Historical facts and legends
So, Mount Akhun attracts tourists not so much with its location, but with the presence of an observation deck and an observation tower on it (we will talk about it in more detail below). From the top of the hill there is a magnificent view of the sea, Adler and the center of Sochi. But why Akhun? What is it about these four letters that merge into one word?
There are four versions of the origin of the name for the mountain, including:
- On behalf of the ancient Ubykh god of cattle breeding (from the indigenous inhabitants), whose name was Akhyn (for tourists they also came up with a story that he guarded Prometheus chained nearby to a rock).
- From the Abkhaz word “Ahu” - hill, hill.
- From the Arabic word “Akhun” - clergyman, senior mullah (indigenous peoples converted to Islam as a result).
- From the ancient Abkhaz word “Okhun” - high dwelling.
Sightseeing tour of Sochi
As for the geographical data regarding Akhun, its height is 663 meters, and the ridge itself stretches for about 5 kilometers along the sea. Along its entire length there are about 30 caves, with a total length of over 500 meters.
As for urban legends, they did not bypass this place either. All stories have to do with ghosts, including:
- in 2000, the newlyweds crashed their car while heading up the mountain for a holiday photo shoot. Since then, in rainy weather, some visitors to the mountain have seen a blurred silhouette of the bride at the edge of the road;
- an abandoned restaurant, which is located on the road to the mountain, suffered a fire, as a result of which people died, and local residents avoid the building;
- at the foot of the mountain there is an old abandoned sanatorium, where several decades ago vacationers abused the daughter of a worker, after which she took revenge on the offenders and committed suicide.
All of the above are nothing more than urban legends and should be treated with skepticism, but who knows, right?
Pros of holidays in Adler
Adler, like Sirius (Imereti Valley), is a very popular resort area of the Krasnodar Territory. Perhaps it is a little inferior to Sirius in terms of eliteness, but on its territory there are also very modern and expensive comfortable hotels and sanatoriums, well-equipped beaches, a beautiful embankment, and an amusement park. If the Adler CPKO is significantly inferior to Sochi Park in terms of the level of attractions, then the Water Park, Oceanarium and Dolphinarium with Terrarium completely balance the range of Adler entertainment compared to Sirius. In addition, while relaxing in Adler, visiting all the attractions of Sirius, located on the opposite bank of the Mzymta, is not a problem.
The Adler fountain is more modest than the “Singing” one in Sirius, but it is quite nice
In terms of the amount of housing offered, Adler is in no way inferior to Sirius. On the eve of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the housing stock here was also significantly increased, and above all that part of it that is rented out to vacationers. Therefore, you can easily find a residence here and in exactly the place where you want.
Adler has modern housing and local attractions
There is a lot of entertainment for tourists, both daytime and evening-night, in Adler. Nightlife with live music, dancing and festivities takes place directly on the first line, where the noise, light and fun continue almost until dawn. Therefore, when choosing housing, you need to take this aspect into account.
If you have the financial means, you can stay in one of the buildings of the Resort Town, on the territory of which there is a swimming pool, sports grounds and beautiful alleys for festivities. If you want a more relaxing stay, you can stay in the Chkalovsky district, which borders the Khostinsky district of Greater Sochi. The central area is chosen by those who prefer large city municipal beaches for a beach holiday, which are within walking distance here. By the way, many Sirius vacationers even prefer Adler beaches because of their partially pebble and partially sandy surfaces.
Adler beaches attract with pebbly and sandy surfaces
Families with children also like to stay on the Adler coast, because there are places to take children and things to do. Children enjoy visiting the Adler Central Park of Education and Culture, and this visit, although more modest, is definitely cheaper than a visit to the Sochi Park of the Imereti Valley. They also like the Oceanarium and Dolphinarium. What can we say about the Water Park!
Thus, Adler is a modern and quite comfortable Black Sea resort, located in a subtropical climate zone. There is beautiful nature, many beach areas for every taste, and a variety of accommodation. There are also a variety of cafes and restaurants to suit every taste and budget. There are numerous shops and entertainment centers, i.e. Adler's infrastructure meets all the basic requirements of vacationers.
