National Park "Elbrus": attractions, photos, videos, reviews. Elbrus National Park How to get there by car from Nalchik

Parks / Kabardino-Balkarian Republic

The Elbrus region today is one of the most significant mountain natural monuments of the Caucasus. This is an area of ​​unique landscape, where the mountains have become the cradle and haven of many species of plants and animals, and preserving it is an integral task of the state. For this purpose, on September 22, 1986, the Elbrus Region National Park was created here. The director of the park, M.A., tells Bekkaev. The park is located in the mid-mountain and high-mountain zones of the Side and Main ranges of the Central Caucasus, in the territories of two administrative regions of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic - Elbrus and Zolsky. Its total area is more than one hundred thousand hectares. 62 percent of it falls on inaccessible terrain: rocks, glaciers, snow fields. As for the flora and fauna, it also has its own characteristics. Mount Elbrus, whose peaks are covered with continuous firn (dense granular snow) and ice caps, serves as a powerful refrigerator, drying out the surrounding area. Therefore, spruce and fir, which love moisture, do not grow in the Elbrus region, but pine, birch, aspen and some other deciduous plant species predominate. The main type of vegetation cover is meadows. And the mountain slopes are covered with a dark green carpet of rhododendrons, whose pink and white flowers bloom every summer. Last year, on the territory of the Verkhnemalkinsky forestry, a forest-forming crop such as birch was planted on an area of ​​ten hectares in the upper reaches of the Malka River. Previously planted forests have been supplemented: in the Verkhnemalkinsky forestry - birch on two hectares, in the Verkhnebaksansky forestry - pine on three hectares. 59 thousand units of planting material were dug up and used in our National Park, and the forest was also cleared of dead wood and debris. Twelve hectares of dead wood were removed in the Elbrus forestry (Yusengi Gorge). After laying the gas pipeline, we removed forty truckloads of waste, although this should have been done by the gas workers themselves. It remains to clean a small area in the area of ​​the village. Baydaevka. But all this activity would not make sense if the unique natural complexes of the Elbrus region were not protected by the relevant National Park service. To preserve natural ecosystems and their components, forestry, reforestation, biotechnical and other specialized activities are carried out. On our initiative, the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources has sharply reduced sanitary thinnings. If previously up to a thousand cubic meters of forest were cut down, then in 2003, for the first time, cuttings amounted to 300 cubic meters. This figure will remain within the same limits this year, and in the future it will be reduced to a minimum. Only diseased and overmature trees are removed. The park is a national heritage site and is a specially protected area. In order to ensure compliance with the established regime here, we have created a special service consisting of state security inspectors. They are given greater rights by law. Since, according to the regulations, the Elbrus National Park is the sole owner within its borders, with the assignment of state control functions for the protection of flora, fauna, soil, and land resources. Protection work is carried out by employees of three forest districts - Elbrus, Verkhnebaksan and Verkhnemalkinsky - they are state inspectors. These are foresters, twenty-three foresters and five huntsmen. The ranger service also carries out biotechnical measures to preserve and increase the number of wild animals. Salt licks for aurochs and chamois are being installed. Stray dogs are shot, as they cause great damage to nature, in particular during nesting birds, and to young wild animals. In the National Park there is a permanent operational group in a special vehicle with the involvement of representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This is especially important during the hunting season - from September 1 to January 15. In the pre-New Year period, round-the-clock patrols were carried out, especially in areas where young pine trees grow. No New Year trees (pines) were cut down for the purpose of selling them to the population. Only a few trees were cut down for schools and preschool children's institutions according to the order of the administration of the Elbrus region. In the future, in order to protect the territory of the National Park, we want to introduce patrols on horseback. This will be more effective, since access to high mountain forest areas is difficult for vehicles. The main task is the preservation and restoration of the unique natural complex "Elbrus region" and the creation of conditions for the full regulation of tourism and excursion recreation. To solve it, we need to develop scientific foundations and practical measures to preserve the biological balance of the biosphere and improve the rational use of its resources based on modern knowledge. The most important task of the park is to create conditions for regulated tourism, mountaineering and recreation in natural conditions. We have created a department of tourism and environmental education, a scientific department. The first of them is entrusted with the responsibility for organizing competitive bidding for the lease of land plots and ensuring regulated tourism and recreation. For these types of activities, licensing is carried out exclusively by the National Park for all organizations located on our territory. Unfortunately, not all managers have yet understood the need to obtain licenses. Currently, only JSC Elbrusturist and the recreation and sports center of MSTU Dzhantugan have undergone this procedure. For this purpose, we have created a department of environmental education and tourism. Now we are carrying out preparatory work on organizing tourist routes and selecting experienced guides. In a word, we are going to promote this matter. But, of course, the funds earned will in any case not be enough to solve global problems. This cannot be done without government support. In past years, starting from 1995, the National Park also issued licenses and concluded land lease agreements. But this was contrary to legislative and by-laws. Therefore, the Elbrus District Court, on the initiative of the prosecutor’s office, protested the lease transfer of almost all plots, except two. Now this work is carried out strictly according to established rules. Seventeen tourist routes are being certified and improved, and five of the most popular ones have already been developed: in the Adyr-Su, Adyl-Su, Irik-Chat, Yusengi gorges, and on the slopes of Mount Elbrus. Six picnic areas have been selected and construction has already begun: in the area of ​​the village. Neutrino, at the entrance to the Yusengi gorge, in the Cheget clearing (on the territory of the former tent city), on the territory of the Terskol Central Military Hospital (on the bank of the Azau River), in the area of ​​the village of Baidaevka and below the Azau clearing. This will make it possible to regulate tourist flows, reduce recreational loads in the most popular vacation spots, and use natural sites rationally and in a civilized manner. The park is home to sixty-three species of mammals, one hundred and eleven species of birds, eleven species of reptiles, aquatic species, six species of fish and numerous insects. It is the center of distribution of the tur, or Caucasian goat, which appears to be one of the ancient relics. There are also chamois. Animals of European forests are widely represented: brown bears, wild boars, foxes, squirrels, martens, wolves. There are also those that are listed in the Red Book. These are the Caucasian otter and the giant noctule. And in addition, it lists six species of birds: Caucasian black grouse, balaban, golden eagle, Caucasian peregrine falcon and bearded vulture, two species of snakes - the Caucasian viper and the Asia Minor newt. Taking this opportunity, I would like to outline the legal features of the National Park, because the Elbrus region is open to everyone and it would not hurt every visitor to know them. In accordance with the regulations on the park, a differentiated protection regime is established. Throughout its territory, five functional zones have been identified: a specially protected reserve, educational tourism, recreational use and an economic zone. The first of them is intended to protect especially valuable areas that need restoration (only scientific observations are allowed there). The second is allocated with the aim of providing conditions for the conservation of natural complexes and objects. Visitation on its territory is strictly regulated. The third zone is used for land plots, buildings and structures in the territories of national parks for the implementation of activities to provide environmental education and familiarization with attractions. The recreational use zone covers the entire area of ​​the park, and the economic use zone is intended to carry out activities necessary to ensure its functioning. It must be borne in mind that, according to the law, the land, water, subsoil, flora and fauna located on the territory of the National Park are provided for its use (ownership). Any activity that could cause damage to natural complexes is prohibited here, and there should be only one type of land relationship - lease. We carried out appropriate explanatory and other work to conclude agreements with organizations located in the park. But, unfortunately, entrepreneurs have not yet been as active as possible in concluding lease agreements for forest lands. Meanwhile, our specially created commission reviews incoming applications quite quickly, and, as a rule, positive decisions are made on them. Our team has enough strength to ensure the protection of natural resources and the preservation of the unique flora and fauna of the park. However, poor funding does not allow high-level research and development, without which it is impossible to achieve proper reproduction and rational use of natural resources. In addition, to solve this problem it is necessary to attract specialists from higher educational institutions and scientific organizations.

