What mountains are there in Adygea? The best attractions of Adygea with photos and descriptions

The Republic of Adygea is located in the northwestern part of the Caucasus Mountains, and it is surrounded by the territory. Three rivers flow through this region - Kuban, Belaya and Laba. The capital of the republic is the city of Maykop. Administratively, Adygea is divided into 7 districts and, in addition to the capital, has another city of republican significance - Adygeisk. More than 100 nationalities live on the territory of the republic, the main ones being Russians and Adygeis. Crystal clear rivers, picturesque forests, plateaus, caves - Adygea cannot boast of anything. The attractions of the region attract not only Russian tourists, but also guests from other countries.

General information

This region has been inhabited since ancient times. The first mentions of Adygea were noted back in the 5th century BC. e. At that distant time, the Circassians lived on this territory, and it was in honor of this people that the republic was named. In addition, the Great Silk Road passed through the region.

In 1922, Adygea was founded as an autonomous region. Since 1991, the Adygea Autonomous Region of the SSR has been transformed into a republic within the Russian Federation.

Adygea: what to see?

The republic is visited by thousands of travelers every year. They come here to climb mountain peaks, swim along rivers, snowboard and ski, and simply walk along mountain trails. But let's talk about everything in order.

Mountains of Adygea

The Republic of Adygea is famous for its charming mountain peaks. In the village Khamyshki is Mount Monk. According to legend, a monk lived on its top for a long time, and they decided to name this place in his honor. On the uppermost eastern tier of this mountain is the entrance to the Jolas cave. During World War II, the doctor Jolas hid here.

Mount Trident is another miracle that Adygea is so proud of. The sights of the region are solely the merit of nature. And although in fact these are three peaks, local residents combined them into one.

Not far from the Athos St. Michael's Monastery is Mount Fiziabgo. From its top you can admire the snow-white mountains and the monastery itself. The slopes are also famous for their underground passages and man-made caves.

Here is the highest point of the Lago-Naki plateau - Mount Fisht (2868 m). Its upper slope is covered with a large glacier. You can conquer Fisht only if you follow a specially designed tourist route.

It is worth noting that these are not all the mountains that are located on the territory of the Republic of Adygea. The attractions are even difficult to count.

Rivers and waterfalls

One of the main assets of the republic are the Rufabgo waterfalls. They are located near the village of Kamennomostsky and represent 10 colorful waterfalls, and each of them has its own name.

In the same village there is another amazing place - the Khadzhokh Gorge. Here the charming river flows through a deep and narrow canyon.

It is also worth seeing the Meshoko River with the gorge of the same name. It is not difficult to get to this place with unique grottoes and waterfalls; there are many roads of varying difficulty leading to it.

The real treasures of Adygea can be called the Kishi River with its numerous rapids, Lake Psenodakh, Pshekhsky waterfall, the Fars and Polkovnitskaya rivers and many others. In short, in order not to miss anything, you will definitely need a map of Adygea attractions.

Caves

There are more than 15 caves in the region. The most famous of them are: Big and Small Azish caves, Through, Ozernaya, Sheep, Saxophone, Flute, Monastyrskaya, Soaring Bird cave, Dakhovskaya cave, Fishta, Dukhan and others. Most of them are easily accessible to visit.

City of Apple Trees

The city of Maykop (Adygea) is also of great interest to tourists. Its name is translated from Adyghe as “valley of apple trees.” The capital of the republic is truly surrounded by greenery and flowers. The real pride of Maykop is the city park, where swimming pools are built. The Belaya River is quite cold even in the summer, so swimming in a warm pool and admiring the lush vegetation of the park is a pleasure. In the vicinity of the capital you can see ancient mounds, the most significant of which is Oshad. On the southern outskirts of the city, on the left bank of the Belaya River, there is the ancient Maykop fortress, or trypae, and a large group of archaeologists is still working on its mysteries.

Other attractions

You definitely need to see the protected areas of Adygea with your own eyes. For example, the Caucasian Biosphere Nature Reserve, Kazachiy Kamen, Bukreeva, the village of Novosvobodnaya, etc. There are many churches and monasteries in the republic that Orthodox tourists visit every day.

Paleontological finds

Ancient buildings, excavations, monuments - Adygea can also present all this. The sights of antiquity beckon travelers. For example, the most visited place is the Khadzhokh dolmen; it dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. e. A large number of dolmens are also concentrated in Bogatyrskaya Polyana and in the village of Ust-Sakhray.

Vast areas of virgin landscapes, protected amazing canyons, picturesque mountain rivers, alpine meadows - all this attracts many fans of active recreation. Hurry up, look where Adygea is located on the map, and hurry to visit this amazingly beautiful region.

