Mzymta flows into the Black Sea. Mzymta River: description, spav, fishing, recreation, embankment. Modern beaches of a modern resort town

Solar warmth and bright sunlight, sea water and clean air: the Krasnodar Territory is famous for its beaches, estuaries, generous vineyards, unique natural objects, monuments of archeology and history. In the Russian Federation, the Krasnodar Territory is the southernmost region. This is "granary" Russia, and its largest resort area.
Square this region is 83.6 thousand km 2, population - 5.5 million people. Neighbours Krasnodar Territory north- this is the Rostov region, on east- Stavropol Territory, on south Krasnodar Territory borders on Abkhazia and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, the Republic of Adygea. two significant seaports edges are Novorossiysk and Tuapse.

Edge of two seas

Kuban (how else is this region called) - the edge of two seas - of Azov and Black . United narrow Kerch Strait , they are quite different from each other.

Sea of ​​Azov, desalinated flowing rivers , especially Kuban and Don, is one of the freshest seas on the planet and freezes easily. With long northeast winds, a lot of Azov water is blown into the Kerch Strait, and the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov becomes shallow.

neighboring Black Sea incommensurably larger, deeper, saltier and more stable. The peculiarity of the Black Sea is the concentration of hydrogen sulfide at a depth of over 150 meters. Scientists explain this phenomenon by geological catastrophes during the formation of the Caucasus Mountains, during which the bowl of the sea took its current form.
Of the total length of the border of the region - 1,540 km, almost half, i.e. 740 km runs along the sea.

The high concentration of hydrogen sulfide makes the depths of the Black Sea lifeless - rich vegetable and animal world concentrated exclusively in the upper layers of the water. live here valuable commercial kinds fish — beluga, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, herring, anchovy, sprat, ram, carp, bream, mullet, horse mackerel, mackerel, flounder. Lot dolphins. Meet monk seal listed in the Red Book, so named for the fact that it does not live in colonies, like its oceanic relatives, but singly. However in terms of fish stocks, the Black Sea is inferior to the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov , in which low salinity, shallow water, good mixing and warming of water create favorable conditions for the development of plant and animal organisms that serve as good food sturgeon, herring, bream, zander, carp, sprat, sprat.

Just over 10 years ago in Akhtanizovsky estuary planted for the sake of experiment lotuses . They took root and grew over several tens of hectares.
World smoother The Krasnodar Territory is rich. Endless expanses overgrown with reeds, flooded with water up to the waist after rain, and in dry weather up to the ankles, become homes for waterfowl inhabitants: ducks, teals, coots. Nest here seagulls and cormorants, pelicans and swans, herons and bittern. Hiding in the reed "jungle" boars . In the estuaries under water, imported from the Far East and acclimatized, similar to logs, go silver carp and cupids . Growing more than one and a half meters in length and feeding on reeds, grass carps can make such a noise in the floodplains, similar to the sounds of a grazing herd of pigs, for which the locals jokingly call them "water pigs". Caught in ponds carp, catfish, crucian carp, barbel, gudgeon, chub, pike, perch, zander . Found crayfish and turtles . On the Black and Seas of Azov many different bychkov . Especially large "Kerch" bulls(up to 30 cm in length) are caught on the Black Sea coast of the Kerch Strait.

Earthly Paradise

The edge is still divided and Kuban River on the two parts: on the northern — flat and southern — mountainous . On the territory of the region is largest in Europe Azov-Kuban fresh groundwater basin containing vast reserves thermal and mineral waters. Kuban - one of the most abundant rivers in the North Caucasus - originates from the glaciers of the southwestern slope of Elbrus. For 906 km of its course (of which more than 700 km is located within the region), it crosses the alpine, mountain-forest, forest-steppe and steppe zones.

