In this section you can find a description of the natural monuments of the Caucasus Foothills, which you can visit in 1-3 days. Monuments are not only beautiful, but also have internal energy.
What to see in the resort park
- Alexandrovsky spring
- Dante's Gorge
- Mineral glade
- Dante's staircase
- Psyfabe fortress in Goryachiy Klyuch
- Iveron Chapel
- Arch with lions
- Museum of History and Local Lore
- Suspension Bridge (Bridge of Hope)
- Ladder of life
- White Obelisk - installed in 1964
- Ferrous spring next to the Iverskaya Chapel
- Iveron Chapel
Walk around the city
- Podnavislovsky memorial
- Monument to mineral water
- Monument to V.I. Lenin
- Monument to A.S. Pushkin
- Memorial on the Avenue of a Thousand Pines
- Peace Pillar (on Koth Ridge)
- Avenue of a Thousand Pines
- Monument-symbol in honor of the fallen soldiers of the 30th Irkutsk Division
Goryachiy Klyuch Caves
- Sounding Cave
- Bogatyrsky caves
- Phanagorian Cave
- Phanagorian Cave (hiking option 2)
- Small Phanagorian Cave
- University Cave
- Abadzekh (Rock) underground lake
- Cat Cave
- Black Cave in the valley of the Apchas River
Goryachy Klyuch waterfalls
- Maltsevo waterfalls
- Kesukh Waterfall
- Kaverzinsky waterfalls
- Waterfall on the Zadubnova Karaulka River
- Waterfalls on the Bolshaya Sobachka River
- Waterfalls on the Gryaznaya River
- Ayuk waterfall (near Phanagoreyskiy)
- Waterfall - Chepsi (Hell) River
- Colonel's Waterfalls (Tuapse District)
- Waterfalls in the upper reaches of the Psekups River
- Plyushevye waterfalls (in the upper reaches of Chepsi)
Mountains, rocks, gorges of Goryachiy Klyuch
- Golden Mountain
- Mount Saray mountain
- Mount Krebtovaya
- Tambov gap
- Bear Rocks
- Mount Brush
- Lantern mountain
- Mount Chubataya
- hospital gap
- Mount Chatal-Kaya - Hot Key
- Mount Navisla
- Rock "Mirror"
- Hot Gorge (between Abadzekh Mountain and Resort Mountain)
- Rock "Cockerel"
- Abadzekh Mountain
- Popova Gap (not far from the Dolina Ocharovanie railway station)
- Natashkina rock
- Monastery rocks and stream
- Church gap
- Alkin rocks
- Bald Mountain
- Kumpanova Valley
- Main Caucasus Range
- Wolf Gate
- Valley of Enchantment
- Whale harbor on Babakov Ruchey (Goryachiy Klyuch)
- Khazarova Ridge
- Kotkh Range
- Mount Licorice
Dolmens, burial mounds, ancient monuments of Goryachiy Klyuch
- Ignatenkov Kutok - the site of an ancient man
- Psekup dolmens
- Naked Kurgan - area of the village of Kura-Tsetse
- Podnavisla Fortress
Rivers, streams, springs, lakes of Goryachiy Klyuch
- Chepsi River
- The Malaya and Bolshaya Sobachka rivers
- Psekups River
- Psekupskie Mineral Waters
- Ayuk River
- School Creek
- Apchas - river
- Paved Creek
- Kislichkin Ruchey (Kisliy Ruchey)
- Maltsev stream (Maltsev erik)
- Babakov Stream
- Dolmen waterfall in the Gryaznaya river basin
- Dead Lake near the Chepsi River
- Salt Lake
- Hospital Creek
- Berendeyev stream and Bendeev waterfall
- Sarmatian Sea
- Red spring in the valley of Maltsev Stream
- Big Lake (near Oktyabrsky village)
- Solenaya River (Soleny Stream)
Tourist routes and settlements, places, names...
