This amazingly picturesque mountain range is located in the Western Caucasus, 10 kilometers northwest of Krasnaya Polyana. The mountain is located on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory. The massif has two peaks, the official names of which are marked on geographical maps. These are Mount Achishkho and Mount Zelenaya.
The article provides information about the nature of the wonderful southern region, as well as some interesting facts about this area.
Mount Achishkho and Krasnaya Polyana are the main natural attractions. They are included in excursion tours around Sochi.
Description of the territory
As it was presented above, the mountain range has two peaks. The height of Mount Achishkho is 2391 meters, and Mount Zelenaya is 2079 meters. The Main Dividing Range runs through them.
The meaning of the name of the peak Achishkho in translation from the Adyghe language means “goat mountain”. It is composed of clayey shales, as well as tuffaceous (or volcanic) rocks. Characteristic for the landscape of these places are ridge and ancient glacial landforms, including karstlakes. The slopes of the mountain in the upper reaches of the Achipse River, which originates here, have several waterfalls, including the cascading Achipse, as well as more than ten dolmens. Scientists suggest that there are much more dolmens hidden under the earth's thickness in these places.
The highest point of Achishkho is a unique place. From here, picturesque views of Chugush, Akh-Ag, Aibga and Fisht, as well as the Lago-Nakskoe highland, open up. From here you can even see the mountains Oshten and Pshekha-Su. When the weather is cloudless, you can see Sochi and the Black Sea from the top of Mount Achishkho. The peak consists of 2 remarkable mountain reliefs, which are called cirques. For hiking, this mountain is the best choice.
Climatic conditions
These lands are quite diverse in their climatic conditions. Here, differences in temperatures are noted not only from the period of the year, but also from changes in atmospheric pressure. In cyclone zones, the pressure is usually low, and the higher the mountainous area, the lower it is. It also rains more often here.
According to the statistics of weather forecasters, there is a rather high level of humidity. On Mount Achishkho, the annual precipitation reaches 3200 mm. According to the observations of local residents, precipitation (snow and rain) almost always falls on the summit. Sunny days in the area - no more than 70 per year. In winter, snowdrifts can reach a height of up to 10 meters.
Nature
Due to the abundance of precipitation, a peculiar moisture-loving flora has formed on the territory of the summit. The vegetation of the slopes of the Achishkho ridge is mostly represented by broad-leaved forests. Among the tree species, beech predominates. The northern section of the slope is represented by fir. The tops of the mountains are covered with snow most of the year.
Summer meadows are represented by a wide variety of tall herbaceous plants and flowers. Due to the numerous rainfalls, this mountainous area has many lakes and waterfalls that decorate the area beautifully.
The animal world of these places and the entire Western Caucasus is represented by tours, mountain chamois, roe deer, brown bears, wild boars and bison. Representatives of birds living in the mountains are snowcock, Caucasian black grouse and many others.
The rivers Monashka, Krasnopolyanka, Achipse, Medoveevka, Chvizhepse, Beshenka and the left tributary of Berezovaya originate on Mount Achishkho.
Classic Routes
Many routes to the top of Achishkho are available even for novice tourists. The classic and most common trekking option involves 1-2 tent overnight stays, however, physically trained tourists can even go to the top and back in one day.
Similar routes include a hike through the Khmelev lakes, located above sea level at an altitude of 1750 meters. This is the most popular ascent to the summit. The beginning is Khmelevsky Lakes, and then the route passes through the building of the former weather station and Lake Mirror. Then there is a descent to the Achipsinsky waterfalls and an ascent to the ridge with access to the very top.
This route is the shortest and fastest. All the way fromKhmelevsky lakes to a given point and back takes up to 8 hours when traveling light and without spending the night. For a trip with a h alt (overnight in tents), a special place has been equipped in this section of the reserve near the Achipsinsky waterfalls.
To get to the lakes themselves (the starting point of the route), you need to rent an SUV, as public transport does not go to these places.
Route along the river
This trip runs along the Beshenka River. The main feature of this route is that it starts in the village. Krasnaya Polyana (from the Heliport bus stop). It should be noted that the climb on this route is 2 times more than in the previous one.
The beginning of the path passes through the village, and in the upper part of the village, near the river, the asph alt road turns into two dirt roads: one goes along the left bank of Beshenka, the second on the right (more convenient). Both of them lead in the direction of the rocky spurs of Achishkho. They are visible from the village. It should be noted that on all this way the ascent to a height of up to 1000 meters is carried out. In one place the road goes around the shelter in the mountains - "Achishkho". This is the name of the building, where you can rest and hide from the weather.