The Big Azish Cave is located in the southern part of the Azish-Tau mountain range at an altitude of approximately 1500 meters. The cave is popular among tourists and therefore can be easily reached - there is a good asphalt road leading to the cave itself
The Azish Cave was first explored by five local residents in the spring of 1910. They were amazed by its beauty and considered it necessary to bring tourists there - from that time on, visitors began to visit the cave. And in 1973, the cave became a natural monument.

The Aminovskoye Gorge stretches in an arc for 8 km from the west to the east. On the western outskirts of the beautiful village of Kamennomostsky (Khadzhokh) there is this gorge, it seems to have crashed into a residential village that is very close to the village. The Aminovka River, breaking out of the strong embrace of the gorge, carries its current through the village and flows into the Belaya River and thereby divides the left bank of the Kamennomostsky district, which stretches along the Belaya River, into two completely equal parts.

Fans of active recreation are increasingly attracted to horse tourism. Since the first horse riding route was laid back in 1971, this type of sports tourism has become firmly established as a mandatory discipline in many sports and tourist centers.

Travel backpack – what should it contain? This eternal question does not lose its relevance. Naturally, the answer to this primarily worries novice tourists. So, what do you need to take with you on a hike, so that at the right time everything you need is at hand, but at the same time, do not forget that you will need to carry the backpack during long treks.

For the novice hiker, the excitement of a hike begins long before it begins. This is quite justified - contact with natural elements, for an unprepared traveler, will at least bring a spoiled mood. And in other cases, health problems are possible. But if everything is thought out and calculated in advance, timely consultations are received from experienced outdoor enthusiasts, high-quality equipment is purchased and the backpack is filled with really necessary things, then there is no need to worry. Active recreation will bring only positive things.

Every tourist, both beginner and experienced, knows that one of the most necessary accessories that a traveler should have in his luggage is a sleeping bag. Comfortable and healthy sleep depends on this item. If you analyze the modern assortment of sleeping bags presented in specialized stores, it turns out that it will not be easy to make an unambiguous choice. So, what do you need to know to choose a good sleeping bag?

Look for a clear answer to the question: why go to the mountains? - a useless exercise. For every tourist, a mountain hike has its own page of unforgettable impressions and memories. And how can one remain indifferent to the gray peaks of the Caucasian mountain ranges of “respectable” two- or three-thousanders? The annual number of mountain trails is increasing, and along with it, an army of people is growing, deliberately leaving cozy apartments and houses, preferring the sultry ocean shore to exhausting, sweat-inducing hikes in the unexplored mountains in the south of Russia. This is probably why Adygea is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination.

What is mountain tourism? Kind of sport? Leisure? Hobby? Yes, probably everything combined. One thing is clear: anyone who has ever been to the mountains will be sick of them for life. To go to the mountains you do not need special qualifications, there is no need for expensive mountaineering equipment. But the peaks, beckoning with their mystery, cannot be conquered without good physical preparation. In this regard, the first rule of the conqueror of mountain peaks: realistically assess your strength!

The modern industry of accessories and equipment for tourism produces products for every occasion. For example, if you go to the mountains in the cold season, then you are offered a very useful device - a catalytic heating pad. It is also often called a pocket warmer or hand warmer. It is very simple to set up, economical and can generate heat over a decent period of time.

In this world, people have long learned to appreciate nature, because sometimes it is impossible to look at beautiful landscapes without holding your breath with delight. Today there are extremely many such beautiful natural places, but the famous Guam Gorge has always been distinguished by its special charm and beauty, which has conquered more than one tourist’s heart.

Most tourists have long been choosing to vacation at Russian resorts and many choose to vacation in the mountains of the Krasnodar Territory. One of the most picturesque places for the whole family is Guzeripl.
This unique mountain village is located at an altitude of 685 meters above sea level on the banks of the Belaya River. A stunning view opens up on the way to this place.

Of course, many tourists who prefer active recreation to simply lying on the beach know the name of the Belaya River, which flows in the south of Russia. This main waterway of the beautiful resort region called Mountain Adygea is very loved by travelers for its picturesque shores and clean, life-giving water. However, few tourists know that just in the valley of this mountain river there is a unique place where ammonites come to the surface - giant shells that have come to us through millennia.

Among the many historical, cultural and archaeological monuments with which the land of Mountainous Adygea is rich, a huge block lying in the very middle of the road leading along the Khadzhokh gorge on the Kamennomostsky-Dakhovskaya section, which is nicknamed the Cossack Stone, is of particular interest. It is reliably known that this huge stone fragment broke off from the top of the Una-koz mountain range and fell into the valley of the Belaya River. People call it the Cossack, Circassian, Maiden, or Shaitan stone.

