Krasnaya Polyana. Where to go for a walk in Krasnaya Polyana: one-day walking routes Krasnaya Polyana trekking routes

03.06.2015 13:24

Vacation in Sochi is not only the beach and the sea! A few days among mountain peaks and waterfalls will help you recuperate and get an incredible boost of energy! The purest water of mountain springs, the sound of waterfalls and fantastically beautiful landscapes - all this is very close, in Krasnaya Polyana!
It’s better to start getting acquainted with hiking romance with one-day easy routes in Krasnaya Polyana. We offer you several options for mountain walks that you can take on your own. The routes are suitable for a family hike with schoolchildren and for unprepared tourists. The only requirement for such a walk is the presence of special shoes and clothing for trekking.
If, however, you are not confident in your abilities, it will be better for you to contact one of the guides whose coordinates you will find on this site.

Achishkho Ridge

The route begins in the village of Krasnaya Polyana. The unique nature of the Achishkho mountain range with its alpine meadows and lakes will not leave you indifferent. For a novice tourist, this is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with practically all the main high-altitude natural and climatic zones of the mountainous Black Sea region. You will need to go up to the starting point of the route by car. You can start the walk from the lakes Khmelevsky , then go through horizon 1822 . Along the ridge you can walk to Lake Mirror , where there will be an opportunity to stretch out and bask in the sun, at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level. Next we go down through Round Glade, Sosnovaya Rock, and back to Krasnaya Polyana . During the hike you will be able to see the famous rocky outcrops of Wolf's Teeth, the ruins of Atsanguar, and stand on the top of Mount Skalistaya!
At the top you can fully admire the Peaks of the Main Caucasus Range, the Gagrinsky Range (Republic of Abkhazia) and the Aibginsky Range, as well as the Sugar Pseashkho Peak and views of the Black Sea.

Keivu Waterfall

Keivu Waterfall is located within walking distance from the village of Krasna Polyana. The route is suitable for most nature lovers. And it starts from the recreation center of the Krasnaya Polyana municipal district. The asphalt road begins with a smooth ascent and turns into a forest one. Beginning tourists will not be able to get lost, since there is only one path to the waterfall and does not branch anywhere. During the ascent, panoramic views of Krasnaya Polyana open up. This waterfall is also known for the fact that it does not dry out at any time of the year. The journey from the camp site itself will take about an hour, and the elevation gain will not exceed two hundred meters.

Rosa Khutor Health Path

The ecological route “Path of Health” runs along the picturesque slope of Mount Psekhako and is located in the Krasnaya Polyana resort of Rosa Khutor.

Krasnaya Polyana is one of the most accessible and civilized places in Russia for real mountain hiking. Moreover, you don’t have to go mountaineering: you can choose a simple, but very picturesque route that can be easily conquered in a weekend. On fine days the weather is comfortable. Getting there is very convenient. And at the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana you can buy everything you need, as well as choose a guide and issue the necessary permits to the reserve and border areas.

