Discover the Karachay-Cherkess Republic

In the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, marked trails lead to waterfalls, lakes, and historic buildings; Arkhyz also has ski slopes and cable cars. Teberda, Dombay, and Arkhyz are spa towns in the republic. Which place name matters for your travel plans therefore also depends on whether you want to focus on hiking, winter sports, or culture.

Natural attractions and marked routes

The republic’s natural resources include hundreds of waterfalls and more than 400 lakes. More than 400 mineral springs are also known. Specific destinations offer different ways to explore the area: a hiking and horseback riding route from Teberda passes the Dzhamagat mineral springs and the Epchik Pass before reaching the Duut Gorge. It was designated by a government resolution in 2008. Another hiking route leads from Teberda to Shumka Waterfall.

From Dombay, hiking routes lead to Chuchkhur Waterfall, as well as to Alibek Glacier and Lake Turye. Mount Mussa-Achitara can be reached from Dombay on foot or by cable car; operations may vary seasonally. If you are considering Arkhyz as a starting point, marked hiking routes lead to the Sofia Lakes, and a route to the Sofia Gorge is designated for hiking, horseback riding, and car travel. Another hiking and horseback riding route leads from Arkhyz to Lake Oymatly-Dzhagaly. A hike from the Arkhyz resort to the mountain lakes of Zaabishirya, beyond the ridge, is also described.

Routes for different modes of travel are also marked for Karachaevsk: a hiking and horseback riding route leads to Mount Shoana and the Shoana Church. A horseback riding and car route runs from Karachaevsk to Nizhnyaya Teberda and the Senty Church. Another car route goes via Zelenchukskaya to Nizhny Arkhyz, the depictions of Christ and churches in Nizhny Arkhyz, and the observatory of SAO RAN. For specific tour planning, it is advisable to check current trail and access conditions locally.

Churches and historic sites

The republic’s cultural and historical resources include the Adiyukh Gorodishche, the Shoana Church, the Senty Church, and the Nizhny Arkhyz Gorodishche. The republic’s government recommends visiting the Nizhny Arkhyz Gorodishche, a temple complex dating from the 9th and 10th centuries. The church complex of Nizhny Arkhyz comprises the North, Central, and South churches.

The construction dates of the region’s churches also offer a specific historical connection: the Shoana Church in the Karachay District was built in the early 10th century, and the Senty Church in the middle of the 10th century. This makes it possible to explore individual cultural and historical destinations as well as the route to Nizhny Arkhyz, which links churches and other stops with the observatory. Before visiting, check the current arrangements for visiting the Nizhny Arkhyz Gorodishche.

Arkhyz in winter and summer

The Arkhyz resort has 16 ski slopes of varying difficulty, ranging from green runs for beginners to black runs for highly experienced skiers. Children aged four and over can learn to ski there under the supervision of experienced ski instructors. The resort’s ski season is listed as running from December to April; seasonal operating details may vary. Slopes for evening skiing are also available. Check current lesson and evening-skiing options with the operator when planning your trip.

All cable cars at the Arkhyz resort operate in summer. They take visitors to a viewpoint on the southern slope at an elevation of 2,240 meters above sea level. As seasonal operations and visitor access may change, you should check the current conditions before your trip. Arkhyz thus offers a choice of different travel interests, including marked hiking destinations, skiing, and a viewpoint.

Choose the right focus for your accommodation search

Your travel plans can be a good starting point when searching for a vacation rental: the routes described here start in places including Teberda, Dombay, Arkhyz, and Karachaevsk. If you want to focus on a particular hike or cultural site, you can first use its starting point or place name as a guide for further planning. For a walking excursion from Teberda, marked stops lead to the central estate of the Teberda Nature Reserve, its museum, and the animal enclosures; check current visitor arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Dombay, Karachaevskiy Rayon, Kamennomostskiy, Cherkessk, Khabez, Arkhyz, Teberda, Dzhaga, Khasaut-Grecheskoye, Krasnyy Vostok, Psemen, Prikubanskiy rayon, Zelenchuksky District, gorod Karachaevsk, Zelenchukskiy rayon, Ust-Dzhegutinsky District, Malokarachaevskiy rayon.

For the main travel overview: Russia.