Prielbrusye National Park, National park in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia.
Prielbrusye is a national park in Kabardino-Balkaria encompassing more than a thousand square kilometers of mountains, valleys, and forests surrounding Mount Elbrus. The landscape contains numerous glaciers, alpine meadows, and a network of hiking trails suitable for visitors at different experience levels.
The park was established in 1986 to protect one of Russia's most important mountain landscapes and preserve geological formations and glacial deposits from earlier climate periods. This founding marked a turning point in protecting the fragile ecosystems of the Caucasus region.
The territory is home to Balkar and Karachay communities whose traditions remain visible in mountain villages and local crafts today. Their heritage shows through handmade goods, traditional dress, and regional cuisine that visitors can encounter throughout the region.
The park offers more than twenty recreational facilities and accommodation options at different locations, with capacity for thousands of visitors, especially during warmer months. It is wise to allow time for altitude adjustment and bring suitable gear, as conditions change quickly depending on the season.
The area is home to roughly sixty mammal species and over one hundred bird species, including several found nowhere else. Notably rare plant species such as Nefedov bellflower and small chickpea thrive here, which visitors may spot while hiking.
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