"To Lake Kardyvach"
The route is for two to four days.
Route start: Engelmanov Polyany, where you can get there by SUV. The road from Krasnaya Polyana is 20 kilometers, travel time is about two hours.
Distance: from 18 kilometers per day.
Climb: 600−2500 meters.
When to go: from July to September; in June there is still snow here.
Important: Lake Kardyvach is located not only in the reserve (you need to pay an entrance fee), but also in the border area (you need to issue a pass, which may take several days).
Lake Kardyvach is a beautiful place in the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, located in the mountains above Krasnaya Polyana at an altitude of 1838 meters and surrounded by fir and birch forests, alpine meadows, springs and waterfalls. For most of the year, Kardyvach is hidden under ice and snow and does not warm up above +12 degrees, but in the summer it changes its color several times from green to blue.
The length of the route from the Engelman Glades along the Mzymta is 18 kilometers in one direction along a comfortable, well-trodden and marked forest path. Wow places for radial walks are lakes Sineokoe (distance - three and a half kilometers) and Upper Kardyvach (four kilometers). There are reserve cordons nearby for overnight stays and there is no need to carry water with you, but you will still need sleeping bags, foam and food. You can go on a hike on your own, but the reserve is more happy with organized groups with guides.
“From Chernorechye to Krasnaya Polyana: a hike through the mountains to the Black Sea”
Itinerary for five days.
Distance: 55 kilometers.
Route start: Chernorechye cordon, which can be reached by car.
When to go: from June to October.
Important: Permits will be required to visit the reserve. A pass to the border area is not needed, but you must have a Russian passport with you.
Legendary route No. 8 of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve through the Main Caucasus Range and its two passes - the Small Balkans and Aishkho. Most of the route runs along the valley of the Malaya Laba River. There are no mobile communications or organized camps here, but there are cordons for overnight stays. You will have to carry camping equipment and provisions with you. Along the route there are not only amazing natural beauties, but also monuments to soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. The route is linear, and once you start it, you have to finish it.
The first day is a hike from the Chernorechye cordon to the 3rd Company cordon through beech and fir forests.
Second day— crossing the Small Balkans pass along picturesque cliffs to the Umpyr cordon.
Day three— the path to the “30th kilometer” cordon through the southern forest with a large number of rivers, many of which will have to be forded.
Day four— hike to the Chistaya River with a view of the mountain and the Tsakhvoa glacier with a height of 3345 meters.
Day five- through the Aishkho pass (2401 meters - this is the highest point of the entire route).
"To the Clean River"
Itinerary for three days.
Distance: up to 16 kilometers per day, total length - 40 kilometers.
Route start: the end of the asphalt road to Rosa Khutor, from where seven kilometers by SUV through the Paslukh cordon to an altitude of 1800 meters.
Important: It is mandatory to have a Russian passport.
When to go: from July to October.
Part of the previous route from Krasnaya Polyana to the Chistaya River through the Aishkho Pass and back is a popular option for a memorable three-day hike.
The first day— crossing the tall Aishkho is not easy, but it is accessible to healthy and relatively athletic people. Spending the night in tents is most successful at the confluence of the Malaya Laba and Chistaya rivers.
Second day— radial walks to waterfalls and viewing platforms.
Day three- the way back.
"To Mount Achishkho"
Itinerary for two days.
Distance: 12−15 kilometers.
Height difference: about 400 meters.
Route start: at the “Heliport” stop in the village of Krasnaya Polyana.
When to go: from mid-May to October.
Important: A pass to the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve is required.
There are two ways to Mount Achishkho - through the Khmelevsky Lakes or through the Beshenka River and the weather station on Kruglaya Polyana. As a rule, tourists cover this route in one day without making any trekking. However, it’s still worth spending the night at the Achipsinskiye waterfalls or Lake Mirror.

The Health Path (Rosa Khutor) is three walking routes through the forest on the slopes of Mount Psekhako. Each of them has varying degrees of difficulty. What’s good is that you don’t need to get here – the trail starts right from the resort itself. The simplest route can be done by anyone – even a child can do it. But only the most courageous can overcome the most difficult one – it’s about a two-hour journey through the forest.

Let us immediately note that in Greater Sochi, various health paths and health paths have recently become fashionable. Therefore, if you wanted to read about the health path, which is located near Sochi, then you can do so.

The entire lower slope of Mount Psekhako, along which the Rosa Khutor health path goes, is dotted with trees. In fact, this is a magnificent southern forest, through which there is a trail stylized to resemble these almost wild places. In the warm season, the trees are covered with moss, turning the forest plush and completely green, like a fairy tale. It is worth considering that with any route you will have to go up, and if you don’t like it at all, then long routes are unlikely to suit you.

The local health trail is one of the best places for a summer walk.

Routes

There are only 3 routes, each of which starts between the beach and the hotel. They also end in one place - a little upstream of the river from the entrance.

The easiest route is only 310 meters and can be completed in 10-15 minutes. If you take your time and take pictures everywhere you can, then walking this third of a kilometer can take about half an hour. It's unlikely to do more. There are minimal interesting places here

The middle ring is 1630 meters and if you follow it, the journey will take you about an hour and a half. There will be two springs with drinking water, an observation deck, a waterfall and one yoga area. And only here there is a small lake in which you can swim. The water is really very cold. On the diagram it is marked as a font.

The Big Ring is 1970 meters. The most difficult and long way. It will take at least two hours. There will be no font here, but there will be a glade of Strength and another area for yoga.

