Travel to Kabardino-Balkaria by car

Kabardino-Balkaria is the land of high proud peaks and fast fast rivers. This is a region with interesting customs and rich culinary traditions. It is impossible to cover all its charms in one visit. In order to get to know the Republic most deeply and fully, to learn about its features, to feel the spirit and moods, it is better to get behind the wheel and go on a trip by car.


Even a brief guide clearly demonstrates that Kabardino-Balkaria is immense for a traveler who has decided to set aside a couple of days for the Republic. Especially if you go on vacation to a boarding house. Sightseeing tours and active tours allow you to get acquainted briefly with the region, to cover certain aspects of it. And yet, this region deserves to devote as much time as possible to it. We tell you exactly which points should be marked on the route, setting off on a road trip around Kabardino-Balkaria.

Where to sleep?

First of all, you have to think about where to stay for the night, coming to get acquainted with the Republic. Since it is developed by tourists, finding accommodation is not problematic. You can book a hotel room, arrange a vacation in a guest house. There are also budget hostels in Kabardino-Balkaria:

✅ RELAX in Terskol village
✅ Mountain in the village of Novyi Krugozor
✅ Elbrus High Loft in Elbrus region

Fans of camping can choose options at their discretion - to set up camp in a picturesque corner far from civilization, or join the inhabitants of the campsite.

Security aspect

Kabardino-Balkaria is a friendly region where tourists are treated more than loyally. There are no difficulties or dangers for motorists-travelers.



And at the entrance to the Caucasus, and on the territory of the Republic, driving a car is a pleasure. Of course, mountain serpentines require caution. If you turn off the main road, you can feel the Caucasian flavor.



Mostly the region is covered by mobile communications and the Internet. Interruptions are possible in remote areas, so it is better to download the maps to your smartphone or have paper copies with you.

Nalchik

You can start with the city, which is the administrative center of the region, and is rich in its own memorable places, historical and cultural attractions. The capital of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic was founded in 1818. However, people created the first settlements here as early as 3-2 millennium BC! At least a couple of days should be given to this city.

The must-see point of car travel can be considered Kabardinskaya Street. Here it is worth taking a walk, considering the surrounding buildings. Architectural monuments are concentrated in the pedestrian part of the street:

? house of the merchant Zipalov
? management building of the Center of the Caucasian Line, preserved from the 19th century
? the oldest cinema in Kabardino-Balkaria called "Victory"
? Kotlyarov publishing house
? art object - a stone book on which a poem by Inna Kashezhevskaya, dedicated to Kabardinskaya street, is engraved

Next, it is worth climbing to the alley of blue fir trees, through which a passage opens to the Atazhukinsky garden. It was founded in 1847 - seedlings of pear and apple trees, plums and cherry trees were specially brought here from the Crimea. Today, there are 156 species of plants of perennial forms.



The modern Atazhukinsky Garden is the most beautiful and spacious park in the North Caucasus, covering an area of ​​173 hectares. On the green area there are several lakes, an entertainment area with attractions, cafes and restaurants.

The most beautiful garden in the flowering period. It begins in May, when the first lilac inflorescences bloom. A little later, the linden alley, the oldest and most picturesque in the park, is covered with lush color. On the territory there are sculptural compositions:

✅ "Star Stone" - a block from the Bezengi Gorge with bronze inserts
✅ "Bench of reconciliation" - concave in the middle, designed to bring the quarreling couple closer together
✅ Tower of lovers - observation deck

The fountain was restored on the Central Alley, trying to preserve its authentic outlines.



The sight of Nalchik is considered to be the Goat Market. It is also called Balkarsky. It is easy to find the market - it is located near the Atazhukinsky garden. People come here for souvenirs that convey the cultural traditions of the region.

The most popular craft of Kabardino-Balkaria is knitting. Therefore, it is simply necessary to buy warm hand-knitted woolen socks on the market. But if you wish, you can also warm up more thoroughly - buy a sweater, hat, shawl or scarf. Hats and dressed skins, fragrant herbal preparations and real mountain honey are also carried away from the Goat Market.

Blue Lakes

Five karst reservoirs are located 50 kilometers from Nalchik in the Cherek region. They fully justify the name - surrounded by hills and greenery, the lakes are bright blue, although the shade changes slightly, depending on the weather.



By car, they successfully reach the complex of four lakes. And only to the fifth, called Dry, they go on foot. Approach to it from the side of Lake Secret.

Get acquainted with the Elbrus region

People come here for mountain tourism and mountaineering. Meanwhile, the surrounding prospects bring a lot of pleasure - stunning views, one of the most beautiful in Russia, open up at the foot of Elbrus.



The road to the Elbrus region runs along the Baksan Gorge. Good asphalt is laid here, so it is quite comfortable to move up to the foot of the mountain. You can understand that you have arrived at your destination by the “Grieving Highlander” monument, which fits especially well into natural landscapes in cloudy weather. In fact, you can devote more than one day to this corner. Even if you do not climb mountains for the sake of downhill skiing!

Glade narzanov

On the way to the peaks, you should definitely make a stop at the Narzan Glade. It is located in the Bakkan Gorge. Here, mineral springs spring from the ground, rich in various elements, including iron compounds. Because of this, the landscape is painted in orange hues - one involuntarily recalls the planet Mars.

The Narzanov glade covers an area of ​​3 square kilometers. Impressive photo shoots are made here and they certainly try the healing water. Despite the characteristic metallic taste, it is very refreshing, bringing health benefits - especially to the nervous and cardiovascular systems.



Souvenir shops are dispersed on the clearing, there is also a cafe where you can relax and have a bite to eat before climbing higher into the mountains.

Chegem waterfalls

This is one of the visiting cards of Kabardino-Balkaria. Moreover, it is very convenient that the waterfalls are located right along the highway. The track is good, albeit imperfect. The road is laid in a narrow gorge, the higher the mountains, the more sharp turns, so you have to move slowly and carefully.

The first in a series of waterfalls is Small or Adai-Su. To see it, you need to take a short walk along the path along the river. Here you need to move carefully - slippery logs and stones under your feet. So it is better to be in sports shoes.



In winter, the waterfall is no less spectacular. In severe frost, the jets freeze, creating bizarre ice castles.

To see the Big or Main waterfalls, you need to go further along the gorge. The most memorable section is called "Water from the Throat" - here the width of the passage between the steep cliffs narrows to 20-25 meters. Naturally, two cars can hardly pass each other. Therefore, it is important to exercise extreme caution.

There are several stone "pockets" in the rocks directly in front of the waterfalls. You can leave the car or move a little further.



On a vast territory near the waterfalls there are places for cars, souvenir shops and eateries are also located there. There are observation decks on both sides so that you can look at the miracle of nature.

El-Tubyu village

If you move higher along the Chegem Gorge, you can see a very remarkable mountain settlement of El-Tubyu. It is small, but it is worth climbing here - at least in order to see with your own eyes the so-called City of the Dead.

These are ancient keshene crypts, created in the period from the 14th to the 17th centuries. Surrounded by mountain peaks, ground-based tombs look unforgettable.



Civilization has reached here as well – in the mountainous village there is a cafe where you should definitely try meat from the fire and khychin. This is a national Balkar dish - round cakes with meat or cheese stuffing with herbs.

Experienced motorists-travelers share that almost all the treasured corners of Kabardino-Balkaria can be visited by car. Mostly roads are laid to outstanding monuments of nature, culture and history. Not everywhere the coverage has been updated, but it is quite possible if you want to get to memorable places in order to get the most complete picture of this region.