Poet Yu. N. Kolodny finds in the poems the most poetic definitions for the Kuban: "Earthly Paradise", "Poplar Country"; Kuban for him - "Light, Father's House", which he constantly thinks about, dreaming of visiting it again. Therefore, the lines of the poem are so expressive and penetrating. "Light House":

My Fatherland, beauty and strength! You are rich and famous for your work!
I love you, where everything is nice to me, I love the Kuban bright house!
Early dawns, sunsets, and the quiet rustle of poplars,
And white cherries near the hut, and expanse, expanse of native fields.

Gorgeous white lilies grow on alpine meadows the edges. The region is famous, first of all, for its vineyards and gardens , in which almost all types of fruit trees grow and give a bountiful harvest. The climate of the region even allows some species to be cultivated in the south. tea leaf .

The Krasnodar Territory is located at the junction of two landscape zones — steppes and smoother than the Kuban lowland and forests of the Caucasian ridge . On the north the edges spread out Kuban-Azov Plain . On the south foothills go into mountains of the Caucasus , breaking off to Black Sea . Western edge end - Taman Peninsula cannot be unambiguously attributed to either mountainous or flat terrain.

The peculiarity of the Kuban is that at the same time in different areas weather may be completely different. The reason for this is in the eastern and northeastern atmospheric fronts, for which the Kuban Plain is open. Nature has awarded the Krasnodar Territory with a special climate. Spring comes early and the bathing season immediately opens, and the potatoes of early varieties planted in February give a harvest by the end of May. Already in May the air temperature reaches +30°C. The difference between the continental Kuban and the subtropics of Greater Sochi is especially noticeable in late autumn and winter. AT november when cold north winds pierce Krasnodar and the thermometer falls below zero, when almost all of Russia is already covered with snow, having crossed the mountains, you find yourself in another world where you can swim in the sea.

Kuban fortresses

City of Yekaterinodar as it was called then Krasnodar, was founded in 1793 by the descendants of the Zaporozhye Cossacks, who moved to the fertile Kuban lands at the behest of Catherine II after the annexation of Western Ciscaucasia to Russia as a result of victories in the Russian-Turkish wars of the second half of the 18th century. At first it was just a military camp. It was constantly strengthened and turned into a fortress. Ekaterinodar had natural protection from three sides: a steep ledge in the east, a swamp in the north, and the Kuban River in the west. In the first half of the 19th century, Yekaterinodar was the main military outpost of Russia on the Black Sea cordon line. Its military significance was indicated by the entrance gate, guarded around the clock, and passing through the city "Stavropol Way" connecting the cities of Rostov and Stavropol. Since 1860, Yekaterinodar has become an administrative center, and 20 years later, a railway comes to this city. In 1864, the Caucasian War ended and settlers immediately flocked to Yekaterinodar. For 20 years the city has increased by 50 thousand inhabitants. The city center began to gradually settle down, turning from an ordinary settlement, consisting of hut-huts, into a large commercial and industrial center. City streets began to be paved. Small factories and handicraft workshops, the first gymnasiums, hospitals, and private shops appeared in the city. By the beginning of the 20th century, Ekaterinodar was connected by railway lines with the ports of the Black and Azov Seas, becoming the railway center of the entire Kuban.

Anapa beaches, more than 40 km long, the best beaches of the entire northern Black Sea coast

AT southwestern part of the Krasnodar Territory is located resort Anapa. It is located on the Black Sea coast, at the junction of the flat Kuban-Azov lowland of the Taman Peninsula and the mountainous Abrau Peninsula. Such a peculiar relief gives it a unique picturesque flavor. The city itself is spread out on an elevated rocky plateau with a steep bank 20-30 meters high and on its wide and gentle slope. The high coast protrudes into the sea for a good kilometer and protects the cozy Malaya Bay from the winds. To the north, the coast descends and turns into sandy beaches. Undoubtedly, the Anapa beaches (the famous 40-kilometer-long bay) are the best beaches in the entire northern Black Sea region. The sands owe their origin to the Kuban River. Until the end of the last century, it flowed into the Black Sea through the Kiziltash estuary. Then the river changed its course, leaving behind sand brought from the peaks of the Caucasus.

