Rock Mirror and the Devil's Mouth waterfall, Goryachy Klyuch

The Krasnodar region is one of those regions of Russia where the most picturesque photographs of pristine nature are obtained. On its territory there is a small town called Goryachiy Klyuch, the total area of ​​which is no more than 20.5 km². Today its permanent residents are 39 thousand people.

Hot key from the middle of the 19th century. is a balneological resort, which is especially popular among tourists. There are many interesting sights, architectural and historical monuments, as well as entertainment facilities.

The city has a developed infrastructure; within its borders there is everything necessary for a comfortable pastime of a particular guest. More details about this below.

Healing Park

During the years of its foundation, the Healing Park was called Sanatorium. The park, with wide alleys, rich vegetation and beautiful fountains, was founded in 1870. On the territory of the park there are gazebos for vacationers, there is also a small Aquarium, a Drinking Gallery, a Water Mill fountain and a Happy Bridge. The dominant feature of the attraction is 2 arches, built in 1914 and 2009. The “Arch with Lions” was built in honor of the 50th anniversary of the resort (1914). The new arch features a sculpture of lions hunting wild boar.

Route for exploring the Hot Key on your own for 1-2 days

There are several routes, both for independent exploration of the main attractions of Goryachiy Klyuch, and for organized group outings and walking tours, which are often used by out-of-town and foreign guests.

To make the study of important cultural, historical and natural sites more productive, it is recommended that tourists first draw up a plan based on certain criteria, which will include must-see attractions. Which route is best for an independent exploration of the city of Goryachiy Klyuch for 1-2 days?

1. It is best to start the excursion from the central part of the city, where the Local History Museum is located (with its obligatory visit).
2. Next you need to walk from the center to the resort part of Goryachiy Klyuch along the famous Alley of a Thousand Pines. To the left of the alley, along its entire length, you will be greeted by numerous sculptures and monuments, including “140 years of the resort”, a monument to Pushkin, an arch with lions.
3. The alley will lead to the Hydropathic Hospital, not far from the main entrance to which there is a “Drinking Gallery”.

4. Then you need to go to the embankment and walk about 500 m to the southwest to the next stop on the route - the Cockerel rock.
5. From the Cockerel rock to the next attraction, the Living Water monument and the chapel next to it, located on Mineral Glade, no more than 300 m.
6. Then you can walk to Dante’s Gorge and climb to the top of the Abadzekh Mountains. This should conclude the first day of excursion.
7. The next day, it is better to start your independent excursion with a trip to the Mirror Rock (if you wish, you can become a participant in the attraction equipped for rock climbing enthusiasts).
8. Next, get to the Devil's Mouth waterfall in any convenient way.
9. Then return to the central part of the city and visit any restaurant, each of which has a Caucasian flavor.
10. A good end to the 2nd day would be a walk in the fresh air through the Healing Park (another name is the Sanatorium Park) or a visit to the shopping and entertainment complex.

Phanagoria stalactite cave

Phanagorian cave can be called one of the largest in the Krasnodar region. It consists of several corridors and interior halls. The cave is located 12 km from the village of the same name. The hole formed in the mountain slope has a height of 1.5 m. Through it there is an entrance to the stalactite cave. The total length of the underground attraction is 1.5 km. This is only the accessible part of the tunnels; further chambers were blocked as a result of the collapse. In the cave, special attention should be paid to the stalagmite “Climb”. It surprises everyone with its huge size. And the rest of the stalagmites and stalactites, which once adorned the underground attraction, were taken away by “curious” travelers.

Hotels in Goryachiy Klyuch

In Goryachiy Klyuch there is a wide variety of hostels, hotels and hotel complexes designed for guests with different budgets.

The most popular include:

1. "Paradise" Address: st. Voroshilova, 33. Located 2.5 km from the city center. Guests are offered 1-2-3 bed accommodation in rooms of the Standard and Comfort categories. The cost of daily accommodation with breakfast is from 1600 rubles.
2. "Residence Park Hotel". Address: st. Lenina, 9. Located 2.8 km from the center of Goryachiy Klyuch. Each room “Standard”, “Studio” and “Lux” can accommodate up to 3 people at a time. Price for daily room rental – from 1900 rubles.

