The reserve is located on the northern slope of the eastern part of the Central Caucasus in the Ardon River Basin and covers all ranges of the North Slope. Within the Ardon River from south to north 5 traced parallel ridges separated by narrow longitudinal valleys: Dividing Head, Side, Peak, Pasture, Wooded and foothills.

The main Dividing Range is the watershed between the rivers of the North Caucasus and Transcaucasia. This is the highest ridge within the reserve. Many of its peaks rise above 4,000 meters above sea level: Bubiskhoh (4468 m), Adayhoh (4405 m), Uilpata (4646 m).

The eastern part of the Main Dividing Range, located between Mamison (2829 m) and Trusovskaya (3127 m) passes, in the upper reaches of the river Ardon shifted to the south and turns to the lower mountain range. The maximum height is lower than 4000 m – Mount Khalatsa (3950 m), Zilgahoh (3883 m), Zekari (3829 m).

South intermontane depression, located between the Main (Dividing) and lateral ridges provided in the upper reaches of the Ardon Zaramagskaya (tuals or Naro-Mamison) basin.

Side ridge crowned with snow-capped peaks of warm (4425 m), batters (4170 m), Archon (4150 m), Tsmiakomhoh (4117 m). It is composed of schists, gneisses, granites, as well as a variety of volcanic rocks and sediments. East of the river Ardon granite found only in isolated individual Arhonskom Badskom and gorges.

North Jurassic intra-depression separating the sides and rocky ridges, represented in the basin of the river Ardon Sadono Unalskoy-basin.

Rocky Ridge presented Kariuhohskim array. The highest point of it – Kariuhoh mountain (3410m). At the crest of the ridge area and on its northern slope of karst topography: caves, gaps, craters, etc. The largest cave Shubi-Nyhasskaya – first investigated by researchers of the reserve. The total length of its more than 1000 meters.

---

According to the physical-geographical zoning of the territory of the reserve is included in the Crimean-Caucasian countries, the area of ​​the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus, Elbrus, Kazbek (Central Caucasus) province, Vladikavkaz district Urukh-Ardonsky District.

The area of ​​the reserve is located on the northern slope of the eastern part of the Central Caucasus, at altitudes 650-800-4646 m (Mount Uilpata – the highest point of the reserve) on the slopes of parallel sub-laterally oriented ridges separated by longitudinal valleys Pasture, Peak, Side, and partly, the main water basins in Ardon and Fiagdon rivers.

The biggest glacier reserve is Tseyskoe. Another large glacier – Skazsky – It is located in the upper reaches of the river Skazdon, right Tseydona inflows.

From the top down Zaramaghoh Zaramagskiye glacier. For heat-Arhonskom array glaciation underdeveloped. It is dominated by cirque and hanging glaciers (Tsaziu, Halane, orust et al.), Fed by snow avalanches and landslides. They are concentrated in the upper reaches of rivers Arhondon, Baddon, Bugultadon.

The main water artery of the reserve – Ardon River – It originates in Zaramagskaya basin from the confluence of the rivers Nardon, Mamisondon, Tsmiakomdon and Adaykomdon. Ardon It heads north through a narrow gorge in Kasarskomu Sadono-Unalskuyu intermountain basin. It takes a number of tributaries (Uilsadon, Kasaykomdon, Tseydon, Baddon, Arhondon, Unaldon, Tsahtsadkomdon) and through Nyhasskuyu gorge in rocky ridges leaves the mountains. Its biggest tributary, the river Fiagdon, Ardon takes already outside the reserve on the plain. The reserve is more than one hundred major rivers and streams that form a rather dense hydrographic network.

