Golden autumn in the Caucasus. North Ossetia. Digoria, Dargavs, Tsei and more. I invite you on a journey. December 13th, 2016

For travel enthusiasts, photographers and non-photographers. Difficulty level is zero. Suitable for absolutely all categories of traveling people, including children. Quite a family format.

Autumn version of the tour in North Ossetia. On this trip you will visit the real Caucasus mountains, get acquainted with the culture, history and way of life of the Ossetians and Digorians still living in. And, of course, you will see stunning things not just from afar, but you will directly touch the nature of this region and walk with your feet along its roads and paths. And most importantly, the timing of the trip was chosen precisely on the basis that at this time there is a real riot of autumn colors here. Don’t be alarmed, everything is done only lightly and in a gentle manner. We won't have to live in tents, everything will be quite comfortable.

To warm up, we will visit the unique medieval necropolis in the village and see many other attractions along the way. Then we will have the central part of the tour, where we will explore one of the Digoria gorges in the Alanya National Park. In Digoria we will visit the old ones, with their amazing stone architecture and where the traditional way of life and way of life are still preserved, and we will even visit the local residents. Here we will go through simple routes lightly along the slopes of the Rocky Range and visit. Then we will have the third and final part of the journey. To do this, we will have to move to the Tsey ski resort, which at this time is simply a tourist center. There we will take a hike along the ecological trail to the Tseysky glacier. And as a final touch to the whole trip, we will go to the villages of Tib, Sadon and Verkhniy Zgid.

Contacts for applications and proposals at the end of the program.

Detailed travel program:

October 7th. Everyone comes to the city of Vladikavkaz. There are options by plane, train and even bus. We check into the hotel, get ourselves in order, get acquainted, and go for a walk around the city. Anyone who hasn’t been here before, I can say for sure, will like it. If we are lucky with the weather, on this day we will already see the snow-capped head of Kazbek and the angular, flat-topped Mount Stolovaya, seemingly hanging over the city. And we will definitely see the Terek and walk along its embankment, and also take a walk along Mira Avenue, which is freed from car traffic precisely for truants like you and me.

October 8. Today we have a long trip. We are going to real mountains, to one of the Caucasian gorges, which is called Kurtatinskoye or sometimes it is also called Fiagdonsky. Along the way, we will stop at the place where the river has cut such a narrow canyon into the limestones that in some places the huge boulders hanging over it completely close together. But even higher, the gorge opens wide and here is the rather large village of Fiagdon. We will travel a little further than Fiagdon to visit the Holy Dormition Alan Monastery. This is a modern temple, but very beautiful. After the sightseeing tour, we will go back a little and begin to climb along the road to the pass. On the way up, right above the cliff, there is an Ossetian watchtower, and if you haven’t seen such towers before, this will be the first, but far from the last, on our route. A little more along the mountain serpentine and then pass and descend down to the village of Dargavs, on the outskirts of which the main object of our trip that day is located. This is the so-called "". In fact, it is a medieval necropolis, striking not only with its architecture, but also with its burial method. If you look inside, you will see human bones and even sometimes mummified remains. Why this is so, the history of these burials is not yet very clear to me personally. They say that epidemics once raged here, and sick people themselves went into these stone crypts to die so as not to infect the healthy. But researchers found no traces of these infections in the remains. Dargavs is the most representative and impressive crypt complex in Ossetia, but they are everywhere here and we will see them in other places. On the same day, if there is a normal road and if there is still time, perhaps we will have time to look a little further, through another pass into the Karmadon Gorge, famous for its tragedy in 2002, when people died during a catastrophic glacier meltdown. But don’t be alarmed, nothing threatens us, we will spend the night again in a city hotel. During this trip, a light snack is a good reason to lose a little weight. But in the evening you can have a blast.