- Route to the Phanagorian Cave
- Moldavanovka
- Khrebtovoye
- Pyatigorskoe
- Podnavisla Farm
- Phanagorian
- Saratovskaya
- Unnamed
- Khatyps
- Sanatoriums of Goryachy Klyuch
- Guest houses of Goryachiy Klyuch
- Cafes and catering outlets
- Kura-Tsetse
- October
- Saratovskaya
- Baku
- Suzdal
- Martanskaya
- Pervomaisky
- Black Sea
- Imeretinskaya
- Kutais
- Wide Beam
- Molkin
- Arshaluys Kevorkovna Khanzhinyan
- Hot Key Banks
- Factories producing mineral water
Lakes and fishing
- City Lake (Goryachiy Klyuch)
- Tsareva Polyana
- SKVO
- Charming Polyanka - lake
- Tavern
- Golden Carp
- Lake near the village of Oktyabrskoye
- Planchevskaya - Seversky district
- Flora and fauna of Goryachy Klyuch
Train stations following the route Goryachiy Klyuch - Tuapse
- Valley of Enchantment
- Unnamed
- Phanagorian
- Pchelka (Stop on demand. You should sit in the first car and warn the drivers in advance)
- Afapostik
- 1720km
- Sadovoye
Sanatoriums of Goryachy Klyuch
- Sanatorium Goryachiy Klyuch
- Sanatorium Foothills of the Caucasus
- Sanatorium Zvezdny (Zvezdochka)
- Rus sanatorium
- Sanatorium Izumrudny
- Sanatorium Gorny (Ochakovo)
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.
Sanatorium Foothills of the Caucasus
After the Drinking Gallery, the green park alley continues and here is the Caucasus Foothills sanatorium, and behind it is the recognizable arch with a jug, symbolizing the city. Behind the arch begins the alley of a thousand pines (Pitsunda pine), which turns into Lenin Street.
Sanatorium "Caucasus Foothills". Hot key
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.
Mountains and gorges
Mountains are a place that has attracted writers, poets, and artists since ancient times. And to this day they attract people with their massiveness and height. In some places you can see gorges or huge falls. The beauty is simply breathtaking. It is impossible to understand a person who visited the Krasnodar region, but did not see the full power of the Caucasus Mountains.
One such example is Mount Abadzekh. Initially, Abadzekh Mountain gave birth to the settlement of Goryachiy Klyuch. Even in ancient times, people were attracted by the springs located nearby, and they began to settle near the mountain.
The mountain got its name from the ancient people who lived here - the Adyghe tribe.
Only the ancient people called it the Key. At the foot of the mountain there is a lake.
In addition to the most beautiful mountains, Goryachiy Klyuch has a large number of gorges. Since ancient times, people have wondered where they come from. And in fact, the gorges inside the mountains are so beautiful that they simply fascinate with their beauty.
One of these gorges located in Goryachiy Klyuch is Dante’s Gorge.
This is a natural monument that is a cultural heritage.
It is located at the foot of Klyuchovaya Mountain. By choosing a walking route, you will fully experience all the beauty that nature has given. On the road to the gorge there is a path paved with tiles, which smoothly turns into a road made of stones.
This is interesting:
The gorge appeared artificially, and the wind and water did their job, and it became wider every year. All the rocks that surround a person are sandy, and that is why they can easily be changed, even if you just touch them.
The height of the cliffs of Dante's Gorge is at least 10 meters, and the length is already more than 100 m.
In order to get to it on your own, you need to cross the Psekups River near the M4-Don highway and go out onto Lenin Street. Then, in a straight line, pass the triumphal arch and get to the chapel. And behind it a gorge will open in front of you.
The rock with the interesting name “Cockerel” can also attract tourists and travelers. The name alone makes you want to just see what the mountain is like. It is also called the Rock of Salvation.
It is located on the Psekups River. Its height is about 28 meters.
This is one of the most interesting places given by the nature of the Krasnodar region. The top of the rock looks like a rooster's tail because it has 6 teeth. Inside the rock there are two caves – Salvation and Zvonkaya. And in the middle, between them, there is a staircase of life, upon climbing which a beautiful view will open before the visitor. Back in the time of Nicholas II, a gazebo was erected on the top of the mountain, where he came to relax, a guest in the Krasnodar region. But over time, part of the rock fell off, and local residents began to call the site royal. There is even a legend that the waters of the river washing the rock can heal a sick person from illness. You can reach the rock through a new bridge if you turn onto it from the M-4 Don highway.
One of the popular caves in Europe is the Phanagorian Cave. It attracts not only tourists, but also doctors and archaeologists. The cave is quite long - at least one and a half kilometers.