---

In the mountains of North Ossetia are many historical and architectural monuments of different times. Listed below are only the most famous and typical:

1. Cave parking and towns:

• Neolithic site «Shaulagat»in Alagir gorge

 

• Neolithic site in Kadargavanskom Kurtat canyon gorge

 

 

• Medieval «Sheep Town» on the southeast slope of the mountain

 

• Cariou, hoch in Kurtat Gorge

 

2. Rock Fortress:

 

• Ursdon above the village on the south-western slope of Cariou-hoch in Alagir gorge

 

 

• Nuzal opposite the village in Alagir gorge

 

 

• Dzivgis above the village on the eastern slope of the mountain-Cariou hoch in Kurtat Gorge

 

3. The barrier:

 

• Hilakskaya wall Kurtat Gorge

 

 

• Strengthening «Galfandag» in Alagir gorge below the village of N. Zaramag;

4. Fortress on the roads and Customs gate:

 

• Fortress «Zylyn Douar» in Kasarskom Gorge

 

• castle in front of the village Bugultykau Hilakskom Kurtat Gorge Gorge

 

 

• Customs Gate «Chyramad» in the tract «Shubi» near the village of Alagir gorge Zintsar.

5. Catacomb burial grounds:

 

• village Archon Alagir gorge

 

 

• village Zintsar Kurtat gorge

 

 

• village Karcza Kartsinskogo gorge

 

6. Burial vaults: near the villages of Sun Valley (between Rocky and side ridges .

7. Residential and watchtowers: in all villages.

8. Sanctuary:

 

• «Rec», «Madymayram» and Chizdzhity Mayram Tseyskoe in Alagir gorge gorge

 

• «Mykalgabyrta» in the tract Sidan Kasarskogo gorge

 

• «Mykalgabyrta» near the wall «Galfandag» N. Zaramag below the village,

 

• «Tarandzhelos» near the village of Tib Mamison gorge

 

• a lot of local sanctuaries;

 

9. The Orthodox Church:

 

• St.Trinity (XI-XIII c.) In the village of Aphids Mamison gorge

 

• chapel (XI-XIII c.) In the village of Alagir Nuzal Church of the Assumption

 

 

• Virgin (XIX c.) In the village Lisri Mamison gorge,

 

 

• St.Archangel Michael in the village of Tib Mamison gorge,

 

• a wooden church in the village of Alagir Tsei gorge and so on. D.

 

---

Directions

Educational nature trail Nature «To Tseiskii glacier»

 

• The length of the trails – 4700 m

 

• The travel time with stops – 6-7 hours

 

• The optimal number of tourists in the group – no more than 15 people.

The trail passes through the protected area. Study Trail Nature laid on a broad bottom Tseyskoy mountain valley of profound and spryamlёnnoy Tseyskoe valley glaciers. Typical trough valleys midlands (1500-2000 m above sea level) of the top high-altitude stage, turning into alpine (above 2000 m), has a well-defined shoulders of the trough (in the form of terraces) and erosion-tectonic origin.

Tseyskoe gorge formed on the northern slope Adayhohskogo crystalline solid formed when connecting the mountain groups of the Main and Lateral ridges. The length of the Lateral Range with altitudes up to 3000-4150 m (Tseyskoe Range) limits the valley to the north of the river. From the south it is separated from neighboring gorges Kasarskogo and heat-Arhonskogo array segment of the Main Ridge (Kalpersky Ridge), present-reach height of 4400 m. Tseyskoe Kalpersky ridges and are connected by a short (4 km) from the spur of the majestic, snow-covered, glittering peaks Uilpata (4646 m), Adayhoh (4405 m), and others, referred to as climbers «Tseyskoy horseshoe».

Adayhohsky and heat-Arhonsky (located to the east) mountains are composed of crystalline schists, gneisses, and other elements of the Paleozoic era, are central to the lifting area of ​​the North-Ossetian State Nature Reserve (SOGPZ) administratively belonging to the Alagir District of North Ossetia-Alania.

The trail originates at the southern periphery of the glades turgostinitsy «Goryanka» at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level. Wednesday virgin pine-bush blueberry transformed here into a curtain-field pine complex human presence forb (stop 1).

Walking route at Tseyskoe glacier in the past has been the most popular tourist centers of the activities Tseyskoe. The first tourists and climbers have described and marked it in the late 19th century, and since then an excursion to the glacier Tseyskoe considered the main purpose of coming here.

