Observatory

Russian Caucasus


You'll spot this observatory from the Elbrus cable cars, but you can also hike here along a steep track from Terskol. It's a popular route for those preparing to summit Elbrus as they acclimatise to the higher altitude.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Russian Caucasus attractions

1. Mt Cheget

2.5 MILES

Expert skiers relish the moguls, steeps and glades offered by this ski area on the south side of the Baksan Valley. The piste occupies the lower reaches…

2. Donguz-Orunkel Lake

3.58 MILES

From the top of Cheget’s lower chairlift, it’s about a one-hour walk around the side of the mountain to this lake. Check conditions before starting off …

3. Vladimir Vysotsky Alpine Museum

5.95 MILES

This small but interesting museum, 7km east of Cheget, is named after the Soviet-era singer-songwriter and actor Vladimir Vysotsky, who was a great fan of…

4. Mt Elbrus

6.06 MILES

The two peaks of Mt Elbrus – the western at 5642m and eastern at 5621m – bulge nearly 1000m above anything else in the vicinity. This volcanic cone has…

5. Svaneti History & Ethnography Museum

19.88 MILES

Mestia’s excellent main museum is one of Georgia's best, with fascinating displays of church treasures, manuscripts, weaponry, jewellery, coins and…