3. "Spring". Address: Lenin St., 4. It is separated from the main city street by about 3 km. The guest house offers 1-2 bed accommodation in Twin and Lux ​​rooms. Cost of living – from 2500 rubles.
4. "Provence". Address: st. Lenina, 15. The hotel is 2.8 km from the central square. Guests are offered a choice of 1-2-3-4 bed accommodation in “Standard”, “Superior”, “Business”, “Lux” rooms, the rental of which is available for 2,500 rubles. – 6000 rub. per day including breakfast.
5. "In Birch". Address: st. Sportivnaya, 2. The hotel is located about 1.5 km from the central area of ​​the city. Here guests can check into Standard rooms, designed for simultaneous stays from 1 to 3 people. For daily accommodation you must pay from 1500 to 2200 rubles. Breakfast is not included in the room rate; it can be ordered separately for 150 rubles.
6. "Forest Tale". Address: per. Sverdlovskaya, 2B. The hotel is located 3 km from the center of Goryachiy Klyuch. Its distinctive feature is its unusual number of rooms, which lack classic living rooms. It is an apartment complex where each room is designed like an apartment with a private kitchen and bathroom. The maximum number of guests in one room is up to 5 people. The cost of daily accommodation in such a hotel is from 4,000 rubles. (no food).
7. "4 seasons". Address: st. Mira, 24. The hotel has 2 types of rooms: “Standard” (from 1800 rubles per day) and “Family” (from 2300 rubles per day).

Regardless of the hotel and room category, each room is provided with 1 extra bed (paid service) and 1 baby cot (free service).

All rooms also have:

1. A classic set of cabinet and upholstered furniture (sometimes a balcony or terrace).
2. TV and telephone.
3. Refrigerator and electric kettle.

Rock Cockerel

The top of the rock resembles a comb or even the head of a rooster. That is why the stone cliff received such an interesting name. The second name of the rock is “Salvation”. The Psyfabe fortress was built on its surface. In past centuries, those living in the village came up here to hide from enemies. In addition, people have written many legends about this rock, which talk about a sorcerer who imprisoned a unicorn here, about an evil man whose tears turned into healing waters, and about criminals who climbed the slope to receive pardon. The Cockerel Rock is a symbol of the city of Goryachiy Klyuch. A large stone in the shape of a wavy cockscomb will crown its surface. In 1864, the Tsar's Gazebo was built here. An observation deck was built next to it.

Sights of Goryachiy Klyuch

Goryachy Klyuch (Krasnodar Territory), photos of which are updated daily on the Internet, is famous not only for its beach areas, but also for its attractions, including historical buildings and structures, as well as unique natural sites.

The list of attractions that every guest of the city should visit, consisting of 10 objects, includes:

