Kyshkadzher

3,813 m

Russia

Also known as Кышхаджер, Кышкаджер

Кышхаджер · Кышкаджер

Elevation: 3,813 m
Prominence: 972 m
Difficulty: 7/10; Hard alpine
Best Season: Jul–Aug
Routes: 1

RegulationReported 1 May 2026
Teberda National Park FAQ (image dated May 2026; post date not shown): visitors may use only approved one-day trails; the rest of the park is closed to mass visits and overnight stays, commercial tours there are illegal, and violators face administrative liability.
tgpbz.ru

Routes

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AlpineD-Rock ridgeNormal route

Sources differ: 4А (Russian classification, rock; route 2.2.151) (Russian Mountaineering Federation classification commission, 2013–17 list) · 4Б (grade proposed by the first-ascent leader) (Russian Mountaineering Federation classification commission, 2013–17 list)

The only classified route on the mountain: a rock climb on the west ridge (Russian 4А, roughly D-), first recorded by A. Kukharin's party in 2013, approached from Teberda along the Dzhamagat valley past the narzan springs and up the Kyshkadzher valley to the lake cirque below the peak. No published topo or timings.

Elevation Profile

approximate line

Distance: 19.9 km; one way
Ascent: +2,546 m; −64 m lost on the way up
High Point: 3,813 m
Time Up: 11h 06m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 7h 47m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Kyshkadzher is the high point of the rocky Kyshkadzher ridge on the eastern boundary of Teberda National Park. From Teberda a road runs up the Dzhamagat valley to the narzan (mineral) springs at the confluence of the Goralykol and Epchik, about 10–12 km from the town. Just before the bridge over the Kyshkadzher stream, a marked path climbs steeply up its right bank through pine forest, reaching alpine meadows 2–3 hours from the springs; cross to the left bank by a footbridge below a shepherds' hut and continue up the valley past a small lake (30–40 minutes) and over rocky cross-ridges to the four Kyshkadzher lakes (a further 1.5–2 hours). OpenStreetMap shows the path ending near a tent site at about 43.430, 41.895 below the Kyshkadzher pass (3,234 m). The summit stands in the southern part of this cirque behind a small ridge. The Russian route register lists a single summer route, by the west ridge, graded 4А rock by the classification commission (the leader proposed 4Б) after an ascent led by A. Kukharin in 2013. No description, topo or timing of either is published openly; the full description is available only to Russian Mountaineering Federation members. Expect a long approach and descent on loose ground. We found no easier recorded line. Descend by the route of ascent or as described in the federation's route passport.

Start

Teberda1,331 m

None beyond Teberda; walk 10–12 km up the Dzhamagat valley road to the narzans

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Teberda → Kyshkadzher lakes	17.1	1,773	35	8h 07m
2	Kyshkadzher lakes → Kyshkadzher	2.7	765	22	2h 56m

Waypoints

Trailhead:
Teberda1,331 m
Feature:
Dzhamagat narzans1,812 m
Mineral springs at the head of the Dzhamagat valley; start of the Kyshkadzher path
Bivouac:
Kyshkadzher lakes3,070 m
End of the mapped path below the Kyshkadzher pass; overnight stays need park permission
Summit:
Kyshkadzher3,813 m

Key Passages

Kyshkadzher valley path from the narzans
Kyshkadzher lake cirque
West ridge rock climbing

Equipment

0/7 packed

Technical

Full rock rack (cams, nuts), slings and two 50–60 m ropesRussian 4А rock routeRequired
Harness, belay device and helmetRequired
Ice axe and cramponssnow in couloirs and on the descent early in summerRecommended

Safety

HeadlampRequired

Footwear

Approach shoes and mountaineering bootsRequired

Clothing

Warm and waterproof layersRequired

Hut & Camping

Tent and camping kithigh camp at the lakes, subject to park permissionRequired

Downloads

Route confidence 30%

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Overview

The 3,813 m high point of the rocky Kyshkadzher ridge on the eastern edge of Teberda National Park, above a cirque of four small lakes. Its only classified route is a Russian 4А rock climb on the west ridge, first recorded in 2013.

Kyshkadzher (also Kyshkhadzher) is the highest summit of the Eastern watershed ridge of the Teberda basin, which divides the Teberda from the Daut valley and forms the eastern boundary of Teberda National Park in Karachay-Cherkessia. From Garalykolbashi to the south the ridge runs north at around 3,000 m and rises to its highest point at Kyshkadzher, then falls to the Epchik pass. Short spurs drop west from the summit to the Dzhamagat valley above the narzan mineral springs.

Published heights vary from 3,813 m (Wikidata, skeleton) to 3,820–3,826 m (guidebooks, park site) and 3,837 m (the federation's route list); OpenStreetMap gives 3,823 m. The lake cirque on its north side, reached by a path up the Kyshkadzher stream, holds four small blue lakes and is a known walking objective; the summit stands at the southern end of this cirque behind a small ridge.

Kyshkadzher is a climbers' peak rather than a walkers' one. The only route in the Russian classifier is the west ridge, graded 4А rock, and we found no record of an easier line.

Climbing Notes

Only for experienced rock climbers comfortable on remote, loose Caucasian rock at Russian 4А (roughly French D-). Plan two days at least: a long approach from Teberda via the Dzhamagat narzans and the Kyshkadzher valley to the lakes, then the climb. The route description is available only to Russian Mountaineering Federation members, so contact the federation or local guides in Teberda or Dombay.

The mountain is inside or on the boundary of Teberda National Park, which in 2026 allows visitors only on approved one-day trails and does not permit overnight stays elsewhere. Obtain written permission from the park before planning a high camp or climb.

History

The west ridge was climbed by a party led by A. Kukharin in 2013 and classified 4А (rock) by the Russian Mountaineering Federation's classification commission; the leader had proposed 4Б. Earlier ascents are not documented in the sources found. The approach to the Kyshkadzher lakes was described by V. M. Bronner in his Teberda guidebook in the Soviet period.

Season

Best Jul–Aug

January: Not advisable
February: Not advisable
March: Not advisable
April: Not advisable
May: Not advisable
June: Possible
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Good
October: Possible
November: Not advisable
December: Not advisable

Jan: Winter
Feb: Winter
Mar: Winter; avalanche risk
Apr: Snow; avalanche risk
May: Snow on the approach
Jun: Snow in the cirque and couloirs
Jul: Main climbing season
Aug: Main climbing season
Sep: Often stable, shorter days
Oct: Cold; early snow
Nov: Winter
Dec: Winter

Access & Permits

Permits

Teberda National Park permissionRequired
The park restricts visitors to approved one-day ecological trails; the rest of its territory is closed to mass visits and overnight stays, and some areas need a pass requested by email with dates, group size, full route and leader's name. Ask the park before attempting the Kyshkadzher valley, a high camp or a climb.
tgpbz.ru

Hut Booking

No huts. Accommodation in Teberda; camping at the Kyshkadzher lakes only with park permission.

Rules

Teberda National Park: leaving approved trails and camping without permission are prohibited; trails open only after inspection, and current status is posted on the park website and Telegram channel
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Russia

Getting There

Teberda

Mineralnye Vody (MRV)

By road to Teberda in Karachay-Cherkessia
From Teberda along the Dzhamagat valley road to the narzan springs (10–12 km), then on foot up the Kyshkadzher valley

Hazards

Rockfall
Exposure
Avalanche
Weather
Remoteness