October 9. The excursion part is over, now we have a real journey, with a deep immersion in the environment. We leave the city, go to Digoria and to the Digorians. Digoria is one of the regions of North Ossetia, adjacent to Kabardino-Balkaria, and the Digorians are Ossetians, but they speak their own Digor dialect. To begin with, we will drive for a long time along the plain and look at the Caucasus ridge from the side, but when we reach the village of Chikola we will turn straight into the mountains and a little further we will drive into a narrow gorge. And here the Urukh River carved a very narrow canyon in the limestone, 70 meters deep and only 10 meters wide in some places. We will definitely stop at the observation point called “Devil's Bridge”. And they really built a bridge over the abyss, but it’s unlikely that the devil did it. There is also a short tunnel nearby and an old road that bypasses this tunnel. And next to the tunnel is a real natural cave. A little further we will stop at a horseman on a high rock, this is the statue of Uastirdzhi, the most important Ossetian saint, in the Orthodox form associated with St. George. And a little further we will stop at a holy place, into which women are prohibited from entering. I think there is no need to be outraged about gender inequality when it comes to some historical traditions. Having driven even further, we will find ourselves in the territory of the Alania National Park, which will be announced by the full houses along the road. Here we have to turn left into another gorge, which forms the right tributary of Urukh, the Songutidon River. And then a little more and immediately after the village of Makhchesk we will climb a little hill and already in the village of Kamata we will find our new refuge. This is the visitor center of the National Park, equipped to receive tourists. Let me point out right away that accommodation here is for not very demanding travelers. No, for me personally this is the height of comfort, but maybe you have slightly higher requirements. In fact, this is an ordinary village house, it has four rooms. One large, for ten people and three family ones with three beds each. Plus there is a large kitchen with a dining room and a common table for a large group. Separate shower and toilet facilities. There is a gas heater for the shower from a gas cylinder, and there is also an electric water heater in the kitchen. It’s okay, albeit a little spartan, but it’s worth it, here we have the most interesting part of the trip and it’s only three days. Already on the same day we will have time to walk around the immediate surroundings, climb the Abisalovs’ tower and probably even go on a visit.

October 10. On this day we will get acquainted with the old ones in the Songutidon valley and even higher in the Wallagcom valley. In the village of Fasnal you will see the old walls of a Belgian mining and processing plant, which operated here back in the 19th century, and even then there was electricity and sewerage. Then we will climb higher along the road, where the previously very narrow mountain valley opens wide and here it is already called Huallagk. There are three mountain villages concentrated here - Dunta, Kamunta and Galiat, where very few local residents remain, and where the life and atmosphere of the old mountain villages are still preserved. And you will definitely be amazed by the stone village architecture and towers, often all of this, of course, in the form of ruins. But you will definitely be impressed. Well, then, if there is time and energy left, the volunteers will go with me on foot along the upper road along the slope of the Rocky Ridge to the very base where we settled. Walking here, if you just walk, and not be distracted by anything, at a brisk pace for about two hours. But I hope we have enough enthusiasm to shoot something. And the landscapes here are wonderful. And in some places, herds of horses walk by themselves. Plus, bright autumn colors. This will be our first walking route. Those who refuse to walk in the mountains, after a tour of the villages, will simply go back to the base.

October 11. But on this day a very good walk awaits us. Along the road we will again reach the village of Galiat, and then the walking part will begin, although along a relatively road, but in some places it’s quite steep uphill. Our goal is to climb the pass in the Rocky Range. This place looks like a huge gap in a solid limestone wall. It is really beautiful there and there is a holy place there, which is visited periodically by local residents. And if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to look on the other side of the pass; in May 2016, I wasn’t able to do this because everything there was covered with clouds. For those who came to take photographs, there are a lot of landscape scenes here. But this is not our only goal on this day. At this time, a herd of yaks should be grazing here. Naturally, animals will also become the object of our visual contact and photography. Climbing to the pass can take quite a long time. But if time remains, and the enthusiasm remains in our ranks, we can march along the slopes of the Rocky Ridge straight to our base. Those who have time to walk around the pass will go to the base by car.

October 12. After breakfast we will leave the hospitable shelter in the village of Kamata. We will also leave Digoria. On this day we will leave for Tsey, which is located in another mountain gorge. Before entering the Alagir Gorge, we will visit the Epiphany Alan Convent. A little further we will make a stop at a holy place at the huge Uastyrdzhi monument, which seems to fly out of the rock and hang over the road. Even higher we will pass tunnels and old mining villages, where the architecture of the Soviet era is still preserved. And then we will climb steeply into the mountains and finally reach Tsey, a tourist and ski center, which is nestled in a narrow gorge under the Monk rock. We'll check into a hotel. For those who found the previous base in the village of Kamata not very comfortable, living here will seem like the height of bliss. But we will still have time to walk around the surrounding area and visit such interesting sites as the Rekom sanctuary. This is a men's sanctuary, but there is something for women here.

