The archipelago of the rocky islands. Hiking trekking tour in the Caucasus

The first day of the tour is quite easy, warm-up. 

It runs along the relatively smooth gentle slopes of the two southern peaks of Kavminvod.

Yutsa (Jutsa 1st), 973 m, the start of the ascent is from the paradrome: 43.973653, 43.031590.

We leave the hotel at 8:30 and at 9:30 we arrive at the southeastern group of mountains. 

The car takes the group through the village of Yutsa to the airfield, where paragliding athletes are based, train and fly from. 

From here, a walking ascent to the top of Mount Yutsa begins — about 200 meters vertically.

We go down to the cars and after 40 minutes we drive up to Mount Jutsa — the second highest peak of Kavminvod. 

Jutsa, 1190 m, the start of the ascent is on the eastern slope: 43.925417, 42.988009.

We climb to the top — about 400 meters vertically — along paths or grassy slopes. 

• The ascent takes 1.5–2 hours.

From the top there is a stunning view of Elbrus, the Main Caucasian and Jinal ranges. 

• The descent to the cars takes no more than 30 minutes.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the route.

Mashuk is the most popular peak of Kavminvod, sung by great Russian poets. 

It is located within the city of Pyatigorsk, the blocks of which frame the mountain from the south, west and north.

Mashuk, 993 m, the start of the ascent — from the monuments above the Aeolian harp: 44.041102, 43.087405.

We leave the hotel at 8:30. 

By 9:00 we arrive at the Spartak Rocks climbing wall.

After the instruction on the use of special equipment, you can go through the simplest rock routes with a height of 3 to 10 meters. 

This training practice will be needed when overcoming some sections of the route — when climbing such peaks as Ostroya and Medovaya.

After the rock tour, you will have a 20-minute walk to the famous Pyatigorsk Sinkhole. 

Then there is a 1.5—kilometer walk to the Aeolian Harp and ascent along the "Bernardazzi trail" in the direction of the top of Mount Mashuk.

The distance from the Aeolian Harp to the top of the mountain is about 1.5 km, the altitude difference on the route reaches 400 m.

From the monument there are a hundred steps up to the upper station of the cable car and the TV tower.

After bypassing the territory of the TV tower, we go down the steps, and then along the path of the western slope, which leads to the "Glade of Songs". 

The journey, which is about 1.8 km long, takes 30-40 minutes. 

Then there is a 10—minute descent along an asphalt footpath from the lower part of the Clearing to the place of M. Y. Lermontov's duel, where we get into cars and return to the hotel.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the route.

Mangy, 874 m, the start of the ascent is from the parking lot of the residential complex on the northern slope of the mountain: 44.097913, 42.973941.

We leave the hotel at 8.30 and by 9:30 we arrive at the western group of the Kavminvod mountains. 

We leave our cars in the parking lot of the residential complex at the entrance to the city of Lermontov. 

We climb along the well-distinguishable trail of the northern slope in the direction of the top of Mount Sheludivaya.

The ascent from the cars to the top — about 250 meters vertically — takes no more than an hour.

From the top there is a great view of Mount Beshtau, the highest peak of Kavminvod and the Zheleznovodsk group of mountains.

We go down to the cars and after 30 minutes we drive up to the western slopes of Mount Ostroya (Ostrogorka).

Acute (Ostrogorka), 872 m, the start of the ascent is from the glade of the southern ridge: 44.115558, 42.994228.

We climb to the top along the southwestern ridge using simple safety systems. 

The height difference from the road is about 150 meters.

We descend from the top on the way up. 

Bypassing the Ostrogorki massif from the north side, we exit with a slight rise to the saddle of the ridge. 

After a short descent — about 50 m vertically — along a forest path we approach the slope of another peak in the region — Kabanka or Tupaya.

Kabanka (Blunt), 767 m, the start of the ascent is from the bridge on the Ostrogorka side: 44.120571, 42.998912.

A simple 100-meter climb to the top, overgrown with shrubs and small trees, completes the ascents of this day. 

We go down the climbing path, get into the cars and return to the hotel.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the route.

Razvalka, 926 m, the start of the ascent — from the parking lot next to the sign "Permafrost Cave": 44.159922, 43.031259.

Razvalka Mountain is one of the most interesting natural attractions of Kavminvod.

We leave the hotel at 8:30 and drive up to the parking lot of the restaurant "Forester's Hut" in the vicinity of the city of Zheleznovodsk. 

