Photo: Eugeniya Belova ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Mid-altitude, the park and an Elbrus view.
Kislovodsk sits at 800–1,000 m, and its national park is close to a thousand hectares of terraces, trails and paths up to Bolshoye Sedlo (1,409 m) — the classic base of Soviet and Russian national running teams. We add trips to the Bermamyt plateau (2,592 m) with its Elbrus view. A mid-altitude camp for summer race preparation or autumn volume.
- The terrenkur paths and Bolshoye Sedlo in Kislovodsk park
- The Bermamyt plateau: cliffs, open space and Elbrus on the horizon
- The Honey Waterfalls and the Alikonovka gorge
- Narzan mineral baths for recovery
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 8 km, 200 m of climbing
Arrival and a first terrenkur
Transfer from Mineralnye Vody (about an hour). Getting to know the park: an easy run through the Lower Park and the Valley of Roses, and a talk about the week.
Overnight: Hotel in Kislovodsk - DAY 2 · 15 km, 600 m of climbing
Krasnoye Solnyshko and the Blue Hills
A morning climb on the terrenkur via Krasnoye Solnyshko (1,065 m) to the Blue Hills and along the Dzhinal ridge. An evening technique session on the park avenues.
Overnight: Hotel in Kislovodsk - DAY 3 · 14 km, 550 m of climbing
Bolshoye Sedlo
Tempo work: from the Upper Park to Maloye and Bolshoye Sedlo (1,409 m) with 3–4 minute hill intervals. An easy descent over meadows.
Overnight: Hotel in Kislovodsk - DAY 4 · 8 km, easy
Recovery and narzan
An easy 8 km, a strength session at the stadium, then narzan baths and sauna. In the evening we go through three days of heart-rate data.
Overnight: Hotel in Kislovodsk - DAY 5 · 16 km, 500 m of climbing at 2,400–2,600 m
Bermamyt: running at 2,500 m
An early 4x4 drive up to the Bermamyt plateau at 2,592 m. We run the rim above the cliffs with Elbrus straight ahead, then descend dirt tracks towards Maly Bermamyt. Back by evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Kislovodsk - DAY 6 · 28 km, 900 m of climbing
The long run to the Honey Waterfalls
From the park along the ridge and gullies to the Honey Waterfalls in the Alikonovka gorge and back. Steady aerobic pace, fuelling every 40 minutes.
Overnight: Hotel in Kislovodsk - DAY 7 · 5 km, easy
Cool-down and departure
A morning run in the Lower Park, a debrief and plans for the season. Transfer to Mineralnye Vody.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Six nights in a hotel by the park
Breakfasts
Coaching with Ivan, heart-rate and recovery monitoring
A 4x4 trip to Bermamyt with a local driver-guide
Transfer from Mineralnye Vody airport
One sauna and narzan-bath session
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Lunches and dinners
Additional sanatorium treatments
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Open to any runner with 30 km a week or more, including road runners who want to add hills. Ivan explains beforehand how to structure the first days at 1,000–1,400 m.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Trail shoes already tested in training
- A running vest, soft flasks and rain protection
- Layers for changing weather and familiar trail food
- Poles, if suitable for the route and you know how to use them
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.