Relaxing actively is not only fashionable, but also responsible. Today, inexpensive active tourism, accessible to every average citizen, is very popular. Moreover, in Russia there are a great many places where there is something to see. The Krasnodar region with its original nature seems to be created for the curious tourist fraternity. And what can you not see in the same mountainous Adygea!

When going on a hike, a person must not only take care of properly filling a tourist backpack or choosing high-quality shoes. His main asset should be outdoor survival skills. In particular, when hiking, a tourist should know how to stay warm. This task is especially relevant during a mountain hike. If such knowledge is absent, then there is a real threat of hypothermia, and the impressions of the hike themselves will most likely be far from positive. We don’t want to scare novice tourists, but in the mountains you can die from hypothermia in literally 1 hour.

The success of a trip to the mountains directly depends on the shoes chosen by the traveler. And it should be noted that the process of choosing and purchasing mountain shoes is somewhat different from going to a regular shoe store. It is important to understand that a tourist’s feet on a hike are “working tools,” which means they must be shod in such a way that they do not have to suffer from dropsies, calluses, or pain in the joints and muscles.

Do you know what a tick is? No? Then, before you go on an adventure, which a mountain hike is always rich in, you should learn about the possible dangers. And one of them is ticks.

What is a tick?

In fact, outwardly, a tick is a very small creature, but it can really cause a lot of trouble to an unwary traveler. If you come across a sign in the forest that says “Beware of ticks!”, then you should be extremely careful.

Troubles in the family, conflicts with superiors, misunderstandings among relatives and friends - all this can be survived if you radically change the situation, at least for a while. This means it’s time to go to the fabulous world of mountain ranges, alpine meadows, streams, rivers and waterfalls, caves. In other words, go to the Caucasus. The best way to escape from problems and get to know yourself is to go to the mountains. And so that your immediate surroundings do not cause irritation, share your sorrows with... a horse. This smart, calm and noble animal will never betray, unlike people.

Every tourist should be able to light a fire - this is an axiom. In principle, when the street is dry and warm, anyone can cope with this task. But a real traveler must be able to light a fire in any situation and in any weather conditions. And, in addition, a person in the lap of nature must clearly know where to make a fire and where not. That is, during a hiking trip, fire safety rules must also be strictly observed, as in any other situation.

Lago-naki (Lagonaki) is a unique place for relaxation and viewing, it is located in the Republic of Adygea, Maikop district. This is part of the Western Caucasus mountains between the Belaya and Pshekha rivers.

This highland is located inside the Krasnodar Territory, since Adygea is an enclave of this administrative district, it is not border, but at the same time, tourists have always been attracted not only by the rocks of these places, but also by glaciers and snowfields.

One of the pearls of Adygea is the Meshoko gorge (the word translated from Circassian means “bear valley”). The path to the Meshoko gorge begins from the village of Kamennomostsky, which can be reached by train. It will take you about 30 minutes to walk, but along the way you will encounter wonderful views of the nature of the Adygea region: waterfalls, panoramic points (for those who like photography), rocks. But more on that later.

Dolmens are much older than the Egyptian pyramids and are most likely their prototype. In addition, it is now known for sure that the purpose of pyramids and dolmens is identical. We are talking about the pharaohs buried in the pyramids of Egypt and the leaders of a once-existing civilization buried in dolmens, who, according to legend, could contact God. A certain mysterious cosmic mind, a higher intellect, the mind of the Universe was meant as God.

Crossing, crossing! Left bank, right bank...

While hiking you have to overcome various obstacles, one of which is crossing rivers. As a rule, they are waded. The safety of the tourist group depends on how correctly the crossing point is chosen.

Ski tourism is increasingly attracting the attention of not only wealthy citizens. The development of infrastructure makes it possible to find resort bases where, for a reasonable price, you can not only have a great rest during your vacation, but also organize weekend trips with your team or the whole family and celebrate a celebration. Every year, more and more compatriots leave cramped apartments for mountainous areas and there, in an unusual environment, celebrate the New Year. Fortunately, all conditions are created for this “at the request of the workers.”

The term “altitude sickness” is mentioned very often today. Either we have become weaker in spirit and body, or the ailments that people feel in the mountains have received their own specific name. But, be that as it may, we know a lot about mountain sickness today.

Signs and symptoms of altitude sickness

It is absolutely clear that this disease can manifest itself in several forms:

They say that you can look at water endlessly. You can contemplate the quiet surface of rivers or sea waves from the deck of a ship, or you can feel the power of the water element by rafting down fast, rapids mountain rivers on boats. Moreover, not all mountain ranges are suitable for this type of tourism.

