More than 80 percent of the republic’s territory is covered by mountains. Their unique landscape is rich in beautiful places: lakes, gorges, waterfalls. People come here for stunning views and do not remain disappointed. It is quite difficult to get to some of the natural monuments of Karachay-Cherkessia, but if you make a little effort, they will always be justified.

In addition to the beauties of nature, the republic can also be proud of the ski centers known throughout the country – Dombay and Arkhyz. Even if you are not a fan of mountain skiing, these places are worth visiting to appreciate the unique climate and stunning landscapes with snow-capped mountain peaks.

What can you see in the mountains of Karachay-Cherkessia?

In addition to Dombai and Arkhyz, there are many waterfalls. The most famous of them are Medovye, Alibeksky, Sofiysky. It is impossible not to mention the local lakes, the water in which changes depending on the season, such shades of colors can occur only in wildlife. Tourists are attracted by the Imereti, Murudzhinsky, Sofia, Baduk lakes, and the Sevensvetnoye lake.

The unique nature of these places needs to be protected, therefore, since 1935, the Teberda Nature Reserve has been operating on the northern slopes of the Caucasian ridge with 200 lakes and waterfalls, a variety of numerous flora and fauna.

The architectural monuments of Karachay-Cherkessia are no less significant.

People have lived in this area since the Stone Age, so here, in the mountains, traces of their stay, dating back to various eras, have been preserved. The Nizhne-Arkhyz settlement with the remains of the city of the Alans belongs to deep antiquity (about the 10th century). The temples of the Byzantine period of stunning beauty – Sentinsky, Shoaninsky, Severny Zelenchuksky – have come down to us almost in their original form. Until now, scientists cannot come to a consensus about the origin and dating of the face of Christ on a rock in one of the grottoes of the Mitseshta ridge. Numerous watchtowers are scattered over the mountains, reminiscent of the difficult way of life of local peoples.

There is something to see in Karachay-Cherkessia in terms of industrial architecture.

Here in the mountains there are scientific astronomical centers, for example, the RATAN-600 radio telescope in the village of Zelenchukskaya or a large azimuth telescope (one of the largest in the world) in the village of Nizhniy Arkhyz.

There are also sights in the capital of the region, the city of Cherkessk. First of all, the Park of Culture and Rest “Green Island”.