Top Things to do in Terskol
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10 Things to Do in Terskol That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Terskol, Russia including Mount Elbrus, Polyana Narzanov, Mount Cheget, Waterfall Devichi Kosy, Cheget Observatory, Prielbrusye Defense Museum, Donguz Orun-Kyol Lake, Waterfall Azau, Adyr-Su Gorge, Normalny Bar.
Restaurants in Terskol
1. Mount Elbrus
Overall Ratings
5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By B9245GKbenr
We climbed Mount Elbrus with 7 Summits Club, who were excellent. They were good value, provided good accommodation on and off the mountain, good food, transport and transfers - everything for an all-in reasonable price. Theirs guides and staff were great too, mostly speaking passable or good English. On the mountain, they made sensible but safe decisions - e.g. on summit day, the conditions deteriorated quite quickly but, whilst a number of other groups turned back, our guides consulted and decided it was safe to carry on. We successfully summited when, had we been with another company, we would not have done. We never felt unsafe however.
The best part was that 7 Summits Club allowed 2 of us to carry our skis up to the top and ski down. Whilst incredibly tiring on the way up, the 7.5km of ski descent was awesome!
After Kilimanjaro, the next most achievable of the 7 Summits.
2. Polyana Narzanov
Overall Ratings
4 based on 76 reviews
3. Mount Cheget
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By Aaberg - Aarhus, Denmark
Most people walk to the top to start getting acclimatization for the climb to Elbrus. If its a clear day there are some nice views over the valley and my Elbrus!
4. Waterfall Devichi Kosy
Overall Ratings
5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Claire A
Beautiful Western ridge of Caucasus, Feeling like in the Alps with low costs. Stunning views, no words to describe. This was our first day of acclimatization. Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! Highly recommended.
5. Cheget Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By TMR1004 - Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
The hike up from Terskol to the Cheget Observatory is a beautiful and popular hike that can also be a great acclimation hike in preparation for Elbrus. The views, both down into the valley and also of the twin cones of Elbrus can be stunning on a clear day. And because the “trail” is really a dirt road, the grade is usually only moderate. Of course if you are coming from sea level like myself, the 7000 ft altitude at the start of the hike alone can have you breathing fairly hard. I was not able to get good information on this hike before doing it so I thought I would provide some for those who might have interest.
Trailhead – In the town of Terskol on the main road (RT A158). If you are driving from Cheget toward the ski lifts for Elbrus there is a new church on your left hand side as you are driving through the small town of Terskol. Directly across from this church on the other side of the road is a dirt road heading north. This is the start of the hike. The elevation here is 7100 ft.
Length of “Trail” – 8 km (5 miles) one way from the trailhead to the Observatory gates at the top (10,050 ft)
Elevation Gain – 2950 vertical feet elevation gain
Guides – You do not need a guide to hike this trail. You simply follow the dirt road to the top. A few other dirt roads do turn off from the “main road” but they are smaller. It is easy to stay on the main trail (road). The only reason you might want a guide is that there are places where you could “shortcut” the road by crossing through the alpine meadows. The terrain this way can be much steeper but the upside is that in July and August you will be walking waste high through an explosion of wildflowers.
Landmarks along the trail – at 5km there is a large waterfall on your left. A short 100 meter long trail leads you to the base of the falls and its cooling mists. This is a great place to take a break, have lunch, etc. It is also the best source of water that I saw along the trail in case you want to refill your bottles. Purification is recommended. At the 7km mark (1 km from the top) you will pass a wooden cabin on your left and at 8km you will come to the gates of the Observatory at the top.
Distance Elevation
Start 0 km 7100 ft
Waterfall 5 km 8970 ft
Cabin 7 km 9760 ft
Observatory 8 km 10,050 ft
Added Bonus – I did this hike to help acclimate for my ascent of Elbrus. But what I walked away with was so much more. As I have mentioned the views were stunning and the wildflowers gorgeous, but what I enjoyed most were the people I met along the way. There were a few other groups of foreigners doing what I was doing but the majority of the people I met were Russians. Athletes and soldiers training, couples walking hand in hand, artists sketching and painting in oil, and my favorite, parents with their kids walking together, all enjoying the simple pleasures of nature and family. It was a glimpse of rural Russia at its best. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
6. Prielbrusye Defense Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By 2-Wheyayeman-2 - Russia
The museum is falling apart. The ceiling is leaking, the floor is wet. Very sad to see a memory in a state like this.
The idea is great however. Certainly worth being remembered.
The museum is very small and yet leaves an impression.
Well worth a visit and a donation.
7. Donguz Orun-Kyol Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Natalia M - Greater Sochi, Russia
Озеро можно увидеть с обзорной площадки . Симпатичное . Вода там разных цветов . Подойти к нему можно только со специальным пропуском . Это граница с Грузией .
8. Waterfall Azau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By patrickmaguiremd - Wilmington, North Carolina
My fellow climbers & guides with Russian Mountain Hoildays took a nice hike to the waterfall to acclimatize before Elbrus. The weather was pleasant & our hike was of moderate intensity & pace. There were some scenic views along the way, as well as pretty wildflowers. The waterfall itself was a nice reward after our hike.
9. Adyr-Su Gorge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Sash-Lebedev - Moscow, Moscow City, Russia
Очень красивое ущелье. Туристов здесь ходит немного, так как для посещения ущелья необходимо оформить пропуск у пограничников. Этот пропуск оформляют в течении нескольких дней.
10. Normalny Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Дарья Г
Единственное нормальное место, чтобы прибухнуть в Приэльбрусье (название говорит само о себе), в том числе вместе с барменами. Хозяину Василию и бармену Роману большой респект. Атмосфера великолепна, можно отведать замечательных бургеров по весьма приятной цене. Из бухлишка у ребят встречается егерь, что для организма горнолыжника необходимо больше воды и еды.
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