The city of Anapa has preserved an unusual monument - "Russian Gates" and the remains of the ancient structures of the Turkish fortress built in 1783. The gate is named "Russians" in honor of the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Anapa from the Turks in 1828. From 1475 to 1828 Anapa was the stronghold of the Ottoman Empire in the Caucasus. The remains of the Turkish fortress are now in the Park of the 30th anniversary of the Victory.

AT Anapa region , in 2.5 km from the village of Bolshoy Utrish, on the stream Vodopadnoe there is a rare natural phenomenon Waterfall Pearl .
Mount Bald 320 m high. is notable for the fact that it grows Pitsunda pine, which is more than 100 years old, and in the pine forest there is an endemic species thyme of Gelendzhik. Near these amazingly beautiful places on the steep slope of the beginning of the Caucasus Mountains there are Lermontov trail . Here, in an unpretentious gazebo, the poet liked to sit down. From here there was a magnificent view of the blue sea, wooded mountains and rocks stretched behind.

Any lighthouse is an integral part of the seascape. Anapa handsome lighthouse is no exception, because it is located at the foot of the mountains. From the high bank we can observe the picturesque landscape. To the south-east of the city, spurs of the Greater Caucasus rise 5 km. They start with Bald Mountain and go to Semisam Ridge . In the distance lies Utrish Peninsula , which was formed as a result of an earthquake more than 2 thousand years ago. Rare species of plants and trees have been preserved there. The octagonal tower of the lighthouse is a kind of landmark for those who walk on land, since the Anapa Lighthouse is a traditional meeting place for both local residents and vacationers.

AT early Square of Glory , on the corner Revolution Avenue and streets of Tiraspol set Memorial sign to the participants of the liquidation of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant . It is made in the form of a granite slab and molten lava flowing down it. On the plate is the inscription: "Victims of Chernobyl 1986-1996". It was installed 10 years after the disaster. Why is it installed in Anapa? Because the Anapa sanatoriums accepted children exposed to radiation, and then the children of these children.

Particularly interesting Anapa Archaeological Museum under open sky. Here you can see several quarters discovered by archaeologists Gorgippia , II - early III centuries AD and main street. Its roadway is paved with slabs, sidewalks stretch along the sides of the houses. The pavement was made at a time when chariots and carts pulled by oxen were the only mode of transport. However, it turned out to be so strong that even now dump trucks with earth could drive through it. Among the found items there are many ceramic products, clay lamps, household dishes and terracotta figurines, from which we can conclude that Gorgippia was developed coraplasty — the art of making terracotta figurines.

Forest - the "gold" of the Kuban

Due to the peculiarities of location, relief, climate, soils, there are species of plants as northern, and southern origin. You can inhale the bitter smell sweet clover, see fluffy panicles swaying in waves feather grass and mint. swaying fescue and thin-legged, stretch upward inflorescences Hypericum, scattered purple spots fragrant wild bushes sage and immortelle, spread out like a green carpet timothy and clover. In some places, by the road, he spread his wide leaves plantain, nod to the traveler inflorescences-baskets tansy, white flowers among the greenery chamomile, scarlet spots are scattered poppies. Plots broadleaf forest rise to a height of 600 m above sea level. Growing in forest glades wild rose, blackberry, wild strawberry, various mushrooms.

The forest is the "gold" of the Kuban, since it is of great environmental importance and is the main source of valuable timber in Russia. Total forest area Krasnodar Territory is almost 2 thousand hectares.

Sochi National Park

Sochi National Park is one of the first parks in Russia. It was formed in 1983 to preserve the unique natural complexes of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, formed at the junction of subtropics and highlands. This area is characterized by a rich species diversity of flora and fauna. Favorable climatic conditions, high recreational potential, an abundance of natural, historical and cultural attractions have made the park one of the most visited in the country.
The park is located on south Krasnodar Territory, along the Black Sea coast, in the northwestern foothills of the Greater Caucasus Range. It directly adjoins the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve and the largest Black Sea resort city of Sochi. The length of the park along the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is about 145 km. Its area is 193.7 thousand hectares. The climate of the park is subtropical, which is determined by its latitudinal position, the influence of the Black Sea and the proximity of the Main Caucasian Range.

