Tyrnyauz (Russian: Тырныауз) is a town and the administrative center of Elbrussky District of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Russia, situated on the main road leading to the Upper Baksan valley area and on the main climbing route for Mount Elbrus. Population: 21,000 (2010 Census preliminary results); 21,092 (2002 Census); 30,778 (1989 Census).. Tyrnyauz is the largest town in the Baksan Valley and an essential provisioning point for trips into the Elbrus region.