Elbrus National Park is located on the territory of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. Its area contains the highest mountain peaks of Russia and Europe, their beauty and majesty attract many tourists here. In particular, the majority strives to admire Elbrus, and some dare to climb it. In addition to the mountains, the park has other natural attractions - picturesque gorges, powerful waterfalls, alpine lakes, healing mineral springs. The alpine meadows with medicinal plants growing on them are also beautiful.

National Park "Elbrus" on Google panorama:

A significant area of ​​the park is occupied by forests, consisting mainly of coniferous trees and birches. A variety of plants grow on the territory, some of them are rare and are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. The fauna is also rich, some species are endemic. It happens that wildlife comes into contact with people, so, near the cable car, at an altitude of almost 4000 meters, a fox appeared, which the workers began to feed. She remained and is now considered a local landmark; tourists watch her with interest and take photographs of the red-haired beauty. The employees gave her the nickname “Fly”; the animal even had its own page on Instagram.

Among the activities that the park can offer are climbing mountain peaks, walking, horseback riding and combined routes, and relaxing at ski resorts.

Routes

For visiting the national park, a fee of 50 rubles is charged, for climbing Elbrus (at an altitude of over 3800 meters above sea level) they charge 250 rubles.

You can visit the national park on your own or by booking a tour with an agency. The second option is convenient in that the agency takes care of all organizational issues - it provides transfer, equipment, if necessary, guide services, etc. One-day tours have been developed that allow you to get acquainted with the natural beauty of the area; there are also multi-day tours designed for travelers with an average and high level of physical fitness. Many people come to Elbrus on their own; employees have approved the permitted routes along which tourists can travel. Some of them are quite simple, even children can complete them, exploring nature and enjoying its beauty. Some routes are exclusively on foot, others combine travel by car and walking.