The path along the right bank passes along the forest road for about 30 minutes, after which a bridge is crossed to the left bank. Then the forest road ends, and the path winds through the trees to the "glade with a stone." After resting on a stone and looking at the magnificent landscapes around, then you have to go again through the forest, whereA 500-meter steep climb leading to the weather station building and to Mirror Lake. This place is the intersection with the main trail leading from the Khmelevsky lakes to the Achipsinsky waterfalls.
Unlike the first route, this one is more "sporty", since the hike starts from a height of 500 meters, and the total climb reaches more than 2000 meters.
The way to the top through the Bear Gate
This hike is similar to the previous one, but a little shorter. In this case, after the "glade with a stone" you should turn left. Further, the path runs along a barely noticeable path that rises to the Bear Gate pass. Then again there is an exit to the main path leading to the parking lots at the Achipsinsky waterfalls.
This is the most "wild" route, there are much fewer tourists on it. This is also due to the fact that in rainy and wet weather it is very difficult to walk along the steep slope in front of the pass.
Route through Medoveevka
This is the most difficult of all the routes to Mount Achishkho. It has the worst trail, and this path is also the longest. In some places you can't see the trail at all. The climb is over 2000 meters.
This climb can only be suitable for experienced and physically prepared tourists who can navigate the terrain without trails.
The path along the Greek spur
This is the least popular route. The reason is high complexity. In some places the trail runs along a sharp ridge, which requires great care,especially in bad weather. For experienced tourists, it may be interesting. Here, throughout the ascent, beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes open up.
The starting point is the Achishkho camp site, where the first fork is located. The road leading to the right ends about 200 meters at a small bridge through which you can go to the left bank of the Beshenka River. From this place originate the "classic" routes and the path through the Bear Gate Pass. To get to the Greek spur, turn left at the fork at the camp site. The road ends after 300 meters, after which the path runs along a forest path. Then (after several hundred meters) a path appears, leading to a wooded ridge in a serpentine. This is the Greek spur. Then the route follows this massif. The path is lost here at times, so you should keep to the watershed. At about 1800 meters, the zone of wonderful alpine meadows begins, and the path rises steeper and steeper up, leading to the top of Achishkho.
It is important to note that it is not recommended to go down the ascent path, as the sharp and steep ridge is grassy in some places and rocky in some places, so it is very dangerous to go down it. Here, at the slightest awkward movement, it is quite possible to fall into the abyss. Only experienced mountain hikers can use this path in dry and calm weather. It is best to descend from Mount Achishkho using the classic option (through the Khmelev lakes).
Views from Mount Zelenaya
This mountainis an excellent observation point, located, as noted above, in the Achishkho massif (2.2 km from the top of Achishkho). It is located between the upper reaches of the rivers Berezovaya (a tributary of the Belaya) and Chvizhepse (a tributary of the Mzymta).
The view from it to Mount Achishkho is unique. The rocky mountain peak is surrounded by car snowfields, and narrow rocky ridges extending from the top separate wide and deep rocky-grassy cirques. The bottoms of the latter are indented with hollows of streams, the waters of which are torn off the terraces by waterfalls. The noise of the two most beautiful waterfalls, visible from Mount Zelenaya, reaches even these places.
Interesting facts
The mountains of Psekhako, Achishkho in the Caucasus are one of the main attractions of Sochi.
On the slopes of Psekhako there are facilities for the Sochi Winter Olympic Games (2014). The Caucasian Biosphere Reserve begins from the northern section of this ridge, which also captures the Achishkho section.
Do you know where the wettest place in Russia is? There aren't many places like this around the world. For comparison, it should be noted that more than 3000 millimeters of precipitation annually falls in the zones of the Amazon basin, in Africa (southwest) above the equator and on the territory of some islands of Oceania. And the wettest place in Russia, where the average annual rainfall reaches more than 3000 mm, is the section of the Caucasus Mountains, where Achishko is located.
Tourists love to visit this place, as the nature of the surroundings of Mount Achishkho is fabulously beautiful.
In conclusion
Achishkho Ridge is quite popular among hikers. They are attracted here by wonderfullakes and waterfalls, majestic peaks and colorful alpine meadows. Beautifully visible from Mount Achishkho Krasnaya Polyana. In Sochi, tour operators organize many excursions there, as this village is famous for its history and the fact that some competitions of the Olympic Games were held here.
For a comfortable and long stay there is a camp site MO "Krasnaya Polyana", well equipped to accommodate tourists. On the territory there are 16 houses on two floors, showers, sauna, children's, volleyball and dance floors.
Here you can have a great rest, enjoying fabulous picturesque landscapes, as well as climb Achishkho using one of the routes.
