Driving the Delightful Road to Dzhily-Su in the North Caucasus

Driving the Delightful Road to Dzhily-Su in the North Caucasus

Russia, europe

Length

85.4 km

Elevation

2,510 m

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! The road to Dzhily-Su, nestled in the Kabardino-Balkar Republic of Russia, is seriously epic! Think breathtaking views and a drive you won't soon forget.

This gem, fully paved since 2014, snakes 85.4 km (53 miles) from Kislovodsk, a chill spa town, straight to Dzhily-Su. Imagine this: you're heading to a remote resort area at the foot of Mount Elbrus, a place bursting with thermal springs, cascading waterfalls, crazy cool rock formations, and views for days.

Known as the "Road to Mount Elbrus," it climbs to a whopping 2,510m (8,234ft) over the Shidzhatmaz plateau in the North Caucasus. Heads up: it's usually closed from December to May due to snow. Trust me, you don't want to tackle this one in heavy rain or ice.

You're driving through Prielbrusye National Park here, so make sure your car is prepped! Seriously, check your brakes and fill that tank because there are no gas stations along the way. And a heads-up: watch out for police and be extra careful when passing.

But the scenery? Unbelievable! Think dizzying heights, incredible panoramas, and views that will leave you speechless. Allow about 3 hours for the drive itself, but honestly, you'll want to budget extra time for photo ops. Pro tip: hit the road early for the best views of Elbrus! Prime driving season is May to November.

Where is it?

Driving the Delightful Road to Dzhily-Su in the North Caucasus is located in Russia (europe). Coordinates: 51.7013, 34.5957

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Road Details

Country
Russia
Continent
europe
Length
85.4 km
Max Elevation
2,510 m
Difficulty
easy
Coordinates
51.7013, 34.5957

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