Prielbrusye National Park (Russian: Приэльбрусье (национальный парк)) is located near Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe at 5,642 meters above sea level. The park is in the central Caucasus Mountains and is one of 22 national parks in the Caucasus, which includes areas with different nationalities. It covers 1.8% of the region. The park is found in Elbrussky District and Zolsky District, in the southwestern part of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic in Russia. The steep gorges in the area are difficult to reach, which has led to many species found only in this region and a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Topography

Prielbrusye National Park is located on the peaks and northern slopes of the central Caucasus Mountains, with some areas on the southern slopes, at elevations between 1,400 and 5,642 meters. The land includes mountain peaks, sides of mountains, glaciers, areas where lava once flowed, lake basins, and lower areas with a limited system of forested river valleys. Mount Elbrus is on the western edge of the park, near the border with the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. The Malka River begins in the glaciers of Mount Elbrus and flows through a plateau below the glacier, then moves north and east. The Baksan River flows east of the mountain through the southern part of the park. The southern edge of the park borders Georgia. About 155 kilometers, or 15.3% of the park's area, is covered by glaciers or permanent snow.

Ecoregion and climate

Prielbrusye is located in the Caucasus mixed forests, an area known for having many different types of plants and animals. This area has a lot of variety because it has different types of environments and changes in height above sea level.

Because of its height, Prielbrusye has an Arctic climate (Köppen climate classification, (ET)). This is a type of climate where at least one month has an average temperature high enough to melt snow (0 °C (32 °F)), but no month has an average temperature higher than 10 °C (50 °F). The actual temperatures in Prielbrusye have very large differences because the area has very different heights.

Flora and fauna

Elevation zones affect the types of plants found in the park. In the lowest areas near rivers, there are large forests of pine trees. The plants growing beneath these trees include juniper, barberry, and wild rose. In areas that are wetter, the plants under the trees are mostly wild raspberries, currants, and gooseberries. Higher up, there is a narrow area with broadleaf trees and shrubs in the sub-alpine zone. Above that, there are alpine meadows, and at the highest points, there is snow, rock, and ice.

The park is home to many animals, including Caucasian Mountain Ground Squirrels, Chamoiss, West Caucasian Turs, East Caucasian Turs, Caspian Red Deer, Roe Deer, Persian Leopards, Gray Wolves, European Jackals, Red Foxes, Caucasian Lynx, Wild Boars, and Syrian Brown Bears.

Tourism

Prielbrusye is a place where people can enjoy mountain activities such as skiing, hiking, and climbing. The park also offers camping, all-terrain vehicle tours, and nature tours. Visitors from nearby areas and other countries are welcome, and there are six small villages inside the park's area. The park is located 90 kilometers west of the city of Nalchik.

• Cafe and viewpoint for seeing Mount Elbrus above the Baksan River valley
• Shelter 11 located on Mount Elbrus
• Baksan River valley
• Cable car in the Elbrus area
• Mount Donguzorun with a glacier at its base
• Stormy Baksan
• Chegetkara Glacier