The pedestrian part of the route starts from the northwestern side of Razvalka Mountain and runs along its western slope. 

We walk for 20 minutes along an old dirt road, sometimes turning into a wide path, in the direction of the "Permafrost Cave" — a horizontal tunnel of geological excavation.

After walking about 200 meters more, we begin the ascent along the talus and grassy slopes.

After 1.5–2 hours, we go out onto a wide pre-summit ridge, from which we climb to the peak along a pronounced trail. 

We descend to the old terrencourt trail, along which we climb 2 km to the top of Zheleznaya Mountain.

Zheleznodorozhnaya, 853 m, the start of the ascent is 100 meters from the Pushkin Gallery: 44.135912, 43.032788.

We climb 2.5 km along a wide path with an average steepness of about 20 degrees. 

The trail smoothly bypasses the mountain and leads to the highest point of the peak. 

We descend from the top along the terrencourt trail to the Pushkin Gallery and cross the territory of the Zheleznovodsk resort Park to the cars. 

• The journey takes about 40 minutes.

We get into the cars and return to the hotel. 

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the route.

Lysaya (Lysogorka), 739 m, the start of the ascent is from the eastern outskirts of the village of Nizhnepodkumsky: 08.44.0114, 43.217143.

We leave the hotel at 8:30 and in 40 minutes drive up to the northeastern outskirts of the village of Nizhnepodkumsky. 

The steepest section is a 100—meter exit to the dome of the peak. 

• The ascent takes 1.5–2 hours, the descent to the cars takes about an hour.

Golden mound, 884 m, the start of the ascent is a kilometer from the western outskirts of the village of Tambukan, at the intersection of roads on the northwestern slope: 43.935236, 43.134568, 43.944960, 43.105659.

An hour on the way, and we are at the foot of the Golden Mound mountain.

It has the shape of an asymmetric dome with a cone-shaped top crowning a slightly hilly plateau with a height of 600-700 m. 

The cars come as close as possible to the domed top. 

The vertical hike of about 150 meters takes only 30-40 minutes. 

After descending from the Golden Mound, we return to the hotel.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the route.

Today is a free day that you can devote to rest, take a walk through the historical sites, which are very rich in the city of Pyatigorsk.

You can book an additional excursion to get acquainted with local attractions, or even with a trip to the neighboring republic for new impressions and photos.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel.

Medovaya, 725 m, the start of the ascent is from the turn of the road along Chapaev Street, Zheleznovodsk: 44.138801, 43.010589.

Medovaya Mountain rises on the outskirts of the city of Zheleznovodsk.

The ascent to the top of Medovaya is technically the most difficult among the laccolith mountains of the region.

The ascent begins on the northern slope. 

The approaches to the beginning of the route pass along forest paths that lead to the eastern, most gentle ridge of the mountain.

To ensure safety during climbing, the use of safety equipment and protective helmets (helmets) is required.

We begin the ascent along a wide, gentle ridge. 

After 20 meters, the ridge turns into a 35-meter 45-degree rocky slope (we go with insurance). 

Then about 50 meters along the trail, with two small (1.5 meters) 60-degree walls.

The trail leads to a 3-meter rock formation (insurance), after overcoming which, we walk about 80 meters along the trail without climbing and reach the highest point of Mount Medovaya.

The peak is a good panoramic point with a view of 9 surrounding peaks and several settlements.

We go down the ascent path with mandatory insurance. 

For a group of 4-6 people, the ascent and descent take 5-6 hours.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the route.

Betau, 1400 m, the start of the ascent — from the junction of the road to the ring road: 44.084358, 43.031513.

We are going to have the hardest day of all passed during the tour program.

We leave the hotel at 8:30, an hour later we drive up to the ring road (826 m above sea level), which goes around Mount Beshtau, the highest point of Kavminvod with a drop from the paved road of about 700 meters.

Then the pedestrian part of the ascent begins. 

We are walking along the path prepared at the beginning of the twentieth century by activists of the Caucasian Mining Society.

We go out to the pass between the Main peak of Beshtau and the Goat Rocks. 

Next, we climb the path bypassing (on the left in the direction of movement) the Yesenin rock.

The ascent from the pass to the exit to the eastern ridge of the Main peak takes about 1.5 hours. 

At the exit point is the "Temple of the Sun", a popular tourist attraction. 

We walk another 15-20 minutes to the west and go out to the technological fence at the top.

