The Baksan river is located in the North Caucasus Kabardino-Balkar Republic and is a major right tributary of the Malka. This is the second longest river in the Republic. The basin area is 6800 square meters. km, the average elevation of the catchment is 2030 m, a length of 173 km from Its origin in the Baksan takes from the slopes of mount Elbrus, with its southern and South-Eastern side.

It is assumed that the river Baksan was named in honor of the Prince of Baksan, who lived in this valley in the Caucasus. After the death of Grand Prince and his seven brothers who were killed in the IV century by the Goths, attacked the land of the antes, sister of Baksan buried them in the river valley. In memory of his brother Baksan she changed the name of the river Altug on the Baksan river.

In the upper reaches of the Baksan river has a huge number of tributaries that flow down from the glaciers of Elbrus in the greater Caucasus and the Main ridges. In the mountainous part of the largest tributary of the Baksan river is Handelen, which flows into it near the village Zayukovo. Valley of the Baksan laid on debris removal and glacial moraines. In some places it narrows, and in some extends, forming, thus, a narrow gorge. The river has a mixed diet, namely: groundwater, snow and ice. In the upper reaches of the Baksan river is dominated by glacial and snow supply, the village Zhukovo their share is slightly reduced, and groundwater increases.

Paving the way through the Rocky, Chalky and Lateral ridges, the river carries a lot of suspended particles, which Deposit in the form of sediment mostly on flat land. Baksan, like all other rivers in the region, forms a huge number of separate streams: Amana, Buccaneer, GEBCO and others. To the confluence of the river Malka, in the Cool area, the river Baksan takes two very large inflow - Cherek and Chegem.

In the upper reaches of the Baksan river are climbing camps "Baksan", "Elbrus", "Djan-Tugan" and others, as well as Observatory Terskol" and national Park "Elbrus".