In the Phanagorian cave there are four large halls, the walls of which are covered with yellow and white clay.
A stream flows along the bottom, and at different times of the year it can reach from 5 cm to 30.
Please note: the air is ionized, so anyone who enters the cave can cure respiratory diseases. In the documents that describe this cave, there is information that even before the 19th century it had a great extent, and from Gorny Klyuch one could immediately get to the Black Sea shore
Around the middle of the century, a collapse occurred in the cave, and its length began to be 1.5 km
In the documents that describe this cave, there is information that even before the 19th century it had a great extent, and from Gorny Klyuch one could immediately get to the shore of the Black Sea. Around the middle of the century, a collapse occurred in the cave, and its length began to be 1.5 km.
Note:
visiting the cave requires a lot of physical strength. Since it is necessary to walk about 14 km from the village of Fanagoriyskoye to the cave itself.
You need to cross two fords and get to the intersection of two rivers: Semenovskaya Shchel and Ayuk. Continue moving along the Ayuk River and then you will come to a parking lot in front of the cave.
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.
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.
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 to go with children
entertainment town "Tigger"
Older children, having visited the healing park and learned about its legends and history, will be able to get carried away just as much as you and plunge into the atmosphere of those times.
For everyone who loves active recreation and likes to travel “at their own pace,” Goryachiy Klyuch is one of the most ideal places. Moreover, it is very close to Krasnodar.
You can park near the Old Castle Hotel. And here the rest begins in the shade of the trees, you can take pictures with fountains in the form of a waterfall and a mill. There is a playground for children, and adults can enjoy tasty treats in the cafe if they need refreshment. Next we cross the bridge over the Psekups River and here it is - the park area of the city of Goryachiy Klyuch. And you slowly begin to wander along the shady alleys, where there are many plants and trees, since the park is practically adjacent to the forest, as if merging with it, sit on benches, wander along the paths, listen to the chirping of birds.
In the center of the park there is a Mineral Glade, next to it there are wells of local sources of mineral water, which from here flows into the Drinking Gallery and the Hydrotherapy Center. Drinking gallery: you buy cups at the entrance (ordinary plastic ones, although you can bring your own if they are available). There are taps with warm mineral water and cold, they are also divided into salted and non-salted. You can drink as much as you like - water is free, many people pour it into bottles with them. In general, this is a paradise for photography lovers - there are figures of all kinds of animals, flowers and water cascades and the well-known golden lions.
There is also a historical landmark (for retro lovers) - the Adyghe Pillar. It is made from a fragment of a Byzantine column and is decorated with inscriptions in Arabic carved into the stone. It was installed long ago for the eternal memory of a certain Khapach Lakshuk, one of the most famous heroes of the Bzhedukho tribe.
We return to the river: we see a small chapel built in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. It is carved right into the rock - and blends very harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. On Fridays at 11.00, Akafest (church service) is held there.
Nearby is the healing Iveron spring (ferruginous mineral water) - illuminated in the name of the healer Panteleimon. Feel free to drink this water, and drink a lot - there are rumors that by drinking a bucket, you can miraculously rejuvenate.
We recommend wandering around Dante's Gorge - a very beautiful combination of nature and modern “rock painting”. People tried to immortalize in stone their names, love stories, sacred symbols, even not only their own portraits, but also the faces of their leaders. In general, there is something to look at, and if you wish, I think you won’t be able to resist scribbling a message for history.
Through Dante's Gorge or along the river you can climb the Cockerel Rock - this is a sheer cliff of 28 meters. The top of the rock consists of six teeth, reminiscent of a cockscomb. It is visible from the Don highway. From the Rock of Salvation (Cockerel) there is a beautiful view of the valley of the Psekups river. Anyone who wants forest walks can go beyond Cockerel into the forest. In general, you can spend the whole day here!
For those who want new experiences, one of the most easily accessible natural attractions of Goryachiy Klyuch is the Bogatyrsky Caves. Even with small children you can easily reach them. Drive past Goryachiy Klyuch along the M-4 Don highway and turn towards the village of Fanagoriyskaya. You move along the road past the “Charming Polyanka” tourist center. And on the right you will see a small path up the mountain.
