Beshtau

Beshtau is a five-peaked mountain formation near Pyatigorsk rising to 1,401 meters. Deciduous forests cover the slopes while the summit area remains open and treeless.

The name derives from Turkic language elements meaning 'five mountains' and later influenced the naming of the historical Pyatigorye region. This etymology reflects the cultural depth rooted in the local landscape.

The Second Athos Monastery sits at the mountain's base, weaving religious tradition into the natural landscape. Visitors can see how this spiritual site and the surrounding peaks form a single sacred geography that locals have honored for centuries.

Hiking trails circle the mountain in a loop of about 14 kilometers with moderate elevation changes. Most routes suit visitors with average fitness levels.

Soviet uranium mining operations extracted minerals from the mountain between 1950 and 1988 through industrial infrastructure. Few visitors realize this industrial chapter lies beneath the peaceful slopes they walk on today.