Verkhniy Baksan
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Upper Baksan and where is it?
This is a Balkar village in the Elbrus district of Kabardino-Balkaria, on the left bank of the Baksan River. It sits at an altitude of about 1,545 m, although the surrounding mountains easily exceed 2,900 m.
Why did the village change its name twice?
It was once called Urusbyevo - after the name of the Urusbyevo princes, whose fiefdom it was. In Soviet times, it became Upper Baksan, and in 1944, after the deportation of the Balkars, it was briefly renamed Bukhaidze. The name and people were returned in 1957.
What is a tourist to do here?
From here it is convenient to start deep into the mountains. Nearby is the Adyr-Su Gorge, and above, at an altitude of about 3,000 m, lies Lake Siltran - one of the most visited lakes of the republic.
How to get there?
The village is located in the Baksan Gorge, approximately 110 km from Nalchik and 18 km southwest of Tyrnauz. Elbrus is about 30 km from here to the southwest.
When is the best time to go?
Alpine routes like Lake Siltran make sense in the warm season, when the snow has melted and the trails are passable. In winter, it is rather a base for those who know what they are doing in the mountains.