From hostels «Tsey» by road it is necessary to go up the canyon right bank of the river by the student Tseydon NCIMM camp, climbing camp «Torpedo» and camp sites «Goryanka». The route goes along the left bank of the moraine among the protected forests and three hours leads to Tseyskoe glacier. To appear in the summer on the glacier of enormous size - a fairy tale in reality. Excursion to the glacier Tseyskoe acquaint us with traces of activity plowed ice and intense frost weathering with thermokarst phenomena: tolami ice, cups, mills, seeing different types of crevasses, moraines and other glacial forms of relief.

ecotrail to Tseiskii glacier was previously equipped with a sold-out and elevations every 50 m height difference. The trail starts from the first (on the right in the course) clearing in the pine forest of the camp site «Goryanka». It extends 5-6 km. The travel time from stop of 5-7 hours. For Recom trail goes through the dense forest. Visible old moraine.

After crossing the river Tseydon at the former weather station, and now KSS left in all its glory appears biceps peak Adayhoh to slip from her Skazskim glacier. Ahead blackened bare slopes Uanekpy (Monk), to the right, from which rises to the clouds snowy peak Uilpata, the old name – Elbattyhoh («crouched Mountain»). Mountain Uanehba (Uanekpa), now called & laquo; & raquo ;, monk popularly known as Dzuarbadan, which translated from the Ossetian literally means «Habitat (seats) Dzuar, Angel Sanctuary&raquo ;. In fact, the outline of this mountain, reminiscent of the old man's face - the result of weathering of rocks - granite.

Tseyskoe SPRINGS

In the 400-450 m from the camp site «Goryanka» on the right bank of the river near Tseydon existing water intake overlook springs. Capturing these springs – source of water of the spa zone «Tsey». On-site water intake traced two main outputs of groundwater, spaced at a distance of two meters. Of these forms the creek, which is 100 meters away from the source flows into the river Tseydon. In the floodplain of – large lumps of igneous rocks, the space is not filled between them. Dirt their surface is covered with moss, and in some places – soil and topsoil. There are other outputs of underground water. Their main way out of the bedrock starboard Tseydon Valley can not be traced because of the huge amount of block material, hiding it. Above the existing outputs of groundwater on slope in clumps, there are voids in which noise is heard water movement.

FOREST

In this part of the route Lhasa different ages (up to 150 years), Bunk, mainly pine (pine Koch) and birch (birch Litvinov), with an admixture of beech east, maple Trautfetter, alder, etc. Less common pure stands: seroolshannik, Kislichnaya pine, birch grassy, ​​tall maples. Closed canopy from 0.6 to 0.9. At the beginning of the route there are small fields covered forest grasses. The trail winds its way further along the left bank of the river. Tseydon, rapid and frothy within. trail route leads into the pine-maple forest (risen on the site of the native pine forest, eroded lahar in 1958, stopping 2), alder, in mast pine grove at the foot ironed glacier rocks («mutton foreheads», stop 3) in the damp and gloomy pine-birch forest (4 stops), and then the ritual place in a small sunny meadow in the pine-birch forest (stop 5) (on a spreading pine tree growing here tourists leave commemorative ribbons on your luck).

Further, through the bottom moraine, revealing after the retreat of the glacier, the trail leads to the site of the bivouac equipped with a campfire and a viewing platform overlooking the majestic panorama of the «Tseyskoy horseshoe» and the tongue of the glacier, Tseyskoe Gorge (6 stops).

At the top of the valley is a circus, filled with ice and firn – Tseyskoe valley glacier. Of the 29 glaciers of the river basin Tseydon Tseyskoe the largest glacier.

The trail on the moraine of the glacier leads to his grotto (Stop 7 – final).

Route Availability – from 25 May to 15 September.

Security rating

The route runs along the whole path of the nascent decades with no suspensions and steep passages, so much difficulty in its passage does not occur. There is only one impenetrable portion length of about 350 m, almost the glacier tongue: among the boulders, baring during the retreat of the glacier, ground moraine. Mandatory instruction on technique passing dangerous areas.