October 13. This day will be completely devoted to a hike to the Tsey glacier. Follow the path along the bed of the Tseyadon River. We will walk slowly to examine everything in detail and take pictures. I hope we will be lucky with the weather, and the landscapes here are stunning, real mountainous. Most likely, there will still be time on this day, and those who wish will be able to take the cable car up to the Skazsky glacier.

October 14. On this day we will go to the mountain village of Tib. Along the way, we will look from above at the Zaramag reservoir, located in a narrow valley among high mountains. In Tiba we will touch the ruins of ancient ancestral towers and visit unique mineral springs. And on the same day we will visit the old mining villages of Sadon and Verkhniy Zgid. In these villages we will see unique Soviet architecture, unlike anything else, and still preserved traces of the catastrophic mudflow that destroyed Sadon. We are still spending the night in Tsey.

October 15. Well, that's it, the journey is over. On this day we say goodbye and go home. Departure from Tsey in the morning with the expectation that everyone will have time for their transport from Vladikavkaz.

Conditions for participation in the trip:

The cost of participation is 44,000 rubles. Prepayment - 15,000 rubles, the rest can be done on the spot.

Included in the price:

All transport movements, starting from the airport or train station and ending there.
- Accommodation at all points of our route, including Vladikavkaz. These are hotels and a visitor center of the National Park. Double and triple accommodation in hotels. It is possible to stay in a more populated room at the visitor center. Single accommodation is negotiated everywhere and calculated separately. Single occupancy is not guaranteed at the Visitor Center.
- Meals along the entire route. The usual three meals a day. On routes outside hotels and bases, snacks will be provided.
- Your guide
- Photography and other consultations
- Entrance ticket to the Dargavsa necropolis

The price does not include:

Travel from your city to Vladikavkaz and back.
- Souvenirs and personal expenses.
- Alcohol.
- Cable car in Tsey, if you use it.

Equipment:

The trip is simple, without any extreme. But we will still have simple routes in mountainous areas, so we need to prepare for these conditions.

Particular attention to shoes. Regular trekking boots or mountain hiking boots are best here. If you don't have any, then at least take rubber boots. You can walk in the dry places of the Rocky Ridge in sneakers, but on a hike to the Tseysky Glacier, if you don’t have boots, boots will come in handy. In addition, there should be replacement shoes, such as sneakers and slippers for hotels and bases.
- Waterproof clothing is also important. In case of rain, you should have a waterproof raincoat or cape or suit.
- Simple and comfortable clothes for hiking in the mountains.
- It can be quite cold, especially in the evening or morning. Warm clothes are needed, but not winter, but autumn-spring.
- A small backpack for photographic equipment, clothes in case of rain and other small items during the routes.
- Change of clothes for the hotel and the city.
- Lightweight headdress.
- Personal hygiene items.
- A personal mug and spoon wouldn’t hurt either.

Send applications, questions and suggestions by email [email protected] or by phone 8 903 102-99-36 .

By mutual agreement, some changes to the program are possible.

Below in the photographs are some of what you can see on this trip:

Necropolis in Dargavs. In details .

Kurtatinskoye Gorge at its narrowest point.

The Holy Dormition Alan Monastery in the village of Khidikus outside Fiagdon.

Watchtower over the Kurtatinsky gorge.

Damn bridge.

Visiting locals. In details

Looking at the Digor Gorge on the map, you can immediately notice its distinctive feature. It lies in the altitude of its location above sea level - about 2000 meters. Ossetians call the Digor Gorge “Country” because people with ancient history and original traditions that are passed on from generation to generation live there.

The Otkritie tourist club offers exciting adventure tours into the world of ancient towers and sanctuaries, stormy mountain rivers and glaciers, alpine meadows and the hot southern sun. Our trips include:

• active recreation in nature;
• acquaintance with the rituals, architecture and national cuisine of Ossetians.

We select unique author's routes for each traveler, based on his preferences and individual preparedness.

Geographical characteristics of the Digor Gorge

Digoria is located in the southwest of North Ossetia, in its farthest corner. From the capital Vladikavkaz to the gorge you need to drive three hours to cover a distance of 120 km. The Urukh River flows along the bottom of the Digor Gorge.

Conventionally, the entire area is divided into parts:

• Stur-Digora (Ustur-Digoræ - “big Digoria”);
• Tapan-Digora (Tæpæn-Digoræ - “planar Digoria”);
• Donifars (literally - “side of the river”);
• Uallagkom (Uællagkom - “upper gorge”).