Want more? No one is stopping you from combining all the routes into one mega-route and visiting everything.

Where is it and how to get there

The mountain health trail is located on the territory of the coolest mountain resort Rosa Khutor. It starts from the lake beach, which can be considered the starting point.

But to go for a walk along the health path, you first need to somehow get to the mountain resort itself. There are four ways to get to Rosa Khutor:

You can drive there yourself in your own car. First you need to get to Adler airport, and then just go straight along the A148 highway. The road is quite long - 40 kilometers from the airport, and more than 70 from the center of Sochi. But the road here is new and driving along it is a pleasure. In general, this is the most convenient way and it is good for everyone, except that the driver will have to drive a lot and not drink alcohol. If you go on a trip alone or together, then in terms of gasoline it will be more expensive than an electric train and, even more so, a bus.
You can get there by high-speed train Lastochka. If you travel from Sochi, this is definitely the fastest way and at the same time quite comfortable. Electric trains are not overcrowded unless something extraordinary happens in the city, so the ride will be quite comfortable. The downside is that it’s more expensive than taking a bus and you have to adjust to the schedule, which isn’t always pleasant.
Another way to get to Rosa Khutor is, of course, by bus. Here is the best price, there is no strict connection to the schedule and place of start. For example, you can come from Sochi (105, 105C), from Khosta and Kudepsta and a bunch of stops along the way (105), and from Adler from the New Century shopping center (135). Naturally, you can get on at any stop on the A148 highway. Separately, it should be noted that in order to be guaranteed to get seats, you need to go from the initial stop (Sochi bus station or the Novy Vek shopping center in Adler).
Theoretically, you can come to Rosa Khutor as part of an organized excursion. But there are no excursions from Sochi or Adler to the health path, so this option is not suitable for us in any case.
If you come by train, you will need to go upstream through the entire winter resort town to Mzymta Square. The journey will take about 15-20 minutes and along the way there will be many shops where you can buy something. You can recognize Mzymta Square by the McDonald's located here. Next, cross the bridge and turn right. In a couple of minutes you will reach the next bridge. You need to turn left here, walk along the path for another minute, and then the path itself begins. You can focus on the Rosa Khutor lake beach located next to the trail.
If you come by bus, it will stop right near Mzymta Square. What to do next is described above. Where to go for those who arrived by car themselves depends on where they managed to park it. In any case, focus on the square and McDonald's.

I have been on your path. Somehow weak. Is there something more complicated?

There will always be something more difficult.

There is a waterfall nearby, the road to which is completely untrodden. This route was once popular among tourists who love active recreation, but now everyone goes along more comfortable routes.

You can also go to the waterfall in the Gorki Gorod resort. But not from the lift at an altitude of 960 meters, but from the very bottom. Then the path in one direction will be about 10 kilometers.

An even more difficult hike to. If you don’t care about him either, then you are enlightened and can do anything at all.

Is it worth going? (and a little about reviews)

Do you doubt whether this place is worth your attention? To be honest, I don’t know, because, unfortunately, I don’t know you. Therefore, if you love beautiful natural places and active walks, if you love forests and mountains, then it’s worth it. Numerous reviews that can be found on the Internet are extremely monotonous - they say that the place is really cool. But if, in your opinion, the best vacation is lying on the sofa or, in extreme cases, on the beach, then despite all the reviews, you are unlikely to like it here.

A few points

the entrance is free
Take food and water with you. There is nowhere to buy it here
This is a wonderful place. And it will be just as beautiful if you don't throw trash here. Respect beauty, nature and your country
A camera is a must on this hike. In addition to the beautiful forest, there are sometimes very cool views here.
An interesting figure: there are a total of 919 steps on all routes. This is really a lot. For girls, walking on it is a guarantee of a very beautiful butt. That’s why this is a path to health in general.
You should not walk along the trail in the rain and, especially, in the snow. The road can be very slippery and unsafe.
If you like active recreation and are here outside of winter, be sure to visit the trail. This is an amazing place. A few meters from the most perfect mountain resort in Russia, beautiful and almost wild places begin.

