Central Caucasus

The Central Caucasus contains the highest mountains in the Caucasus system. Great walled glacier basins are characteristic of the area, with huge peaks towering above. The peaks boast wide rock and ice faces, and the aretes that connect them are long, high and serrated, offering few points of access. The scenery below is Alpine, with high meadows and pine forested valleys.

Of the major peaks, Elbrus and Kazbek are the only two that are easily accessible, and both have easy snow routes to their summits. Elbrus marks the western limit of the Central Caucuses, while Kazbek marks the eastern limit. Both are extinct volcanic cones.