Rest in North Ossetia: Digorskoye gorge. Excursion-active tour "Legends of mountain Digoria Alania Digor gorge

Trip to Digor gorge was planned for a long time, but specifically on this day, we were not going to go, there were completely different plans ... But, probably, the stars lay like that, and in the morning, over a cup of coffee, we decide - we are going!
The weather was pleasing, a sunny autumn day + good mood and we are on our way.
I want to say right away that I didn’t like it - there are no pointers to sights, it was difficult to find where to eat (there are practically no cafes), and there is no gas station (gasoline is a must).
In the meantime, we are passing through Kabardino - Balkaria

We call in Ossetia

We hammer into Figator the final point of the village of Dzinaga. I have some small developments along the route with me, but we did not think that the objects are not marked anywhere for tourists and we will have to search for them by typing ..., and this is a waste of time (((.
We reach the tunnel, a little before reaching it, there is a turn to the right - this path leads to the Devil's Bridge, which is thrown over the Urukh River.

The place is called Akhsinta canyon, and if you drive across the bridge, the road will lead to Didinag (flower) tract, to hay meadows. The height of the canyon is about 70 meters.

We drive past the Uastrji bronze monument. Its weight is 13 tons, the height is 6 meters + the cliff is 30 meters.

There is a men's sanctuary not far from the monument, there is a legend about how it appeared -
Hundreds of years ago, a lonely traveler was driving along a narrow road. Suddenly the cart almost fell into a cliff, only by a miracle the man survived, as if some unknown force did not allow him to fall to the bottom of the ravine. In gratitude to Saint Uastyrdzhi, this sanctuary was erected, which has been renewed several times.

And around the mountains, the sun and the cleanest air!

The place where the great prayer kuvd takes place

On the opposite bank, high in the mountains, we see the remains of the towers and decide to turn. The turn is about five km away. from the tunnel and leads to the remains of the villages of Lezgir, Donifars, to the crypt of Satayi Obao and to the necropolis.

Climbing upward, we come across an archaeological expedition, which has been traveling to these places for about 20 years and conducting excavations of the Sauar settlement. On a plot of only 70 sq.m. a powerful production center was discovered, including 5 pottery workshops, 2 metallurgical complexes for smelting ferrous metal and bronze, a bone carving complex and a coal burner workshop! The age of the village is 2-4 centuries. BC!
The guys had already canned the excavations until next year, and the most interesting things were already covered and packed, but we still clicked the camera as a souvenir

We rise even higher to the ruins of the village of Donifars

A little to the side is the village of Lezgor

Donifar-Lezgorsk necropolis

A bit of history. The village of Lezgor is one of the most ancient villages of the mountainous Digoria; in 1886 there were 58 households in it. The inhabitants left it in 1927 after the mudflow came down, which brought many victims and destruction. The village was part of the Donifar society and an important strategic point. From here the attacks of the Digor feudal lords were repelled. The inhabitants of Lezgor and other Donifar villages never obeyed the local nobility.
The village of Donifars is the only fully Muslim village in Ossetia.
Donifar-Lezgorsk necropolis - a large number of stone crypts and stone steles... It is not as famous as the city of the Dead in Dargavs, but it is much larger in area and includes tombs of various types. Supposedly, burials were made from the 5th to the 18th century.

Above the village of Zadalessk, at the edge of the cliff, the Sedanovs tower is visible

Will of the road Cirt - a roadside stone in memory of a deceased person

In front of the Dzinaga tourist center, on a stone, is a pretty shabby portrait of Stalin.

We pass the tourist center and enter the village of Dzinaga

In general, we have fulfilled the planned plan, it is already three o'clock in the afternoon, and we are terribly hungry))). Unfortunately, there are no cafes, at the camp site we were told that vacationers cook for themselves, because the season is closed ...
And only after returning to the village of Matsuta, just before entering the reserve, we found a shop where we were fed delicious Ossetian pies of huge size. A master class was held for me on making them, so I hope that on winter evenings we will eat Ossetian pies at home and remember Sunny Ossetia)))

We did not see a lot, well, there will be a goal to return ...