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For our parents, children and grandmothers, Sochi has always been a popular destination for a July-August beach holiday. For my peers, Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana are the places where the Winter Olympics took place in 2014. For me, this is, first of all, the crazy beauty of nature and mountains. So beautiful that a few years ago my wife and I left Moscow and now live in Sochi. In the five years since moving, I have already made more than 70 hikes in the Caucasus and decided that I have the moral right to make something like a “Guide” to this fantastic region for any tourist and outdoor enthusiast! On this large page (please be careful and patient), I have collected all the basic information for planning and organizing an independent hike in the outskirts of Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana.

Let me start with what attracted us personally to this place so much that we moved here to live?

Why Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana?

Mild climate and super ecology. Despite the fact that in the winter months there are often prolonged rains on the coast, and snowfalls in the mountains, the climate here is, of course, much more comfortable for life than in my native Siberia, or in the Urals, or even in central Russia. There is no need to talk about the environment. There are no large industrial enterprises in Sochi, and daily morning sea and evening mountain breezes clean the city's air from exhaust gases.
Long hiking season. The climate of these places allows you to go to the mountains for six months - from June to November!! And if you pay attention not only to the mountains, but also to the coast with its numerous waterfalls and gorges, then the hiking season becomes year-round!
Huge opportunities for multi-sport. Those who love sports and mountains can find entertainment for every taste: classic hiking and mountain hiking, mountain biking, via feratta routes, rafting, canyoning and even bungee jumping!
Excellent infrastructure. The new railway from the airport and train station in Adler or Sochi will take you to Krasnaya Polyana in an hour, and excellent trails and even the presence of mountain shelters and tent camps allow you to walk in the mountains in comfort, even with small children, and at the same time enjoy the beauty of nature. A plane from Moscow is also inexpensive compared to flights abroad (just buy in advance!).
Safety. May the tolerants and cosmopolitans forgive me, Sochi and its surroundings are fundamentally different from other regions of the Caucasus. You can be sure that you will not have any hassles with the locals. The village of Krasnaya Polyana is historically populated by ethnic Greeks and Estonians, and Sochi by Armenians, who are known to profess Christianity, not Islam. The share of the Russian population here, in my opinion, is even greater in Moscow.

Minuses? From the point of view of “sports” tourism and mountaineering, the only disadvantage of the Krasnaya Polyana mountains is their low height. There are practically no serious glaciers or extended vertical walls here. Also, many are bothered by the fact that most of the Krasnaya Polyana mountains are located on the territory of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, which imposes certain difficulties with organizing hikes (more about them below), but in my opinion, the presence of the reserve is not a minus, but a plus. It’s scary to imagine what would happen to these beautiful mountains if they weren’t protected by law! As for the disadvantages of the city of Sochi in terms of a place to live, I personally want more direct flights not only to Moscow, but also abroad. And a couple or three embassies of European countries. Do not need anything else! But back to hiking, this is an outdoor guide after all!

5 Day Hiking Ideas All Year Round

Everyone who comes to Sochi for just a few days wants to see all the most interesting things. But how to do that? After all, the length of Sochi along the Black Sea coastline alone is more than 100 kilometers!! (by the way, one of the longest cities in the world), and if we add to this the gorge of the Mzymta River, in the upper reaches of which the village of Krasnaya Polyana is located with the new ski resorts Rosa Khutor, Gornaya Karusel and Gazprom-Laura "... And if we add to this the neighboring “friendly” Abkhazia.. How to manage everything?

To begin with, I will share a list of the TOP 5 easy and one-day routes that are available all year round - both winter and summer.

(1)

A walk through the relict forest along a beautiful equipped trail. Both routes are accessible to absolutely everyone, regardless of skill level. It is enough to wear sports shoes. A must have to get acquainted with the nature of the “coastal climate zone”. On hot summer days you can even swim in the canyon of the Khosta River!!

How to get there: 15 minutes from the Sputnik bus stop in Khosta.

Two circular routes - "Small Ring" (the walk will take approximately 1 hour) and "Big Ring" (from 2 to 4 hours).

(2)

Zmeykovsky waterfalls are unique in that even in the hottest summer months there is enough water in the Dikarka River for you to admire their extraordinary five (!), albeit small, waterfalls that are not similar to each other. Those who like to eat delicious food in nature will love the cozy restaurant near the lower waterfall.

