Maiden Braids Waterfall in Elbrus

The route to the Maiden Braids Waterfall is one of the most popular on Elbrus, as it is very picturesque and suitable for people with any physical training. The waterfall is 30 meters high and 18 meters wide. It got its name that the streams of the waterfall resemble the hair of a girl.

Hiking trail to the Maiden Braids Waterfall begins in the village of Terskol near the mosque of Zulkarnay Tilova. The length of the route along the South-Eastern slope of Elbrus is 4.5 kilometers. The waterfall is located at an altitude of 2800 meters, and the village of Terskol – at an altitude of 2150 m. The height difference is very significant – more than 600 meters, especially the difficult climb in the beginning. Then the road leads through a picturesque spruce forest, and from the observation decks you can enjoy beautiful views of the mountains of the southern slope of the Baksan gorge.

In the Balkar language, the waterfall is called Chiranbashi-Suu, although it is better known to everyone as the Maiden Braids. There are always a lot of tourists near the waterfall. Some go into the niches under the waterfall to take photos from the back. But you should remember that the river water from the Gara-Bashi glacier is very cold.