Guidelines for recreational route capacity: 10-15 people in a group. Groups located on the route every 3 days per month - 8 groups.

Ecotrail to a double waterfall

On this path classically expressed in natural systems avalanche cones and debris flows. Vegetation here periodically suffer from vanishing powerful avalanches coming down from Kalperskogo pass. Languages ​​avalanches in snowy winters reached the shores of river Tseydon. When gathering birch avalanches are bent under the weight of snow and broken pine. In winters with little snow avalanches do not happen here.

1st stop. Start the trail on the right bank of the river Tseydon. Tseydon River typical mountain glacier river with the highest water level in the summer. In winter it is shortage, the snow-covered ice bridges. The river bed is rocky, rapids with large scattered along the bed of rounded granite boulders. On the banks grow alder forest with an admixture of willows. On the terraces – pine and mixed pine and birch forests. The undergrowth consists of azaleas, honeysuckle caucasian. Here on the river terrace Tseydon remains of buildings functioning sewage treatment plants.

2nd stop. Glade with meadow vegetation. Here is a forb-grass vegetation forest clearings. In summer, it – carpet of flowering plants (letter grandiflora, knotweed red meat, zmeegolovnika, slonohobotnik et al.) Along the trail you can see traces of molehills and the ant. The trail passes through some places mixed birch and pine forest with an admixture of maple Trautfetter.

3rd stop. on the left side of the debris flow scour creek Kalperdon. It is well expressed mudflow tray nezadernovannym riverbed, grayish in color from the stroke granitic rocks. The tray is embedded in a giant debris cone created by a creek (mudflows) and avalanches from the slopes of converging under Kalperskogo pass, there is a powerful ancient moraine of the glacier and accumulated a lot of debris.

It is clearly visible Tseyskoe range with pine trees, meadow slopes and rocky areas in the apical part. On vypolozhennoy part of the slope is located with. Tsey, with towers, residential buildings. On the crest of the spur for this village is a sanctuary Wasgergi (St. George's).

The 4th stop (end). Overview Double or the Big Falls. By the very waterfall because of the danger of falling rocks descent approach is not recommended. It is easily visible trace of a giant landslide of rocks with a spur of Kalper, with the walls of separation and powerful clusters of rocks near the landslide Double waterfall. Waterfall in winter and becomes shallower in the icefall. On the rocks, from which flowed the summer and fall of water jets in the winter grow as big as columns of bluish ice icicles.

Herbaceous vegetation consists of tall forest of large-leaved ragwort, knautia, sorrel, nettles. The mixed wood – Koch pine, birch Litvinov and Radde. On the edge of the forest there are raspberry bushes and the currants Bieberstein.

On the slopes you can see chamois, usually in the spring and early summer (March & ndash; June).

Accessibility: from 1 June to 15 September

Security: serpentine trail laid by cones and a little bias, but the rise in general is quite steep. Route quite difficult for unprepared tourists since undergoing a gradual climb. Mandatory instruction in the art of passage trails, especially in its upper third. By the waterfall approach is not recommended because of the danger of falling rocks vanishing. Overview of the waterfall should be done from a viewing platform with a handrail.

Volume: up to 8 people in the group. On the route goes one group every 2 days. In the month of 15 groups.

May – excluded (at the waterfall may persist remnants of avalanches).

Ecotrail on Suadagskomu gorge

Ekotoropa passes in the wooded foothills and mountain ranges - the valley of the river Suadagdon – seroolhovym on floodplain and alder forests. At the bottom it goes along the old logging roads, crosses small streams – Suadagdln tributaries of the river.

1st Stop – beginning of the route - 0,5 km from the village Suadag. Home Suadagskogo gorges, crossing first wooded ridge, folded rocks of Neogene age (hereinafter & ndash; 9 stop Pasture Ridge). On the platform and around it grow gray alder and black alder forests, passing in beech and hornbeam.