The territory of the park is divided by a network rivers and streams originating in the mountains and flowing into the Black Sea. Sochi river — the main water artery of the region- originates on the southern slope of the Main Caucasian Range at an absolute mark of 1814 m. The length of the river is 45 km, the basin area is 296 km 2. During the period of heavy rains, the rivers turn into powerful turbulent streams, carrying a mass of silt, sand, moving huge boulders in their path and uprooting trees.
Ashe river valley- one of the most picturesque places in the vicinity of the village of Lazarevskoye. Here are three Attractions: Cave of the Witches and Psydakh waterfalls and Shapsug .

On the rivers and streams of the park, there are numerous picturesque waterfalls and canyons.
Canyons different in height, width and length. The most famous of them are located on rivers Nihetka, Eastern Khosta, Agura, Psakho, Mzymta (Akhshtyr gorge) .

In total, there are about 70 waterfalls in the park.

The tallest nameless waterfall (72 m) located on right tributary of the Psou river. Second highest threshold Orekhovsky waterfall (33 m) located on right tributary of the Sochi River. In total, there are about 70 waterfalls in the park.
Orekhovsky waterfall located at the village of Nizhnyaya Orekhovka , 14 km from the sea, at the confluence Bezumenka rivers in Sochi river. The waterfall is very beautiful at any time of the year, but it is especially impressive after heavy rains, when the frantic brown-yellow stream of the Bezumenka River, justifying its name, falls directly into the swiftly rushing waters of the Sochi River. The eye is attracted by gloomy, gray-green from mosses, eternally "weeping" walls of rocks. In summer and autumn, the local forest is full of mushrooms . Under the canopy of powerful giants - hornbeams, beeches, oaks- gloomy and damp from thickets boxwood and laurel cherries. spring rhododendron and azalea cover everything around with fragrant hats of flowers.

About 95% of the park area is occupied by montane hardwood forests : oriental beech, fluffy, rocky, Georgian and Gartvis oaks, sowing chestnut, Caucasian and oriental hornbeam. A small part of the forests are black alder and sticky, common ash, sharp-fruited, Trautfetter maples, beautiful, field, plane-leaved and false plane-tree, warty birch, common aspen. Evergreen common in undergrowth boxwood colchis. Quite common in forests wild fruit trees and bushes (wild apple tree and pear, dogwood, medlar other). From conifers 93% of the area is occupied Nordmann fir, the rest - Norway spruce, Pitsunda pine and hooked. Colchis moist mixed forests extend from the coast to a height of 300-600 m. They occupy the foothills, bottoms and slopes of river valleys.

reserved places

typical plot Colchis forest — reserved Khostinsky yew-boxwood grove . The main features of such forests are: the wide distribution of evergreens, several growing seasons during the year, the presence creepers and epiphytes. Of the shrubs in the park, evergreens are common. pontic rhododendron, laurel cherry officinalis, narrow-leaved holly, as well as deciduous Colchis cleaver, tree hazel, yellow rhododendron (azalea), Caucasian blueberry, buckthorn, hairy-flowered hawthorn other. Belt oak and chestnut forests located at an altitude of 300 to 800-900 m. oak forests, often with an admixture hornbeam, as well as chestnut trees from sowing chestnut mixed with hazel and oak. in the undergrowth deciduous shrubs — azalea, gray blackberry, Anatolian and etc.

Wonder Beauty. Unique complex broadleaved woodland with evergreen undergrowth relic boxwood Colchis. River with a cute name Wonder Beauty small in length - only 10 km, has a spring origin. It got its name for clean water and a picturesque riverbed. On its way, "Pretty Woman" forms small waterfalls. The measured murmur of water, the sound of a waterfall, fresh forest air rich in ozone - all this creates the conditions for healthy rest, serves as the richest source of vitality, good mood, spiritual uplift. The flora and fauna of these places is very rich.