Southern fruits and vegetables are sold here on every corner
Despite all the obvious advantages of holidays in Adler and Sirius, there are also certain disadvantages. The main thing, of course, is the large crowd of people during the holiday season, both on the beaches and in other tourist places. The big disadvantage is that the sewerage system is not completely and not always well-functioning, as is the case in all Russian resorts. This leads to inevitable releases of sewage into the sea, which can cause intestinal infections among vacationers. But, little by little, these problems are being solved and will one day be resolved completely. In the meantime, with strict observance of basic hygienic measures, you can have a bright, eventful, fun and interesting holiday here, both in Adler and in neighboring Srius.
observation tower
Of greatest interest to vacationers is the observation tower on Mount Akhun, which was built in 1936 by order of Stalin. The observation deck at its top attracts the attention of many tourists. It was built in such a way that neither weather nor trees would obstruct the view.
Stalin at one time liked this place so much that he gave the order to build this building, however, due to an evil irony, he never climbed its steps.
There are several loopholes inside the tower, through which a magnificent view of the surrounding panorama opens, but there are no loopholes at the very top, and a short period of the panorama is not visible.
At the very top there is a platform where you can take interesting photos and videos.
Top observation decks in Sochi
The height of the tower is 30 meters, it is made of white limestone and resembles a fortress, although it has never been used for this purpose.
Entrance to the site is 100 rubles for adults, and children under 7 years old are free. The tower is available for visiting from 9 am to 21 pm. There are no restrictions on the season, it has the same opening hours in summer and winter. In winter, by the way, the panorama of the city is no less breathtaking than in summer, so it makes sense to come here in winter if you plan to visit the resort from December to February.
In addition to the standard tour of the surrounding area, there is a tasting room on the ground floor of the tower, and a museum of stuffed animals that live in the local forests on the second floor.
Geographical features of Agepsta
Agepsta belongs to the Gagra massif, characterized by a “horned” peak, including 2 peaks. The highest has a height of 3260 m. Although the exact figures are unknown, the smaller peak was measured without errors (3118 m). Obviously, the heights of the peaks are almost the same, so from a distance it is difficult to understand which one is higher. Agepsta is divided between Abkhazia and the Russian Federation, with the Abkhaz calling the mountain Arba. Abkhazian slopes are characterized by sloping, convenient for climbing.
These slopes are on the southern side, while the northern ones (Russian territory) are much more difficult. They are steep and sometimes you have to face sheer walls. Residents of the Sochi region are well aware of the accidents that occurred precisely on the northern slopes of Agepsta.
Nevertheless, extreme sports enthusiasts willingly go to conquer the northern side, since the southern side seems too “simple” to them. Complicating the road for adventurers are karst glaciers, which were once a huge ice sheet. Over the centuries, the shield has fallen apart into pieces; the largest is located at an altitude of more than 2.5 thousand meters. This glacier feeds a quiet river and has a rather fancy name with Scandinavian roots - Hims Aneke.
As we have already noted, the southern slopes of the high Agepsta are much more welcoming. There are a lot of coniferous forests, trails, no bare rocks, no ice, and there are many very beautiful places. Just look at the 40 m high waterfall. Coming out of the forest, travelers find themselves on an observation deck, which offers views of the local meadows, which are absolutely similar to the Alpine ones.
Ferris wheel
Until 2012, the tower was the highest point on the mountain, but since 2012 everything has changed, since a Ferris wheel opened almost next door to it, the top of which is 38 meters. Well, the fact that now you don’t need to climb with your legs to a height of more than 30 meters speaks for itself; the wheel’s popularity is crazy.
Between the wheel and the tower there is a parking lot, in some places of which perennial oak trees spread their branches. We do not recommend parking under an oak tree, since acorns falling from oak trees can leave unpleasant dents on your iron horse and the excursion will be overshadowed by such an unplanned embarrassment. In addition, there are now markings there, and you will have to park in accordance with the applied paint, otherwise you may be towed away. This is how civilization accidentally reached remote corners.