1. Museum of Local Lore. Address: st. Lenina, 34. It was created a few years after the founding of the city - 1865. The museum’s fund contains exhibits that are related to the history, geology, ethnography and archeology of this region. Opening hours: daily from 09:00 to 18:00. The entrance ticket costs 50 rubles.
2. Drinking gallery. Address: Psekupskaya, 1A. A distinctive feature of this place is the presence of three springs, the water from which anyone can try. The attraction is located on the territory of the sanatorium of the same name as the city. Opening hours: from 07:30 to 18:00 (break from 14:00 to 15:00).
3. Arch with lions. Located on the territory of the Healing Park. The sculpture appeared on this site in the first half of the last century - the event was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the city. The height of the arch is more than 5 m. According to the authors, this exhibition represents the victory of health over illness.
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4. Dante Gorge. This unusual natural monument, which is a combination of several rocks directly above the road, is also located on the territory of the Healing Park.
5. Monument "Water of Life". The resort town of Goryachiy Klyuch is known far beyond the Krasnodar Territory as a large southern natural health resort, on the territory of which there are a large number of pure springs, the water in which has medicinal properties. That is why, back in the early 1900s. Not far from the historical center of the city, a monument was erected glorifying the living water.
6. Rock Cockerel (another name is Rock of Salvation). This natural site is often called the main calling card of the city, because according to historians, at its foot, in the mid-19th century, the first settlement appeared, which later became the population of Goryachiy Klyuch.
7. Podnavislovsky memorial. It is a complex of military monuments and sculptures dedicated to the events and heroes of the Great Patriotic War. What makes this place unique is the real burials of soldiers who died defending the city, as well as those who worked in the rear. At the beginning of the 21st century. 2 small chapels were built here.
8. Kaverzinsky waterfalls. This attraction is a complex of cascading waterfalls located a few kilometers from the city.
9. "Ladder of Life". This is a natural object consisting of a high, centuries-old rock, to the top of which a staircase leads. Those who complete it to the end will be greeted by a modern observation deck from above, which offers unique panoramic views of the picturesque nature of the Krasnodar Territory.

10. "Alley of a Thousand Pines" The history associated with the modern alley began in the 50s of the last century, when dozens of pioneers and Komsomol members planted hundreds of pine trees along the two-kilometer alley. 70 years later, this place is not only an important city site, but also the calling card of Goryachiy Klyuch. Near the alley there are other local attractions, including a monument to the great poet A.S. Pushkin, the Iverskaya Chapel and the Psyfabe fortress.

Mineral glade

The mineral glade is located near Dante's Gorge. A considerable number of springs with healing water are concentrated on its territory. In past centuries there were much more of them, but over time some of them dried up. In Mineralnaya Polyana you can always see many people wanting to try healing water from a natural source. In addition, there are interesting sights here. For example, in 1914, for the 50th anniversary of the resort, a monument to a “living” source – water – was erected in the Healing Park at Mineral Glade. It is the only one of its kind in the whole world. Also on this territory they built the chapel of the Iveron Mother of God.

Where to start and what to see

In fact, we were heading to the Guam Gorge, but the path was long and we wanted to stretch our legs, and the familiar name of the city gave us reason to stop here. And for good reason! Having asked a local grandmother-gardener about her city, she was happy to tell us what to do with her time in Goryachy Klyuch. In response, she received our gratitude and praise for her excellent work in caring for the city’s lawn and garden. Thanks to the recommendations, we admired the calm Psekups River with its decoration - the steep Cockerel rock, tasted mineral waters from several sources, including the holy water of the healer Panteleimon, walked through the Healing Park, climbed the stone stairs of Dante's Gorge and climbed to a beautiful viewpoint on the Cockerel rock . So big greetings and respect to grandma!

This beautiful European castle is the Old Castle Hotel, near which we stayed at the very beginning of the city of Goryachiy Klyuch. Here, among other opportunities, you can take unique bubble baths with air massage and unfiltered beer from the own brewery. Near it there is a tall fountain made of stones of different sizes. But this is far from the most interesting thing here.

Psekups River

There is an arch near the castle hotel, after passing through which you need to go down to see a very beautiful and calm river called Psekups. Its length is 128 km. It flows through several southern regions, as well as through the Republic of Adygea. In the river valley there are many sources of mineral water, differing in chemical composition. From the Adyghe language the word “Psekups” means “river abundant in water,” which was the case in the past. Due to active deforestation, the area has changed, the river has become shallow. In some places it can be forded. Scientists suggest that the ancient Psekups had a powerful spring-fountain at its source, but now it has weakened significantly. The river is fed primarily by rain and only in spring or during heavy rains does it have the highest water level. Thanks to the warm winter, ice can only be seen on Psekups for 2.5 weeks a year. Another translation option is “blue water,” since the river has a rich green-blue hue due to its sulfur content.