You climb up through the forest for about 15 minutes - and here they are, the Bogatyr Caves! Those who have already been to the caves advise taking flashlights. At first you climb on all fours, and then the caves widen and you can easily stand upright. There are no living creatures in the Bogatyrsky caves - you don’t have to be afraid, there aren’t even cobwebs there. There are so many people there, especially during the season, that all the living creatures have long been scared away. The caves are made of sandstone; it absorbs water well, so it is not dirty there. Ordinary pants and sandals with good soles will be enough).
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.
Top attractions (14)
alphabetically by popularity
Rock Cockerel44
The Cockerel Rock (Salvation Rock) is the calling card and symbol of the Goryachiy Klyuch resort. One of the most popular attractions of the city is located on the Psekups River, on the western slope of Mount Abadzekhsk.
Sounding Cave34
The sonorous cave in the northwestern part of the Goryachiy Klyuch resort is one of the interesting natural attractions. This cave, in fact, is more reminiscent of a grotto and attracts visitors with its interesting acoustic feature: a person in the cave can hear all the sounds uttered on the other side of the Psekups River, which is located at a fairly large distance, and vice versa.
Dante's Gulch24
Dante's Gorge is an unusual natural monument located on the southern outskirts of the city of Goryachiy Klyuch, in the Healing Park, at the foot of Abadzekh Mountain. This is one of the most beautiful and frequently visited places in this resort.
Drinking gallery21
The drinking gallery in the city of Goryachiy Klyuch is located on the territory of the sanatorium complex. This unique gallery is supplied with mineral water from three sources, which differ in chemical composition and temperature.
Arch with lions20
The arch with lions in the resort town of Goryachiy Klyuch is an architectural monument of the 20th century. The arch, located in the Healing Park (originally called Sanatorium), not far from the Drinking Gallery, was built in 1914.
Ayuk waterfall20
Ayuksky waterfall in Goryachiy Klyuch is one of the main natural attractions of the resort. The waterfall is located 10 kilometers from the Fanagori village (Goryacheklyuchevsky district) on the Burlachenkova Shchel stream, on the left tributary of the Chepsi River.
Bogatyr caves20
The Bogatyr caves, located in the city of Goryachiy Klyuch, are a popular tourist attraction. They are a favorite place to visit for many tourists as there are many legends about these caves. The uniqueness of the Bogatyrsky caves lies in the fact that they were created by human hands in a solid sandstone massif.
Mount Lysaya19
Bald Mountain in Goryachy Klyuch is one of the most prominent mountains in the vicinity of this resort town. The mountain peak is located near Anapa and the village of Varvarovka in the Psekupsy interfluve, almost opposite the famous Abadzekh Mountain.
Great Phanagorian Cave16
The Great Phanagoriyskaya Cave is a natural monument, which is located on the right bank of the Ayuk River, 12 km southwest of the Phanagoriyskaya Stanitsa, at the confluence of two streams - the Cave Gap and the Burlachenkova Gap.
Kaverzinsky waterfalls16
Kaverzinsky waterfalls are a group of cascading waterfalls that are located in the area of the village of Khrebtovoye, not far from the Goryachiy Klyuch resort. There are more than a dozen waterfalls in total, but the greatest interest among tourists is the Bolshoi Kaverzinsky Waterfall.
Mount Lantern15
Mount Lantern in the city of Goryachiy Klyuch is located on the banks of the Psekups River near the confluence of the right tributary of the Khatyps River. The height of the mountain is about 277 m. Near the mouth of the Chepsi River there is the village of Fanagoriyskoye, and to the south there are the Fanagoriy stalactite caves.
Maltsevo waterfalls13
Maltsevy waterfalls are one of the natural attractions of the Goryachiy Klyuch resort. They are located 5 km from the city, on the northern slopes of the Kokht ridge, in the upper reaches of the Maltseva Shchel stream. Among the people, the waterfalls have another name - the Devil's Mouth (Psechiako).
Rock Mirror12
The Mirror Rock, located four kilometers from the Goryachiy Klyuch resort, is one of the most attractive natural sites, included in almost all tourist routes of the local region. This rock in the Maltsev Stream valley is made of unusual yellow quartz-glauconitic sandstone, formed over tens of millions of years.
Museum of Local Lore6
The local history museum in Goryachy Klyuch is one of the attractions of this city, located on Lenin Street, not far from the Alley of a Thousand Pines. The initiator of the creation of the local history museum was the commander of the Psekupsky regiment and historian Popko Ivan Diomidovich, who spoke nine foreign languages.
