus. Routes are organized by travel agencies during the ski season - they usually deliver directly to the slopes of the Elbrus region (17 hours from Moscow).
- How to get to the Baksan Gorge by car? Traveler reviews indicate that the Don highway (M-4) is quite comfortable, and there is a quite tolerable asph alt road in the gorge itself. From the capital, you need to go through Rostov-on-Don, Mineralnye Vody, Baksan.
Where to stay for tourists
Polyana Azau - the highest base of the Elbrus region, located at the end of the road through the Baksan Gorge. Mountaineering hotels, camp sites and cafes are located here.
Cheget Glade is located at the foot of Mount Cheget and forms a resort settlement for climbers and tourists.
The Dzhan-Tugan climbing camp in the Baksan Gorge consists of two parts:
- The lower camp is located 6 km from the beginning of the gorge (old houses), but it has a gorgeous view of the Kashka-Tash glacier and mountain peaks.
- Upper camp, which was founded in the 90s of the 20th century and therefore more comfortable (there is a swimming pool, hot water, sewerage, etc.). Unfortunately, the camp is open only during the ski season.
All alpine camps have ski rentals, local travel agencies offer many excursions to any corner of the Elbrus region.
Only mountains can be better than mountains…
You can finish the story about these places with a quote from the famous song of Vladimir Vysotsky, who sang the beauty of these mountains. The Baksan gorge and the Elbrus region were the poet's favorite vacation spots, where he never stopped admiring the mountain views and writing poetry. Arriving here, not a single person can remain indifferent to the vast natural expanses and surrounding landscapes.