Rock Cockerel

At an altitude of 415 m above sea level, Abadzekhskaya (Klyuchevaya Mountain) is located, which appeared 10-15 million years ago.
back after a large uplift of the tectonic plate and the banks of the Psekups River. It is believed that the Tethys Ocean used to be on the site of the mountain, which explains the sandstone composition of the rocks. At the foot of the mountain, healing springs of Psekup mineral waters flow throughout the surrounding area. It was the healing properties of this water and the beneficial nature that attracted the first people to the foot of the mountain. Many nationalities lived here: Goths, Scythians, Huns, Hittites, Khazars, Tatar-Mongols and even the ancient Greeks, who left jewelry here as a gift for magical healing. The Psekups River in the southern region of Goryachiy Klyuch is decorated with the 28-meter-high Cockerel rock (formerly called the Rock of Salvation), which is the western part of the slope of Abadzekh Mountain. Cockerel appeared a long time ago thanks to the powerful Psekups River, which sharpened the southern part of the rock and by today it has acquired this appearance. The peak, which looks like teeth, gave rise to the name of the rock - Cockerel. The early name (Salvation Rock) is due to the fact that in ancient times, a criminal sentenced to death was given the opportunity to escape by hiding behind rock ledges or going down the slope and leaving these places at night. Many succeeded and the death penalty was almost never carried out. Now some tourists are going extreme, trying to follow the path of the prisoners and falling into the Psekups River. Inside the Cockerel there are the Zvonkaya and Salvation caves; the Staircase of Life, carved by hand, leads to them.

Bridge to healing springs

Near the courtyard of the Old Castle there is a Bridge of Hope on the other side of the bank of the Psekups River, built with the personal funds of the hotel owner. Thanks to this, the embankment with the Don highway is connected to the resort area, the Healing (Mountain) Park and the mineral water springs of the city of Goryachy Klyuch. On the other side there is a stand in the shape of a Greek amphora - this is a mobile guide. Theoretically, you can call the specified phone number, enter the number of the attraction and listen to a story about it.

By the way, the amphora is the main element of the latest version of the coat of arms and flag of Goryachy Klyuch since 2002. The coat of arms and flag use two colors - blue (life-giving water) and white (purity of spirit). The coat of arms of Goryachiy Klyuch represents a marble arch (the hospitality of the people) and an amphora with pouring water - a symbol of the ancient holy Iveron spring with healing water.

Psyfabe Fortress

In past times, numerous fortresses were built on the territory of the Psekuls Valley. Psyfabe, with 3 m massive walls of stones, was one of the most famous citadels of its century. The ancient structure is located on the top of Abadzekh Mountain. Being on the walls of the fortress, the soldiers were able to observe the entire district. The citadel was built around the 5th-7th centuries. Today, only ruins remain on the site of the fortress. But the remarkable defensive complex still attracts the attention of many travelers.

Drinking gallery

The resort town of Goryachiy Klyuch is most desired to be visited due to the presence of numerous mineral water springs on its territory. The drinking gallery is located in the central part of the city - on the territory of the Healing Park. Water supply in the Drinking Gallery is provided by 3 natural healing springs. The chemical composition and temperature of water in mineral springs may differ, but they are all used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases. You can drink the healing water right there. But if necessary, you can pick up mineral water in small quantities for free.

Where is the Hot Key located?

Goryachiy Klyuch is 50 km from the city center, the large southern city of Krasnodar, and 1,400 km from the Russian capital. The nearest Black Sea coast from the city borders is at least 65 km. Its exact coordinates: 44°37.8498′ N. and 39°7.8′ E. There are several ways to get to the Hot Spring:

1. From Krasnodar.

2. From Moscow.

Kaverzinsky waterfalls

The falling water flows of the Kaverza River formed dozens of water cascades. This is the right tributary of the river. The waterfalls are located in a remote area from the city. Here you need to cover an 11 km path. Water cascades are located in the area of ​​​​the village of Khrebtovaya; excursion tours with a 2-day overnight stay are organized here. The hiking route passes through quiet forests, where you can admire the beauty of wild nature. The Big Kaverzinsky waterfall has a height of more than 10 m. The Small and others in their composition fall from a height of 1-5 meters.

