You don’t need to be a mountaineer or go hiking, live in a tent and bathe in an icy river to enjoy your vacation in the mountains. We share a list of places where you can simply walk, breathe fresh air and enjoy the incredible scenery.
Guamka, Krasnodar Territory
Despite the fact that the village is only 170 km from Krasnodar and 42 km from the nearest city of Apsheronsk, you immediately get the feeling that you are far away from the usual noisy world: there are no crossing roads, only mountain ranges covered with lush greenery around it.
The main place of power is the shady Guam Gorge, whose rocks diverge from a height of 400 m into the Kurdzhips River, which flows along its bottom. It makes an impression! Also, on the crossover in the 30s. A narrow gauge railway was laid in the 20th century. Now it doesn’t exactly work, but it works for tourists: you can take a retro train to the last station at the 1707 cafe. It’s worth going back to: It’s cool and beautiful in the gorge, and it’s only three kilometers away.
But the coolest thing is to arrange a route for the whole day: take the train to the last station, and then go further along the tracks – to the village of Mezmay. All of the best views of the canyon start from here, and the hike is pretty easy: 6km along the trail with no ups and downs.
The village of Mezmai is located in a very beautiful valley that looks different from the mountains in Guamka, and for some reason people who seek enlightenment have fallen in love with it: announcements about the opening of the chakras and some special yoga are almost on the air. each column. And by the river in the center of the village there are many women in long dresses with children.
You can also walk back – 9km will take a couple of hours at most. At the same time, there will be an opportunity to digest impressions: agree, did not expect to see such an audience in the mountains of the Caucasus?
How to get there: From Krasnodar by car (2.5-3 hours) or from Krasnodar by bus to Apsheronsk, from there by taxi.
Baidarskaya valley, Crimea
Crimea, of course, is generally rugged mountains, but the Baidar Valley is one where you can live in a civilized manner: in the village of Orlinoe and a few neighboring villages there are quite a few, if not all, hotels, hostels, apartments. super high level.
Here you can ride a bike: with small elevation changes, a convenient looping route of 30 km turns out. Or walk along the ancient Roman road and head to the Old Sevastopol Highway at a place called the “Shaitan Staircase”. You also need to go to the Uzundzha canyon: narrow, magnificent, especially good at dawn or sunset. And come to the village of Kolkhoznoye at the end of the canyon: there, in a small valley, there is such peace! Crimeans say this is a place of power. We cannot confirm whether this is true, but it is nice to walk there: walk along the path, walk around the pond and dine in the restaurant of the Uzundzha guest house. You can stay there overnight if you wish, but most likely places will need to be booked in advance.
How to get there: By bus or taxi from Sevastopol or Balaklava.
Dombay, Karachay-Circassian
Ski resorts in summer are no worse than in winter. There are hotels and restaurants, it is easy to climb the mountains by cable car, the air is refreshing, the peaks are snowy, beautiful! In Dombay – the beauty multiplied several times. To see it, go up to the fourth station of the cable car: the mountains at this level resemble a crown and there are few analogues of this kind in the world. There is also a hotel “Flying Saucer” in the form of a UFO – and it is present! Those who want to see the snow under their feet in summer should go to the 5th station: The main thing is to take a jacket with you to avoid freezing.
What else is there to do? Walking uphill in the forest and sleeping: Dombay is incredibly relaxing.
How to get there: From Kavminvod airport – transfer or taxi (3.5-4 hours), you can still go by rental car.
Stepantsminda, Georgia
The village is better known as Kazbegi, and the main attraction is, of course, the five-thousand Kazbek peak that overlooks the entire village. But it is not always shown, so get a room with a balcony overlooking the mountain, sit in a comfortable chair with hot tea or a glass of Georgian wine and watch. This meditation can take a long time: mountain views from all directions are mesmerizing. Another place of power in Stepantsminda is the Church of the Holy Trinity in Gergeti: you will definitely see it directly from the village on Mount Kazbek. This is a full day hike but enjoyable. Outdoor enthusiasts will love it! The light version is to walk around the village itself, look at the church, find the old buildings, and then sit in a cafe and drink coffee and eat khachapuri – with a view of Kazbek, of course!
How to get there: From Russia by car (be careful: there may be traffic jams at the Upper Lars Russian-Georgian border crossing, see thematic chats) or from Tbilisi by car, taxi or bus.
Lake Sevan, Armenia
The highest lake in Armenia and the entire Caucasus (located at 1900 m above sea level) and the largest lake – Armenians also call it the Geghama Sea. For those who want not only to admire the mountains and enjoy the fresh air, but also to swim, coming here is a great option. The best time for this is August in Sevan. In addition, there are many resorts and beaches on the lake, both with them and separately.
If you want to move, choose a hotel on the Sevan Peninsula, which is the most touristic place on the lake. And on the contrary, if you prefer silence and nature, sit on the west side of the lake (Chkalovka, Norashen, Tsovazarad) or on the east side (Shorzha, Chambarak, Tsapatakh). Here are the best beaches, the coolest resorts, and the most beautiful forested mountains – but getting outside of the resorts is harder: You must have a car or be prepared to wait for a taxi.
Of course, it’s great just to hang out on the beaches and eat fantastic local Ishkhan trout, but still, if you have the strength and desire, go to the famous Sevanavank monastery and see another one – Ayrivank, the largest cemetery in the world. world Noratus of Х centuries made of traditional carved Armenian crosses, the Cyclops fortress of the ruins of Metzep and the old Sevsar astronomical observatory. And finally, if there is a fuse, take a walk in the mountains – they are everywhere here.
How to get there: From Yerevan – 70 km by rental car or taxi.
Source: People Talk
