Кольцо-гора

Koltso-mountain is a bizarre rock formation located on the northern outskirts of the resort town of Kislovodsk, between the industrial zone of the city and the settlement of Mirny. The natural monument is located on the southern spur of the Borgustansky ridge. The weathered cape consists of sandstone and is located at an altitude of 871 meters. Long processes of natural erosion have formed a hole in the rocks, which is 8 meters wide and 12 meters high. Ring Mountain has cliffs on all sides except the northern one.

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Video: Koltso-mountain

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Highlights

Ring Mountain Rock is considered an excellent vantage point, so the effort spent climbing up to its summit is never in vain. From the spur you can see the streets and houses of Kislovodsk and the village of Mirny. From here you can see the wide valley of the Podkumok River and its right tributary – the river Alikonovka, where the famous Castle of Treachery and Love and Honey Waterfalls are located. From the Koltso Mountain you can see picturesque grottoes and caves, and far to the south – the foothills of the Main Caucasus Range. In clear weather, tourists can even see the snow-white caps of the two-humped Elbrus.

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It is impossible to get lost while climbing Koltso-mountain. From the place where tourist buses stop, to the top leads a tortuous path. So many tourists from sanatoriums and tourist bases of the Caucasian Mineral Waters are brought here that in summer time the slopes of the natural attraction resemble a noisy market. Passage to the top is free.

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At the foot of Koltso-mountain sell souvenirs of Caucasian themes, portraits and books with poems by M. Y. Lermontov, photo albums with views of the Northern Elbrus region, knitted products from sheep’s wool and craftsmen’s handicrafts. The main thing is not to forget to bargain!

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Legend of the Ring Mountain

In the past, people did not realize that the huge hole in the high standing rock was formed as a result of wind, sun, temperature changes and rain, so Koltso-mountain was treated as an unusual, sacred place, and legends and legends were written about it.

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The most famous legend belongs to the Nart epic, widespread among the peoples of the North Caucasus. It tells of the fearless warrior Araf, who had a faithful horse. One day the warrior’s four-legged companion spoke in human language and warned his master that his people would be attacked by evil jinns. Araf wanted to immediately rush into battle to stop the invaders. But the horse stopped him and explained that to win, one must first harden one’s heart and gain magical power.

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On his advice, the brave warrior began to leap over the high Ring Mountain. Twice the horse’s hooves clung to the stones, the rider fell, and only with the third time Araf managed to realize his plan. It happened when the warrior concentrated fully on the goal and stopped thinking about his family. After the difficult trials, Araf’s heart became strong and he managed to defeat the jinn.

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Ring Mountain and Lermontov

There is no doubt that the great Russian poet personally visited the rocky cliff near Kislovodsk. This happened when he was serving in the North Caucasus. Mikhail Yurievich Lermontov left a detailed and colorful description of the natural landmark in his novel “Hero of Our Time”. He describes the mountain as a “gate created by nature” and notes that through it the setting sun “casts its last flaming glance on the world.”

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The slopes of Koltso-mountain were used to film scenes for the television series A Hero of Our Time. The movie was filmed by director Alexander Kott based on the works of M. Y. Lermontov and the script by Irakli Kvirikadze, and viewers were able to see it in 2006.

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Security Measures

Although Koltso-mountain is a popular tourist attraction, it should be remembered that it is located on a high mountain spur, where rock falls are possible all year round. When climbing to the top, it is better to wear sports shoes. There are many steep steep slopes below the rocks, which should not be accessed in windy weather and immediately after rain. When the rocks are wet, it is very easy to slip and get injured.

During a thunderstorm, climbing Mt. Ring is generally best postponed. Like any elevation, the high spur of the ridge attracts lightning. There are often squally wind gusts here, so it is dangerous to be at the top in inclement weather.

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How to get there

Koltso-mountain is located in the spur of the Borgustansky ridge to the north of Kislovodsk. It is clearly visible from the highway A-157, connecting Pyatigorsk and Karachayevsk. If you go by car, then 3 km from the fork to Kislovodsk you need to turn off the highway to the asphalted exit, created for tourist buses. From here to the summit is reached on foot.

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Those who use public transportation, from Kislovodsk get on the route cab number 19 and ride it to the final stop, which is located near the Alanian fortress. From this place to the mountain will be 2 km, and their tourists walk. Conveniently, you can get on the route cab number 19 in different places in the resort city, for example, in the central part of Kislovodsk – near the Narzannye baths.

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Another option is to drive up to the ascent to Koltso-mountain on any bus that goes from Kislovodsk to the large village of Uchkeken. It should only be borne in mind that there is no bus stop near the exit under the peak, so the driver should be asked in advance to stop in the right place. If there are no traffic jams, tourists usually get from the city center to the beginning of the ascent to Koltso-mountain in 20 minutes.

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