Travel plan

Arrival in the morning at the airport (railway station). Mineral water... Group transfer at 11.30 to the Digorskoe gorge of the republic North Ossetia Alania(3 hours to the border on the way). Lunch (on your own). In the national cafe of the village of Chikola, you will be offered Ossetian cuisine. In the company of a guide, you will drive to the main gate of mountain Digoria - the Akhsinta canyon.
It is in this place that the canyon narrows so much that it turns into a stone gutter, and it becomes clear how the Urukh River beats at a depth of 70 meters among the rocks. The canyon is striking in its grandeur. Its steep walls are formed by cliffs of gray layered Jurassic limestone. Several karst springs effectively fall into the depths.
On the way, you will be met and taken on a good journey by the sculpture of the most revered saint in Ossetia - St. George (Osset. Uastyrdzhi). You will also visit the village of Matsuta, located at the confluence of the Aygomugidon and Urukh rivers. "There is no further way" - this is how its name is translated.
Arrival at the hotel "Tana Park" ***, which is comfortably located in the farthest picturesque corner Digorsky gorge on the left bank of the Khares river in the "horseshoe" of natural attractions: the Metelaska waterfall, Mount Kubus, the spurs of Laboda and the Sugan ridge. Discussion of the tour program in the evening. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with the guide, departure by off-road vehicle on the auto-walking route to the Karaugom gorge (the length of the walking tour in both ends is 10-12 km.)
Before entering the route, you will issue a pass to the border zone. Hike to the Karaugomsky glacier. The Karaugomdon River starts from under the tongue of the glacier. The very name "Karaugom" in translation from Ossetian means "blind gorge" or "gorge that has no way out." It got this name due to the fact that earlier it was possible to get into the gorge only through a high icefall. The length of the Karaugomsky glacier is just over 13 kilometers, the area is 27 square kilometers, the glacier descends to an altitude of 1820 meters. The glacier has two icefalls. The upper one, the most powerful, breaks out through the narrow "gates" of the Karaugom ridge and flows out from a height of 3500 meters, the tongue of the glacier reaches a length of 800 meters. The lower icefall is smaller, about 500 meters. Lunch on the way (dry rations). Return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will climb to the top of Mount Kubus and walk to the Taymazinsky waterfalls. Climbing Mount Kubus will delight you with beautiful panoramas and virgin forests covering its slopes. Descending from the mountain, you will continue your walk around the foot of Kubus to the Taymazinsky waterfalls. The waterfalls are especially spectacular from afar. Three snow-white streams fall at a distance of 150-200 meters from each other. The waterfalls originate on the Taymazi glacier, in the Khares gorge. Below the streams break on ledges stone pyramids... Over the years, the water has carved out many depressions in the pyramids, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water, falling into these depressions, splashes out of them in fountains. Lunch at the waterfalls on dry rations.
Return to the hotel, rest. Free time at the resort. Dinner on your own.

Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will go on a journey through the medieval Ossetian villages of Kumbulta (visit to the Bagayt castle), Lezgor, Donifars.
The route runs along the spur of the Skalisty ridge, more precisely, along the spur of the Oazakhokh massif. Here is the most high point Rocky ridge in North Ossetia - mythological peak - Uazakhokh, resembling a dilapidated fortress in its outlines (3,529 m).
Moving to the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, which in the Middle Ages were communities independent from anyone, where a democratic form of self-government was preserved, which was different from governance in other societies of Digoria. Today these villages are abandoned by people and represent an old ethnographic museum under open air with numerous remains from the monuments of mountain architecture: towers, crypts, castles, sanctuaries ... Lunch (dry rations).
On a huge clearing between the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, there is the second largest in North Ossetia, after Dargavsky, a unique early medieval Lezgorsko-Donifarsky crypt. There are 64 tombs of various types and 7 tsyrts - memorial pillars. There is also a temple of Satayi-Obau (second half of the 15th - early 16th centuries).
Most you will devote the program to acquaintance with the necropolis and the remaining monuments of mountainous medieval architectural architecture.
You will drive to the medieval settlement of Zadalesk, where you will visit the museum of the mother - the savior of Alan children - Zadaleskoynan.
After that, go to the settlement of Khanaz, in the past one of the largest settlements in the mountainous Digoria. The settlement is famous for the castle of the Tsallayev family, which is called "Fregat". There is no second such architectural building in the entire North Caucasus. Indeed, a person who first came here does not understand what rises on a high rocky ledge at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. m. - sailing frigate or medieval castle cutting air waves with a sharp stone nose. This unique example of medieval mountain architecture dates back to the 14-16th centuries. After the excursion, you will visit an Ossetian house, where hospitable hosts will treat you with homemade Ossetian pies and tea on herbs collected in the mountains.
During the meeting, you will learn about the lifestyle, customs local residents... Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Gathering the group in the hotel lobby. Exit on the route. Today you will hike along the Tana-dona gorge to the Tana-tsete glaciers. Walking distance to both ends is 10-12 km. During the walk, you will find yourself captivated by unique intricate vegetation: juniper, dwarf perennial deciduous trees. Leaving the vegetation zone, you will find yourself in the amphitheater of the mountains: Taymazi Glavnaya, Chashura, Tsiteli, Digoria peak, Western and Main towers Labody.
At the end of the path, you will see the Tana-tsete glacier. Lunch on the way (dry rations). Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