Rest in Goryachiy Klyuch

Goryachy Klyuch (Krasnodar Territory), photos from vacations on the territory of which are uploaded daily to social networks by numerous tourists, is one of the oldest Caucasian resorts. Both guests from Russia and foreigners have been coming here for recreation and tourism for more than 150 years. Places where you can spend your leisure time include local beaches and various entertainment venues.

Beaches

Goryachy Klyuch (Krasnodar Territory), photos of its landscapes often become popular and discussed among users of various thematic sites and forums, has several public beaches that anyone can visit. All beaches are located either along the large Psekups river or on the shore of a lake, which is located in the central area of ​​the city.

Swimming is officially allowed only on the 3 most popular beaches:

1. City Beach. Is free. Located on the territory of the Central Park of Culture and Recreation. The total length of the sandy beach is about 150 m. A distinctive feature is the gentle entrance into the water. It is equipped with changing cabins and benches, and there is a lifeguard station. There is a grocery store and cafe within walking distance. Local residents often go fishing on the shore of the lake to which this beach belongs.

2. River beach near the bridge over the river. Psekups (on Revolution Street). Is free. The length of this beach is 100 m, the width is about 25 m. Near the central entrance there is a wooden gazebo and a makeshift communal barbecue. When entering the water, you often come across large and small stones.
3. Public beach located on the banks of the river. Psekups. The entrance to it is in the private sector, at the end of the street. Transport. The beach is free, but it is not equipped with anything. Its surface is grass with small sandy areas. The total length of the beach is no more than 60 m.

Leisure

Holidays in Goryachiy Klyuch can be not only beach, but also active.

Guests most often visit:

1. Mirror Cave. It is a favorite place among visiting rock climbers who, accompanied by professional mountaineering instructors, are ready to climb to its peak. A distinctive feature of this place is the unusual surface of the rocks, which, due to its structure, looks like a mirror. The cave is located in the public transport stop area called “Valley of Enchantment” (southwestern part of the city). Cost for 1 hour, including equipment rental and instructor work, from 1000 rubles. for 1 person Age limit is over 14 years old, weight limit is less than 120 kg.

2. Indoor ice skating rink. It is located in the building of the sports complex at the address: st. Obezdnaya, 8. Opening hours: from 09:00 to 21:00 seven days a week. Ticket price for 1 session, including skate rental, from 200 rubles. up to 300 rub. for 1 person
3. Paintball club "Saboteur". Address: st. Yaroslavsky, 123. Opening hours: from 10:00 to 19:00. Only persons over 16 years of age can participate, and the team must consist of at least 4 people. The cost of the game, which lasts about 30 minutes, is 1200 rubles. for 1 team.

Nightlife

The variety of nightlife entertainment in Goryachiy Klyuch includes:

1. Night club "Baby club Entertainment Center". Address: st. Urusova, 67. During the daytime, there is a restaurant in the club building, and after 21:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it turns into a club where well-known DJs in local circles are responsible for the music. At the entrance there is a pass-through system operating on the principles of Face Control and Dress Cod. Guests are offered a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, hot dishes and snacks, desserts, as well as hookahs. Restaurant opening hours: from 12:00 to 21:00 daily, club opening hours: from 21:00 to 04:00 several days a week.
2. Bar "Prestige". Address: st. Yaroslavsky, 58. Open 24 hours a day. There is an age restriction - products from the menu are not sold to persons under 18 years of age.
3. Entertainment complex "Old Castle". Address: M-4 Don highway (in the area of ​​1388 km). Opening hours: 24 hours a day.

   
   Guests of the complex can visit a local restaurant or sauna, take a beer bath, and play billiards. Entrance to the complex is free, entertainment is paid separately.

