A Day in Kislovodsk: Cable Car to Maloe Sedlo

Hello there!

This summer, my family and I spent our vacation in Kislovodsk at the Sanatorium named after Ordzhonikidze. The sanatorium has a huge territory, and one of its exits led to the Valley of Roses, and not far from it is the lower station of the cable car. For a long time, it was closed, but in July of this year, it was finally opened.

Kurortny Park KislovodskMy husband and I took a stroll in the Valley of Roses early in the morning while the kids were in the salt room, and we decided to check out the cable car. Since it wasn't open yet, there was no queue.

At first glance, the building of the lower station can be called beautiful - pink glass and an interesting geometric shape. But up close, you can notice some wear and tear and water seepage.

Kanatnaya Doroga KislovodskWhen we returned to the station after it opened, taking our older daughter with us (our younger son preferred to stay in the children's room of the sanatorium), there was already a pretty long queue. It's better to come before it opens and take a place in line ahead of time, so you can be in the first rows.Operating Hours:

10:00-17:00 Last ascent 16:30 The cable car does not work on Mondays (for maintenance) and in unfavorable weather conditions.

Kislovodsk CablewayWe ended up waiting for 40 minutes, and some people were sitting on benches around the station trying to estimate how many people were ahead of us - it was impossible to tell.There are plenty of benches here, all in the shade, so you can wait in comfort.

Kislovodsk CablewayWhile Dad was waiting in line, my daughter and I checked out some info about the cableway and explored the surroundings.The cableway was built in 1973 by a Georgian engineer named V.M. Leshavy. It connects the Middle and Upper parks. The upper station is located on the Maloe Sedlo hill. The route is over 1.5 kilometers long. In the upper part of the route, the height from the moving carriage to the ground is around 250 meters. Between the two stations, yellow and red carriages run, taking about eight minutes to travel. During the ride, you can enjoy the scenic views and take some great photos as a souvenir.

There's an information stand nearby, which told me that the cableway is already 50 years old.

Kislovodsk Cable CarKislovodsk Cable CarI was excited to ride the cable car and take in the views of the surrounding area. Just nearby is an open-air library and reading room, which is a great spot to relax and unwind.

Kurortny Park KislovodskWe planned to ride the cable car up and then hike back down on the terrain. It seemed like most people had the same idea, as the cabins were almost empty on the way back down.

Kislovodsk Cable CarHere's what the loading area looks like from the bottom.

Kislovodsk Cable CarEach cabin can fit 25 people, and there's always a guide on board.Cost of the ride:

Adults - 300 rubles Children (5-10 years) - 200 rubles Children under 5 years, WWII veterans, people with disabilities 1,2 groups - free.

Kislovodsk Cable CarInside the lower station building, things are pretty straightforward and clean. You'll need to buy your ticket (cash only) and head to the boarding platform right away.

Kislovodsk Cable CarThere are two boarding platforms, both with rubberized flooring. And, of course, there are two cable cars - one yellow and one red. The wait time between departures is roughly 10 minutes.

Kislovodsk Cable CarFor 25 people, I think the cable car is a bit cramped. Everyone's packed in pretty tightly, which makes me uncomfortable. So, the 10-minute ride didn't exactly thrill me.

Kislovodsk Cable CarEven though I was standing by the window, the views aren't exactly breathtaking - and taking photos is out of the question. The glass is grimy, the windows are small, and it's hard to hold your phone steady in a crowded space.But we did get a nice view of our sanatorium from above.

Kislovodsk Cable CarI saved the best views for the ride up - and boy, was it worth it. The top station is situated on Mount Maloe Sedlo, and it's a real treat.

Kislovodsk Cable CarI highly recommend sitting on the right-hand side of the cabin - the views of the Valley of Roses, the mountains, and even Mount Elbrus on a clear day are simply stunning. The left-hand side wasn't bad either, but the right-hand side takes the cake.

Kislovodsk Cable CarThe only time the cabin got a bit bumpy was when we passed by a tower where another cabin was crossing our path.

The top station is a bit more low-key than the bottom one, but it's still worth a visit. There aren't any queues, and people are mostly walking down. We didn't venture inside, so I can't say how comfortable it is.

Kislovodsk Cable CarThere's a cafe nearby called 'Above the Mountains' - we didn't dine there, but we did grab some delicious soft-serve ice cream (cash only, naturally).

Kislovodsk Cable CarI was a bit surprised to find that the Olympic complex nearby the upper station is closed off to visitors.There are plenty of benches scattered around both the upper and lower stations.

Kislovodsk Cable CarCheck out this cool sculpture of a cyclist conquering the mountain peak - it's a pretty funny touch.As we made our way down, we saw a few cyclists attempting to ride up the mountain, but they all turned back pretty quickly when they hit the first set of rickety stairs and rocky inclines.

Kislovodsk Cable CarThe view from the observation deck at the upper station is simply stunning - you can see the whole town of Kislovodsk and the surrounding mountains.

Kislovodsk Cable CarThe scenery on the way down is just as breathtaking - I think this place is a must-visit no matter what time of year you're there.

Kislovodsk Resort ParkWalking along the terrain park in Kislovodsk, I found the upper section to be quite challenging. There's a path with a stone channel running alongside it, meant for water features. However, the water often finds its own path, sometimes right down the middle of the path. It's not a problem for people wearing sports shoes or those without little kids, but some folks with strollers might struggle. I was actually glad I left my youngest son at the sanatorium.

Kislovodsk Resort ParkAlong the way, you'll encounter plenty of stairs - I'm not sure how old they are, but they're well-worn. Some of the steps are even starting to come loose.

Kislovodsk Resort ParkThere are also benches where you can take a break and rest. Don't forget to bring water, though - it's scarce along the way.

Kislovodsk Resort ParkAs you walk, you'll come across some beautiful grottos - some of them are even situated right over the edge of a cliff. We didn't dare get too close, though.

Kurortnyi Park KislovodskI was surprised to see that the resort park in Kislovodsk has both natural and artificial barriers. The walls are quite noticeable, with old stones covered in moss and newer additions on top.

Kurortnyi Park KislovodskOn our way, we only came across one toilet, and it was closed that day. The food stall had a day off on Monday, while the toilet was closed on Wednesday - what a paradox.

After reaching the Red Sun Hill, you'll see a monument to M.Y. Lermontov. There are many places in the region dedicated to this poet, as he tragically passed away here.This marks the beginning of civilization, and nearby, you'll find cafes and an electric bus stop that takes you through the resort park.

Kurortnyi Park KislovodskAs we descended further, we entered a more manicured area of the terrenkur, with electric buses running on asphalt instead of dirt tracks. This is where you'll find sports and kids' playgrounds, and the natural scenery starts to feel less wild.

Kislovodsk Resort ParkThe drive back took us an hour.I highly recommend taking the cable car up and hiking back down on the terrain. There are tons of beautiful spots to check out and take amazing photos. But if you're planning to hike up to the top station on your own, you'll need to be in decent physical shape. That's why I'd recommend taking the cable car.

Kislovodsk Cable CarAlso, you might be interested in checking out reviews for other cool spots in Kislovodsk:Old Lake Beach;

Multimedia Museum Center-Visit;

Leonidovskaya Staircase;

Cascading Staircase.