The village of Galiat is located in the Uallagkom gorge. This is a unique medieval architectural complex. Houses here used to be built in tiers. The roof of one house served as a courtyard for another, so the Galiatans could easily visit each other without leaving their own courtyard. Preserved in Galiat and typical Ossetian towers, consisting of four floors.
Lunch on your own.
At 14.00 departure from the gorge to Mineralnye Vody airport (5 hours on the way) for evening flights after 12.00.

Alpine Digoria is the most remote southwestern part of North Ossetia, located in the upper reaches of the Urukh River and its sources. Wild and unusually majestic nature, great distance from the beaten track attracts more and more attention of tourists and climbers to it every year.

The famous conqueror of the alpine peaks N. V. Poggenpol wrote: “Why is Digoria so good, why in other places I did not feel the same pleasure as here, among the green meadows washed by Urukh, and magnificent coniferous forests, into the dark green of which white ribbons of glaciers descend ? Separate elements of the mountain landscape are combined in Digoria surprisingly softly and picturesquely, there is nothing gloomy and gloomy, and the fresh emerald green of meadows, noble, architectonic lines of thinly carved peaks with a shiny firn cover at their foothills caress the eye with a happy combination of colors ... "

On the Internet, we found a lot of positive reviews, such as the following:

If we say about this place BEAUTY! This is not to say anything. I have been climbing and hiking for many years and more beautiful places I have not met anywhere else. These are glaciers, waterfalls, caves, mineral spring, horseback riding, fresh air and memories for the rest of your life. It is cooler than Turkey and at times cooler than any other vacation spot. if you are active, full of energy and extreme, this is the place for you, if you are calm and feeling nature, tired of the bustle of the city, you will be welcome here. I have never heard a negative reaction in so many years. Everyone from Moscow to France is delighted with these places. My advice to you: children and loved ones in an armful and forward

Generally Caucasus mountains"other". They are not like the mountains in Crimea. The mountains of the Caucasus are higher, the gorges are deeper, the peaks are more pointed. Therefore, everything in the Caucasus surprised us! The road through Ossetia flawlessly. At the entrance to the gorge, they met grandiose repairs, and they are building a junction. Apparently, the road is being reconstructed for mass tourists to visit this very Digorsky gorge.

At the entrance to the gorge, the main thing is not to slip through the Urukh canyon Akhsinta (also called the Digorskaya gorge), a capital road bridge(in the common people, the Devil's Bridge), from which a stunning view opens, from a height of 80 meters the Urukh River looks like a stream, in fact, it is a mighty river that has cut through a narrow canyon over the centuries, in places no more than 2 meters wide. Ahsinta canyon the main gate of mountain Digoria

Swimming pool in a sauna with icy spring water

We steamed in the neighboring one, but taking pictures because of the high temperature of 110 degrees is simply unrealistic. Therefore, this is the adjacent steam room.

Number for 1500 thousand. There is also a TV, many channels, a coffee table and a shower with a toilet.

Dining room, food is delicious, breakfast is not included in the price.

Hotel building

Separate houses that can be rented for a family.

The building where the bathhouse and swimming pool are located

In the morning we went to the Three Sisters waterfalls. The Three Sisters waterfalls are especially spectacular from afar. Three snow-white streams fall at a distance of 150-200 meters from each other. "Three Sisters" originate from the Taymazi glacier. Their official name- "Taymazinskie waterfalls". They produce unforgettable impression fall height and beauty. Below the streams crash against stepped stone pyramids. Over the years, the water has carved out many depressions in the pyramids, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water, falling into these depressions, splashes out of them in fountains. Somewhere at the foot of one of them there is a source of carbonic mineral water, which we never found. An excellent one goes to them hiking trail... But the waterfalls, unfortunately, froze ((. But they did not walk in vain, the weather was wonderful, warm and sunny. Beautiful river.

