Nort Osetia
North Ossetia-Alania > Nort Osetia
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Nort Osetia
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| Check out hitchhiking spots on Hitchmap | |
| Information | |
Country:  |
Russia |
| State: | North Ossetia-Alania |
| Major roads: | R217, A161, A162, A163, A164 |
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
Republic of North Ossetia – Alania (Russian: Республика Северная Осетия - Алания) is a republic within the Russian Federation, located in the North Caucasian Federal District.
- The capital is the city of Vladikavkaz.
- Borders: to the west — Kabardino-Balkaria, to the north — Stavropol Krai, to the east — Ingushetia and Chechnya, to the south — Georgia and South Ossetia.
Contents
Cities
Hitchhiking and Travel Features
- Hitchhiking is better than in central Russia but worse than in Chechnya. On the main highways you can leave very quickly. The only significant challenge is transit through Vladikavkaz—see the relevant article for details.
- As everywhere in the Caucasus, most locals treat travelers well. Ossetians tend to be friendly and genuinely glad to host visitors. Although Ossetians are not Muslims, the local traditions of Caucasian hospitality are very strong.
- Due to ethnic conflicts with Ingush and Georgians, there can be problems with travel during periods of counter-terrorist operations. You will be warned about such zones before entering; do not attempt to enter a KTO (counter-terrorist operation) area!
- Do not photograph military, police objects, checkpoints, border posts, etc.
- Do not accept offers to drink, smoke, or use drugs. Such activities often end badly for travelers, especially in a region like the Caucasus.
- Cross borders with neighboring regions only on main roads. The border with Georgia is strictly guarded, and border guards may shoot at illegal crossers. To legally enter Georgia go through Verkhniy Lars - Dariali Border Crossing. To legally enter South Ossetia use only the official Nizhny Zaramag - Ruk Border Crossing; do not try any alternative trails or passes.
- The border zone in North Ossetia is a mountain strip up to 40 km wide from the border. Visiting the border zone requires a special permit, which you can order in advance (for example, via the public services website). The road to the official border crossing is not a border zone, and you can walk and hitchhike there without a permit if you have a valid passport.
- There are territories with restricted access for foreign citizens (advance permission required)! See the detailed official map for restrictions.
- Transit is allowed on the R217 "Kavkaz" road, connector roads from Vladikavkaz to R217 "Kavkaz", the Vladikavkaz bypass, the A163 (access road to Vladikavkaz airport), as well as the railways Nazran - Beslan - Murtazovo, Vladikavkaz - Beslan, and Gudermes - Mozdok - Prokhladnaya.
- In conversations with Ossetians, avoid praising Georgia or discussing how safe/corruption-free it is. The Georgian-Ossetian conflict is a sensitive subject. If it comes up, gently steer the conversation to the beauty of the mountains, nature, or local food.
Nature Reserve
Roads
- R217 "Kavkaz" — federal road from Pavlovskaya (Krasnodar Krai) — Yarag-Kazmalyar (Dagestan border with Azerbaijan).
- A161 — federal road Vladikavkaz — Nizhny Lars — border with Georgia. This is the Russian section of the historic Georgian Military Road.
- A162 — federal road Vladikavkaz — Alagir.
- A163 — federal road R217 "Kavkaz" — Vladikavkaz Airport.
- "Transcaucasian Highway" (Transkam) — federal highway linking Russia with the Republic of South Ossetia. Begins in Alagir, follows river Ardon, through the Roksky Tunnel under the Greater Caucasus, continuing to South Ossetia and into Tskhinvali. The Russian section is officially called R297, and from 2018, A164.
Other useful info
- Wikivoyage
- City and region encyclopedia "Moy Gorod"
- All kinds of transport schedules for Russia and CIS
- VK group "Life and Travel in the Caucasus"
- Subjective travel guide by Ilya Buyanovsky (Varandej)
- Yandex Travel
- Guide to North Ossetia: mountains, pies, and ancient history
- Wild travels in the North Caucasus by a hitchhiker from Ufa
- TravelAsk portal