At first, the asphalt highway runs along flat terrain before and for some time after the village of Chikola. And only after a while you realize that you are already in the mountains. The steep serpentine winds higher and higher around the enormous rocks. Renting a holiday home in the Digor Gorge is not difficult. The people here have always been famous for their hospitality and respect for the traveler.

Around every turn, a new discovery awaits the traveler. The first to meet the traveler at the entrance to the Digor Gorge is the Devil's Bridge. The height from its level to the bottom of the abyss is equal to the height of a 25-story building. In this place in 1919, near the bridge, Red detachments defeated the disunited White Guard of General Denikin.

It is from this passage that you can contemplate the entire perspective of the deep Akhsinta canyon, which is 5 km long. In some places, bubbling springs and mountain streams burst out from the mass of rocks. According to tourist reviews, the waterfalls are the pearl of the Digor Gorge, irrigating barren stones.
Soon the mountainous terrain partes somewhat and a sunny valley opens into view. Above its banks one can see stone security structures and ancient settlements of the highlanders:

• Donifars;
• Lezgor;
• Zadalesk;
• Khanaz.

On the flat pastures you can still see large herds of horses. You can see such photos of the Digor Gorge on our website, and then photograph these beauties yourself during the hike.

Sights of the Digor Gorge

Zadalesk is now a residential village. Several families live here, and some stay in the gorge for the winter. The deserted streets of the village make you think that the inhabitants have abandoned them. But in fact, everyone is busy with their own business, some tending flocks of sheep, some making cheese. No gourmet restaurant food can compare with the taste of these natural products grown in the cleanest air of the highlands. The weather in the Digor Gorge is favorable for cultivating grain and keeping small livestock.

Our adventure tours allow you to get a powerful boost of energy, improve your health and expand your horizons during an active holiday in North Ossetia.

Mountain Digoria is divided into Eastern and Western parts. The conventional border between them is considered to be the bed of the main water artery of Digoria - Urukh (Irafa in Digor style), which in the upper reaches is formed from the confluence of the Karaugomdon and Khares rivers. After merging with the Karaugomdon River (absolute height 1490 m), flowing out from under the Karaugom glacier, Urukh immediately becomes high-water, increasing in water volume by 2.5-3 times. Flowing further along the bottom of the wide Urukh gorge, the Urukh River receives its two largest tributaries: on the left - Bilyagidon, on the right - Aigamugidon. The Urukh plain comes out near the village of Kalukh (absolute height 750 m). Thus, over a relatively short distance - 20 km, the drop in height is almost 750 m. You can imagine the speed of the water flow.

The road to the upper reaches of the Digor Gorge is laid along the Urukh River and passes the “gate” of the Alania National Park in the village of Matsuta.

Almost all the natural attractions of Western Digoria are located on the territory of the Alania Park, access to which is still free (2016).
After Matsuta, the road turns to the left bank of the Urukh. The valley gradually narrows, the slopes become steeper, and a forest appears. The outlines of the surrounding mountains become sharp, the peaks are sharp and rocky, and the slopes become steep and steep.

After 6 km from Matsuta we find ourselves in the village of Akhsau, beyond which the Digora gorge becomes wider. From here you can clearly see the entire Urukh Gorge - a grandiose trough with a flat, wide bottom and steep steep slopes. To the right of the road rise the spurs of the Sugansky ridge, to the left - the Kazatykhokh massif - two huge links of the Side Range, separated by the transverse valley of the Urukh River. The river flows along a wide bottom, winding and dividing into numerous branches.

The peculiar trough-like (trough-shaped) shape indicates that it was created not only by the river, but also by an ancient glacier that descended 20-25 thousand years ago from the northern slope of the Main Dividing Range.

Another 4 km of the way, and at the foot of the Chirkh ridge, where the Karaugomdon and Khares rivers - the two main sources of the Urukh River - merge, the road forks. To the left, across the bridge along the Karaugomdon River, the road goes to the Dzinaga tourist center and further to the village of Dzinaga.

We will continue our journey along another road along the Khares River to the Khares, or Upper Digor, gorge. Here it would be appropriate to talk about the origin of the name of the gorge Digorsky. It comes from the name of the Ossetian ethnic group - Digorians (in Ossetian - “Digoron” or “Dyguron”), who have long inhabited the Urukha Gorge.

The Verkhne-Digorskoe gorge is very beautiful. From the south, above the greenery of the forests, the peaks of the Main Dividing Range, exceeding 4000 m, sparkle with white snow; from the north, no less high granite massifs of the Sugansky Range rise.