An attempt to cross :) Only I failed, Zhenya passed, and my slippery boots just wanted to plunge into an invigorating stormy river.

Then we went to another waterfall, deeper in the gorge, I'm not completely sure of its name, but it seems to be "Maly Taymazinsky waterfall". They looked at him from the road, did not rise. Further, the passage was blocked by a stretched cable and a sign "Dangerous, landslide for 2 km." But as it turned out, the danger was not closed with a cable, but the passage to the border zone, which we were kindly told by a detachment of "border guards" descending from the mountains.

Tour itinerary: Mineralnye Vody - Digor gorge - Matsuta - Karaugom gorge - Uazakhokh massif - medieval settlement Zadalesk - Tana-don gorge - Nakhashbit glade - Taimazinskie waterfalls - Khanaz - Mineralnye Vody

In the mountainous Digoria you will be greeted by clean soft air, silence, broken only by the eternal splash of the waters of the Hares River, the blessed sun, which is getting closer to you by as much as 2000 meters, the endless blue ocean of the sky, icy rocks, indescribable beauty and grandeur tops of mountains and, of course , an indescribable feeling of the infinity of the universe and a living connection with it. Active walks to glaciers and waterfalls are the main part of the program, and it will be adorned by visiting local residents, touching the history of this ancient land.

Suitable for active tourists, does not require special physical training, but normal health. The tour is contraindicated for people with heart disease, hypertension, obesity and phlebological pathologies. Recommended age up to 65 years.
According to the number of places, one group can consist of 6 - 10 people.

Transport: Bus / minibus.

Accommodation

"Tana Park Hotel" 3* comfortably located in the farthest picturesque corner of the Digorsky gorge on the left bank of the Khares river in the "horseshoe" of natural attractions: the Metelaska waterfall, Mount Kubus, the spurs of Laboda and the Sugan ridge. The hotel, which opened in October 2015, the only boutique hotel in the gorge, is designed to pleasantly surprise its guests with high standards of service, good cuisine, tastefully decorated interiors, a good location with excellent vistas and much more. In the guarded territory of the complex there is a hotel building and a bar-restaurant. The hotel has 17 rooms.
In standart rooms (22 sq. M.): Two single beds or one common double bed, combined bathroom with bathtub, hairdryer, mini-bar, bathrobes, slippers, TV, telephony (intercom), internet (paid).

Tour program

1st day

Arrival in the morning at the airport (railway station) in Mineralnye Vody.
Group transfer at 11.30 to the Digorskoye Gorge of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania(3 hours to the border on the way).
Lunch on your own. In the national cafe of the village of Chikola, you will be offered Ossetian cuisine.
In the company of a guide, you will drive to the main gate of mountain Digoria - the Akhsinta canyon. It is in this place that the canyon narrows so much that it turns into a stone gutter, and it becomes clear how the Urukh River beats at a depth of 70 meters among the rocks. The canyon is striking in its grandeur. Its steep walls are formed by cliffs of gray layered Jurassic limestone. Several karst springs effectively fall into the depths.
On the way, you will be met and taken on a good journey by the sculpture of the most revered saint in Ossetia - St. George (Osset. Uastyrdzhi). You will also visit the village of Matsuta, located at the confluence of the Aygomugidon and Urukh rivers. "There is no further way" - this is how its name is translated.
Arrival at the Tana Park hotel, which is comfortably located in the farthest picturesque corner of the Digorsky gorge on the left bank of the Khares river in the "horseshoe" of natural attractions: the Metelaska waterfall, Mount Kubus, the Laboda spurs and the Sugan ridge. In the evening, acquaintance with the group, discussion of the tour program.
Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Cities: Mineral Waters, Matsuta

