Lake Tumanly-Kel

Lake Tumanly-Kel is a mountain lake in Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, within Teberda National Park, in the valley of the Gonachkhir River, beside the Military-Sukhumi Road (the A-155 highway) that leads toward the border with Abkhazia.

The lake sits at an altitude of about 1,860 metres above sea level. Its surface area is a little over 1.5 hectares, and it reaches a depth of 23 metres. The lake is elongated in shape, and a small stream flows into it.

Its name, from Karachay-Balkar, means "misty lake": by one account, the shadow of the neighbouring ridge covers the water in the mornings, and by another, an evening mist often settles over it.

The lake was formed by avalanche action: snow avalanches sliding down from the surrounding slopes shaped its basin and continue to feed it to this day. The water is cold and poor in nutrients; trout can be found here, but overall the aquatic life is sparse.

The site is set up for visitors, with a car park and picnic tables and benches nearby.