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RussiaOverview and Is It Worth Visiting
Bolshoe Sedlo is already a proper goal for a day hike, not just an easy walk. Altitude 1410 meters, distance from the center is 7-8 kilometers, elevation gain over 600 meters. One way without stops takes over two hours, but in our experience, it's better to budget a full day for the entire route, especially if you plan to rest at the top and take photos.
There's an undeveloped observation platform at the top. The views from here are wider than from Maloye Sedlo — you can see Kislovodsk, the surrounding hills, and in good weather, Elbrus.
Is it worth going here? If you love mountains, are ready for exertion, and want to see Kislovodsk and its surroundings from the highest point — definitely yes. If you need an easy route for a couple of hours, it's better to choose Maloye Sedlo — it's lower and closer. However, the routes run nearby, so you can visit both mountains in one go.
Preparing for the Walk: What to Bring
No special preparation or gear is needed. But basic items will come in handy:
- Water — at least 1.5-2 liters per person in summer. There's a spring on the slope, marked on Organic Maps and Maps.me, but it dries up periodically. Don't rely solely on it.
- Food — you can bring snacks, especially if you're going for the whole day. You can also eat at the cafe near the upper cable car station with great views, but that's if you route your walk through it.
- Sun protection — sunscreen and a hat are essential. The winds are strong at the top, and you can get sunburned without noticing.
- Insects and ticks — repellent wouldn't hurt. Ticks aren't particularly dangerous here, but it's better to check yourself after the walk.
- Clothing — according to the season and weather. In summer, bring a raincoat or windbreaker. The weather can turn bad during the day; it's always windy and cooler at the top than in the city.
- Footwear — trekking boots or at least trainers with good tread. Definitely not flip-flops.
- Trekking poles — not essential, but very helpful, especially on long climbs.
🕐 Opening Hours
The mountain and trails are accessible 24/7. The best time for a hike is in the morning to have time to descend before dark and avoid the heat.
💵 Entry Fee / Ticket Price
Visiting Bolshoe Sedlo Mountain is free.
🚶 How to Get There
The mountain is located in the immediate vicinity of the city, 8 kilometers from the center, beyond the Kislovodsk National Park (Bolshoe Sedlo on the map).
- On foot from the center of Kislovodsk — the route goes through the Resort Park; you can stop by Maloye Sedlo along the way and visit other attractions of the park. One way — over 2 hours, elevation gain — over 600 meters.
- On foot from the cable car — you can take the Kislovodsk cable car up, and from the upper station walk to Maloye Sedlo, and then to Bolshoe Sedlo. This way, the route will be shorter and easier.
- On foot from Lermontov Rock — this is the longest route. Take a bus or taxi to Lermontov Rock, and then through the southern part of the national park, via the Tuyeva Alley and Maloye Sedlo, you'll reach Bolshoe Sedlo.
- By car — you can also drive up to Bolshoe Sedlo from the Belorechensky settlement side. However, the climb is quite steep, and not every car can handle it. After rains, deep ruts appear on the dirt road. It's more reliable to drive to the dirt road, leave the car there, and then walk further. From this spot to Bolshoe Sedlo is 2 kilometers with a 150-meter elevation gain, about a 40-minute walk. You can also visit Maloye Sedlo — both mountains are nearby.
For navigation, be sure to take a smartphone with offline maps like Organic Maps or Maps.me — the trails are marked on them. Not all are on Yandex Maps. You can download the points in advance from our map.