Beshtau peak is the best panoramic point of the KMV. 

Cozy Zheleznovodsk and the city of Mineralnye Vody are clearly visible from the northeastern slopes of the peak.

From the top of Beshtau we descend along a well-trodden path. 

First, a 20-minute descent to the saddle towards the top of Maly Tau. 

From the saddle, along the way, we climb about 150 meters to the top. 

We approach the well-visible rock massif "Eagle Rocks". 

From the lower edge of the rocks we go out through the ring road to the cars that are waiting in the parking lot of the guest house "Eagle Rocks", Lermontov. 

Or we make a 2-kilometer trek along a dirt road to the parking lot next to the Assumption of the Second Athos Beshtaugorsky Monastery.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the route.

Camel (Camel), 885 m, the start of the ascent is from the intersection of the trail to the saddle and the ring road: 44.195016, 42.878319.

We leave the hotel at 8:30, drive through the village of Novobrazdarnoye to the base of Mount Camel — the westernmost peak of Kavminvod. 

From the cars, we climb for 30-40 minutes to the saddle between the Eastern and Western peaks of the mountain. 

First along a dirt road, then along a well—visible path. 

From the saddle, we walk for another 30 minutes along a steep path, bypassing rocky ledges, and reach the highest point of the Western Peak.

After viewing the panoramas, we descend to the saddle and return to the cars along the trail.

According to the condition and desire of the group, you can climb from the saddle to the second peak of the Camel.

The ascent and descent will take about an hour.

Bull (Bullhead), 817 m, the start of the ascent is from a spring on the outskirts of the village: 44.177557, 42.952992.

Mount Bull is located 4 km east of Mount Camel, half a kilometer east of the village of Bykogorka. 

The mountain has the shape of a dome with a jagged ridge consisting of three peaks — the Northern Hill (760 m), the Main Peak (817 m) and the Datolith Hill (680 m). 

Due to this structure, the mountain looks like a humpback bull with its head down from the side.

We rise from the fork of the paved roads on the eastern outskirts of the village. 

First we go along a dirt road, then along a well—visible path that passes through a small forest and leads towards the highest point of the mountain. 

The last 10-meter "takeoff" to the top requires attention and — depending on the preparation of the group — basic insurance.

• It takes from 1.5 to 2 hours to get up from the cars. 
• The descent takes about an hour. 

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the route.

Kokurtli, 406 m, the start of the ascent is from the gate of the Kumagor hospital: 44.278770, 43.038445.

We leave the hotel at 8:30 and an hour later we drive up to the northeastern group of mountains. 

Cars stop at the entrance to the territory of the Kumagor hospital.

We move along a dirt road, then along a path and a grassy slope. 

We go out onto a small hill, which is difficult to distinguish from the neighboring hills. 

This is the top of Kokurtla— the lowest hill of Kavminvod. 

• The ascent from the cars lasts 30-40 minutes with a climb of about 70 meters.

We return to the cars, or we move in a westerly direction — towards the clearly visible slopes of Mount Dagger.

Next is a small 2—kilometer entrance or approach to the Mount Dagger massif.

Dagger, 506 m, the start of the ascent is along a dirt road above the Lukoil gas station, check—in from Kokurtli: 44.270399, 43.012058.

We climb the grassy or scree slopes to the inner quarry in the center of the massif. 

We follow well-visible trails or remnants of old roads to the top of Mount Dagger.

• The height difference from the cars is no more than 200 meters. 
• The ascent time is about an hour. 
• The descent to the cars takes about 30 minutes.

Accommodation: 3* hotel, Pyatigorsk.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on the route.

Snake, 994 m, 44.173423, 43.079569.

The Snake Mountain is located 3.5 km southwest of the Mineralnye Vody station and covers an area of about 20 square kilometers.

We leave the hotel at 8:30. 

We drive for about an hour through the villages of Novotersky and Privolny, then about 3 km along a dirt road.

We climb the ruined northwest ridge, covered with trees and shrubs. 

The trail gets lost in the thickets in places, but the main direction is well tracked along the ridge. 

The ascent to the highest point of the Snake Mountain from the cars takes about 2.5 hours. 

From the top there are excellent views of the Zheleznovodsk group of mountains. 

The descent to the cars takes about 1.5 hours.

Meals: breakfast at the hotel

Group transfer to the airport or railway station in Mineralnye Vody immediately after the tour. 

The estimated time of arrival is around 15:00.