How to get there: 10 minutes walk from the minibus or bus stop No. 120.

A walk through all five waterfalls and back will take from one and a half to three hours.

(3)

Walking towards the Orekhovsky waterfall is my favorite hiking option when you want to get some fresh air and take a break from the city. The route is not difficult - ordinary sneakers are enough equipment and is short - a walk to the waterfall and back can take a couple of hours! In addition, Orekhovsky waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Sochi.

From the center of Sochi and back - from 3 to 5 hours.

How to get there: by taxi or half an hour on foot from the city bus terminus.

(4)

A cascade of three waterfalls in the picturesque canyon of the Agura River is one of the most popular places of pilgrimage for summer tourists, but these waterfalls are most beautiful in autumn and spring, when there is more water and fewer tourists!

How to get there: 20 minutes walk from the Sputnik stop (any minibus in the direction Sochi - Adler)

The walk to the first large waterfall and back will take about 1.5 hours, if you go further with a climb to the Prometheus rocks for at least 2.5 - 3 hours.

(5)

By some miracle, not included in all sorts of tourist guides in Sochi, the waterfalls on the Svanidze stream are not at all large, but amazing. The path to the upper waterfall constantly winds from one bank of the Svanidze stream to the other, in places dangerously approaching the cliff. If you leave early, you can manage to get further, to the Azhek waterfalls!

Start of the route: final stop of bus #102.

From the final stop to the waterfalls and back - 4 hours.

ONE-DAY HIKES IN THE MOUNTAINS OF KRASNAYA POLYANA

The mountain hiking season in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana begins no earlier than mid-June, when, after the snow melts in the mountains, the reserve opens routes. The best time for hiking is July-August, the period of the most stable and warm weather. Once the snow cover settles, the routes are closed again. This usually happens in mid-October.

(1)

Climbing to the top of the Stone Pillar is the most accessible mountain walk in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana. From the top a majestic all-round panorama of the Western Caucasus mountains opens up, and if you're lucky, you can even see the Black Sea. Absolutely anyone can climb the Stone Pillar, since from the cable car station to the top there is an excellent trail (in fact, a dirt road), marked with signs. It's impossible to get lost.

Start of the route: the upper station of the Rosa Khutor cable car.

The walk from the upper cable car station takes about 1.5 to 3 hours.

(2)

Thanks to a specially equipped trail and a relatively small height difference for mountains, today this is perhaps the only alternative to the route to the top of the “Stone Pillar” among the simple walking routes in the Krasnaya Polyana mountains available to everyone.

How to get there: by cable car "Gornaya Karusel" from Estosadok (Krasnaya Polyana).

Timing: the hike itself takes from one and a half to three hours, plus another half hour for the ascent and descent on the cable car.

(3) Khmelevskie lakes - Achipsinskie waterfalls

A walk from the Khmelevskie Lakes to the Achipsinskiye Waterfalls is an excellent option for a full-day mountain walk. To gain time and save energy, you can go up to the Khmelevskie Lakes in jeeps (from 4,000 rubles per car, you can arrange a pick-up right at the Rosa Khutor station square).

Timing: from the end of the road to the nearby lakes and back - an hour and a half, to Lake Mirror and back - 4 hours, to the Achipsinsky waterfalls - at least 5-6 hours there and back.

(4) Bzerpinsky cornice

Hiking the Bzerpisky Cornice is my favorite weekend mountain hike. I even wrote a small guide! You can climb to a height of 1600 meters by cable car, and in just two hours (of constant uphill climbing) you can find yourself in the area of alpine meadows. Views of the surrounding peaks, blooming rhododendron and the Krasnaya Polyana gorge are guaranteed right under your feet!

How to get there: Pikhtovaya Polyana station of the Laura-Gazprom cable car to Rosa Khutor (Krasnaya Polyana)

From the upper station of the cable car and back - from 6 to 9 hours at a sports pace.

(5) Mount Achishkho

Achishkho is one of my favorite peaks in Krasnaya Polyana. I am also writing a hotel guide for this mountain. From the top there is a panoramic view of the Black Sea coast and a view of the Greater Caucasus.

To go to the top and back in one day requires either excellent physical training (a climb of almost 2000 vertical meters, and then the same amount of descent is not a task for the weak in body) or expensive, from 5,000 rubles per car to get to the Khmelevsky Lakes!