Sights: Akhsinta canyon

Reservoirs: Hares river

2nd day

Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with a guide, departure by off-road vehicle for an auto-walking program in the Karaugom gorge(the length of walking in both ends is 10-12 km).
Before entering the route, you will issue passes to the border zone. Hike to the Karaugomsky glacier. Karaugomdon flows from the glacier. The very name "Karaugom" in translation from Ossetian means "blind gorge" or "gorge that has no way out." It got this name due to the fact that it is possible to get into the gorge only through a high icefall. The length of the Karaugomsky glacier in North Ossetia is just over 13 kilometers, the area is 27 square kilometers, the glacier descends to an altitude of 1820 meters. The glacier has two icefalls. The upper one, the most powerful, breaks out through the narrow "gates" of the Karaugom ridge and flows out from a height of 3500 meters, the tongue of the glacier reaches a length of 800 meters. The lower icefall is smaller, about 500 meters. Lunch on the way (dry rations).
Return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Sights: Karaugom gorge

3rd day

Breakfast in the hotel. Today awaits you ascent to the top of Mount Kubus and a walk to the Taimazinsky waterfalls. The waterfalls are especially spectacular from afar. Three snow-white streams fall at a distance of 150-200 meters from each other. The waterfalls originate on the Taymazi glacier, in the Khares gorge. Below the streams crash against stepped stone pyramids. Over the years, the water has carved out many depressions in the pyramids, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water, falling into these depressions, splashes out of them in fountains. Lunch (on your own).
After lunch, return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own. Free time.

Reservoirs: Taimazinskie waterfalls

4th day

Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will go to travel through the medieval Ossetian villages of Kumbulta (visit to the Bagayit castle), Lezgor, Donifars.
The route runs along the spur of the Skalisty ridge, more precisely, along the spur of the Oazakhokh massif. Here is the highest point of the Rocky Range in North Ossetia - the mythological peak Uazakhokh, which resembles a dilapidated fortress in its outlines (3,529 m).
Moving to the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, which in the Middle Ages were independent communities, where a democratic form of self-government was preserved, which was different from governance in other societies of Digoria. Today these villages are abandoned by people and represent an old ethnographic open-air museum with numerous remains from the monuments of mountain architecture: towers, crypts, castles, sanctuaries ... Lunch (packed rations).
On a huge clearing between the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, there is the second largest in North Ossetia, after Dargavsky, a unique early medieval Lezgorsko-Donifarsky crypt. There are 64 tombs of various types and 7 tsyrts - memorial pillars. There is also a temple of Satayi-Obau (second half of the 15th - early 16th centuries). You will devote most of the program to acquaintance with the necropolis and the remaining monuments of mountainous medieval architectural architecture.
You will drive to the medieval settlement of Zadalesk, where you will visit the museum of the mother - the savior of Alan children - Zadalesskaya nana.
After that, go to the settlement of Khanaz, in the past one of the largest settlements in the mountainous Digoria. The settlement is famous for the castle of the Tsallayev family, which is called "Fregat". There is no second such architectural building in the entire North Caucasus. Indeed, a person who first came here does not understand what rises on a high rocky ledge at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. m. - a sailing frigate or a medieval castle, cutting the air waves with a sharp stone nose. This unique example of medieval mountain architecture dates back to the 14-16th centuries. After the excursion, you will visit an Ossetian house, where hospitable hosts will treat you with homemade Ossetian pies and tea on herbs collected in the mountains. During the meeting, you will learn about the lifestyle and customs of local residents.
Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Sights: Uazakhokh massif, medieval settlement Zadalesk

5th day

Breakfast in the hotel. Gathering the group in the hotel lobby. Exit on the route.
Today you have to hike along the Tana-dona gorge to the Tana-tsete glaciers. Walking distance to both ends is 10-12 km. During the walk, you will find yourself captivated by unique intricate vegetation: juniper, dwarf perennial deciduous trees. Leaving the vegetation zone, you will find yourself in an amphitheater of mountains. From left to right, look down Taymazi Glavnaya, Chashura, Tsiteli, Digoria peak, the peaks of the Western and Main towers of Laboda. At the end of the path you will see the Tana-tsete glacier. Lunch on the way (dry rations).
Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Sights: Tana-dona gorge

6th day

Breakfast in the hotel. It is not for nothing that Digoria is often called “the valley of a thousand waterfalls and rainbows”. There are really a great many waterfalls here.
Today, under the guidance of an experienced guide, you will travel to hike along the gorge of the Khares river to the glade of Nakhashbit(the length of the walking part to both ends is 10-12 km). During the walk, you will see three waterfalls. Inspection of the picturesque canyon, waterfalls and peaks of the Sugan ridge.
Lunch on the way (dry rations). Return to the hotel.
In the evening, a group gala dinner, during which you will share your impressions of acquaintance with Digoria.

