Prigorodnyy District: Natural Monuments, Gorges and Dargavs

Prigorodnyy District offers several ways to explore nature and history: natural monuments lie near villages, in gorges and on mountain slopes, while Dargavs is a cultural focal point with a large necropolis complex. The area also features named lakes, waterfalls and glaciers, as well as a tourist route between Dargavs and Koban. When planning your trip, it helps to first choose your main focus: the landscape, a route on foot with the option of a section on horseback, or the necropolis complex. You can then focus your holiday rental search on the places that matter for your trip.

Natural Monuments and Distinctive Landscapes

The natural monuments of Prigorodnyy District include the Verkhne-Karmadonskiye mineral springs near the village of Tarskoye, Genaldon Canyon in the Genaldon Gorge, and Tudzhin Lagat near the Kakhtisar tourist base. Mystulagty Lagat, also called the “Lasok Cave,” lies in the Gizeldon Gorge; Khury Tsasty Lagat is on the southern slope of Mount Fethuz. The names refer to different points of reference—village, gorge, tourist base and mountain slope—and provide concrete landmarks for planning your trip.

Other notable natural sites lie within clearly defined landscapes. Koban Canyon is near the village of Koban, Lake Midagrabinskoye is in the upper part of the Gizeldon Gorge, and Purt Waterfall is on the Gizeldon River. The Purt rockslide is near the Kakhtisar tourist base, so its reference point differs from that of Purt Waterfall on the river. Nunatak Khitsan is in the upper part of the Midagrabin Gorge. These locations help distinguish the canyon, lake, waterfall and rockslide as separate destinations.

The glaciers are also associated with different gorges: the pulsating Kolka Glacier lies in the upper part of the Genaldon Gorge, and the pulsating Zeigelan Glacier in the upper part of the Gizeldon Gorge. The Dzhimaraikhokh Massif is also in the district and is the highest point in North Ossetia–Alania. The landscape therefore ranges from named gorges and glaciers to a regional high point.

Dargavs: Necropolis and Cultural History

The large Darghavs necropolis complex, also known as the “City of the Dead,” comprises 97 burial structures of various types. Their number and variety convey the scale of the site and offer a different way to experience the region than its gorges and glaciers. In the wider destination of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania, the complex’s architecture and burial customs are considered a reflection of the socioeconomic conditions and religious beliefs of the Ossetian population in the late Middle Ages.

On Foot or with an Optional Section on Horseback

The tourist route from Dargavs to Koban passes through the Dargav Gorge to the Kakhisar Pass. The route can be covered on foot; a section on horseback can be arranged on request for an additional charge. If you would like to plan for this option, ask in advance: the horseback section is subject to request and an additional charge. This lets you include the right mode of transport for this particular route in your plans.

Choose a Holiday Rental to Suit Your Plans

When searching for a holiday rental, it helps to first identify the places you want to visit. For Dargavs and the route to Koban, Dargavs and Koban are specific reference points; descriptions of natural sites also mention Tarskoye, the Genaldon, Gizeldon and Midagrabin gorges, and Mount Fethuz. Decide whether the necropolis, the route or particular natural features will be the focus of your trip, and assess listings based on their specific location. This will help you choose accommodation that suits the sights you want to explore.

Discover more destinations: Alagirskiy District, Vladikavkaz City, Ardonskiy District, Alagirsky District, Irafskiy District.

Back to the main travel overview: Republic of North Ossetia–Alania.