MULTI-DAY MOUNTAIN HIKES

Multi-day hiking trips with an overnight stay in a tent are an eternal classic. Only in this format can you truly take a break from the pressure of modern civilization and chat with friends live while sitting around an evening fire, and not through instant messengers and social networks, because there is practically no connection on such routes :)

If you are not ready to plan your own route, are not sure that you can correctly determine the path, or simply do not have your own tourist equipment, in the mountains of Krasnaya Polyana there is a unique opportunity for our country - to spend the night in the mountains in pre-installed tents of the Krasnaya Polyana Mountain Club or go with kids on unique trips combined with teaching tourism skills! And if you want, you can rent equipment from them and go on your own.

The hikes are listed in ascending order of duration and difficulty, starting with the easiest.

(1) Bzerpinsky cornice - Kholodny camp

If you are just dreaming of starting hiking and in the mountains in particular, a hike to the Bzerpinsky cornice is the best option for you. The equipped trail, the availability of rest areas, and the availability of cellular communications make this route as safe as possible for such an experience. And the views all around will make you rock. Just dress warmly, it’s cold in the mountains at night!

Start of the route: upper station of the Gazprom cable car

Duration: from 2 to 4 days.

(2)

Super popular place. Especially in the fall, when all the local photographers flock here. If you want to see something else besides the lake (climb the neighboring peaks) - plan for more days!

Start of the route: the village of Rosa Khutor or Engelmanov Polyany

The lake is located both on the territory of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve and in the border zone. So you will have to arrange for passes in advance.

Duration: from 4 to 8 days.

(5) Abkhazia

Lately, Abkhazia has been my favorite region for multi-day hikes. At the height of summer, when the surroundings of Krasnaya Polyana are full of tourists, there is absolute silence here, no hassles with passes or border guards. Maximum scope for creativity in building multi-day routes!

Start of the route: Lake Ritsa or Gegsky waterfall

Duration: from 3 to 7 days.

IMPORTANT! Since 2/3 of the mountains surrounding Krasnaya Polyana and Sochi are located on the territory of the Caucasus State Biosphere Reserve and in close proximity to the state border with Abkhazia, for most multi-day hikes you will need to obtain two passes - from the reserve (done on the spot) and from the border guards ( documents must be submitted at least one month in advance). In addition, you need to understand that you can only walk in the reserve along permitted routes (this is important!) and not at any time of the year (at the beginning of summer and autumn, the reserve is closed “for registration”. Scientists observe the animals and count them. All routes , listed above are included in the list of permitted routes. Read more about passes below.

Map of outdoor attractions in Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana

To get as close as possible to the magnificence of the mountain cluster, you will have to walk or ride a bicycle. Here are five routes in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana, for which it is not at all necessary to be a laboring tourist with a huge backpack on your back.

Polikarya Waterfall

What is this. The highest waterfall in Sochi (72 m) and one of the highest in Europe. In common parlance it is called “Pants”.

For whom. Suitable for those who want to go high, see a lot, with a minimum of physical effort.

Route. Get to the Gorki Gorod resort and purchase an excursion ticket at the Polikarya Waterfall rate. The first ascent is 960 m, then transfer to the Eastern Sector gondola. Another transfer, now we are riding on open chairs, enjoying the views. A landscaped path leads from the K-13 cable car to the waterfall: for convenience, there are steps and benches to rest along the way. A pleasant coolness emanates from the waterfall: even if you don’t swim, you’ll definitely want to hang out there for a while. If you suddenly feel like you’re running low, but you still have plenty of strength and passion, returning to level +960, you can purchase an additional climb to the Black Pyramid peak.

Duration. Walking distance from the cable car is 15–20 minutes. Taking into account the time at the waterfall and travel on the ski lifts, the entire walk will take about three hours.

Efremov's horizons

What is this. An observation deck on the top of Mount Monashka (758 m), from which a panoramic view of the village of Krasnaya Polyana and the Pseashkho massif opens. Named in honor of the honorary member of the geographical society, geographer, poet and singer - Yuri Konstantinovich Efremov. In 2013, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, on the initiative of the Krasnodar branch of the Russian Geographical Society and the residents of Krasnaya Polyana, a stele was erected in his honor.

