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RussiaOverview and Is It Worth Visiting
The Indysh Narzan spring (also known as "24th kilometer" after an old road sign) is located in the Uchkulan Gorge of Karachay-Cherkessia, near the point where the Indysh River flows into the Kuban. This is a remote and little-known spot among tourists, even though the spring itself is equipped and officially considered a natural monument. There are three wells right in the ground, from which salty, lightly carbonated water of two types bubbles up. There's no smell of hydrogen sulfide, but we don't have precise information on the chemical composition or medicinal properties — we haven't come across any official info on this.
Honestly, it's hard to imagine someone traveling here specifically from another region or even from Karachaevsk just for this spring. It's more of a "stop along the way" spot if you're already traveling through the Uchkulan Gorge towards the villages of Uchkulan, Khurzuk, or further into the mountains. In that case, you can stop by, collect some water, have a picnic, or even set up a tent for the night — the place is quite suitable for that.
There's an equipped rest area on the site, trash containers, and a canopy (either for market stalls or for overnight stays). Nearby, the Indysh River rushes by with clean fresh water — a big plus for those planning to stay with a tent. But there's no infrastructure in the usual sense: no cafes, no shops, no toilets. Just nature, the spring, and a few wooden structures.
And, as always, a little reminder: friends, be responsible tourists. Don't litter, don't harm nature, take all your trash with you, and behave decently. This place remains clean mainly because large groups rarely come here. Let's keep it that way.
Check out our video about the Indysh Narzan — we show the road, the spring itself, the rest area, and the surroundings. It will help you decide if it's worth going off your route for this place.
🕐 Opening Hours
24/7. No restrictions, but it's better to come during daylight — the road has no lighting.
💵 Entry Fee / Ticket Price
Free. The spring is publicly accessible, and there's no charge for anything.
🚶 How to Get There
The Indysh Narzan spring is located in the Uchkulan Gorge, in the Kuban River valley, 30 kilometers from the city of Karachaevsk (spring on the map). You can only get there by your own car or on foot from the main road.
First, you need to drive on the good paved road towards the village of Uchkulan (A-155 highway). There's a sign on the road saying "24 km" — use that as a reference. After turning off the pavement, you'll need to drive 2.3 kilometers along a rocky dirt road. In dry weather, any car can handle this distance without a problem — even with front-wheel drive and low ground clearance. In rain or snow, the road can get muddy; then it's better to assess the situation on the spot: ruts and rocks become slippery, especially on inclines.
If you're traveling without a car, you can take the Karachaevsk – Khurzuk minibus. It runs once a day (it's best to check the schedule at the bus station in Karachaevsk). You need to get off at the "Indysh" stop, and then walk 2.5 kilometers to the spring along the same dirt road.