Alagirskiy rayon: Canyons, caves and natural landmarks

In Alagirskiy rayon, the named natural features range from canyons and caves to lakes, springs and a grove. Many are designated as natural landmarks of regional significance. This offers different themes to consider when planning a holiday: would you rather focus on striking landforms, or are you interested in bodies of water and their surroundings? The place names can also be a helpful starting point when considering which focus suits your trip and your choice of holiday rental.

The natural landmarks are not a uniform group: designated sites include individual caves, lakes and canyons, as well as a grove and mineral springs. This variety makes the rayon interesting for travellers who want to discover different natural features. When planning together, it helps to distinguish the landforms first and then look at the named sites.

Canyons, caves and bodies of water

At Dzigvis, both the Kadargavan Canyon and Dzigvis Cave are designated as natural landmarks of regional significance. The two names refer to different landscape features at the same named location. Several other natural features can be found at Tamisk: Tamisk Mineral Springs comprise 47 springs; the Nyhas Gorge near Tamisk and Tamisk Canyon on the southwestern outskirts of the settlement are also designated natural landmarks. The artificial Tamisk Lake has the same designation. Comparing the place names here reveals springs, a gorge, a canyon and a lake rather than just one type of landscape feature.

Suadag has two more distinct features: the Hetag Grove and the Suadag Spring Cave. The latter is described as the source of the Suadagdon and is also designated as a natural landmark of regional significance. The grove is near Suadag, and the spring cave is also near Suadag.

Further examples show how closely the natural landmarks are associated with their respective landscape names. The Kasar Gorge stretches between Buron and Zaramag. The Zrug Lakes lie in the upper part of the Zrug Gorge. Kurtat Gorge is home to Lake Tsaziu in the Tsaziu area and the “Nyvdzhin Lagat” stalactite cave near Tagardon. Lake Suargom, in turn, lies in Suadag Gorge in the Suargom area. Universitetskaya Cave is also precisely located: it lies on the northern slope of the Khoskhara Range. Each of these natural landmarks is designated as regionally significant.

A cultural site and the history of the protected area

The Rekom shrine lies in Tseyskoe Gorge. This association between a named cultural site and a gorge offers a different way to explore the region from the collection of natural landmarks. The history of the protected area is also part of the landscape’s context: the republican protected area “Tseyskiy” had existed in Tseyskoe Gorge since 1958. The gorge subsequently became part of the nature reserve established in Alagirskiy Rayon in 1967.

These different examples make it possible to choose according to your interests: Dzigvis is represented by a canyon and a cave, Tamisk by several bodies of water and landforms, while Tseyskoe Gorge is associated both with Rekom and with the history of the protected area. If you include individual natural landmarks in your plans, check access conditions in advance. This way, your preferred focus can also inform your search for a holiday rental, without grouping all the sites together as a single excursion destination.

More natural features in the wider destination of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania

The wider destination of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania also has routes with clearly distinct landscapes. The trail to the Shalagom viewpoint starts in the village of Kharisdzhin and passes through Khilak Gorge to the Shalagom tract. The trail to Shagatsikomdon Waterfall follows the left terrace of the Tseydon River; one section climbs steeply over grey granite and then descends to the riverbank as far as the lower waterfall cascade. These routes describe destinations in the region and complement the overview of natural landmarks in Alagirskiy rayon with a distinct perspective on the wider destination.

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Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Irafskiy rayon, Ardonskiy rayon, Alagirsky District, Gorod Vladikavkaz, Prigorodnyy rayon.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Republic of North Ossetia–Alania.