Dante's Gorge

The development of the territory began only in 1870; before that, there was a narrow fracture in the stone rock. At the bottom of the damp gorge there is a walking path, which they used to call the hellish road. According to local legend, in past centuries there lived an evil witch named Dante. She wanted to destroy the entire world, and the Great Goddesses had to kill her. When the witch died, strong lightning struck the rocks and split them. A stream of blood fell from the rift, and the gates leading to the kingdom of the dead opened. One of the goddesses decided to change the witch’s spell and sacrificed herself, then healing water began to flow instead of blood. Nowadays, the territory of the gorge is called a paradise on earth.

City Historical Museum

In the city of Goryachy Klyuch, the historical museum was founded in 1864. This is the first exhibition opened in the Caucasus. The idea to open a museum complex belongs to Colonel Ivan Popko. He served in the Cossack troops of Kuban. The soldier made a lot of efforts to collect the best historical exhibits in the museum. There is a collection consisting of ancient household items of the Kuban people. The museum also displays exhibits related to the military history of the area. In total, the museum collection contains at least 7 thousand paleontological and archaeological exhibits.

How to navigate the Hot Spring

You can move within the city in 3 ways:

1. On buses No. 214 and No. 922, running daily between several destinations. Opening hours from 07:00 to 22:45. The fare is 17 rubles.
2. On municipal city minibuses No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, No. 8, No. 10. Operating hours are from 06:55 to 23:05 (some routes start later and finish earlier). The fare is 20 rubles.
3. By 24 hour taxi. The fare is from 100 to 150 rubles.

Goryachiy Klyuch is a resort town located in the Krasnodar Territory. Every year new tourists come here who want to get to know the history and traditions of this place, relax on its beaches, and take various photos against the backdrop of the main regional attractions.

Visitors here will be greeted by friendly locals, a wide variety of hotels and hotel complexes with different pricing policies, cafes and restaurants, entertainment facilities and beaches.

Author: Ksenia Schneider

Article design: Vladimir the Great

Sounding Cave

A small grotto located in the Cockerel rock is called the Zvonka Cave. It was given this name because of its extraordinary acoustics. While in the cave you can hear all the sounds and noise happening on the other side of the Psekups River. The sonorous cave is recognized as one of the most interesting attractions of Goryachy Klyuch. Many people come here to check the acoustics of the Sounding Cave for themselves.

Alexandrovsky spring

The natural spring with healing water was consecrated in 1864. It is from this period that the history of the resort town begins. The mineral water of the source is effective for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. The source of “living” water is located at the foot of Abadzekh Mountain. This is the territory of the right bank of the Psekups River.

Sanatoriums in Goryachiy Klyuch

The Krasnodar region is a well-known health resort far beyond the borders of Russia, on whose territory various sanatoriums, boarding houses and children's camps have been operating for many years. The small town of Goryachiy Klyuch is no exception. There are several large and small sanatoriums located here, photos of which are freely available on the Internet.

The most popular and multidisciplinary of them are:

All sanatoriums offer accommodation for people with disabilities and their accompanying persons in separate specialized rooms.

Hell's Falls

The cascading water streams of the stream of the same name caused the appearance of a magnificent waterfall. Interesting legends have been written about the beautiful water cascade with a height of 12 m. One of them says that healing water is heated by a prince imprisoned in a dungeon. He cursed the princess for not accepting his proposal. And terrible ulcers appeared on the girl’s body. The princess cried for a long time and prayed to the spirits. They helped her by making the man a prisoner of the dungeon. The prince worked hard to heat the spring water with sulfur fire. With the help of the source, the princess got rid of the disease and became beautiful again. Since then, the water in the spring has been considered rejuvenating. And another folk legend says that the gates of the Dead World are hidden behind the powerful flows of the waterfall. Therefore, in ancient times, people did not approach him.