Near Tuapse located Guam Gorge- mountain gorge picturesque canyons, waterfalls, grottoes, caves and bizarre rock formations about five kilometers long. The first right-bank rocky walls begin and go far and high from the road, ending with bizarre towers overgrown with forest. The rocks here reach a height of more than a hundred meters. After a prominent rock of a huge pyramidal shape, karst formations begin. First comes an array consisting of horizontal layers of rock, then it turns into hanging, overgrown with shrubs, over-rocky terraces, and already at the very top of the giant walls there are monolithic rocks polished to a shine. They are steel gray with black spots of deposited resin. This strip of upper rocks stands out in contrast against the general background of the red-red massif. Here are the first waterfalls of the gorge. They fall from the upper terraces to the middle ones, and from there, pulsing and breaking, they fly from a height of many meters to the bottom of the gorge. Kurdzhips River is compressed by rocks into a gorge and fills the gorge with a seething rumble. The first bushes of a relic tree appear - boxwood. As you go deeper into the gorge, it becomes more and more. It tightly fits the rocks, hiding them from view. Even impregnable, completely sheer rock monoliths, and they sheltered this wonderful tree. Some trees are of considerable age. They are over a thousand years old. Finally, the gorge narrows to fifteen meters. In front of the narrowing there is a wide clay cone, overgrown with small alder trees. On the left side rises a giant triangular-pointed rock, bordered on both sides by gloomy and dark gorges, steeply going high up.

An interesting natural complex combined Shpichatsky stream , which also has another name - Dvubratovsky. Obviously, the last name was given to it because it flows along the slopes mountains Two Brothers. Between the western slopes of this mountain and Semashkho mountains collected narrow canyons, 13 waterfalls height from 4 to 17 meters, deep (up to 8 meters) wells under their jets. At the bends of the stream, the water carved deep niches. Above the gorge on both sides rise stone statues . The most grandiose of them are two sharp peaks with walls 90 and 140 meters high. Monument area 30 ha. The waterfalls of the Špicatski Stream are famous and accessible. Under the upper waterfall comes out hydrogen sulfide source . The first three waterfalls were probably formed as a result of a grand collapse that occurred many years ago. Huge boulders blocked the gorge, and the water among the stones found the shortest path.

Kiseleva Rock named in honour academician of painting artist A. A. Kiselev, consists of thin layers of marl and sandstone, standing vertically, as if someone turned the seabed 90 about. She is one of the first natural monuments Tuapse region. The height of the rock is 46 meters. The Kiseleva Rock is part of the protected forest park Kadosh . The area of ​​the park is 300 hectares. The rock itself is 1 ha. Near Dederkoy river positioned monkey sanctuary . This place was not chosen by chance. Here are the most powerful chestnut forests mixed with walnut, ancient apple, cherry plum and pear orchards. There are no winds. Here is also hydrological monument of recreational value "Waterfalls on the Dederkoy River" .

Large arboretum with unique species of trees growing not only on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, but also in a wide variety of foreign countries located on the territory Kudepstinsky forest park . The list of trees includes dozens of species, including camphor wood, gutta-percha wood, lusitanian and marsh cypresses, willow eucalyptus, Iberian and holm oaks. Here are also largest in Russia cork oak plantation and reference planting sequoia evergreen , founded in 1955 under the leadership of Academician A.S. Yablokov.

