Digoria Ossetia. Holidays in North Ossetia: Digorskoye gorge

Digoria is not a mystical country from the world of Harry Potter, but a picturesque area in North Ossetia... Here so unique nature that they took her under protection by organizing national park Alania. Digoria is a great hiking destination!

Protected by the Caucasus Range

The Republic of North Ossetia - Alania is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus Range. In its western part there are two districts - Irafsky and Digorsky. It is here that the mysterious Digoria is located. Since the area has not an administrative, but a historical status, it has no clear boundaries. Unlike the Alania National Park, the area of ​​which is strictly defined.

Irafsky region is the third largest in the republic. Almost all of its territory is occupied by mountains. The administrative center is the village of Chikola. A little more than 15 thousand people live in the entire district. Perhaps the same number of tourists come here during the year. Many old buildings have survived in these places, and there are many natural monuments. There are hiking and ecological trails in the Alania Park. There are places attractive for mountaineers and rock climbers.

Digorsky district is half the size of Irafsky district, but 18 thousand people live here. The administrative center is the city of Digora. It was founded in 1852 on the banks of the Ursdon River. It is curious that the population of the town took an active part in the 1917 revolution. A small copy of Christ, installed in Rio de Janeiro, is a local landmark. The city has a local history museum.

Digoria is often understood as Digor gorge... The entire territory is conventionally divided into four parts - Stur-Digora (big Digoria), Tapan-Digora (plain Digoria), Donifars (side of the river) and Uallagkom (upper gorge). Large settlements the city of Digora, the villages of Chikola, Dur-Dur and Lesquin are considered. It is believed that the name of the area comes from the Ossetian Digors, who lived here for a long time.

Winter in these parts is rather mild. Summer is not sultry. During this period, rains are frequent guests. Tropical cyclones often visit Digoria, which bring with them thunderstorms with heavy downpours. The wind rose is such that in the winter season, precipitation comes from the Caspian. The average temperature in July is +20 degrees, in January - minus 3 degrees. Of course, it decreases with height.

Iron water

The largest river in the Digoria is the Urukh, 104 kilometers long. Its sources are located on the Mostocete glacier, the shell of which covers the mountain slopes in the upper part of the Digorsky gorge. Urukh flows into the famous Terek, supplying 20 cubic meters of water every second. The estuary is located near the village of Aleksandrovskaya. In narrow gorges, the mountain river creates downright postcard views.

The most beautiful place is called Akhshinta, where the river cut through the Black Mountains like a knife. Urukh feeds several rivers, which are also of glacial origin. These include Aygamuga, Thanadon, Karaugomdon and Khaznidon. If in the upper course the river has a clearly defined channel, then in the lower one it is divided into many branches.

Several small settlements are scattered along the banks of the Urukh. In the Ossetian language, its name means "wide". Downstream it really is. However, among the local residents, another name is common - Iraf, which translates as "iron water". The Ironians are a branch of the Ossetian people.

Cornucopia

Wealth local nature caused the creation on the territory of Digoria national park Alania. It happened in 1998. You can get into it along the only road that winds along the banks of the Urukh River. The lower border of the park is located at an altitude of 1350 meters, the upper one - at around 4646 meters. The northern end of the buffer zone borders on Georgia. Animals are completely safe here.

There is no doubt that the fauna thrives here in such comfortable conditions. Twenty-five of its representatives are listed in the Red Book. Among mammals, these are the Caucasian otter, the Caucasian forest cat and the Lesser Horseshoe, a rare species of bats. The list of valuable birds is much wider. These are golden eagles, Caucasian black grouse, peregrine falcon, eagle owl and many others. An odorous beetle got into the Red Book - a beetle that emits a pungent odor in times of danger.

On the territory of the reserve it is possible to meet a wild boar, a yak and a brown bear. Local roe deer are very graceful. Tours and chamois live high in the mountains. The forest is home to foxes, martens and squirrels. Quite a lot of "migrants" live in the park. Crossbills and bullfinches moved here from Siberia, songbirds from Europe, from Central Asia- bearded men and ulars. In total, there are 34 species of mammals and 116 species of birds in the park.

The flora of the reserve is no less diverse. In total, about a thousand plant species grow in the mountains. But quantity is not the main thing. The uniqueness of the local flora is that many of its representatives are found only here. These include dolomite bell, Digor rye, Caucasian gentian and others. Almost 60% of the park's territory is covered with forests, where the Kokha pine, Litvinov birch, and gray alder grow. Mountain poppies and alpine asters are spectacular adornments of subalpine meadows.

