Atsamaz Dzarakhokhov
Tourism expert
The winter mountain hiking season has been launched in North Ossetia. Tourism expert Atsamaz Dzarakhokhov told EcoTourism EXPERT about the nature attractions that can be seen in the mountains in winter.
- The mountains are beautiful and attractive at any time of the year. Are there any accessible mountain hiking trails in North Ossetia in winter?
- Of course, a winter mountain hiking season normally starts at the end of October. During the winter period, the season lasts until the end of April, there are a number of interesting tours, including peak climbing and mountaineering in the Rocky Ridge of the Greater Caucasus - one of the five ridges located in Ossetia.
In addition, the mountain hiking trail to the upper Karmadon Baths located at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level is very popular. There were reasons to use the word ‘baths’ because the temperature of the water springs feeding them is up to 60 degrees Celsius.
Naturally, even stricter requirements are imposed on the tourists’ shoes and clothes at this time of year and they should be comfortable and ensure safety.
I’d also like to note that, according to the amendments to the laws, it is necessary to be accompanied by a certified mountaineering instructor-guide when going by mountaineering routes of a certain category of difficulty specified by the mountaineering and sports tourism federations. In addition, to be able to use such mountaineering routes, special training is needed, and rock climbers should have technical knowledge and be trained to be physically fit.
It’s very important that the tourists eager to go on in for mountain hiking, should assess their capabilities and strengths rationally, especially when they want to take a multi-day tour, because poor physical fitness or medical contraindications can make the entire group to return or, even worse, a mountain hiker’s health can be in danger.
- What types of mountain hiking do not require special training?
- There are simple mountain hiking tours for people who maintain usual physical fitness and these tours are also interesting, for example, the tour to the Koltso (Ring) Waterfall and the canyon nearby.
We also offer ‘easy’ mountain hiking tours and excursions with an ethnographic focus, for example, there is a walking tour to the Tliy Gorge that can be enjoyed until late autumn and guided by local historians who know the region very well. During this excursion, tourists can learn a lot about the history, toponymy, flora, fauna of this gorge, walk along the old Ossetian Military Road, admire the stunning views of the picturesque alpine meadows, unique architectural structures, high peaks, and mountain passes of the Dividing Range.
In any case, I would recommend starting your acquaintance with the region with excursion programs when the pleasure of close communion with nature can be combined with minimal efforts, and also get to know the local amazing landmarks and attractions, get some idea about the interesting culture of Ossetia and enjoy the delicious local cuisine.
This can be done both as part of a weekend tour or a multi-day trip that begins with a tour of the historical center of the fortress-city of Vladikavkaz and includes a visit to numerous magnificent waterfalls, breath-taking canyons and gorges of Ossetia, including the Karmadon Gorge. Your readers can also be interested in the mountain hiking eco-trail Paths of Mountain Digoria in the Alania National Park.
- Are mountain hiking tours organized for the whole weekend?
- Yes, they are, but only during the warm period. Mountain Digoria is very popular with tourists for such mountain tours, in my opinion, this is one of the most picturesque areas of Ossetia and the entire Caucasus. During this tour, mountain hikers spend 4-5 days in the highlands, get to the stunning glacial lake located at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level. This mountain tour is for those who want to take a break from the bustle of the city, be ‘alone with themselves’ and immerse with nature.
In addition, when summer comes, tourists can go to the Zrug Gorge for the whole weekend. They can visit one of the oldest Christian churches in Russia where frescoes have been preserved. In the Zrug Gorge, there are 12 beautiful lakes of glacial origin with crystal-clear water surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. There are mountain hiking trails leading to them. The most picturesque lake Khalatsa is the most popular with tourists, but the place where a tourist group can go always depends on the weather.
There are interregional tourist trails from Ossetia to Balkaria going through mountain passes. A large choice of interesting mountain tours is offered on our website, the programs are interesting and tourists feel more energized after the tours. Tourists can make a difficult multi-day mountain hiking tour recommended to those who walk at least 6-7 km daily at an average and high pace.
When you are going to have a difficult mountain climbing tour or an easy walk in the mountain to enjoy the sights at a leisurely pace, we would like to warn everyone that getting to know the mountains is ‘dangerous’ as it is ‘addictive’ because you will start dreaming about the mountains, you will keep on day dreaming about them all the time!
Photos courtesy of by Atsamaz Dzarakhokhov
