Terskol Waterfall

Terskol Waterfall is located in the gorge of the same name in the Elbrus District of Kabardino-Balkaria, near the settlement of Terskol, which lies 10 km southeast of the foot of Mount Elbrus. The waterfall is about 20 meters high, 12 meters wide at the base, and its vertical section forms a regular rectangle.

Route to the waterfall

The hiking trail begins in the settlement of Terskol, at the monument to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War next to the mosque. From there the path follows a dirt road, crosses a bridge over a mountain river, and passes through a pine forest and meadows. The one-way walk takes 5-6 hours, with an elevation change along the route of up to 600 meters. The best time to visit is from May to October.

What to see along the way

Along the way there are views of the tongue of the Terskol Glacier and the neighboring peaks — Elbrus, Cheget and Ushba. At the foot of the waterfall the water has carved a natural basalt pool where you can swim. The banks of the gorge are covered with thyme, sage, mint and rhododendrons, which bloom in June, looking like white patches among the greenery.