Resting place cannot be changed

In terms of tourism, the most attractive is the Irafsky region, which is part of the historical Digoria. Amateurs come here hiking, horseback riding and alpine skiing... The excellent ecology is of particular value, since there are practically no industrial enterprises here. The operation of the Fasnalskaya HPP does not affect the air purity in any way. Since the Russian-Georgian border runs in the south of the region, you should worry in advance about getting a pass to the border zone.

There are few traditional hotels in the area, but there are enough tourist centers. Among them are Eagle's Nest, Threshold of Heaven, Tana-Park, Taymazi, Dzinaga, Rostselmash. In the village of Kamata there is a visitor center of the park "Alania", where you can also stay for the night. Here tourists are received by two guest houses - "Kamatahostel" and "Khonh". By the way, as many as 12 start from here tourist routes according to Digoria. In summer, there are four children's camps in the region, including Balts and Komy-Art.

Alania Park provides a wide variety of activities and entertainment. Tourists are offered mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting, paragliding, agrarian tours, mountaineering and even photography. For those wishing to organize excursions to the Galdoridon waterfall, to the Tana glacier, to the Karaugom glacier and to the Chifandzar swamp. The first two tours are available even for children and seniors. The other two have the 3rd category of difficulty. The length of the routes is from 3 to 16 kilometers. The passage time is from 2.5 to 12 hours. Guided tours are available from May to October.

Hits from God and Man

As befits a national park, in "Alanya" most of the attractions are of natural origin. In total, there are 22 sites with the status of a natural monument. Perhaps the largest of them is the Karaugom glacier, which has an area of ​​35 sq. kilometers. In the Digor Gorge, he is the undoubted leader, and in the entire Caucasus he takes an honorable second place. In length, it is second only to the Bezengi glacier and Dykh-su.

The glacier begins at the peaks of Wilpat, Bubis-khokh, Burdzhula, Karaugom and goes down the slope of the Main Caucasian ridge, stretching for 15 kilometers. Its width reaches 9 kilometers. Down it squeezes through a narrow depression in a ridge no more than one kilometer wide. Since the pressure in this place is maximum, downward, from a height of 3.5 kilometers, it collapses with an enchanting icefall. The end of the glacier is at an altitude of 1750 meters.

Karaugom has long been a tasty morsel for climbers - the climb was too difficult. For the first time the glacier was conquered by the English climber Douglas Freshfield. In 1868 he managed to climb the icefall and cross the Main Caucasian ridge. In 1902, the Russian climber Nikolai Poggenpol tried to repeat the ascent of the Briton, but he did not manage to climb to the very top. Were at Karaugom and their own champions. So climber Yendrzhevsky 40 times stormed the glacier, but he never climbed above the end of the icefall.

It's hard to believe in this, but the Chefandzar bog is considered a natural monument of Digoria! It would seem, where from high in the mountains can a swamp appear? The fact is that at an altitude of 2400 meters there was once a moraine lake formed by a glacier. Gradually, it overgrown to such an extent that it turned into a swamp. The thickness of its peat deposits today reaches three meters. Chefandzar is 3 kilometers long and about one and a half kilometers wide. Outwardly, it is an ideal intermountain plain covered with yellow vegetation.

Digoria is rich in waterfalls - Taymazinsky waterfalls, Bayradi, Galauz and others have been seething here since time immemorial. The waterfall with the sonorous name Galdoridon has five steps and falls from a height of 35 meters. It is located on the river of the same name in the Hare Gorge. A powerful stream of water knocked out a vast bowl in the black shale. The name "Pearl" is also popular among tourists. And it is also called "Kroshkin's waterfall" - in honor of deceased climber from Taganrog. Very picturesque alpine lakes Huppara and Gularsky.

The Fasnalsky Pine Forest, which is located on a slope at an altitude of one and a half kilometers, is considered an attraction. Dzinaginskaya glade Fatanta on the bank of the Karaugomidon-Urukh river is very picturesque. It impresses with giant boulders that a glacier once brought here. A part of the ancient irrigation system has been preserved in the Dzagaraska tract. This place is located just two kilometers from the Dzinaga tourist center.

In the Donisar gorge, at an altitude of 3 thousand meters, the glacial Donisar lake flaunts. You should definitely visit the Scottat mineral water spring on the banks of the Aygamugidon River. In addition to it, the springs "Astavkort", "Koltisaur" and "Humez" gush in the reserve. All of them are cold - the temperature of the "mineral water" does not exceed 6 degrees all year round. The water is heavily carbonated.

