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RussiaOverview and Is It Worth Visiting
It's hard to call Maloye Sedlo Mountain a mountain; it's more of a tall hill within the Kislovodsk National Park. But for a day trip on the weekend, it's just right. You don't need special equipment, and you can even drive to the top by car. The main value of the place is the panoramic views. In good weather, you can see Elbrus from the platform, but Kislovodsk itself is hidden behind neighboring hills, so don't expect a classic "postcard" view of the city. In our opinion, it's worth coming here if you've already seen the main attractions, enjoy walking trails, and want to add a light "mountain" touch to your vacation. Especially since one of the routes goes through the Resort Park — Kislovodsk's main gem.
If you have energy left, you can walk to Bolshoe Sedlo Mountain — it's only a 40-60 minute walk away. The views there are a bit different, and the route goes through open terrain.
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 liters per person in summer. If you go further to Bolshoe Sedlo, there's a spring there, 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.
- 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.
- Footwear — definitely not flip-flops. At least trainers or sneakers.
- Trekking poles — not essential, but if you have them, bring them. They make the climb noticeably easier.
🕐 Opening Hours
The mountain and trails are accessible 24/7. The best time to climb is in the morning or early afternoon to avoid the heat or evening rain.
💵 Entry Fee / Ticket Price
Visiting Maloye Sedlo Mountain is free. The National Park, through which the routes pass, also does not require payment for a regular walk (except for some equipped areas).
🚶 How to Get There
The mountain is located in the immediate vicinity of the city, 5 kilometers from the center, beyond the Kislovodsk National Park (Maloye Sedlo on the map).
Several trails lead up the mountain. The shortest route from the center goes through the Kislovodsk National Park — 5-6 kilometers with an elevation gain of almost 500 meters, about 2 hours one way without stops. You can make it easier by taking the Kislovodsk cable car — then it's only 2 kilometers with a 130-meter gain, taking 40-60 minutes.
We once took another route from the Lermontov Rock side — an interesting path: you can take a bus or taxi to the rock, then return to the city via both mountains (Maloye and Bolshoe Sedlo). However, the ascent from this side is steep; at one spot right before the summit, you'll need to climb a couple of meters using a rope — accessible to everyone, but be prepared.
There are no signs on the trails, so for navigation, take a smartphone with offline maps like Organic Maps or Maps.me, and download the points in advance from our Kislovodsk map. Some trails are also on Yandex Maps, but not all.
If you don't want to walk at all — you can drive here. A dirt road leads almost to the very top, leaving just a few dozen meters to walk. In good weather, any car can make it. The entrance is from the Belorechensky settlement side on pavement, then 1 kilometer on a dirt road. In bad weather, it's better to leave the car near the pavement and walk.