
The paved road to the Special Astrophysical Observatory of Russia
Russia, europe
N/A
2,098 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the R285, a winding ribbon of asphalt clinging to the northern side of the Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia. You're headed up, way up, to 2,098 meters (that's 6,883 feet!) above sea level. This road is steep, no joke, but totally worth it. You're near Mt. Pastukhova, so the views are already incredible, but the real prize is at the top: the Special Astrophysical Observatory. This place is home to the BTA-6 telescope, the biggest optical telescope in all of Eurasia! Built back in '76, it's a monument to human curiosity and a gateway to the cosmos. Get ready for an unforgettable drive!
Where is it?
The paved road to the Special Astrophysical Observatory of Russia is located in Russia (europe). Coordinates: 59.8272, 35.1694
Road Details
- Country
- Russia
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 2,098 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 59.8272, 35.1694
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