Sights: glade of Nakhashbit

Reservoirs: Hares river

7th day

Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out from the hotel before 12.00. Free time at the resort.
Optionally, you can take an excursion to the village of Galiat (additional charge).
The village of Galiat is located in the Uallagkom gorge. This is a unique medieval architectural complex. Houses here were previously built in tiers. The roof of one house served as a courtyard for another, so the Galiatans could easily visit each other without leaving their own courtyard. Preserved in Galiat and typical Ossetian towers, consisting of four floors.
Lunch on your own.
At 14:00 departure from the gorge to Mineralnye Vody airport (5 hours on the way) for evening flights after 20:00.

Cities: Mineral water

Tour conditions

Venue A meeting on the day of arrival at the airport or at the railway station of Mineralnye Vody with a sign “Legends of Mountain Digoria”.
Meeting at the Mineralnye Vody airport in the parking lot opposite the arrivals hall, bus / guide with a sign “Legends of Mountain Digoria”. Group transfer from the airport leaves at 11.30 (the number and brand of the bus, the driver's phone number are announced in advance).
A meeting is possible at the Mineralnye Vody railway station with the arrival of trains before 11.00, contacts by meeting are transmitted before arrival. At the railway station in Mineralnye Vody, meet in front of the central entrance to the railway station.
Seeing off- on the day of departure (from the gorge) at 14:00 a group transfer is carried out (about 5 hours on the way) to the airport (to the railway station) Mineralnye Vody to trains / flights departing after 20:00 local time. Transport Bus / minibus. Included in the price Transport service according to the program, including group transfers airport (railway) Mineralnye Vody - hotel - airport (railway) Mineralnye Vody, accommodation at the Tana Park hotel, meals according to the program (breakfasts at the hotel, lunches in the form of dry rations on days 2 , 4, 5, 6, gala dinner on day 6), mountain guide services, eco-taxes national park... Possible surcharges Meals not included in the program, add. accommodation services, alcoholic drinks, individual transfers, luggage service, insurance. Discounts According to the price table. Meals According to the program. Complex. Breakfasts at the hotel, lunches in the form of dry rations on days 2, 4, 5, 6, gala dinner on day 6. Important In case of deterioration weather conditions we reserve the right to change the program or itinerary of the tour.
Citizens of the Russian Federation are advised to take on a trip a compulsory health insurance policy card for each participant in the trip.
The travel agency reserves the right to change the order of excursions, as well as replace them with equivalent ones while maintaining the total volume of the excursion program.
The travel agency reserves the right to replace the hotel with an equivalent one.
If tourists do not appear by the appointed time, refunds for unused excursions will not be made.
It is necessary to arrive at the meeting point at the appointed time, otherwise the responsibility for joining the group rests entirely with the tourist.
Accommodation in a 2-bed room (ie booking one seat in a 2-bed room) is possible by agreement with the Dolphin tour operator. Children are accepted from 12 years old Attention The route passes through the border area. For citizens of the CIS countries, it is necessary to issue a border pass, submit documents 45 days in advance. For citizens of the Russian Federation, a pass will be issued during the tour. Useful Tips Recommended items: sunscreen and goggles, a hat from the sun, comfortable walking shoes (sneakers with non-slip soles or boots for easy trekking), comfortable clothing for the season (insulated jacket, sweater, light hat, gloves), waterproof windproof jacket (raincoat), swimwear , a towel, individual medicines in the presence of chronic diseases, a polyurethane foam "seat", trekking sticks, a headlamp with spare batteries, a flask or a plastic bottle for drinking water. Travel documents Tourist voucher, REMINDER for the tour, passport (civil), for children under 14 years old - birth certificate. Cancellation terms By agreement.