Route to the Mirror rock and Psechiako waterfall

There are several routes to the Mirror rock, but in order to immediately capture several local attractions, we will describe one of them, passing along Maltsev Erik and through the Kotkh ridge, leading to Dante’s Gorge in the Goryachiy Klyuch Resort Park. The length of the route is 14 km. An excellent option for a one-day hike for both adults and groups with children. With children, be prepared to carry them for some distance on your shoulders, because... They will definitely get tired - there are climbs and the trail goes up and down all the time. The photos used in this article were taken in early May and June.

You don’t have to go to the Kotkh ridge, but go to the waterfall and return along the same path - it will be much easier and you won’t be so tired.

Where to leave the car and where to start the route?

You can start the route from several places and it all depends on what you arrived in (car, bus) and where it is more convenient for you to start. I’ll describe the options, and it’s up to you to choose. In any case, then you need to go out onto the same path, which goes along Erik Maltsev. Start options:

1. From Shaposhnikov Polyana is the best option. There are no problems parking your car, the distance is short, and you can walk through the clearings. The optimal entrance to Shaposhnikov Polyany is from Pionerskaya Street. From here a good dirt road leads to the clearings; any car can pass through.
2. From the end of the street Shchorsa. You get to the end of the street, leave your car somewhere here and immediately go out onto the desired path along Erik Maltsev. This is also a convenient option for starting the route, but you skip Shaposhnikov Glades, as they will remain to the side.
3. From a multi-storey building on the street. Shchorsa 22D. You need to go up to the courtyard of the house and behind the playground there is a beautiful path to Shaposhnikov Polyany. There is a small area near the road opposite the house where you can park 2-3 cars.
4. From the end of the street Irkutsk Division. You need to walk along Irkutsk Division Street towards the forest all the way and go around the garages. From here we go out onto a path into the forest and further to Shaposhnikov Glades. The trail is marked on the maps. There is no place to leave your car here; the passage into the forest is blocked by concrete blocks. You can only go there on foot.

Marked the starting options on the map with numbers in accordance with the description above:

If you walk from Shchorsa Street 22D, you will ascend along such a beautiful staircase-path and exit to Shaposhnikov Polyany:

Path to Shaposhnikov Polyany from Shchorsa St. 22D

Shaposhnikov Glades

First we go to Shaposhnikov Polyany. This is a good place to relax. The clearings are spacious and large, covered with thick, short grass. Locals love to relax and spend their weekends here. You can find a lot of cars, loud music and the smell of barbecue.

Shaposhnikov Glades

Shaposhnikov Glades

Maltsev Erik

We walk through the clearings along a dirt road to the south, cross several small clearings and turn right onto a path along the edge of the forest. We go down the slope to Maltsev Stream (Erik Maltsev). For accurate navigation, it is better to use a navigator or a mobile application like Maps.me or Osmand.

Maltsev stream

The path constantly moves from bank to bank; you need to jump over the stream over pebbles and cross over logs.

Maltsev stream

Ferrous spring

About 2 kilometers from Shaposhnikov glades, a left tributary flows into it. 150 meters up the tributary there is a ferruginous spring called “Ryzhik”. The stones and soil under the waters of this source are red due to the high iron content in it. The water tastes like pure rust. It stains your hands very badly, and then it’s difficult to wipe off the rust. The path to “Ryzhik” is not very convenient; it goes along the bed of a stream, which is often littered with fallen trees.

Ferrous spring

After 500 meters we come to another left tributary, along which a well-trodden path goes up through a narrow rocky gate. Along this path, after 300 meters we reach the Mirror rock.

Cleft - exit to Mirror Rock

Rock Mirror

Rock mirror. Hot key

There is another trail to the Mirror rock. It starts almost from the Iron Spring and goes along the top. You can also follow this path - when you exit the forest, the Mirror rock will be a little lower. The descent to it will be quite steep.

Rock Mirror behind the trees

Rock Mirror. Hot key

Chapel of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God

The small Iverskaya Chapel is located next to the Abadzekh Mountain, on the territory of the Mineral Glade. It was erected around the middle of the 19th century. During this period, the resort flourished, and its healing springs were sanctified. On the site where the chapel dedicated to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was built, there used to be the Iveron Spring. But at the beginning of the twentieth century, the layers of the earth's surface shifted, and the spring dried up. The old chapel is still visited by pilgrims.

