Aushiger lies on the banks of the Cherek River. The health and recreation area is known for its thermal springs; it also has a cycling route to Upper Balkaria and a burial mound within the town limits. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Aushiger, these features can serve as a starting point when choosing where to stay: thermal water is the main draw, while cycling and the Andemirkana kurgan offer other points of interest.
Thermal Water in Aushiger
The “Aushiger” health and recreation complexes welcome guests year-round. The thermal water is used externally in pools and is also drunk as medicinal table water. Check the current facilities and access conditions before your trip.
Cycling Route, River and Local Connections
The cycling route to Upper Balkaria begins in Aushiger and ends back in town after the return journey. This makes Aushiger both the starting point and the endpoint of the route. Check local road conditions before setting off. The Andemirkana kurgan is a burial mound within the territory of Aushiger. Together with the banks of the Cherek, it offers another distinct connection to the town besides its thermal waters and cycling route.
For planning purposes, the difference between the local attractions is easy to sum up: the thermal waters are all about the uses described above, while the cycling route starts and ends in Aushiger. The burial mound adds a specific local landmark to these two points of interest.
The Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria as a Wider Destination
Within the wider destination of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, the Kabardino-Balkarian State High-Mountain Nature Reserve administers a protected area in the Cherek and Chegem districts. The protected area stretches along the Greater Caucasus and the Lateral Caucasus and includes the upper reaches of the Cherek-Balkarsky, Cherek-Bezengiysky and Chegem rivers. This is a distinct high-mountain and nature-conservation setting within the republic, separate from Aushiger’s local focus on thermal waters.
Routes in the Nature Reserve
The Kabardino-Balkarian State Nature Reserve offers four tourist routes: “Mizhirgi,” “Shaurtu,” “To the Bezengi Glacier” and “To the Narzan Mineral Spring.” From May to October, the “Mizhirgi,” “Shaurtu” and “To the Narzan Mineral Spring” routes are open, as are the “Zhiginzhi Waterfall” and “Bezengi Glacier” sections of the “To the Bezengi Glacier” route. These offers are intended for visitors of different ages. The graded “Bezengi Glacier – Lake Boran-Kol” section is open from July to August. Check the current route status and any permit requirements with the reserve before traveling.
The “To the Bezengi Glacier” hiking route is 26.1 km long and takes three days. Its final section crosses the Bezengi Glacier (Ullu-Chiran), is rated difficulty level II, and may only be traversed with a mountain guide. When planning, both the duration of the entire route and the special requirement for this final section are therefore relevant.
Along the route, visitors can experience the altitudinal zones, varied landscapes, and the flora and fauna of the Central Caucasus. Possible sightings include Caucasian tur, bearded vultures, griffon vultures, golden eagles and Caucasian black grouse, as well as other bird species; the Caucasian rhododendron may also be seen in bloom. These are possible experiences along the route, not guaranteed sightings.
A Different Focus: the Elbrus Resort
The Elbrus Resort is also part of the wider destination of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria and offers a different focus. Wide red, blue and green runs are suitable for skiers and snowboarders of varying ability levels. The resort has three gondola lifts; the upper Garabashi station is at an altitude of 3,847 m and can be reached via three gondola-lift sections. An artificial snowmaking system maintains a consistent snow cover on the slopes, although seasonal operations may vary. Check current operating conditions before your trip.
This makes it easy to distinguish the choice of town from the wider regional options: Aushiger is defined by its thermal waters, the banks of the Cherek and a cycling route that starts there; the reserve trails and the Elbrus Resort are separate attractions elsewhere in the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.
Discover more destinations: Chegem Pervyy, Tegenekli, Chegem Vtoroy, Maiski, El'brus, Prochladny, Terskol, Nalchik
Back to the main travel overview: Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria.