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.
Historical sites and museums
City Historical Museum
The decision to create a museum came in 1998, at which time the collection of exhibits began. Two years later the grand opening took place.
Today his collection amounts to 6 thousand items and is housed in three halls:
- “Archaeology”: materials from ancient and medieval times are presented, the history of the region is told.
- “Kuban Life”: the exhibition is dedicated to the Psekupsky mineral waters and their influence on the formation of the settlement.
- “Military History”: the exhibition covers war times, introduces the personality of intelligence officer Alexander Ivanovich Kozlov, a resident of the city, whose story formed the basis of the films “The Path to Saturn” and “The End of Saturn”.
Drinking Gallery
Address: st. Psekupskaya, 2 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 07:00-19:00, break 14:00-15:00
On the territory of the sanatorium in the city center there is a Drinking Gallery. Water is supplied here from three mineral springs.
Water from the 21st spring is useful for patients with gastritis, as it is saturated with hydrogen sulfide. In the other two - 58th and 104th - it is salty and hot (38-45˚С).
It is recommended to drink it here, but if desired, any visitor can take 0.5 liters with them for free.
Psyfabe Fortress
Coordinates: 44.622145, 39.091691 How to get there: to the restaurant “Old Castle” by car or bus to the stop “Sanatorium Goryachiy Klyuch”, then on foot; travel time - 30 minutes.
In the valley of the Psekuls River there were at one time several fortresses, the most famous of which was Psyfabe. This is one of the most ancient buildings in Russia.
The citadel is located on the top of a cliff - the highest point in the area. Once it had a stone fence, observation towers and shelters for people.
Today, only ruins remain of the fortress.
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.
Unique natural places
The main attractions of Goryachiy Klyuch are nature and its most beautiful places.
Waterfalls
What you definitely need to see in Goryachy Klyuch are its picturesque waterfalls:
- Hell's Falls. Agree, a sonorous name, and at the same time mysterious. People called it that for its resemblance to the kingdom of the dead. By the standards of waterfalls, it is not high (only 12 m); from sharp, ominous-looking stones, water rapidly falls down into a deep bowl. However, the nature around is so fragrant that the overall picture is not at all frightening, but picturesque. The road to the waterfall is not easy. If you are new to such routes through mountains and forests, then it is better to go with a tour of rocks and waterfalls for the first time.
- You can go to another beautiful waterfall - Ayuksky. It is located 10 km from the Phanagorian village. The flow of water is especially impressive because it flows in two steps.
Among the numerous waterfalls in the vicinity of Goryachiy Klyuch, there are others that you can reach on your own. Each has its own name and an interesting legend - Chepsinsky, Berendey, Sobachkin, Kesukh, Maltsev, Mouth of the Devil, Kaverzinsky, Dolmenny. You just need to set aside a day, stock up on provisions and go on an unforgettable journey. Don’t forget your gadgets, you will take photos at every step, because the places are indescribable.
Rocks
What else you must see in Goryachy Klyuch are the numerous, beautiful rocks with interesting names:
- Mirror. The rock received this unusual name due to its ability to reflect nearby objects. At the top it is steep and smooth, and at the bottom it has a negative steepness. Professional climbers often conduct their training here.
- Temptations. The rock is not high, only 10 m, and many tourists think that they can climb to the top without any problems. But due to the sheer steep slope, not everyone can do this. So the temptation remains to go conquer the rock again.
- Natashkina. Local residents named this rock in honor of a girl from Krasnoyarsk, Natasha, who was vacationing in their area. She constantly praised the nature of her native land, but at the end of the vacation she admitted that some local natural attractions were more beautiful than those in her homeland. She especially liked the high rock (32 m), which after the girl’s departure received the name Natashkina.
- Monastic. These rocks have a very interesting structure; they consist of many grottoes and niches. A long time ago there was a landslide here that covered the ancient monastery, hence the name of the rocks. At their feet there are two mineral springs – ferrous and hydrogen sulfide.
- Cockerel. The high 28-meter rock is visible from afar. It received this name due to the teeth at the very top, which are shaped like a rooster's comb. Inside the rock, two caves were manually cut out of stone - the Staircase of Life and the Sounding Cave. And at the very top there is an observation deck, the views from it are stunning - the entire valley of the Psekups River is in full view.