Mount Lantern

Lantern Mountain is located on the banks of the Psekups River. The unusual name of the mountain comes from the name of the Phanagorian village. The word "lantern" is accepted as a simplified version of "phanagoria". There is also another version about the name of mountain peaks. During the Caucasian War, a guard post was created here and a signal light was installed. Therefore, the mountain range was given this name. The mountain has a height of more than 278 m. From its top there is a stunning panorama of the valley.

Maltsevo waterfalls

Magnificent water cascades begin from Maltseva Glit, which is why they were given this name. Getting to them is easy; you only need to travel 5 km from the city. The route will pass through places with picturesque natural landscapes. This waterfall is popularly called “Dragon’s Mouth”. The waterfall with 4 cascades has no more than 23 meters in height. In the spring season, when the snow melts abundantly, the water flow increases several times. And during the hot summer, here you can see only a thin thread of water jets.

Rock Mirror

A unique natural object with a height of at least 32 m, located on the territory of the Maltsev Valley. The rocky hill was given the name “Mirror” because of its surprisingly smooth surface. It is worth noting that mountaineers and rock climbers love to train on this rock. Because Not every athlete manages to climb to the top of a rock with an absolutely smooth surface, where there are no protrusions. The rock was formed from quartz-glauconitic sandstone with a yellow color. Its age exceeds a million years. On the surface of the rock you can see bizarre patterns formed naturally. According to legend, patterns can predict the future.

Mount Lysaya

Mount Lysaya occupies the space opposite the picturesque Abadzekh mountain peak. During the Great Patriotic War, the mountain range occupied an important strategic position. The fact is that it is practically impossible to climb to its peaks from 3 sides due to the location. Therefore, fierce battles between opponents took place over the Lysaya mountain range. And sometimes military operations ended in hand-to-hand combat. In order to perpetuate the memory of the soldiers who took part in these merciless battles, a monument was erected on the mountain peak.

Description and history of the Hot Key

Goryachy Klyuch is a resort town located in the Krasnodar Territory. It is one of the oldest hydropathic hospitals in the Caucasus. The city is small - it occupies a little less than twenty-one square kilometers. The population is less than 38 thousand people. Goryachiy Klyuch stands on the Psekups River and is surrounded by the Pshaf and Kotkh mountain ranges.

Goryachy Klyuch is a quiet provincial town in which all attention is focused on calm and orderliness, comfort and coziness without noisy pastimes

The city traces its history back to the second half of the 19th century. Before the formation of Goryachiy Klyuch, there was an Adyghe settlement called Psyfab. However, after the end of the war in the Caucasus, the indigenous population left these places. In 1864, thanks to the hot waters of Psekups, a resort was organized on the territory of modern Goryachy Klyuch - a park was laid out, a bathhouse was organized and a military hospital was built. On July 15, the first mineral springs were consecrated, and later this date became the official founding day of the city. Four years later, a place was formed here, called Goryachiy Klyuch. It began to actively develop: factories were built, new wells with mineral water were launched. In 1926, the settlement acquired the status of a village, and in 1930 - the status of a resort village. During the Great Patriotic War, Goryachy Klyuch was captured by the invaders, who severely destroyed the buildings of hospitals and factories, and in addition, burned the main sanatorium of the resort. After the liberation of the village in 1943, it began to be urgently restored so that wounded soldiers from all over the country could be treated here. After the end of the war, they continued to drill new wells with mineral water, and the number of vacationers in hospitals increased greatly. Until 1963, Goryachiy Klyuch served as the center of the Goryachiy Klyuch district, and two years later it received the status of a city. Today, Goryachy Klyuch is not only one of the most important resort hospitals with a mineral water deposit, but also a center for the production of building materials and oil production.