The road passes through the villages of Moska, Odola and Stur-Digora, which is located 6 km from the fork in the road. At the end of the 19th century. it was the largest village in mountainous Digoria. In 1884, there were 588 residents (67 households).

Nowadays, like all mountain villages, Stur-Digora (Ustur-Digora, Big Digoria - Ossetian) is going through hard times. The number of households, and accordingly, the number of residents, decreased sharply. But many new brick houses under tiles and slates also appeared. In Stur-Digor, old buildings (Khadzars) are well preserved. The lower floor of such a house had a commercial purpose, and the upper one served as housing.

In the village in 2007, a chapel was consecrated in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost.” This is one of the highest chapels (2300 meters above sea level) in Europe and the Russian Federation. A landmark of sorts.

The blue (the color of the Virgin Mary) pyramidal dome of the chapel seems even bluer against the backdrop of snow-white peaks, because from the village of Stur-Digora there is a wonderful view of the mountains. The cone-shaped green Mount Kubus, sacred to the Digorians, is clearly visible, which separates the valleys of the Hares and Tanadon rivers.

The last village in the gorge is Kussu, which is located near Stor Digora - 3 km. When you are at the top of Kubus, you notice that the villages of the Verkhne-Digorsky gorge are located along the left bank of the Khares almost nearby. Between them there are holiday villages and new recreation centers, so it seems that the houses of the villages stretch along the road in a single street.

Another 1 km from Kussu, and we approach the Rostselmash recreation center.

From here begins the resort area of ​​the Digor Gorge with recreation centers of various sizes and comfort - for every taste and budget. On a section of the gorge 3 km from the Rostselmash recreation center, among pine forests there are such comfortable shelters as “Eagle’s Nest”, “Sky Threshold”, “Tana-Park”, “Koma-Art”.

Stop and enjoy the rare beauty of nature, walk along easy routes to the waterfalls, of which there are many, because it is not for nothing that Digoria is called the “Land of a Thousand Waterfalls”.

Travel plan

Arrival in the morning at the airport (train station) of Mineralnye Vody. Group transfer at 11.30 to the Digor Gorge of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (3 hours to the border). Lunch (on your own). In the national cafe in the village of Chikola you will be offered dishes of Ossetian cuisine. In the company of a guide, you will travel to the Main Gate of mountain Digoria - the Akhsinta Canyon.
It is in this place that the canyon narrows so much that it turns into a stone trench, and it becomes visible how the Urukh River beats at a depth of seventy meters among the rocks. The canyon amazes with its grandeur. Its steep walls are formed by cliffs of gray layered Jurassic limestone. Several karst springs spectacularly fall into the abyss.
Along the way, you will be met and escorted on a good journey by a sculpture of the most revered saint in Ossetia - St. George (Ossetian: Uastirdzhi). You will also visit the village of Matsuta, located at the confluence of the Aygomugidon and Urukh rivers. “There is no further way” - this is how its name is translated.
Arrival at the Tana Park Hotel***, which is comfortably located in the farthest picturesque corner of the Digor Gorge on the left bank of the Khares River in the “horseshoe” of natural attractions: Metelaska Falls, Mount Kubus, spurs of Laboda and Sugansky Range. In the evening, discussion of the tour program. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with a guide, leaving in an SUV for an auto-walking route to the Karaugom Gorge (the length of the round-trip walk is 10-12 km.)
Before leaving on the route, you will issue a pass to the border zone. Hike to the Karaugom glacier. The Karaugomdon River originates from under the tongue of the glacier. The name “Karaugom” itself translated from Ossetian means “blind gorge” or “gorge with no exit.” It received this name due to the fact that previously it was possible to get into the gorge only through a high icefall. The length of the Karaugom glacier is just over 13 kilometers, the area is 27 square kilometers, the glacier descends to a height of 1820 meters. The glacier has two icefalls. The upper one, the most powerful, breaks out through the narrow “gates” of the Karaugomsky ridge and flows out from a height of 3500 meters; the tongue of the glacier reaches a length of 800 meters. The lower icefall is smaller, about 500 meters. Lunch on the way (packed lunch). Return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will climb to the top of Mount Kubus and walk to the Taymazinsky waterfalls. Climbing Mount Qubus will delight you with beautiful panoramas and virgin forests covering its slopes. Having descended from the mountain, you will continue your walk around the foot of Kubus to the Taymazinsky waterfalls. The waterfalls look especially spectacular from afar. Three snow-white streams fall at a distance of 150-200 meters from each other. The waterfalls originate on the Taymazi glacier, in the Khares Gorge. Below, the streams break against stepped stone pyramids. Over the years, water has carved out many depressions in the pyramids, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water falling into these depressions splashes out of them in fountains. Lunch at the waterfalls includes packed lunch.
Return to the hotel, rest. Free time at the resort. Dinner on your own.

Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will go on a journey through the medieval Ossetian villages of Kumbulta (visiting Bagayt Castle), Lezgor, Donifars.
The route runs along the spur of the Rocky Range, or more precisely, along the spur of the Uazakhokh massif. Here is the highest point of the Rocky Range in North Ossetia - the mythological peak - Uazakhokh, whose outlines resemble a dilapidated fortress (3,529 m).
Moving to the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, which in the Middle Ages were communities independent from anyone, where a democratic form of self-government was preserved, which differed from governance in other societies of Digoria. Today these villages are abandoned by people and represent an ancient ethnographic open-air museum with numerous remains of mountain architecture monuments: towers, crypts, castles, sanctuaries... Lunch (packed rations).
In a huge clearing between the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, the second largest in North Ossetia, after Dargavsky, is located the unique early medieval Lezgorsko-Donifars crypt burial ground. There are 64 tombs of various types and 7 tsyrts - memorial pillars. The Satayi-Obau temple is also located here (second half of the 15th – early 16th centuries).
You will devote most of the program to getting to know the necropolis and the remaining monuments of medieval mountain architecture.
You will stop by the medieval settlement of Zadalesk, where you will visit the museum of the mother - the savior of Alan children - Zadaleskoynan.
After which you will go to the settlement of Khanaz, in the past one of the largest settlements in mountainous Digoria. The settlement is famous for the castle of the Tsallaev family, which is called “Frigate”. There is no other such architectural building in the entire North Caucasus. Indeed, it is not clear to a person who comes here for the first time what rises on a high rocky ledge at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. m. - a sailing frigate or a medieval castle, cutting the air waves with its sharp stone bow. This unique example of medieval mountain architecture dates back to the 14th-16th centuries. After the excursion, you will visit an Ossetian house, where the hospitable hosts will treat you to homemade Ossetian pies and tea with herbs collected in the mountains.
During the meeting you will learn about the lifestyle and customs of the local residents. Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Group gathering in the hotel lobby. Exit to the route. Today you will hike along the Tana-dona gorge to the Tana-tsete glaciers. The length of the round trip walk is 10-12 km. During your walk, you will find yourself captivated by unique, intricate vegetation: juniper, dwarf perennial deciduous trees. Leaving the vegetation zone, you will find yourself in an amphitheater of mountains: Taimazi Main, Chashura, Tsiteli, Digoria Peak, the tops of the Western and Main towers of Laboda.
At the end of the path you will see the Tana-tsete glacier. Lunch on the way (packed lunch). Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

The village of Galiat is located in the Uallagkom Gorge. This is a unique medieval architectural complex. Houses here were previously built in tiers. The roof of one house served as a yard for another, so the Galianians could easily visit each other without leaving their own yard. Typical Ossetian towers, consisting of four floors, have also been preserved in Galiat.
Lunch on your own.
At 14.00 departure from the gorge to Mineralnye Vody airport (5 hours travel time) for evening flights after 12.00 hours.

This article will talk about amazingly beautiful mountainous places, famous for their numerous historical monuments and magnificent natural landscapes.

This unique natural monument is located in What is the Digori Gorge? The relief, attractions and many interesting things will be discussed in this article.

North Ossetia: general information

Alania (North Ossetia), part of the Russian Federation, is located in the north of the Caucasus Mountains. The entire territory has an area of ​​approximately 8 thousand square meters. km, and it is inhabited by more than 670 thousand people. The overwhelming majority of people living here are Ossetians (approximately 53%) and Russians (30%). There are also Ingush and Armenians in the Republic. The administrative center of the Republic is the city of Vladikavkaz.

The largest cities in the region are Beslan, Mozdok and Alagir. Since 1991, North Ossetia has had the status of a Republic, part of the Russian

Forests occupy a fifth of the territory, and they are predominantly broad-leaved (hornbeam, beech, linden, ash, alder, oak, maple).