Photo: Digorskaya mineral water is a natural soda

But not only natural masterpieces are protected in Alania Park. On the territory of Digoria there are many ancient structures - crypts, tower complexes. For example, the mountain village of Galiat is entirely architectural complex period of the Middle Ages. Ossetians built houses in the form of four-storey towers, which were called ganakh. The buildings were located on the slopes of the mountains, so the roof of one house served as a yard for neighbors. Petroglyphs have been preserved on the rocks near the village. Once upon a time, the Silk Road passed through Galiat.

Photo: Tower of the Abisalovs in the village of Makhchesk

In the village of Makhchesk you can see the Abisalovs' tower, the ancient crypt complex and the Gumerkhan sanctuary. The famous Digor sanctuaries are also Izad, Avd Dzuar and Rekom. By the way, Rekom is a men's sanctuary, so women are not allowed to enter there. You can get inside the temple only during religious holidays. Climbing routes to the Taymazi and Tantantsete glaciers pass through the village of Fasnal. Hang gliding fans also come here. There is a club in the village, there is a deltadrome.

How to get there

The way to Digoria lies through Vladikavkaz or Mineralnye Vody. These cities have railway stations and airports. Next, take a bus to the village of Chikola, which is considered the starting point for traveling in the western part of North Ossetia.

Our travel club offers the following hiking programs:

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Travel plan

Arrival in the morning at the airport (railway station). Mineral water... Group transfer at 11.30 to the Digorskoye Gorge of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (3 hours to the border on the way). Lunch (on your own). In the national cafe of the village of Chikola, you will be offered Ossetian cuisine. In the company of a guide, you will drive to the main gate of mountain Digoria - the Akhsinta canyon.
It is in this place that the canyon narrows so much that it turns into a stone gutter, and it becomes clear how the Urukh River beats at a depth of 70 meters among the rocks. The canyon is striking in its grandeur. Its steep walls are formed by cliffs of gray layered Jurassic limestone. Several karst springs effectively fall into the depths.
On the way, you will be met and taken on a good journey by the sculpture of the most revered saint in Ossetia - St. George (Osset. Uastyrdzhi). You will also visit the village of Matsuta, located at the confluence of the Aygomugidon and Urukh rivers. "There is no further way" - this is how its name is translated.
Arrival at the Tana Park hotel ***, which is comfortably located in the farthest picturesque corner of the Digorsky gorge on the left bank of the Khares river in the "horseshoe" of natural attractions: the Metelaska waterfall, Mount Kubus, the Laboda spurs and the Sugan ridge. Discussion of the tour program in the evening. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with the guide, departure by off-road vehicle on the auto-walking route to the Karaugom gorge (the length of the walking tour in both ends is 10-12 km.)
Before entering the route, you will issue a pass to the border zone. Hike to the Karaugomsky glacier. The Karaugomdon River starts from under the tongue of the glacier. The very name "Karaugom" in translation from Ossetian means "blind gorge" or "gorge that has no way out." It got this name due to the fact that earlier it was possible to get into the gorge only through a high icefall. The length of the Karaugomsky glacier is slightly more than 13 kilometers, the area is 27 square kilometers, the glacier descends to an altitude of 1820 meters. The glacier has two icefalls. The upper one, the most powerful, breaks out through the narrow "gates" of the Karaugomsky ridge and flows out from a height of 3500 meters, the tongue of the glacier reaches a length of 800 meters. The lower icefall is smaller, about 500 meters. Lunch on the way (dry rations). Return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will climb to the top of Mount Kubus and walk to the Taymazinsky waterfalls. Climbing Mount Kubus will delight you with beautiful panoramas and virgin forests covering its slopes. Descending from the mountain, you will continue your walk around the foot of Kubus to the Taymazinsky waterfalls. The waterfalls are especially spectacular from afar. Three snow-white streams fall at a distance of 150-200 meters from each other. The waterfalls originate on the Taymazi glacier, in the Khares gorge. Below the streams crash against stepped stone pyramids. Over the years, water has carved out many depressions in the pyramids, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water, falling into these depressions, splashes out of them in fountains. Lunch at the waterfalls with dry rations.
Return to the hotel, rest. Free time at the resort. Dinner on your own.

Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will go on a trip to the medieval Ossetian villages of Kumbulta (visit to the Bagayt castle), Lezgor, Donifars.
The route runs along the spur of the Skalisty ridge, more precisely, along the spur of the Oazakhokh massif. Here is the highest point of the Rocky Range in North Ossetia - the mythological peak - Uazakhokh, which resembles a dilapidated fortress in its outlines (3,529 m).
Moving to the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, which in the Middle Ages were communities independent from anyone, where a democratic form of self-government was preserved, which was different from governance in other societies of Digoria. Today these villages are abandoned by people and represent an old ethnographic museum under open air with numerous remains from the monuments of mountain architecture: towers, crypts, castles, sanctuaries ... Lunch (dry rations).
On a huge clearing between the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, there is the second largest in North Ossetia, after Dargavsky, a unique early medieval Lezgorsko-Donifarsky crypt. There are 64 tombs of various types and 7 tsyrts - memorial pillars. There is also a temple of Satayi-Obau (second half of the 15th - early 16th centuries).
You will devote most of the program to acquaintance with the necropolis and the remaining monuments of mountainous medieval architectural architecture.
You will drive to the medieval settlement of Zadalesk, where you will visit the museum of the mother - the savior of Alan children - Zadaleskoynan.
Then go to the Khanaz settlement, in the past one of the most large settlements mountain Digoria. The settlement is famous for the Tsallayev family's castle, which is called "Frigate". There is no second such architectural building in the entire North Caucasus. Indeed, a person who first came here does not understand what rises on a high rocky ledge at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. m. - sailing frigate or medieval castle cutting air waves with a sharp stone nose. This unique example of medieval mountain architecture dates back to the 14-16th centuries. After the tour, you will visit an Ossetian house, where hospitable hosts will treat you with homemade Ossetian pies and tea on herbs collected in the mountains.
During the meeting, you will learn about the lifestyle and customs of local residents. Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Gathering the group in the hotel lobby. Exit on the route. Today you will hike along the Tana-dona gorge to the Tana-tsete glaciers. Walking distance in both ends is 10-12 km. During the walk, you will find yourself captivated by the unique intricate vegetation: juniper, dwarf perennial deciduous trees. Leaving the vegetation zone, you will find yourself in the amphitheater of the mountains: Taymazi Glavnaya, Chashura, Tsiteli, Digoria peak, the peaks of the Western and Main towers of Laboda.
At the end of the path you will see the Tana-tsete glacier. Lunch on the way (dry rations). Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.

The village of Galiat is located in the Uallagkom gorge. This is a unique medieval architectural complex. Houses here used to be built in tiers. The roof of one house served as a courtyard for another, so the Galiatans could easily visit each other without leaving their own courtyard. Preserved in Galiat and typical Ossetian towers, consisting of four floors.
Lunch on your own.
At 14.00 departure from the gorge to Mineralnye Vody airport (5 hours on the way) for evening flights after 12.00.

Mountain Digoria is subdivided into Eastern and Western parts. The conventional boundary between them is considered to be the channel of the main waterway of Digoria - Urukh (Irafa in the Digor manner), which in the upper reaches is formed from the confluence of the Karaugomdon and Khares rivers. After the confluence with the Karaugomdon River (absolute height 1490 m), flowing out from under the Karaugom glacier, Urukh immediately becomes abundant, increasing in volume by 2.5-3 times. Flowing further along the bottom of the wide Urukh gorge, the Urukh river receives its two largest tributaries: on the left - Bilyagidon, on the right - Aigamugidon. The Urukh plain comes out near the village of Kalukh (absolute height 750 m). Thus, on a relatively short distance - 20 km, the altitude drop is almost 750 m. You can imagine the speed of the water flow.

The road to the upper reaches of the Digorskiy gorge is laid along the Urukh River and passes the "gate" of the Alania National Park in the village of Matsuta.

Almost all natural attractions of Western Digoria are located on the territory of the Alania Park, access to which is still free (2016).
Beyond Matsuta, the road turns to the left bank of the Uruh. The valley gradually narrows, the slopes become steeper, a forest appears. The outlines of the surrounding mountains become sharp, the peaks are sharp, rocky, and the slopes become steep and steep.

After 6 km from Matsuta we find ourselves in the village of Akhsau, beyond which the Digorskoe gorge becomes wider. From here you can clearly see the entire Urukh gorge - a grandiose trough with a flat wide bottom and steep steep slopes. To the right of the road are the spurs of the Sugan ridge, to the left - the Kazatykhokh massif — two huge links of the Lateral ridge, separated by the transverse valley of the Urukh River. The river flows along a wide bottom, winding and splitting into numerous branches.

