Elbrus routes
MCS AlexClimbMy collection of routes to Elbrus is here
Which city is next to Elbrus? Transport logistics of the Mount Elbrus routes
One of the main distinguishing features of Mount Elbrus is its transport accessibility from almost any side. It can be said that apart of Mount Elbrus, not a single Caucasian peak has such a transport infrastructure. This is due to the proximity of Mount Elbrus to the major cities with train stations and airports in them: Mineralnye Vody, Kislovodsk and Nalchik.
The main reason for such an easy access is that unlike the vast majority of the mountains of the Caucasus, Elbrus is completely located in Russia (Kabardino-Balkaria, Stavropol Region and Karachay-Cherkessia), without falling into the zone of border restrictions.
For example, Mount Kazbek is located directly on the state border between Russia and Georgia, which creates additional formal difficulties in accessing the climbing routes located on the other side of the border. The situation with Mount Bazarduzu is the same - on the one side it is the territory of Azerbaijan, on the other side, the border restrictions on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Regarding Mount Elbrus, I can say that no matter which climbing route you take, you can get to the starting point comfortably and without problems:
Mount Elbrus South Normal route (Kabardino-Balkaria).
Most climbers choose the most popular route to climb Mount Elbrus - from the south side. They begin their journey from Nalchik or Mineralnye Vody. The South route begins in the Azau village, from where you can start climbing by foot, or use the cable car. The distance to Azau from Nalchik is 128 km (good road, about 2 hours drive) The distance to Azau from Mineralnye Vody is 227 km (good road, about 3 hours drive).
Mount Elbrus East route – East Summit (Kabardino-Balkaria).
Approximately the same logistics as for the South route are required when choosing the ascent route from the east. This route starts from the Elbrus village in the Baksan Gorge, located about 15 kilometers, before Azau village. Accordingly, the distance from Nalchik is 113 km, from Mineralnye Vody 212 km along a good road.
Mount Elbrus North route (Stavropol region).
If you choose the route to the summit of Mount Elbrus from the north, then a slightly more interesting access adventure awaits you. From the north side Mount Elbrus does not provide that variety of tourist facilities and infrastructure as from the more popular south side. Ascent of Mount Elbrus from the north begins from the Emmanuel Base Camp. The easiest way to get to this point is from Mineralnye Vody (140 km, partially dirt 4x4 road) or from Nalchik (170 km, partially dirt road).
Mount Elbrus West route (Karachay-Cherkessia).
The most complicated and technically difficult variant of climbing Mount Elbrus, which is correspondingly the least popular, is the route from the West, from Karachay-Cherkessia. This climbing journey starts from the West Djaly Su Base Camp. You can get to this place only by an 4x4 or on the horseback from the Khurzuk aul. A good road leads to Khurzuk aul from the nearest large cities with rail stations. The airports are Mineralnye Vody, Kislovodsk and Nalchik. From Mineralnye Vody to the Khurzuk aul is 190 km of good road, from Kislovodsk it is 150 km, from Nalchik 270 km.
The distance that you need to overcome by a mountain dirt road from Khurzuk aul to the West Djaly Su Base Camp is 20 km. Depending on the conditions and weather, this road may become completely impassable for the normal cars, even for 4x4 ones – in that case the solution can be some military truck or horses – both variants are organizable in Khurzuk aul.
The author of the texts and photographs Alex Trubachev
Your professional mountain guide for Mount Elbrus and other mountain climbing routes in Caucasus
MCS EDIT 2024