The Rufabgo River can rightfully be called the most amazing landscape of Adygea. This 17-kilometer miracle is located at the mouth of the White River.
Rufabgo from Adyghe means rage, temper, obstinacy. It is these characteristics that fully outline the unusual structure of the river - it is the mother of twelve waterfalls.
It is not strange that tourists are drawn, like a magnet, into this block of beauty and danger, because there is nothing more beautiful than a river flowing into a waterfall and a waterfall flowing into a river.

St. Michael's Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in the southern region of Russia. The exact time of its formation is known - 1877. The monastery is located on the outskirts of the village of Pobeda, which is located in a picturesque area, among old orchards on the territory of Mountain Adygea. During the dramatic period of the early 20th century, namely in 1928, the authorities closed the monastery, some buildings were blown up or partially destroyed. However, the main building with a unique bell tower, the refectory of the Trinity Church and some residential buildings have been preserved in good condition.

The fairy-tale world of mountainous Adygea beckons and calls to its snowy expanses. Experienced instructors welcome guests on ski trips all year round. Despite the fact that summer holidays begin in May and last until September, and winter lasts only about 100 days a year, those who like to “communicate” with snow can do this almost all year round: from October to May. The reason is simple: the unique climatic conditions of the Caucasus Mountains of Russia are to blame for everything. On the slopes of the Lagonaki plateau there is snow until the beginning of June.

Near the Greater Caucasus mountain system is the small but very picturesque and unique Republic of Adygea, which is part of the Russian Federation. This unusual place attracts thousands of tourists with its unique natural beauty and interesting sights. It’s amazing how many natural wonders are concentrated in a relatively small area (7600 sq. km). So, let's get acquainted with the main interesting places of Adygea.

The Khadzhokh Gorge is an ideal place for tourists who love active recreation. Located near the village of Kamennomostsky, the gorge is a rocky gap almost 400 m long with a winding shape on the Belaya River. The depth of the Khadzhokh Gorge reaches 40 m, and the width varies from 2 to 6 m.

Near the villages of Ust-Sakhray and Novoprokhladnoye the Sakhray River flows, the mouth of which originates in the Thach Mountains. Falling from high cliffs overgrown with dense forest, the waters of the river form six waterfalls of small height. Some of them form lake bowls, where you can swim in the warm season.

In the interfluve of the Kurdzhips and Belaya rivers there is the Big Azish Cave with a depth of 37 m and a length of just over 600 m, of which only 220 m are equipped and suitable for mass tourism. Following the strikingly beautiful halls, decorated with intricate winding incrustations, visitors find themselves in a room where the Lozovushka underground stream flows.

The unique natural museum is located in the Belaya River valley in the area under the bridge. Ammonites are huge fossilized balls containing mollusk shells, shaped like a twisted ram's horn.

Since the Republic is surrounded by the Greater Caucasus massif, mountain tourism is quite developed here. The route to Mount Fisht (2868 m) with glaciers on the slopes is popular. The Unakoz ridge, 100 km long, surprises with its beautiful grottoes. Mount Monk is also popular among tourists. The Camel Rock, Trident Mountain and Devil's Finger Rock are striking in their unusual shapes.

St. Michael's Monastery is considered the “Mecca and Medina” of every self-respecting tourist of Adygea. The complex, located in a picturesque area on the slope of Mount Fiziabgo, near the village of Pobeda, was founded with donations from parishioners at the end of the 19th century. On the territory of the complex, pilgrims and tourists visit the stone Holy Trinity Church, the bright wooden Assumption Church, the elegant brick Church of the Archangel Michael, the mass grave of disabled people killed by the Nazis, and the crypt of Archimandrite Martyrius. In addition to viewing architectural monuments, visitors are offered to ride a horse from the local stable and taste monastery pies and tea. Be sure to climb Mount Fiziabgo, which offers magnificent views of the complex and neighboring mountain peaks. Here you can drink healing water from the holy spring of Panteleimon the Healer, swim in the font, and walk along the 200-meter-long man-made passages of the Monastery Cave.

Among the attractions of Adygea, the nature museum of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve near the village of Guzeripl, on the right bank of the Belaya River, also attracts attention. Tourists here can admire the artificial waterfall of the Molchepy River, see the unique dolmen, the mass grave of the defenders of the village in the Second World War. In the museum itself, visitors are introduced to the history of the creation of the Caucasian Nature Reserve and the diversity of local flora and fauna.

If you are still in search of inspiration and picturesque landscapes, take a trip to mountainous places like and.

Once upon a time in Tula...