Evening Olympic Park (tour from a local resident)
The Sochi attraction on Mount Akhun is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (we recommend checking the relevance of the information on site, since everything is changing; there may be different opening hours).
The cost of visiting is 250 rubles for an adult, 150 rubles for children from 6 to 14 years old, free for children under 6 years old.
The price includes only one revolution, it takes 9 minutes. Reviews from tourists are mostly positive, there are few disappointed, and mostly these are those who initially placed high demands on this attraction. Set yourself up that the wheel is not the highest in the region, and everything will be fine!
In front of the wheel and tower is a small square containing several benches and carvings, and the appearance could even be mistaken for a small Swiss town. There is also a small restaurant with reasonable prices.
Sights of the Olympic Park
The Olympic Park is located in the Sirius urban district on the Black Sea coast. It will be interesting here not only for men and not only for fans.
Fisht Stadium
One of the largest and most capital buildings for the 22nd Olympic Games in Sochi is not surprising, because the most important events were supposed to take place here. At this stadium, Russia welcomed foreign guests, athletes received their awards and, finally, a grand closing ceremony took place here. For a long time, the stadium buildings were the most popular object against which tourists took photographs in Adler.
Fisht Stadium. Photo: fisht.info
Sochi Circuit
This is the newest race track in Eastern Europe, equipped with cutting-edge equipment. The complexity of the provided road conditions (the road surface is sloped) and the high quality of execution made it possible to hold the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the circuit. The track technology was developed in 2010, and construction of the circuit was completed by the fall of 2014.
Ice Palace
The Sports Palace became an important part of the complex of buildings built for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The first trial speed skating competitions were held back in 2012. This truly bright building remains Adler’s pride and landmark to this day.
Bolshoi Sports Palace
During the construction of the building, it was planned that it would host the main hockey competitions of the 2014 Olympic Games. The very first thing that catches your eye when looking at the building is its dome and its special shape, which is a giant drop. There is no such building anywhere else in Russia; we advise all connoisseurs of unique architecture to go to this ice palace in Adler.
Ice Arena "Shaiba"
Another ice palace built specifically for the Olympic Games. Initially, after the latter, it was planned to move it to Vladikavkaz. Later it turned out that due to the design features of the building, such a manipulation could not be performed.
The Shayba ice arena can accommodate up to 7 thousand spectators. Address: Olimpiyskiy pr., 11.
Arena "Shayba". Photo: visit-sochi.com
Complex "Adler-Arena"
This ice center is a must see in Adler. It was built primarily to host speed skating competitions during the Sochi Olympics, but it began its work a little earlier, in 2012, when the Russian speed skating championship took place. There are two ice tracks for competitions.
Singing fountains in the Olympic Park
The official name of this place is the Olympic Cauldron. The Olympic Games began and ended here. The design of the complex was based on the popular folklore character, the Firebird. The structure is quite large - 50 meters in height, and the wingspan is 100 meters. A must see in Adler.
How to get to the observation deck on Mount Akhun
An important point when visiting Mount Akhun in Sochi is how to get to it on your own? Let's look at two options:
- Personal vehicles.
- Public transport.
So, first, let's look at how to get to Mount Akhun from Sochi. By personal car, the trip from the city center to the top will take about 25–40 minutes, depending on traffic congestion. The length of the route is 17 kilometers and 11 of them are along mountain serpentine roads, so the speed will be low.
Getting from Sochi by public transport is not the best option if you are counting on a quick trip, unfortunately no, buses do not go directly to the top and stop 6-12 kilometers from the destination. For example, to the “Maly Akhun” stop there are buses 125, 105, 125C or minibuses 100, 105K, 125 and 102. From the railway station there are three routes – 110, 112 and 2. For lovers of hiking, the tower located on Mount Akhun will be even more desirable after completing the tourist walking route, which begins at the Agura bus stop. You can get there using the above mentioned vehicles.
- After getting off the bus, move north towards the Caucasian Aul restaurant past the Sputnik complex.