One of the most popular routes is climbing Elbrus - the mountain is the highest in Europe (the height of the western peak is 5642 meters). Some people use the cable car and rise to a height of 3750 meters, admiring the marvelous views from above, while others make a multi-day ascent on foot. A ski resort with a fairly developed infrastructure was created on the slopes of the mountain, where you can usually go skiing and snowboarding from November to March; trekking is popular here in the summer.

Another favorite route for park visitors leads to the Maiden's Spit waterfall. Swift streams of water fall down from a height of almost 30 meters, beautifully scattering in flight in long streams that resemble a girl’s flowing hair. The fascinating sight, the refreshing coolness of the water, the sound of the stream, and the beauty of the area impress tourists. Also worthy of attention is the high, non-cascading Abai-Su waterfall, the flows of which fall from a height of about 70 meters. Its name translates as water or river Abai - this is the name of a fairly accurate hunter.

Having looked at photographs of Lake Giybashkel on the Internet, many want to see it with their own eyes. This is not surprising, because its water has an amazing green-turquoise hue, and on the way to it you can’t stop admiring the beauty of untouched nature and the views that open from the pass to the valley.

You can also get to the mineral springs; an ecological trail leads to them from Polyana Cheget, equipped with recreation areas, bridges, information stands and signs. The water in the springs has truly healing properties, the effect is complemented by the amazing beauty of the area; on the way you can encounter huge glacial boulders, avalanche chutes, and appreciate the diversity of flora and fauna.

How to get there

Often travelers get to the village of Terskol, and then go along the routes that interest them. You can get here without transfers by bus from Nalchik; from other cities you will have to first go to Nalchik.

Of course, it is more convenient to get to the park by car; the distance from Mineralnye Vody is about 170 km, from Nalchik - 110 km.

How to get there by car from Nalchik

How to get there by car from Mineralnye Vody

Another option is to take a taxi; Yandex services operate in Nalchik. Taxi, Maxim and others, in Mineralnye Vody - Official taxi "Mineralnye Vody", Yandex. Taxi.

You can also use transfer services, for example, the route is served by KiwiTaxi.

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Djily-Su tract, Elbrus region National Park, video:

Photo: Elbrus National Park

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National Park "Elbrus"

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The main objectives of the Elbrus National Park: Preservation of reference and unique natural complexes and objects, as well as historical, cultural and other cultural heritage sites; Creating conditions for regulated tourism and recreation in natural conditions; Development and implementation of scientific methods for the conservation of natural complexes in conditions of recreational use; Organization of environmental education of the population; Conducting environmental monitoring.

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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.

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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

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The climate in the national park 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 +17.0C, and at 2600 meters it is higher than +0.2C. Climate of the Elbrus National Park:

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Reservoirs of the Elbrus National Park: Two main rivers flow through the territory of 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. The rivers form picturesque mountain gorges. The most visited of them by recreationists are the upper reaches of the Malka River (the Djily-Su tract), Adyl-Su, and 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).

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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."

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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), Baksan wolfberry (Latin: Daphne baksanica), lily (Latin: Lilium monadelphum), Dinnik's saxifrage (Latin: Saxifraga diimikii ), amazing cinquefoil (lat. Potentilla divina), Olympic catchment (lat. Aquilegia olympica), Albanian lumbago (lat. Pulsatilla albana), dolomite bell (lat. Campanula dolomitica), etc. A particularly protected species of mountain-meadow subalpine landscape is rhododendron Caucasian (lat. Rhododendron caucasicum) - evergreen shrub from the heather family Flora and vegetation of the Elbrus National Park:

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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 hazel grouse / Fritillaria caucasica

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Fauna and fauna of the 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 insect species. 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 European steppe zone - common mole rat, common hamster, steppe ferret, gray partridge, etc.

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Among the endemics of the Caucasus are the Western Caucasian tur (Latin: Capra caucasica), Caucasian snowcock (Latin: Tetraogallus caucasicus), Caucasian black grouse (Latin: Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi), Caucasian otter (Latin: Lutra lutra meridionalis), etc. According to 1995 census data on the territory There are 4,600 individuals of the Caucasian tur (lat. Capra caucasica) in the national park. Among mammals, chamois should be noted as interesting species living in the park, 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.

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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 brevipes Caucasian black grouse / Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi Imperial Eagle / Aquila heliaca White-tailed Eagle / Haliaeetus albicilla Peregrine Falcon / Falco peregrinus Vulture / Neophron percnopterus Black Vulture / Aegypius monachus mammals: Greater Horseshoe Bat / Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Giant Noctule / Nyctalus lasiopterus Caucasian Otter / Lutra lutra meridional is Caucasian forest cat / Felis silvestris caucasica Leopard / Panthera pardus Lesser horseshoe bat / Rhinolophus hipposideros Sharp-eared bat / Myotis blythi Tricolored bat / Myotis emarginatus

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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 observatory; a museum of glaciology at the Moscow State University educational base has been opened in Azau.