Alaniya National Park, National park in North Ossetia-Alania, Russia.
Alaniya National Park is a protected area in the Caucasus Mountains with diverse terrain ranging from grassy highlands to snow-capped peaks. The landscape includes high-altitude meadows, rocky slopes, and several glaciers spread across the region.
Scientists began advocating for nature protection in this region during the 1950s. The park was officially established in 1998 to protect the mountain landscape.
The name comes from the Alans, an ancient people who lived in these mountains and left behind stone towers and burial sites. Visitors walking through the park can still see these ruins scattered across the landscape.
The best time to visit is from May to October when trails are snow-free and passable. Access is through a single road that passes through Aksinta Canyon from the city of Vladikavkaz.
The Karaugom Glacier is one of the lowest in the Caucasus, descending to around 2,100 meters elevation. This unusually low-lying glacier formed because of the unique conditions in this mountain valley.
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