The peculiar trough-shaped (trough-shaped) shape indicates that it was created not only by the river, but also by an ancient glacier that descended 20-25 thousand years ago from northern slope Main Dividing Range.

Another 4 km of the way, and at the foot of the Chirkh ridge, where the Karaugomdon and Khares rivers merge - the two main sources of the Urukh river, the road bifurcates. To the left, across the bridge along the Karaugomdon River, the road goes to the Dzinaga tourist center and further to the Dzinaga village.

We will continue along another road along the Khares River to the Khares, or Verkhne-Digorskoe, gorge. Here it would be appropriate to tell about the origin of the name of the Digorsky gorge. It comes from the name of the Ossetian ethnic group - Digors (in Ossetian - "Digoron" or "Dyguron"), who have long inhabited the Urukh gorge.

The Upper Digorskoye gorge is very beautiful. From the south, over the green of the forests, the peaks of the Main Dividing Range, exceeding 4000 m, sparkle with the whiteness of the snow, from the north, no less high granite massifs of the Sugan Range rise.

The road passes through the villages of Moska, Odola and Stur-Digora, which is 6 km from the fork in the road. At the end of the XIX century. it was the largest village in the mountainous Digoria. In 1884, it had 588 inhabitants (67 households).

Nowadays, like all mountain villages, Stur-Digora (Ustur-Digora, Big Digoria - Osset.) better times... The number of households and, accordingly, the number of residents decreased sharply. But there were also many new brick houses under tiles and slate. Old buildings (khadzars) are well preserved in Stur-Digor. The lower floor of such a house had an economic purpose, and the upper one served as housing.

In 2007, a chapel was consecrated in the village in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost”. This is one of the highest (2300 meters above sea level) chapel in Europe and the Russian Federation. A sight of sorts.

The blue (the color of the Mother of God) pyramidal dome of the chapel seems even bluer against the background of snow-white peaks, because the village of Stur-Digora offers a wonderful view of the mountains. The cone-shaped green mountain Kubus, sacred for the Digors, is perfectly visible, which separates the valleys of the Hares and Thanadon rivers.

The last village in the gorge is Kussu, which is located not far from Stur-Digora - 3 km. When you are on the top of Kubus, you notice that the villages of the Verkhne-Digorsky gorge are located on the left bank of the Khares almost nearby. In between are suburban settlements and new recreation centers, so one gets the impression that the houses of the villages stretch along the road as a single street.

Another 1 km from Kussu, and we drive up to the recreation center "Rostselmash".

From here begins resort area Digorsky gorge with recreation centers of various sizes and comfort - for every taste and budget. On the section of the gorge 3 km from the recreation center "Rostselmash" among pine forests there are such comfortable shelters as "Eagle's Nest", "Threshold of Heaven", "Tana-Park", "Komy-Art".

Digorskoye gorge in North Ossetia is one of the most beautiful and wild in the North Caucasus. It appeared under the influence of the waters of the Urukh River in the Rocky Ridge. Urukh still flows below, and above the river, along a narrow cornice among the rocks, a road is carved along which cars travel.

The conditions for recreation in the Digor gorge are diverse. At different heights above sea level, there are dry mountain steppes, humid forests, alpine meadows, forest-steppe zone, lakes, glaciers, streams, waterfalls.

There are opportunities for hiking ecological trails, you can do educational tourism, making excursions to different landscapes with their historical, cultural and architectural monuments doing water slalom.

Who needs to be closer to the benefits of civilization, perhaps it makes sense to consider

Currently, you can relax here mainly in the warmer months. In winter, during the season of heavy snowfalls, the recreation sites are not functioning, but the scenery at this time of the year is beautiful here in its own way, and it will be interesting to see these places also in the winter months.

This is just a small part of what is possible to visit and see in one of the wild gorges of the Caucasus.

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Entry

When entering the Digorsk gorge, the main thing is not to slip through the Urukh canyon of Akhsinta (also called the Digorskaya gorge). There is a major road bridge (in the common people Devil's). A stunning view opens from the bridge - the height is 80 meters above the Urukh River, stop if you are not afraid. Akhsinta canyon is the main entrance to the mountainous Digoria. Good asphalt is laid to the village of Matsuta, but further there is a dirt road.

