Sulak Canyon, Natural canyon in Kazbekovsky District, Russia.
Sulak Canyon stretches for 53 kilometers through Dagestan, reaching depths of up to 1,920 meters, with steep limestone walls and exposed layers of rock forming the sides. The river runs along the bottom, framed by vertical slopes that shimmer in shades of ochre and gray.
The gorge formed millions of years ago when the Sulak began cutting through sedimentary rock from the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods. The Soviet government built the Chirkei Dam upstream in the 1970s, creating a large reservoir.
The name Sulak derives from a Turkic word meaning water, reflecting the river's importance to communities in the region. Local shepherds still use the highlands above the gorge as grazing land for their flocks.
Most travelers join guided tours from Makhachkala that include walks along the rim and viewpoints at the edge. Weather can shift quickly at higher elevations, so sturdy footwear and layered clothing are advisable.
The gorge exceeds the Grand Canyon by 63 meters, making it the deepest in all of Europe. Blue lakes at the bottom form from spring water seeping through the limestone layers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