In the animal world

Animals inhabiting Kudepsta National Park , are representatives of a typical mountain-forest and alpine Caucasian fauna. AT alpine meadows and at top of the forest meet Western Caucasian tur Severtsov, chamois, Caucasian red deer, snow vole, Promethean mouse; from birds — caucasian black grouse, snowcock, warbler, pipit, griffon vulture. AT forest belt common brown bear, roe deer, wild boar, wolf, fox, forest cat, badger, squirrel, marten, hare, lynx. From birds — titmouse, cuckoo, kingfisher, thrush. From reptiles widely spread yellow-bellied snake, olive and Aesculapian snakes. Also often found ordinary and water snake. Up to a height of 1000 m foothills and low mountains dwells caucasian viper, in subalpice — Dinnik's viper. A license is allowed on the territory of the park. hunting for wild boar, deer, bear. Recreational fishing is prohibited.

Generally, animal world of Kuban varied. Even despite the onslaught of man, many animals have adapted to the neighborhood with him. Hares, foxes, jackals began to settle in the thickets of agricultural land - beams, forest belts, floodplain copses. Even better, small rodents and predators took root near human habitation - hamsters, mice, weasels, hori. And sung in songs steppe eagle still a permanent inhabitant of the Kuban skies. Already 50 km from Krasnodar in the area stanitsa Krepostnoy can be found bear, roe deer, red deer, wild pigs. AT mountains inhabit caucasian bison, on the alpine meadows — Kuban tour.

Almost all species of animals and birds that inhabit the low-mountain forests of the North-Western Caucasus live in Akhun forest park . Even visits here bear. Akhun forest park is interesting, first of all, Mount Akhun . On it in 1936, according to the project architect S. I. Vorobyov, was erected lookout tower . A stone staircase in a square spiral goes around a tower built of light limestone and reminiscent of medieval knight's castle. With every turn, a new view opens up: the endless blue of the sea, the city of Sochi, buildings of health resorts, villages, a majestic panorama mountains of the Greater Caucasus. From the highest platform, from a height of 700 m above sea level, you can see the green outfit and the Akhun mountains. The southern slope, generously heated by the sun, is covered with mixed broad-leaved forests. The northern one, the most shaded, is covered with light beech forests. And from the east and west, through the valleys Khosta rivers and Agura, grow subtropical forests of the Colchis type, with an abundance of vines and evergreen undergrowth. The slopes of the mountain cover boxwood thickets. These are habitats rare plants and ancient inhabitants of the planet amphibian and reptiles: Asia Minor newt, Caucasian cross, Mediterranean tortoise.

Mamedovo gorge- a picturesque and beautiful creation of the nature of the park - is located north of the village of Lazarevskoye. It's a canyon valley Kuapse river , covered Colchis forest. Gorge decorate waterfalls up to 10 m high, multi-meter boulders , numerous streams . A road goes to the left bank of the Kuapse River and then climbs the slope, winding through the forest, in which mighty beeches, chestnuts, lindens. Not far from the entrance to the gorge stands a trough-shaped dolmen . Further, in a stone blockage, rises cliff . The locals call it Head of Mamed . Further, the road descends to the river and goes to the right, and the path along the stones of the Kuapse River leads to walnut meadow . From here begins the most interesting part of the route. Here the road forks: one path leads along the slope, the other goes straight along the riverbed. On the way they meet stone gate . At a height of 3 m, the walls of the gorge close over the river in the form arches. The rocks are decorated stalactites, covered in places moss, garlands hang down to the water ivy. After the stone gates, the walls of the gorge widen sharply and form the so-called white hall . Vertical cliffs of light limestone serve as the walls of the "hall". On one of them, from a 10-meter height, a cascade breaks waterfall Usy Mameda . The farther the path, the more bizarre and mysterious the gorge becomes. And now, a dead end - a wall, cascade of waterfalls . But the trail climbs up and returns over the gorge.

