Alaniya National Park (Russian: Национальный парк «Ала́ния») is a mountainous area covered with glaciers on the northern side of the Central Caucasus Mountains. It is located in the southern part of the Irafsky District in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. The park was established for two main purposes: to protect the area’s rich natural environment, which includes many types of plants and animals, such as the near-endangered west Caucasian tur, and to preserve its cultural history and provide opportunities for outdoor activities. The park has many ancient ruins from past civilizations, including the Bronze Age Koban people (1200–300 BCE) and the Alan people (100 BCE–1234 AD). The name "Alaniya" comes from the Alan people, and this is also where the term "Aryan" originates. Because the park’s heights can change by almost 4,000 meters over short distances, the slopes and valleys show strong differences in climate zones. These zones range from glaciers and high mountain peaks in the southern parts to grasslands in the northern areas.
Topography
The park is located in the center of the Caucasus, which is the natural boundary between Asia and Europe. Alaniya National Park is about two-thirds of the way between the Black Sea to the west and the Caspian Sea to the east. The park’s southern edge follows the top of a mountain ridge, which marks the border with the Republic of Georgia. To the west lies the Kabardino-Balkaria Reserve, another protected mountain area, and to the east is the North Ossetian Reserve.
Altitudes in the park range from Mount Uilpata, which reaches 4,646 meters (15,243 feet), down to 800 meters in the Urukh River valley. At higher elevations, the ground is mostly covered by glaciers, rocks, and loose stone piles called scree. Modern glaciers in the park cover about 80 square kilometers (8,000 hectares). At mid-level elevations, about 20% of the park has forests. In the lower areas and northern valleys, the land includes grasslands and scattered trees.
The park has more than 70 rivers and streams, most of which are fed by glaciers. The few lakes in the park are small and also fed by glaciers and snowmelt. The 45 lakes cover a total area of 11 hectares, while the 5 alpine marshes cover 103 hectares. The main mountain ridges are made of granite, gneiss, and schist, with younger sedimentary rocks forming large fan-shaped folds. The park has mineral springs, waterfalls, and open forest areas on terraces. Named glaciers include Masota, Tana, Karuaugom, Songuti, Bart, Fastagstete, and Tasmazov.
The main river valley through the park is the Urukh River, which is fed by the Karaugom Glacier and many glacial tributaries. The Karaugom Glacier is 1.3 kilometers long and covers an area of 26.6 square kilometers. It stretches from an elevation of 3,440 meters at the top to 1,830 meters at the bottom of its lowest part, a vertical drop of 1,610 meters (about 1 mile). A recent study found that temperatures in the Central Caucasus have risen by 0.05 degrees Celsius each year, and glaciers in the region have retreated an average of 8 meters annually. The Karaugom Glacier reaches lower altitudes than any other glacier in the Caucasus, extending deep into the forested zone.
Climate and ecoregion
The climate of the region is humid continental, classified as Dfa on the Koppen climate scale. The area has long, snowy winters and short, cool summers.
- Average January temperature: −5 °C (23 °F)
- Average July temperature: +24 °C (75 °F)
- Average annual precipitation: 400–700 millimeters (16–28 in) in the plains; over 1,000 millimeters (39 in) in the mountains.
Alaniya is located in the Caucasus mixed forests ecoregion, described by the World Wildlife Federation as "one of the most biologically rich and culturally diverse regions on Earth." This area is a meeting point for species from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
- Karaugom Glacier, at the base of the icefield
- Karaugom Glacier from the ISS, 2002
Plants
The highest areas, above 1,800 meters, have alpine and sub-alpine features. At mid-level altitudes, about 20% of the park has forests. Common trees and plants in these areas include pine, rhododendron, yellow birch, juniper, and wild rose. At the lowest levels and in the northern valleys, grasslands and river plain plant communities are found. Over 1,000 plant species have been identified in the park, with 200 of these species found only in the Caucasus region.
At the upper part of the Haresskogouschelya river valley, near 2,400 meters, is the "Chifandzar Swamp." This wetland covers about 3 hectares and is mainly made up of sphagnum moss, sedges, and plants such as the golden buttercup. The swamp is 3 meters deep and is believed to be around 5,000 years old.
- Alpine meadows, Alaniya highlands
- Morning in the Tanadon Gorge
- Chifandzar swamp (peatland)
Animals
The mammals in the park are common in the forests of the northern part of the Caucasus. There are 34 species, including wolves, jackals, chamois, lynx, fox, and the near-threatened west Caucasian tur.
- West Caucasian tur (status: near threatened)
- Bearded vulture (status: near threatened)
Alaniya National Park has been named an "Important Bird and Biodiversity Area" (IBA) by BirdLife International because it is home to important species, such as the near-threatened bearded vulture and the vulnerable Caucasian grouse. The park has 116 bird species, and 42 of them breed there.
The only fish found in the streams of Alaniya is the brook trout. Among the five reptiles in the park, the vulnerable steppe viper is a notable resident. The mushrooms include Rubroboletus satanas (Satan's mushroom), which has a cap up to 12 inches in size.
History
The area of Alaniya National Park has been home to people for thousands of years. Its fertile land and position along an important trade route through the Caucasus made it a place where many groups lived over time, leaving behind remains of their lives. The Bronze Age Koban culture lived in the area from about 1100 BC to 400 BC. They were likely defeated by the Scythians during this time. The Koban people built metalworking workshops, using the minerals found in the mountains. They also practiced terrace farming, which began a pattern of soil erosion that later made some terraced land less fertile.
In the early years of the first millennium, the Alans settled in the area. The Alans were a strong, nomadic group that spoke an Iranian language. They had lived as nomads across Europe before moving to the Northern Caucasus around 700 CE. They created a powerful kingdom in the Alaniya region. After being defeated by the Mongols around 1300 CE, the Alans moved into the hills and remained mostly isolated until 500 years later. These Alans were the ancestors of the modern Ossetian people. Today, some people in the western areas of North Ossetia (historically called Digoria) speak the Digor dialect. These people were among the last groups officially recognized as part of Ossetia.
The mountainous Irafsky District has had a long period of population decline and people moving away for the past 200 years. The park itself was first protected as a forestry reserve in 1958. Later, after becoming a full national park in 1998, several connected protected areas were created. Today, the park is managed by the Forestry and Protection Department, with patrols by car, horse, and foot to enforce environmental rules.
Tourism
Permits are given to visitors in the city of Chikola, and they allow cars and pets. To enter the security zone near the border, permits must be obtained from one of the frontier offices (see the park's website for details). It may take 1 to 30 days to receive these permits.
Travel to the park usually involves taking a train or plane to Vladikavkaz, followed by a bus or taxi ride to Chikola. Hostels are available in Dzinaga and Rostelmash, and a hotel is located at the "gates of heaven" area within the park. Accommodations are also available at the climbing camp "Coma-Art"; visitors should contact the camp directly for details.
The park is famous for mountain climbing. Climbing routes range from easy to level 6B according to the Russian classification. The two highest peaks in the park are Uilpata (4649 meters) and Laboda (4313.7 meters).