Mountain Digoria is subdivided into Eastern and Western parts. The channel of the main water artery of Digoria - Urukh (Irafa in the Digor manner), which is formed in the upper reaches from the confluence of the Karaugomdon and Khares rivers, is considered to be a conditional border between them. After the confluence with the Karaugomdon River (absolute height 1490 m), flowing out from under the Karaugom glacier, Urukh immediately becomes abundant, increasing in volume by 2.5-3 times. Flowing further along the bottom of the wide Urukh gorge, the Urukh river receives its two largest tributaries: on the left - Bilyagidon, on the right - Aigamugidon. The Urukh plain comes out near the village of Kalukh (absolute height 750 m). Thus, on a relatively small stretch - 20 km, the altitude drop is almost 750 m. You can imagine the speed of the water flow.

The road to the upper reaches of the Digor Gorge is laid along the Urukh River and passes the "gate" of the Alania National Park in the village of Matsuta.

Almost all natural attractions of Western Digoria are located on the territory of the Alania Park, access to which is still free (2016).
Beyond Matsuta, the road turns to the left bank of the Uruh. The valley gradually narrows, the slopes become steeper, a forest appears. The outlines of the surrounding mountains become sharp, the peaks are sharp, rocky, and the slopes become steep and steep.

After 6 km from Matsuta we find ourselves in the village of Akhsau, beyond which the Digorskoe gorge becomes wider. From here you can clearly see the entire Urukh gorge - a grandiose trough with a flat wide bottom and steep steep slopes. To the right of the road are the spurs of the Sugan ridge, to the left of the Kazatykhokh massif — two huge links of the Lateral ridge, separated by the transverse valley of the Urukh River. The river flows along a wide bottom, winding and splitting into numerous branches.

The peculiar tricycle (trough-like) shape indicates that it was created not only by the river, but also by an ancient glacier that descended 20-25 thousand years ago from the northern slope of the Main Dividing Range.

Another 4 km of the path, and at the foot of the Chirkh ridge, where the Karaugomdon and Khares rivers merge - the two main sources of the Urukh River, the road bifurcates. On the left, across the bridge along the Karaugomdon River, the road goes to the Dzinaga tourist center and further to the Dzinaga village.

We will continue along another road along the Khares River to the Khares, or Verkhne-Digorskoe, gorge. It would be appropriate here to talk about the origin of the name of the Digorsky gorge. It comes from the name of the Ossetian ethnic group - Digors (in Ossetian - "Digoron" or "Dyguron"), who have long inhabited the Urukh gorge.

The Upper Digorskoye gorge is very beautiful. From the south, over the green of the forests, the peaks of the Main Dividing Range, exceeding 4000 m, sparkle with the whiteness of the snow, from the north, no less high granite massifs of the Sugan Range rise.

The road passes through the villages of Moska, Odola and Stur-Digora, which is 6 km from the fork in the road. At the end of the XIX century. it was the largest village in the mountainous Digoria. In 1884, there were 588 inhabitants (67 households).

Nowadays, like all mountain villages, Stur-Digora (Ustur-Digora, Big Digoria - Osset.) better times... The number of households and, accordingly, the number of residents decreased sharply. But there were also many new brick houses under tiles and slate. Old buildings (khadzars) are well preserved in Stur-Digor. The lower floor of such a house had an economic purpose, and the upper one served as housing.

In 2007, a chapel was consecrated in the village in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost”. It is one of the highest (2300 meters above sea level) in Europe and Russian Federation chapel. A sight of sorts.

The blue (the color of the Mother of God) pyramidal dome of the chapel seems even bluer against the background of snow-white peaks, because a wonderful view of the mountains opens from the village of Stur-Digora. The cone-shaped green mountain Kubus, sacred for the Digors, is perfectly visible, which separates the valleys of the Hares and Thanadon rivers.

The last village in the gorge is Kussu, which is located not far from Stur-Digora - 3 km. When you are on the top of Kubus, you notice that the villages of the Verkhne-Digorskiy gorge are located on the left bank of the Khares almost nearby. In between are suburban settlements and new recreation centers, so the impression is that the houses of the villages stretch along the road as a single street.

Another 1 km from Kussu, and we drive up to the recreation center "Rostselmash".

From here begins resort area Digorsky gorge with recreation centers of various sizes and comfort - for every taste and budget. On a section of the gorge 3 km from the recreation center "Rostselmash" among pine forests there are such comfortable shelters as “ Eagle Nest"," Threshold of the sky "," Tana-park "," Komy-art ".

Stop and enjoy the rare beauty of nature, walk along easy routes to the waterfalls, of which there are many, it is not for nothing that Digoria is called the "Land of a Thousand Waterfalls".