Picturesque Krasnaya Polyana

Krasnaya Polyana, "Little Switzerland" of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, located on southern slope of the Main Caucasian Range at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, in the valley the Mzymta river . This is a unique area of ​​the park with a special climate: light winds, low air humidity, moderately mild winters and high snow cover. The terrain abounds mineral springs (many of them are similar in composition to famous Caucasian waters - Narzan and Borjomi) is famous luxurious alpine meadows and unique landscapes. majestic peaks mountains Aigba, Achishkho, Chugush, Agepsta, Pseashkho , 2400-3200 m high, are covered with snow caps all year round. The beautiful valley of the Mzymta River is immersed in blooming gardens in spring: chestnuts, cherry laurel, azaleas, rhododendrons. Forest made up of beech, hornbeam, oak, chestnut, fir, walnut, ash, covers the slopes of the mountains with a green veil. Diverse and rich animal world Krasnaya Polyana. Here you can meet wild boar, red deer, Caucasian bear, wolf and other wild animals. Found high in the mountains chamois and tours. Panorama mountains, alpine meadows, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, ancient monuments and much more leave a lasting impression. A picturesque road leads to the village of Krasnaya Polyana. It stretches along the valley of the Mzymta River, which cuts through Ah-Tsu Ridge, forming a gorge 800 m deep, 5 m wide at the bottom and 3 km long.

Rafting on the Mzymta River from Krasnaya Polyana you can see a lot rare animals and plants. The bottom of the gorge is cluttered with collapsed from above giant blocks of limestone, along which with white foam break down waterfalls and waterfalls. In the walls gorges hanging over the road gaping karst cavities. Thickets of flowering shrubs adorn the gorge and fill the cool, moist air with aroma. spawning in the river Black Sea salmon and trout.

The park contains a huge number of diverse and unusually vivid manifestations of nature. This and canyons , and waterfalls , and giant boulders , and cave labyrinths , and mineral springs , and much more. They are scattered throughout the park, and it will take more than one day to see at least some of them. Therefore, many tourists who have visited the park at least once tend to return here more than once.

Health resort of Russia

Territory Sochi National Park has long been known for its mineral springs . Chemical composition their most varied: hydrogen sulfide, iodine-bromine, radon, narzan. Many have healing properties and have long been very popular among locals and guests of the region. The most famous hydrogen sulfide Matsesta, narzan in Zhizheps and Krasnaya Polyana.

The most important agricultural crop is cultivated on the territory of Sochi - tea . The first plantings of tea were made here in 1878. Tea grew well, but in the harsh winter of 1883, the seedlings died. In 1901, I. A. Koshman, a former worker of tea plantations of the famous Russian tea manufacturer K. S. Popov, who grew tea in Georgia, who settled in Sochi, laid the foundation for the village of Solokh-Aul a small tea plantation of 800 bushes. From the green tea leaves collected from them, he annually produced up to 50 kg of tea, which he sold in Sochi. The first tea plantations in the Krasnodar Territory were planted with seeds from his plantation in 1925. Tea grown in Sochi is named "Krasnodar" . In the post-war years, several tea state farms were formed in Greater Sochi, and two tea factories were built. The best tea growers annually from May to October collect up to 6-8 tons of tea. At present, 4 varieties of long leaf black tea are produced in Sochi, as well as other types of tea products, for example, with additives from medicinal herbs: St. John's wort, mint, thyme, lingonberry leaves, black currant. Every year, Solokh-Aul receives tens of thousands of tourists who get acquainted with the production of the northernmost tea in the world. They visit plantations, in cafes they are treated to the best varieties of tea.

"Tizdar" - the largest active mud volcano

On the Taman Peninsula at the confluence of the Black and Azov seas Temryuk district Krasnodar Territory. The Taman Peninsula or Taman is a godsend for those who prefer to relax in solitude, enjoying the pristine nature. Resorts of Temryuk District represent natural health resort, with active mud volcanoes and deposits of thermal waters. AT village "For the Motherland" the largest active mud volcano "Tizdar" is located. Volcanic mud is used to treat various diseases. Cape Ironhorn — the only place in the Kuban, where layers come to the surface brown ore .