Three people were running along the deserted street of the night city. The windows in the houses were not yet lit; people were sleeping off after celebrating the New Year. Only in the distance did it sparkle with a scattering of lights. d. station, which was the target of the night runners. They needed to get there as soon as possible; they were late for the train. But running was hampered by the snow underfoot and heavy bags in my hands. Their hearts were beating wildly, their eyes were covered with sweat, but the thought that the train would show them its tail forced their bodies to produce new portions of adrenaline.
Here is the platform. The train is already standing. A little more and we are already in the compartment. Literally a minute and the station outside the window began to float away. The brain was no longer capable of formulating swear words addressed to the taxi service.
This is how ours began New Year's trip to Adygea.

How to get to Adygea and where to live

On this trip we were again horseless and at the mercy of Russian Railways. Honestly, it’s very convenient to travel to Adygea in your own car. In this case, you will have almost unlimited opportunities to explore local attractions. If in Sochi we did not feel the lack of a car due to the well-developed infrastructure, then in Adygea this is completely sad. That's why taxi drivers can help us.

As a place of residence Kamennomostsky village fits perfectly. Many beauties can be easily reached on foot, and most tourist routes start from here. But the train goes to Krasnodar, so you need to think about the transfer in advance. You can negotiate with taxi drivers or go with transfers to Maykop, and from there to Kamennomostsky. Thanks to our friend from Krasnodar, we “teleported” very comfortably in both directions.

There are no problems with housing in the village. Here you can find something for every taste and budget, from luxury hotels to authentic huts of local residents. We stayed in a guest house a 10-minute walk from the Khadzhokh Gorge.

Our housing had certain disadvantages of a domestic nature, but the undeniable advantage was a very good location and friendly hosts.

Main attractions of Adygea in winter

1. Khadzhokh Gorge

On the outskirts of the village of Kamennomostsky there is one of the most popular attractions of Adygea - Khadzhokhskaya Gorge.

Today, this section of the Belaya River gorge has become an equipped route. Admission costs 300 rubles for adults and 150 rubles for children. According to our subjective feelings, the price is not entirely adequate. In addition, according to old-timers who visited these places before these innovations, the canyon has clearly lost its natural charm.

Due to the fact that we lived literally a stone's throw from the gorge, we put off visiting it until later. As a result, we had to walk in the rain, and the water at the bottom of the gorge lost its blue tint, turning into a dirty brown stream.

The route is quite long, crossing the bridges you can explore the Khadzhokh Gorge from all sides. Along the way, you will definitely meet local residents: the bear Timofey, who for some reason did not hibernate, but cheerfully waddled around the territory, she-wolves, foxes, chickens, and a raccoon.

In some places, the high stone walls were decorated with hanging icicles. The icy fringe added elegance to the gorge.

When you reach the last observation deck, you will be greeted by a quaint stone bridge and arches. Finally, having overcome all obstacles, White breaks free at breakneck speed.

Next to the gorge there is a small but very worthy cafe of the same name. They cook excellent kebabs and meat. There are not so many food outlets in the area, so from time to time we enjoyed a snack at Tesnin.

2. Rufabgo Falls

The Rufabgo River gorge is unusually picturesque and very popular among travelers not only for its beautiful scenery, but mainly because you can find a considerable number of waterfalls here. Each of them is good in its own way and different from the others. The names are so resonant that vivid images immediately involuntarily arise: Noise, Cup of Love, Heart of Rufabgo, Maiden's Braid, Cascade.
We were lucky enough to walk to the waterfalls in twenty-degree frost along the hiking trail along the Belaya River. Everything inside was trembling from the snowy fairy tale that surrounded us. I had to overcome steep ascents and descents, climb up, clinging to a ghostly support, find myself on the edge of an abyss, almost turn back, but not give up. And the reward was frozen ice waterfalls, inside of which crystal water beat like an artery.

A delightful, unforgettable sight. I will definitely tell you in detail about our adventures and how to get to Rufabgo waterfalls in a separate post.

3. Lago-Naki plateau

Coming to Adygea at any time of the year and not visiting Lago-Naki means not seeing Adygea. This place is the center of gravity of the republic. Everyone comes here to see the endless expanses, majestic mountains and beautiful nature of this region.
In winter, Lago-Naki welcomes guests no less than in summer. Here you can enjoy stunning scenery from various viewpoints.

Visit the equipped Azishskaya and Nezhnaya caves. And also many smaller “wild” caves.

Fall back into childhood and heartily enjoy all possible winter activities from cheesecakes to snow bananas.

Leaving the soulless equipment, transfer to a live horse and gallop across the Adyghe expanses. And after all, drink hot tea with mountain herbs with a bite of mountain honey.

4. Extreme parks

In the vicinity of Kamennomostsky there are two parks with extreme entertainment: the Mishoko extreme park and the TETIS rope adventure park.

