Mount Elbrus reserve

The famous double-headed peak of mount Elbrus is the highest peak of the Caucasus mountains and all of Europe. The height of the Eastern peak is 5461 m, and the Western peak is 5642 m. Every year hundreds of climbers come here to conquer this famous mountain.

Mount Elbrus is located in the Side Range of the Caucasus mountains, which runs 10 km North of the Greater Caucasus range. Since the border between Europe and Asia in the Caucasus runs along the Great Caucasus Range, mount Elbrus belongs to the European part of Russia. In fact, it is the highest peak in Europe. The height of Mont Blanc, the second highest in Europe, reaches 4810 m. Elbrus is a former volcano. The diameter of its base is 15 kilometers.

Baksan valley is located on the southern side of Elbrus. The lower point of the Elbrus cable car is located in the Azau Glade (2350m), the highest village in the valley. From there you can go up to the station Krugozor (3000 m), then to the station Mir (3500 m). The highest station of the Gara-Bashi cable car is located at an altitude of 3780 m. It is the highest mountain skiing station in Europe. If you plan to go up here, you need to take very warm clothes. Even in summer, it is very windy and there is snow.

Near Gara Bashi is the famous station Shelter 11 (4100m). This mountaineering hotel was built in 1909. On August 17, 1942, it was occupied by a detachment of German mountain Rangers. They climbed Elbrus and planted Nazi flags there. The highest-altitude battles of World war II were also held here.