
Kurtatinsky Pass: a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure to the summit
Russia, europe
5.4 km
3,297 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! You HAVE to add Pereval Kurtatinskiy to your bucket list. This mountain peak, nestled way up in the Alagirsky District of North Ossetia–Alania, Russia, sits at a whopping 3,297m (that's 10,816ft!).
Seriously, this isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking a totally unpaved, super windy, and exposed road clinging to the Caucasus Range in the Reka Zakka Valley. It's rough, and you'll need a serious 4WD beast to make it. Summer is your window – this beast is snow-covered until late June or even July!
But oh, the views! Once you conquer the climb, you're rewarded with insane panoramic vistas from the top (and a few communication towers). The road starts near Abaytikau, south of the peak, and it's only 5.4 km (3.35 miles) to the top, BUT, be warned, it's a relentless climb with an average gradient of 19.6%, and some sections crank up to a crazy steep 29.8%! It’s wild, it’s challenging, and it’s unbelievably rewarding.
Where is it?
Kurtatinsky Pass: a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure to the summit is located in Russia (europe). Coordinates: 59.5129, 39.9413
Road Details
- Country
- Russia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,297 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 59.5129, 39.9413
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