Pointer to "Mishoko" stood almost next to our guest house. Therefore, you can get to them without any problems on foot, walking along an abandoned quarry. And God himself ordered us to experience exciting rides, because... Literally on New Year's Eve, in an extreme park group, I won a flight over the gorge.
This day caused a fantastic storm of emotions in our mortal bodies. In addition to the extreme flight and unforgettable via ferrata, we walked around the Mishoko gorge itself and enjoyed the horseback ride. Of course, all these adventures require a separate story.

To the rope park "THETYS" a little more difficult to get to. They are located at the top of the Una-Koz ridge. There are several options to go upstairs:

• Walk along the tourist trail from the old bridge in the village of Dakhovskaya. If the weather is good, I think the walk will be quite enjoyable.
• You can order a transfer on one of the park's SUVs. You will be taken on a breeze along the mountain trails.
• And we chose the last one possible, we went up on the only Savran cable car in the Republic of Adygea.

Ticket prices for January 2016: adults – 500 rubles, children – 200 rubles.

Having climbed the cable car, you will immediately be greeted by a bunch of signs. Having decided on the direction, you may encounter:
a site of a primitive man with picturesque holes in the rock and a fairly well-equipped hearth.

Cave "Dakhovskaya" and "Dusty". And if you strictly follow the signs, you will go straight to TETIS Park.

Having covered about 1.5 kilometers from the park along the hiking trail, you can see another popular panoramic point – the Devil’s Finger rock.
And we returned to the signs and tried our luck in the Grotto of Desires, entrusting our most cherished treasures to the stone vaults.

The descent from the cable car is very picturesque. All the way you will enjoy the panorama of the Dakhovskaya valley and the road to Lago-Naki running away like a snake.

5. St. Michael's Monastery of Athos

Just 14 kilometers from Kamennomostsky, in the village of Pobeda, at the foot of Mount Fiziabgo, there is a special place - God’s destiny on earth.

St. Michael's Monastery is a must-visit on any day, but when that day is the Nativity of Christ, a trip here will take on a special blissful connotation.
It was this kind of blissful, peaceful state that I experienced the entire time we were within the walls of the monastery, listening to Christmas stories, eating monastery pancakes, drinking aromatic herbal tea, deep underground, touching the miraculous cross, drinking healing water from the spring and ringing the bells three times.

Coming out of the locker room, however, is not at all hot. Fortunately, on this day the thermometer already showed +6 °C. But what a bliss it is to plunge into hot thirty-seven-degree mineral water with a plus sign.
They write that water has a healing effect and is indicated for many diseases. Having plunged into the warm waters with a specific smell, I felt an indescribable relaxation, every cell of my body was completely relaxed.

It was so nice that I didn’t want to get out at all. Jets of water were turned on periodically, standing under which one could feel all the delights of the hydromassage.
But you shouldn’t get carried away with swimming either. As they say, everything is good in moderation. As soon as you get out of the water, the effect of thermal springs will not take long to appear, that is, the relaxation continues.

But this is not a complete list of what you can see in Adygea in winter. At the entrance to Kamennomostsky there is Museum "Rock Garden". Interesting finds were brought there, including ancient ammonites. One of them lies on the road to the Khadzhokh dolmen.

Khadzhokh dolmen located near the highway in an orchard. These ancient structures are quite common in these parts. Mysterious megaliths still excite the minds of scientists. They are believed to be of a ritual nature. And here is a victim from visiting tourists.

There is also a beautiful suspension bridge. But our search was not crowned with success; instead we found the picturesque bank of the Belaya River.

Cossack stone, which you definitely won’t pass by when going to Lago-Naki.

And wonderful people live here who sincerely love their native land with all their souls. Local residents are happy to talk about the sights and beauties of Adygea, about extraordinary places and natural monuments of the republic.

This is what Adygea is like: hospitable and amazingly beautiful.

Adygea is one of the most beautiful regions, which is rightfully proud of its history, culture and natural monuments. It is located within the territory of the Krasnodar Territory and borders this region on all sides. The most beautiful miraculous places of Adygea, captured in the photo, have long become the hallmark of the republic. Fossilized remains of marine life are often found on its territory, and this is not surprising, because once upon a time, millions of years ago, the entire territory of Adygea was the seabed.

Here forest-steppes are replaced by oak forests and beech-fir forests. The landscapes are stunning, and the diversity of water resources is simply immeasurable. The water in mountain rivers, lakes and waterfalls is so clean and transparent that you can see everything that happens in the underwater world. One of the most famous places in Adygea created by nature is the Lago-Naki plateau, through which all tourist routes pass.

Lagonaki Plateau (Lago-Naki)

The plateau with an area of ​​about 800 square meters is located in two regions at once: Adygea and Krasnoyarsk Territory. Once upon a time, a trade route connecting the North Caucasus and the Black Sea coast passed through it.

