8 incredible places in the region of the Caucasian Mineral Waters

This resort area is popular and occupies an important place in the classics of Russian literature. It is known for its mineral springs, mountain parks, and charming old towns. The entire territory is filled with southern flavor and Caucasian cuisine.

This small resort region in southern Russia is surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains and numerous lakes with curative mud and mineral springs. It includes several resort towns, each of which has springs with different mineral compositions. The healing properties of the waters were well known at the beginning of the 19th century. Literary lions such as Mikhail Lermontov, Alexander Pushkin, and Leo Tolstoy enjoyed spending the summer here, traveling from resort to resort. We have collected a gallery of the most interesting places in the Mineralnye Vody region.

8 PHOTOS

1. The top of Mount Mashuk in Pyatigorsk.

The resort town of Pyatigorsk, the capital of the Caucasian Mineral Waters region, is located at the foot of the Mashuk and Beshtau mountains. It is not only the main tourist and cultural center of the region but also one of the oldest balneological resorts in Russia with numerous sanatoriums. In the park located in the center, you can stroll past ancient galleries with mineral springs, relax in a cafe from the beginning of the 20th century and admire the blue waters of the underground karst lake Proval. Make sure you don't miss the cable car to the top of Mashuk Mountain for the most breathtaking views of the city.

2. Kislovodsk National Park.

The pride and joy of Kislovodsk is a huge park located right within the city. It is so big that you can walk on it for a whole week. The lower part of the park is a resort area with a pedestrian boulevard, many cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops, and fountains. A little higher is the Valley of Roses, surrounded by conifers. In the park, there are many places for physical therapy of different levels of difficulty, including a special route that you need to go barefoot. With all this, you will definitely not be bored.

3. Essentuki.

Here you can taste many different varieties of mineral water in the City Spa Park, home to the largest drinking gallery in Europe, which can be visited by 5,000 people a day. A few steps from the main entrance to the park, there are therapeutic mud baths, built at the beginning of the 20th century in the style of an old public bath complex.

4. Resort park in Zheleznovodsk.

Zheleznovodsk is located at the foot of Mount Zheleznaya, from which the city's name originated. Although it is the smallest and quietest resort in the region, there are many attractions to visit.

5. Mount Beshtau.

Beshtau with a height of 1401 meters is the highest and most famous mountain in the region of Mineralnye Vody. In Turkic, this name means “five mountains”. The landscapes here are very diverse: gentle slopes, sheer cliffs, many paths, and dense forests, which are home to wild animals and birds. And from the peaks of Beshtau magnificent views of Elbrus and all the cities of Mineralnye Vody will open.

6. Lermontovskaya rock.

This rock in the ravine of the Olkhovka River was named after the great writer Mikhail Lermontov, and it is believed that a scene from his story "Princess Mary" took place here. The unusual landscape is the result of the weathering of sandstone over the centuries.

7. Honey waterfalls.

Five waterfalls pouring out into mountain gorges in incredible cascades - you could look at them endlessly. According to legend, they got their name from the fact that there used to be hives here, which gave the water a honey flavor.

7. Honey waterfalls.

This small salt lake was nicknamed the "Pyatigorsk Dead Sea". The mud of Lake Tambukan is very popular for the treatment of skin diseases and is also known for its cosmetic properties.