Teberda National Park

Teberda National Park lies on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, where mountains determine the rhythm of life. Its territory extends between Teberda, Dombay, and Arkhyz, rising from wooded valleys to summits approaching four thousand meters. It began as a strict nature reserve in the 1930s, later became a biosphere reserve, and has held national park status since 2021. Glaciers and alpine meadows meet here. More than one hundred glaciers feed rivers and waterfalls, while over 180 lakes formed by melting ice lie hidden in mountain basins. The park protects thousands of species of plants, mosses, and fungi, including rare and endemic forms listed in the Red Book. Much of the territory is closed to visitors, but ecological trails follow its edges. They lead to the nature museum in Teberda, the clear Baduk Lakes, and Alibek Gorge, where the sound of the waterfall meets the silence of the mountains.

Dombay-Ulgen rises above the park as its highest mountain, reaching more than four thousand meters. Its name recalls the period when herds of bison roamed the slopes and the mountain was known as the place of their death. In another corner of the park, nature meets spiritual history. In the Arkhyz Valley, near an ancient church, the face of Christ appears on a sheer rock. The image may date from the 10th century, when Arkhyz was an important religious center. Rock, church, and mountains form a quiet dialogue between faith and eternity.