Today, tourists can admire the pristine nature of this place: rich vegetation, unique topography, breathtaking views and stunning glaciers. Landscapes from lush greenery to cold ice can change quite quickly in a short period of time.

There are many caves in this area, the deepest of which is the “Soaring Bird”, which goes 517 meters deep. And here the sites of ancient people and traces of massacres between the Tatars and mountain tribes were discovered.

Mount Fisht

The ancient Adyghe people named the highest mountain on the Lago-Naki plateau in honor of the gray-haired warrior Fisht, who, according to legend, saved his people from enemies. Its height is 2868 meters and climbing to the top shrouded in clouds is a rather difficult and dangerous undertaking. Those who reach the goal discover the wonders hidden within the mountain, nicknamed Treasure Island.

The territory of Adygea was once a seabed and confirmation of this is the coral island that has preserved the fossilized flora and fauna of the ancient Tethys Ocean.

One of the highest waterfalls in Russia - Pshekhsky - is also located here, its height is 250 meters.

Devil's Gate Pass, Mount Acheshbok

The composition created by nature, consisting of two mountains, captivates with its appearance and intriguing name. The fact is that the mountain peaks curved towards each other look like the devil’s horns, as they are depicted in fairy tales, and griffon vultures nest in the rocks of Acheshbok - representatives of the family of birds of prey, listed in the Red Book.

Locals can tell a lot of legends connected with this place. According to their custom, they call the Western and Eastern Acheshbok mountains the Right and Left Gates. In ancient times, the route to high mountain pastures passed through the Devil's Gate pass. Thanks to frequent grazing of livestock, a small passage was created under the pass, which local residents immediately named the Devil's Gate.

White River (Shaguashe)

The Belaya River originates from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Fisht. Having made its way through the rocks, the water stream made its way through mountains, valleys and forests.

Along the entire length of the river, which is more than 260 kilometers, the nature of the flow changes all the time. In the valleys it is calm, in the mountains it is swift, and in the forests it is moderately fast.

The Adyghe name of the white river is Shkhaguashe. That was the name of the princess whom her father wanted to force into marriage, but she was able to escape. There are many legends about why the river is called Belaya. According to one version, it got its name in honor of Bela, a young Georgian captive whom the Abadzekh prince wanted to marry. The servants threw her into the water because she had stabbed their master.

Rufabgo Falls

Picturesque waterfalls are located in the gorge of the Rufabgo River, which flows into the Belaya River. They are strikingly different from each other, but together they form a unique composition and each has its own name.

“Cascade” is called so because the water falls over 3 cascades.

“Heart of Rufabgo” got its name because of the stone in the shape of a human heart, from under which a stream of cold water rushes.

The highest waterfall is called “Lace” or “Maiden’s Braid”, its length is 20 meters. The flow at the Maiden's Braids waterfall is divided into three streams, which look like 3 strands of hair intertwined into a braid.

In “The Cup of Love,” streams of the purest water seem to flow into a stone container from a height of five meters.

Lake Psenodakh

A characteristic feature of Adyghe lakes is their ability to appear and disappear according to unknown laws of nature. One of them is Lake Psenodakh in the shape of a crescent 165 meters long. It is located on the site of an old glacial bowl at an altitude of 1938 meters and is fed by streams and springs flowing through underground channels.

The unusual name is translated from Circassian as “beautiful well”, and from Adyghe – “beautiful lake”. Its maximum depth reaches only 80 centimeters, and the water is so clean that the smooth surface of the lake looks like a polished lens. Sometimes you can see turbulence on the water surface of the lake when the water begins to go into underground channels.

Khadzhokh Gorge (Tuapch Canyon)

This attraction is unique for its unique topography, unpredictability of water and dangerous steep cliffs. Tesnina is located in the southwest of the village of Kamennomostsky, which is also called Khadzhokh.

The gorge is a rocky gap through which the Belaya River flows. Its length is 400 meters, and its depth in some places reaches 40 meters. Due to the very strong noise that occurs as a result of constant collisions of water flows with stones and ledges, the gorge is called Noise.

Tuapch Canyon is also one of the symbols of the gorge on maps. While walking through this amazing and picturesque area, tourists are treated to beautiful views of the fast-moving river, beating against rapids and centuries-old boulders.

Granite Canyon (Blockhouse Gorge)

The canyon appeared literally by the will of nature. Many years ago, powerful streams of the Belaya River began to cut stone blocks and turned the entire massif into an amazing and colorful natural monument.

Lush green vegetation hanging over the abyss against a background of bright red stones - this place seems to have been painted by an artist. The rocky hills are covered with a green carpet, “woven” from various types of trees: chestnuts, barberries, pines and beeches.

