Elbrus Viewpoint

The Elbrus viewpoint lies in the Zolsky District of Kabardino-Balkaria, on the road from Kislovodsk to the northern slope of the mountain and the Dzhily-Su valley, about 10 kilometres from Kislovodsk. It is described as the first viewpoint on this route: this is where Elbrus first comes into full view, and many travellers stop here on the way to the Elbrus area.

The view

The main sight is the panorama of twin-peaked Elbrus, the highest mountain in Russia at 5,642 metres, together with the neighbouring peaks. The ridge of the Main Caucasus Range is visible too, as is the beginning of the Kanzhol plateau, which the road crosses on its way to Dzhily-Su. In clear weather the icy summits of Elbrus glitter in the sun.

The clearest view is at dawn, before clouds gather over the summit. Visitors say the spot is also good in the evening for watching the sunset over the mountains.

The "Happiness is not beyond the mountains" bench

The best-known feature of the viewpoint is a bench with the inscription "Счастье не за горами. Оно в горах" ("Happiness is not beyond the mountains. It is in the mountains"). Almost everyone who comes here photographs it: the inscription against the backdrop of Elbrus has become one of the familiar pictures of the Dzhily-Su road. There are ordinary benches nearby for a rest.

In summer the place gets crowded. According to visitors, local people offer photos with eagles, and a small café serves mountain tea and simple dishes.

Getting there

The viewpoint is on the dirt road from Kislovodsk towards Dzhily-Su. The climb is earth and stones, rutted in places, with protruding rocks. A crossover or an off-road vehicle gets up easily. Drivers report that a saloon car can make it too if driven slowly and carefully, while a car with low ground clearance will find it harder.

The road continues to the Dzhily-Su valley. According to travel publications, the first climbers of Elbrus went this way, and the northern ascent routes still start here. The valley has the Sultan waterfall, about 40 metres high, and the Emmanuel glade at around 2,500 metres, where mountaineering camps stand.

Good to know

• The best time is early morning, before clouds cover Elbrus.
• Even in summer it is cold at dawn, so bring warm clothes.
• In May there is still snow above 2,500 metres on the way to Dzhily-Su, and fresh snow falls in late October.
• The road is unpaved and stony, so a low car needs to take it carefully.