The Terskol Gorge is located between two spurs of Mount Elbrus, the southeastern Terskol spur and the eastern Tegenekli ridge.
The gorge was formed partially by the swift current of а river that flows through it but its formation was also influenced by the volcanic activity of Elbrus.
The name comes from the Balkar language and translates as “irregular small gorge” (“ters” meaning irregular, and “kol” meaning small gorge).
The name arose because the canyon is a dead-end and does not lead into another gorge.
The Terskol Glacier looms over the upper part of the gorge, covering an area of about 7.5 km².
Small streams flow out from beneath the glacier.
Taking in tributaries from the right and left, they form the Terskol river.
Just below the glacier lies the Terskol waterfall, one of the most beautiful in the Elbrus region.