For whom. For those who like to visit historical and memorable places.

Route. From the “Heliport” stop in the village of Krasnaya Polyana we go up Zapovednaya Street, turn onto Achishkhovskaya, and before reaching the “Achishkho” patskha about 100 meters, we go left onto a dirt road across the Beshenka River. We follow this path to the quarry (about 2 km), then climb up the picturesque forest path - we are there. The route runs through the territory of the Caucasus Biosphere Reserve, so you must purchase a pass in advance. This can be done at the ticket office of the Aviary complex, in the Alpindustria store and in the Gazprom mountain tourist center.

Duration. The entire journey there and back at a measured pace with tea at the top will take no more than three hours.

stone pillar

What is this. The top of the Aibga ridge, the highest observation point in Sochi (2,509 m), accessible from the ski lift.

For whom. For those who want to combine the climb to Rosa Peak with an easy walk to the neighboring peak and get a glimpse of Abkhazia.

Route. Buy a walking ticket “Path to the Heights”, go up to the upper cable car station of the Rosa Khutor resort and follow the marked trail with signs. It’s better to stay to the right, as the trail will lead to the lower station of the open cable car “Crocus”, which will take you straight to the top. We take a walk, lose our minds at the local views, and follow the upper road back down (already on our feet) to “Rosa Peak”. It is better to clarify the operating mode of the Crocus lift in advance.

Duration. From the lower station “Rosa Dolina” with a return there, as well as leisurely walks and photography against each beautiful background, the route will take at least four hours.

Cycling trip to the Pslukh springs of Narzan

What is this. A cycling route of medium difficulty, running along the Old Estonian Road, through all four resorts of Krasnaya Polyana to the Cordon Psluh conservation area to the springs of Narzan.

For whom. For those who prefer to drive rather than walk.

Route. Rent a bike at any rental office in Krasnaya Polyana. It’s better to start from the Peak Hotel stop and then drive a little up through the rescue training base. Where the road goes sharply to the left and up, we turn right and drive along the Old Estonian Road, which will lead to the Gorki Gorod resort. On the road through Gazprom we go to Rosa Khutor, and then past the My Russia complex through two tunnels we move to the border zone, where you need to present your passport. There are 200 m left to the first source. The water, to put it mildly, is tasteless, but it seems to be very healthy. Along the way you can stop by the river and have a picnic.

Duration. Five hours.

Bicycle ride through the village through the old road to the Maiden's Tears waterfall

What is this. A super easy route through the quietest and calmest streets of Krasnaya Polyana, turning into an exciting ride along a wild abandoned old road.

For whom. For real area explorers

Route. From the “Heliport” stop we go up Zapovednaya Street, turn left onto Volokolamskaya and drive down with the breeze. We pass a picturesque bridge over the river, then move along Gidrostroiteley Street, before a dead end we turn sharply to the left. We take a steep serpentine road to Defenders of the Caucasus in the area of the chapel and drive several kilometers along the wide side of the highway towards Adler. At the sign for the “Maiden Tears” waterfall, we take a right, pass through the barrier - and now we are on the old dilapidated road, which used to be the only link between the village and the center of Sochi. From the top there is a beautiful view of the Mzymta River valley, the new bridge and the surrounding peaks. You can complete the route near the waterfall and go back, or you can ride for some more time through a beautiful abandoned forest and get to Kepsha. Beware of rockfalls and remember that the way back will be uphill.

We are moving back along the highway. We reach the Heliport again and, if we have any strength left after the long climb, we drive up Zapovednaya, turn right onto Pchelovodov Street and rush down past beautiful houses. Then the road runs through the forest past a painted wall and leads to the Belarus sanatorium. If you really want to relax and cool down, we go into the territory, pay 300 rubles at the cashier and hang out to our heart’s content by the two outdoor pools on sun loungers, admiring the mountains. After the water procedures, we go out onto the same road, drive a little further forward to a steep descent down, which will be on the right, and after a couple of stops we again find ourselves at the Heliport.

Duration. Taking into account water treatments in the Belarus pools - all day. A sightseeing bike ride with only the first part of the route will take a maximum of two hours.