- After 900 meters there will be a bridge that needs to be crossed.
- Next, the asphalt ends and the trail begins, part of which is cut right into the rock.
- Along the route you will reach a bridge (here you can admire the Agur waterfall, if it does not become shallow).
- Moving along the path, you go around the lower waterfall and the upper one appears in front of you.
- Further, a steep climb, approximately 900 meters
- After the ascent, the road levels out.
In high season, the cost of a walking tour will be 100 rubles.
IMPORTANT! The ticket office is open until 17.30.
Instagram tour of Sochi
To get to Mount Adler, you need to use the same routes as indicated above.
However, if you have a child with you or you are not confident in your own abilities, we recommend booking an excursion or taxi. It’s better to get to the top by taxi not from Sochi, but from Khosta, then the price from 1 thousand rubles will turn into 450, but there are electric trains that go to Khosta, so the savings are obvious.
Mountains worth visiting while traveling to Sochi
The most ancient mountains on the planet
One of the most beautiful hills of Krasnaya Polyana is Chugush. It is also part of a closed area, however, from time to time there are brave souls who are ready to visit this hill. The peak of Chugush is always covered with ice and snow. There are no cafes or entertainment facilities for tourists at its foot.
Mount Sugar Pseashkho, located on the territory of Krasnaya Polyana, is perfect for a tourist walk.
Thus, the variety of mountains in the vicinity of Sochi allows anyone, even an inexperienced tourist, to feel like a real rock climber. The main thing is to choose the right time to visit.
*the prices indicated are current as of September 2022
What to see near Mount Akhun
A visit to Mount Akhun is best combined with excursions to other sites located nearby. So, you can go down to the Agur gorge, where the Agur waterfall is located. If the winter is harsh, it is very beautiful in cold weather.
An interesting tour can be combined with a trip to Stalin’s dacha, which is located nearby. So, you will get to know the most controversial personality of the century. Not far from Mount Akhun is the balneological resort of Matsesta, about 2 kilometers away. There you can visit hydrogen sulfide springs and get some health treatment.
Where to relax
Along the entire promenade there are comfortable benches and benches where you can relax during a long walk. In addition, equipped slopes to the sea allow visitors to go down to the water and admire the views or have a picnic.
On a hot day, vacationers prefer to hide from the scorching sun in two parks located near the promenade.
One of them, Bestuzhev-Marlinsky Park, is located at the very beginning of the promenade near the shopping mall. This small corner of greenery was founded over 100 years ago. Many cypresses and other tall trees are planted here, so the park is always cool.
The second park is located near the boarding house "Southern Vzmorye". It is called Adler Park of Culture and Recreation. There is a large artificial pond, many shops and drinking establishments. Children will love the large number of attractions and dinosaur statues.
Beaches
Adler stretches for 17 km along the Black Sea coast, occupying a valley at the mouth of the Mzymta River, from the left bank of the Kudepsta River to the right bank of the Psou River.
The coastal zone has many beaches, mostly small pebbles, but occasionally there are islands of sand . The coast in the Adler area is flat, and the sea is very clean.
Most of the beaches belong to various sanatoriums and boarding houses. Sometimes departmental beaches are open, but most often access to them requires passes. Of the open departmental beaches, the well-maintained beaches of the boarding houses “Fregat”, “Dolphin”, “Coral”, “Aphrodite”, “South Coast” are quite popular among holidaymakers.
Most of Adler's guests sunbathe on city-owned beaches:
- Yuzhny 1 and Yuzhny 2 are well-equipped, there are rental points for umbrellas and sun loungers, and you can rent a scooter or catamaran.
- Ogonyok is one of the largest city beaches; there is a rental point for beach equipment; you can ride catamarans, scooters, parachutes, go fishing in the sea or go diving.
- Chaika is a well-maintained beach 1000 m long, where there are rental points for beach equipment, and rental points for catamarans, scooters, and diving equipment.
- Pearl is a well-maintained beach where you can rent beach equipment and ride scooters or catamarans.
