The Midagrabinsky waterfalls are one of the most famous attractions not only in North Ossetia, but also in Russia. They are located in the Madagrabinsky Gorge, which is often called the Valley of Waterfalls – there are several dozens of them here. All of them are fed by the waters of a huge glacier that lies on the slope of the Great Caucasian Ridge between Russia and Georgia. On the Georgian side, the famous Kazbek Mountain rises above this glacier.
In 1995, the Big Zygelan waterfall was measured in the valley. The reliable height of the continuous fall of water from the mountain slope is considered to be 750 meters. It means that the Midagrabinsky waterfall Big Zygelan is the highest in Russia. There are several other waterfalls of similar height in the country, in particular, in hard-to-reach places of the Putorana Plateau, but they are cascading there and accurate measurements of their height have not been made.
Some sources say that the Midagrabinsky waterfalls in North Ossetia are the highest in Europe and are among the five highest waterfalls in the world. This is not true. In Norway and Iceland, where the mountains are of similar height, and there are more glaciers, there are many waterfalls higher than the Midagrabinsky waterfalls. However, this does not detract from their importance for Russia. Here these waterfalls are No. 1 in height, and most importantly, they are easily accessible even for untrained people.
The Midagrabinsky gorge is a mountain valley, where the three-thousand-meter mountains rise. There are many glaciers and glacial lakes among these mountains. In summer, numerous waterfalls and water slides flow down from them. On the hottest summer days, up to 50 waterfalls can be counted in the gorge, including small streams among the rocks. As soon as cold weather sets in, most waterfalls freeze, and only a few continue to flow in small streams even in winter.
The highest Midagrabinsky waterfalls are located at the end of the gorge, where it rises up a steep mountain slope to several passes: Midagrabin, Dzamarash, Resi and others. All the peaks that rise here are above 4000 m. All passes are above 3000 m. In addition to the Big Zygelan, the most famous waterfalls of the Midagrabinsky Valley are Takhkadon, Crystal and Green. These waterfalls form the Midagrabindon River, which flows through the Madagrabinsky Valley.
Going to the Midagrabinsky waterfalls, it is necessary to take your passport with you, since there is a border guard post behind the village of Jimara. It is located here because 5 kilometers beyond the passes is the territory of Georgia. If there are border guards at the post, then Russian citizens need to show their passport, park their car near the post and walk 7 kilometers further. You will not be allowed to pass without a passport. Foreigners must obtain a special permit to pass through this checkpoint of border guards
If there are no border guards at the post, then you can bypass the post and drive about 4 kilometers along the Midagrabinsky valley. Approximately in the middle of the way there will be a rocky hill, behind which the trail begins. It is impossible to drive further by car. People leave their cars here and walk the remaining 3 kilometers.
The border guards are on duty during the summer period, when the passes among the glacial fields become available for passage. Although ordinary people without special training and equipment are unlikely to be able to pass through them. Around October, the passes are covered with snow, and they become inaccessible even to climbers. At this time, the border guards post is removed.