- Alquins. These rocks reach a height of 18 m. Where did they get their name? Student Aleftina from Rostov, whom her family called Alka, was vacationing in these places with her dad and brother. While walking along the picturesque rocks, the girl got lost. But brave Alka was not taken aback, climbed onto the highest rock, began screaming and waving her red scarf. Her relatives found her, and from then on the rocks called Alkiny.
Alexandrovsky spring
Within the city limits, near the Psekups River, there is a low rocky mountain, which seems to be cut by gorges and caves, and shrouded in fragrant coniferous forest. At its foot there are mineral springs, one of which is Aleksandrovsky - the oldest, the ancestor of the resort. When people realized what miraculous powers the water from the source had, a health resort was built nearby. People with diseases come to be treated with its waters:
- musculoskeletal system;
- digestive organs;
- of cardio-vascular system;
- male and female reproductive functions.
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.
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.
The Legend of Dante's Gorge. Attractions
A long time ago, in one of the villages located here, a girl named Catalpa lived with her husband. She was smart, pretty and virtuous, and she also knew herbs and knew how to heal people with their help. Every day before sunrise, the beautiful healer left to collect medicinal herbs until their healing power dried up, and wandered for a long time along the valleys and mountain slopes. One day, as usual, she went to buy herbs and wandered into a place where she had never been before. A striking contrast appeared before the girl’s eyes - a gloomy, cold gorge, and next to it a wonderful and crystal clear spring, alluring with its murmur and coolness. Tired on the road, she plunged into it, and then lay down on its bank and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, the healer’s lover, taking advantage of her long absence, collected things and what was valuable in the house and fled to the mountains with a woman from a neighboring village. For a long time they met in secret and hatched plans to escape, and then such an opportunity presented itself. When Catalpa returned home, she did not find her unfaithful husband there. She was greatly saddened and waited for him for a long time, every day before dawn she went to that very source, hoping that when she returned back, she would find her husband at home.
Centuries have passed since then, and the girl, who has not aged a day, still comes at dawn to the ringing mountain spring, washes her mesmerizing hair, combs it for a long time on the shore, braids it, and then dissolves in the pre-dawn fog. Local residents, who nicknamed the girl the Mistress of the Cleft, often see this picture. According to legend, every person with a pure soul and thoughts can meet a sad healer if he comes early in the morning to the Key Stream.
What's interesting in the gorge
From the bottom of the gorge, a staircase consisting of 49 steps, cut down in the second half of the 19th century by townspeople, will rise steeply along a picturesque slope covered with green moss. It is called the same as the gorge - Dante's, and leads to another local attraction - the Belling Cave, which has fascinating acoustics, gaping in the wall of the rock-mountain Rooster. Next to the flight of stairs flows the same Key Brook, further downstream it is fed by other, smaller streams, turning into a rather high-water river.
The surroundings of Dante's Gorge are rich in interesting and entertaining corners, not only natural, but also man-made, such as the Iverskaya Chapel, for example. Completely unique, it is completely carved into solid rock, down to the smallest detail, and is located not far from the spring of the same name, which has healing properties and is considered holy. Opposite the chapel, another remarkable man-made object of these regions was built - the Monument to Mineral Water, represented by a pointed obelisk erected here in 1914.
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.
Park in front of the bridge
On the territory next to the hotel, before the bridge, there is a small park area with a fountain, sculptural compositions, green flower arches and plantings. There are places to grab a bite to eat and have a good lunch.
From this side of the river (orographically the left bank) you can clearly see the Cockerel rock against the background of the turquoise water of Psekups - this is a good location for photography.
Rock Cockerel, Hot Spring
Rock Cockerel, Hot Spring
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.
Adviсe
- Wear waterproof shoes - it is wet under your feet in the cave and there is a small stream flowing
- There is a risk of getting dirty on the walls - choose suitable clothes
- Even in summer, the temperature in the cave is no higher than 9 degrees - dress warmly
- If you want to overcome a stalagmite in the middle of a cave, take a rope
- Do not tear off stalactites and scum, or better yet, do not touch them at all - this will preserve the cave for our descendants
- On the way to the Great Phanagorian Cave you can visit the Small Phanagorian Cave and the Ayuk waterfalls
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.