Mountain range of the region

Let's briefly look at the mountain range of these places before we find out what it is like - the Digor Gorge.

North Ossetia has a border with Kabardino-Balkaria in the west, the Stavropol Territory in the north, and the Chechen Republic and Ingushetia in the east. Its southern territory borders on Georgia.

The entire republic is located in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus and on its northern slope. The northern territories are located on the Stavropol Plain, the southern ones - on the Sunzhensky and Tersky ridges. In the southern part of the region are the Side and Main ranges of the Greater Caucasus. The highest point is Jimara Peak (height 4780 m). The Ossetian Plain extends in the central part of the North Caucasus. The low-mountain ridges mentioned above rise from it, and behind them is the Mozdok Plain.

There are eternal glaciers in the Ossetian mountains, the largest of which are Tseysky and Karaug. The highlands are intersected by numerous Kasarsky, Dargavsky, Kurtatinsky, Alagirsky, Kobansky, Tseysky. These include the Digor Gorge. Along them and their side branches pass the beds of mountain rivers of glacial-snow origin and connecting at the exit from the mountains with the large, full-flowing Ardon, Urukh, and Kambileevka.

Features of climatic conditions

The climate in these places is temperate continental. On average, temperatures in January reach -4 °C, and in mid-summer - up to +22 °C. In total, about 800 mm of precipitation falls per year.

The North Ossetian zone is marked by increased seismicity. Also in the mountains there are quite frequent occurrences of powerful snow avalanches, and numerous mudflows and rockfalls occur. Heavy hail is often observed on the foothill plain. He causes great harm to the republic.

In any case, North Ossetia (Alania) is widely popular among tourists and vacationers.

The most beautiful and farthest from the city of Vladikavkaz (120 km) is the Digorskoye gorge, located in the west of North Ossetia.

It is located in the basin of the Urukh (Iraf) River, the tributaries of which originate in the kingdom of huge centuries-old glaciers and ancient snows. The rocky ridge in which the gorge formed is located parallel to the main ridge.

In Digoria there is a wonderful national natural park "Alania". Depending on the altitude above sea level, here you can find either wet or magnificent forests. There is also a forest-steppe zone, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, and streams.

Like the entire North Caucasus, the Digor Gorge is replete with amazing historical and cultural monuments.

Facts from history

The narrowest point of the gorge is Akhsinta, which is a natural fortress. It should be noted that its walls more than once saved local highlanders from enemies.

There is another interesting point. In the area of ​​​​the villages of Lezgor, Donifars, Nar and Zadalesk there was the 2nd defensive line (Matsute center). On watchtowers and on hills, in case of any danger, damp straw was lit. Thanks to the resulting smoke, news of the threat quickly spread throughout Digoria.

Watchtowers and family towers have been preserved in many areas of Digoria. Some ancient dwellings also remain here, especially in the villages of Dzinaga, Kamunta, Mosca, Dunta and Odola.

Holidays in the Digor Gorge: attractions

As a rule, a trip to Digoria usually begins from the village of Chikola. Due to the large distance from large settlements and due to the lack of a good road, people do not come to these places to relax for 1-2 days.

In general, you can relax in these places only in the summer months, and in winter it is better not to go there, since heavy snowfalls prevail during this period. However, it is worth noting that the scenery in the gorge is beautiful at any time of the year.

Let's take a short excursion along the way to the gorge. After the first village, the road along the plain leads through the village. Ahsarisar. Its name translates as “the height of military valor.” It is named after the fact that in ancient times in these places the Alans heroically fought the Tatar-Mongols (Timur’s troops), who tried to penetrate deep into the gorge.

Further the road passes by the village of Kalukh and stretches to the very foot of the Skalisty ridge. In these places, not far from the tunnel, lies the Akhsinta canyon, across which a concrete bridge was built, nicknamed “Devil’s” by tourists. From this bridge there is a magnificent view of the Urukh River, the forest in the western part of the gorge and the streams flowing from karst springs descending from the steep walls.

North Ossetia has many not only historical monuments, but also natural attractions. The Digor Gorge is famous for one of the most magnificent and largest glaciers - Karaugomsky, which is the second largest in the entire North Caucasus.

A little about the origin of the name of the gorge

It comes from the name of the Ossetian ethnic group - Digors (in Ossetian - “Digoron” or “Dyguron”).

They are native speakers of the Digor dialect of the Ossetian language and represent the bulk of the population of this republic.