On the right bank of the canyon there is the Zolotoy spring, from which the stream of the same name flows, and it is named so for a reason. Once upon a time, local residents panned for gold here, and the places where the stream flows were the most profitable for mining.

Khadzhokhsky quarry

This quarry was once a thriving mining operation for limestone, selenite, yellow-white gypsum and small calcite crystals. Now here you can see the remains of a once thriving industry overgrown with grass.

Not far from the quarry there are dilapidated buildings with pipes. These are old lime kilns. Nearby there is a new mobile plant for processing rocks mined in the vicinity of the village of Kamennomostsky.

At the very bottom of the quarry there is Lake Krasnoe, fed by springs. The reservoir got its name because of the reddish hue of the stones. The water in it is always cold, but at the same time very clean, despite its cloudy color.

Great Azish Cave

This attraction is located in the southern part of the Azish-Tau mountain range in the Krasnodar Territory, but it is always associated with Adygea due to its close location next to the official border of the regions.

The cave officially became a natural monument only in 1973. Its length is 690 meters, and its depth is 37 meters. Traveling through the corridors of the cave, you can endlessly admire the stalactites, stalagmites, sintered forms and columns.

Some of them have their own names, for example, the “Sword of Damocles” - a stalagmite in the shape of a real sword hangs menacingly from the ceiling, and the “Wish Palm”, which grew in this cave, is no different from a real southern tree.

Cave Through

According to legend, the evil giant Rufabgo lived in this cave and, looking at its gigantic size, I want to believe it. You can find it near the Shum waterfall in the valley of the river named after the giant.

The cave got its name “Through” because of its elongated shape and the presence of two exits on the north and south sides. Having a length of 25 meters, it is sufficiently well ventilated, preventing the formation of leaks.

Thanks to the karst hole at the top of the cave, it is quite light inside during the day and you can walk through it even without being an experienced speleologist. The hole in the hole is shaped like an eye, and the back wall of the rock is hidden under Colchian ivy.

Dolmen Hadzhokhsky

The Khadzhokh dolmen is one of the most mysterious archaeological sites in Adygea. Scientists still do not stop arguing about the purpose of these buildings. Some claim that they were used for rituals and burials, others believe that these are the first residential buildings of ancient people who inhabited the area thousands of years ago.

You can find the Khadzhokhsky dolmen in the north of the village of Kamennomostsky. Its height reaches 1.7 meters and width – 2.8 meters. This structure was approximately built in the 3rd century BC.

Next to the dolmen there is another unusual phenomenon of local nature - a tree with 14 trunks from one root.

Cossack stone

A huge block of stone, 35 meters high and 27 meters wide, is located between the village of Kamennomostsky and the Dakhovskaya station. Once upon a time, due to natural circumstances, perhaps an earthquake or strong winds, it broke off from the wall of the Una-Koz ridge, fell in this place and still blocks the path for tourists.

Like all the sights of Adygea, the stone is shrouded in myths and legends. According to one legend, it got its name because of the unusual greeting of the Cossack chieftain, sitting on horseback at the very top of the boulder. The leader of the camp thus welcomed the Kuban inspection. This stone is also called Circassian, Shaitanov or Maiden.

Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve

Officially, the territories on the southern and northern slopes of the Western Caucasus became a reserve on May 12, 1924. Today it is the second largest in Europe, located simultaneously on the territory of Adygea, Krasnodar Territory and Karachay-Cherkessia. Its total area is about 280 hectares.

This unique area with rich flora and fauna is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

There are more than 3,000 plant species in the reserve. Every fifth representative of the local flora is a relict or endemic, growing only in this area.

The fauna of the reserve is also very diverse. Many animals have lived here since the territory of Adygea ceased to be the seabed.

Dendrological Park named after P.V. Bukreev

The history of this park begins in 1970 with the Berezovaya recreation center. 16 years later, the area where tourists and local residents rested, admiring the charming landscapes of grown seedlings, officially received the status of “Natural Monument”. Today there are about 350 species of trees in the park. Its area is about 20 hectares.

This park has a beautiful pond with islands. On its shores you can find ammonites - the fossilized remains of huge sea mollusks.

Even in the park there are unusual stones of bizarre shapes. No one can explain where these miraculous stone sculptures came from, but local legends speak of their alien origin.

St. Michael's Athos Monastery

The monastery is located on the outskirts of the village of Pobeda and occupies a mountain plateau on the northern spurs of the Greater Caucasus Range. In clear and sunny weather, magnificent views of the Caucasus Mountains open from the territory of the monastery. Today this place is a major tourist center, whose doors are open to tourists and pilgrims.

On the territory of the monastery there are churches: Holy Trinity, Assumption, Archangel Michael and others.

One of the buildings deserves special attention - this is the mass grave of disabled people killed by the Nazis.