There are many beautiful places here. Here and there old buildings or ruins. It can be seen that people have been living in these remote places for a long time. One can note the Three Sisters waterfalls, which look especially spectacular from a distance. Three streams fall from the rocks at a distance of 150-200 meters from each other. The source of the waterfall is located on the Taymazi glacier. Therefore, their official name is "Taymazinskie waterfalls".

They produce unforgettable impression fall height and beauty. Below, streams of water crash against stepped stone pyramids. Over the years, the water has carved out many depressions in the stones, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water falls into these depressions and, through the thought, spills out of them in fountains. The waterfalls are excellent hiking trail... But the waterfalls freeze during the cold season.

The trip to the Digorskoye gorge was planned long ago, but on this particular day, we were not going to go, there were completely different plans ... But, probably, the stars fell like this, and in the morning, over a cup of coffee, we decide - we are going!
The weather was pleasing, a sunny autumn day + good mood and we are on our way.
I want to say right away that I did not like it - there are no signs to the sights, it was difficult to find where to eat (there are practically no cafes), and there is no refueling (gasoline with you is required).
In the meantime, we are passing through Kabardino - Balkaria

We call in Ossetia

We hammer into Figator the final destination of the village of Dzinaga. I have some small developments along the route with me, but we did not think that objects are not indicated anywhere for tourists and we will have to search for them by typing ..., and this is a waste of time (((.
We reach the tunnel, a little before reaching it, there is a turn to the right - this path leads to the Devil's Bridge, which is thrown over the Urukh River.

The place is called Akhsinta canyon, and if you drive across the bridge, the road will lead to Didinag (flower) tract, to hay meadows. The height of the canyon is about 70 meters.

We drive past the Uastrji bronze monument. Its weight is 13 tons, the height is 6 meters + the cliff is 30 meters.

There is a men's sanctuary not far from the monument, there is a legend about how it appeared -
Hundreds of years ago, a lonely traveler was driving along a narrow road. Suddenly the cart almost fell into a cliff, only by a miracle the man remained alive, as if some unknown force did not allow him to fall to the bottom of the ravine. In gratitude to Saint Uastyrdzhi, this sanctuary was erected, which has been renewed several times.

And around the mountains, the sun and the cleanest air!

The place where the great prayer kuvd takes place

On the opposite bank, high in the mountains, we see the remains of the towers and decide to turn. The turn is about five km away. from the tunnel and leads to the remains of the villages of Lezgir, Donifars, to the crypt of Satayi Obao and to the necropolis.

Climbing upward, we come across an archaeological expedition, which has been traveling to these places for about 20 years and conducting excavations of the Sauar settlement. On a plot of only 70 sq.m. a powerful production center was discovered, including 5 pottery workshops, 2 metallurgical complexes for smelting ferrous metal and bronze, a bone carving complex and a coal burner workshop! The age of the village is 2-4 centuries. BC!
The guys had already canned the excavations until next year and the most interesting things were already covered and packed, but we still clicked the camera as a souvenir

We rise even higher to the ruins of the village of Donifars

A little to the side is the village of Lezgor

Donifar-Lezgorsk necropolis

A bit of history. The village of Lezgor is one of the most ancient villages in the mountainous Digoria; in 1886 there were 58 households in it. Residents left it in 1927 after the mudflow descended, which brought many victims and destruction. The village was part of the Donifar society and an important strategic point. From here the attacks of the Digor feudal lords were repelled. The inhabitants of Lezgor and other Donifar villages never obeyed the local nobility.
The village of Donifars is the only fully Muslim village in Ossetia.
Donifar-Lezgorsk necropolis - a large number of stone crypts and stone steles. It is not as famous as the city of the Dead in Dargavs, but it is much larger in area and includes tombs of various types. Supposedly, burials were made from the 5th to the 18th century.

Above the village of Zadalessk, at the edge of the cliff, the Sedanovs tower is visible

Will of the road Cirt - a roadside stone in memory of a deceased person

In front of the Dzinaga tourist center, on a stone, is a pretty shabby portrait of Stalin.

We pass the tourist center and enter the village of Dzinaga

In general, we have fulfilled the planned plan, it is already three o'clock in the afternoon, and we are terribly hungry))). Unfortunately, there are no cafes, at the camp site we were told that vacationers cook for themselves, because the season is closed ...
And only after returning to the village of Matsuta, just before entering the reserve, we found a shop where we were fed delicious Ossetian pies of huge size. A master class was held for me on making them, so I hope that on winter evenings we will eat Ossetian pies at home and remember Sunny Ossetia)))

We did not see a lot, well, there will be a goal to return ...