Kislovodsk – Dzhily-Su road

The Kislovodsk – Dzhily-Su road is one of the most beautiful tourist roads in Russia. It is laid along the crests of the mountains and the most beautiful mountain landscapes open almost all along its length. Landscapes change as you climb. In the middle of the road, the double-headed Elbrus appears to the eye, and then it is visible from many viewing points. 

The distance from Kislovodsk to Dzhily-Su is 80 kilometers. 16 kilometers from Kislovodsk is the village of Kichi-Balyk, the last settlement from Kislovodsk. The next 65 kilometers the road winds among the mountains, where there are no settlements. Only in one place (30 km from Kislovodsk) is located the Narzan Valley balneological complex. 

For the first tens of kilometers, the Kislovodsk – Dzhily-Su road winds along flat mountains and gullies, which are common in the vicinity of all resort towns in the Mineralnye Vody region. Then the mountains get higher, but they still have flat tops. 
Near the village of Kichi-Balyk, the majestic double-headed Elbrus is shown for the first time. Then the mountains get higher. Many of them have viewing points with beautiful views of Elbrus.  

In one of the narrow gorges on the Kislovodsk - Dzhily-Su road there is the Narzan Valley balneological complex, which has guest houses and cafes. Here on the Khasaut River there are several springs with mineral water of various types. There is an ecological trail in the Narzan Valley Park.  

After the Narzan Valley, the road enters the highlands. The territory of the Elbrus National Park begins here. Be sure to plan a stop near Mount Krugozor. Here the road to Dzhily-Su makes a sharp turn around the mountain. To the left of the road is a deep gorge of the Kharbas River. Near the cafe there is a path to the picturesque rocks towering over the gorge.  

Locals say that these mountains are similar to those that were in the movie Avatar, especially if fog is spreading along the gorge. They are the remnant rocks that slid into the gorge of the river millions of years ago, but did not collapse. Now they tower over the gorge with powerful pillars. There is some similarity with the mountains from the movie Avatar, so the name stuck. Now these mountains are even called "Avatars" on maps. In any case, it is very beautiful here, and it is necessary to make a stop.  

After the Avatars, the road goes through a dense coniferous forest, and then again goes to the highlands. The last section till Dzhily-Sy nature site is the most difficult – here the road descends in a steep serpentine into the gorge of the Malka River. This can be a serious test for the engine and braking system of the car.