In his story "Taman" by M. Yu. Lermontov wrote: “We drove up to a small hut, on the very shore of the sea. A full moon shone on the reed roof and white walls of my new dwelling: in the yard, surrounded by a fence of cobblestones, another shack, smaller and older than the first, stood sideways. The shore sloped down to the sea almost at its very walls, and below, with a continuous roar, dark blue waves splashed ... " In the center of Taman , located on the waterfront Lermontov Museum . It consists of "Lermontov's courtyard" and small literary museum located in a separate small building. The Lermontov Yard and the Literary Museum are separated flower garden. Despite the small size of the exposition, the exhibits presented in the museum are very interesting and unique: sheets from Lermontov's manuscript "Taman", autographs, drawings, old books, paintings.

AT Gelendzhik interesting place to visit city ​​lighthouse perched on a steep cliff offering panoramic views of the city. Cape Tolstoy — the best place for admiring sea sunsets at any time of the year. Leading beacon located on Lermontovsky Boulevard- the oldest operating lighthouse on the Black Sea coast. It was created by a French architect Tarnau. The light from it in the sea is visible for 9 miles. Marhotsky Ridge in Gelendzhik, only 600 meters high, but this is quite enough to see an unforgettable panorama. Although there are lifts, we advise you to conquer the mountain on foot, because you get the greatest satisfaction when you climb to the top of the mountain and realize that you did it!

Hydrological monument of nature "Thin Cape - Lake Tsvetochnoe" , is included in complex "Ash Valley" . It got its name because of the “summer white flower”, an ornamental plant listed in the Red Book of Russia, the habitat of which is tied to this particular lake.
In the water of springs located in Neberjay valley called "Silver Springs of Neberdzhay" , high content of silver ions. Other attractions worth visiting Emerald Waterfall and dolmens near Janet river . The Zhane River and its tributaries form one of the most picturesque valleys in the vicinity of Gelendzhik with cascade of waterfalls . You can relieve fatigue by swimming on a hot summer day. BUT Bigius waterfalls - the highest in the area Gelendzhik . The waterfalls are always beautiful, at any time of the year. In summer, their cool aura is pierced by the rays of the sun, and then an iridescent rainbow plays with all colors. The sight is mesmerizing. In the spring they are full of water, muddy, their continuous roar is heard from afar. In autumn they are quiet, shallow. Waterfall backwaters-lakes are encrusted with fallen leaves, painted with golden autumn, collecting amazing multi-colored patterns of a mirror kaleidoscope. In winter, these are bastions of ice from huge icicles. Living giant organ. Water, pulsing in the ice labyrinths, emits divine sounds of different tones: from gentle and quiet murmur with iridescent scream to a dull humming rumble, amplified by the voids of the ice shell. upper reaches Thab River known as "gorge of forty waterfalls" (they are Plisetsky waterfalls ).

Pshada river and its tributaries are famous for their abundance waterfalls . AT Kochkareva gap on the right tributary there are several waterfalls. On one of them for thousands of years giant stalactite, resembling an alligator trying to climb a ledge. 300 meters above the mouth of Kochkara on creek Gorlyanov more than a dozen waterfalls.
Widely known papaya waterfalls on the Black river , the left tributary of the Papayka River. Near village Novosadovy downstream papayki rivers unforgettable spectacle: A 50-meter rock wall cut by a water stream, a 4-meter wide opening and forming a step with falling water 11 meters high. To the left of the jet, white slimy streaks are visible, emitting a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide. At one of the origins Pshada rivers, Red River concentrated more than a dozen waterfalls, including Big Pshadsky (Olyapkin) .

Gelendzhik dolmens in their historical value and antiquity are equated to world wonders of the world

Gelendzhik dolmens - megalithic structures made of stone slabs of the Bronze Age (2-3 thousand BC). The answer to the question about the purpose of these buildings is at the level of hypotheses. They are monuments of world cultural heritage. The "forefathers" of the Egyptian pyramids and sphinxes, they are equated with the world wonders of the world in their historical value and antiquity.

Mountain Adygea

Gentle and Azizhskaya caves are one of the most beautiful in the North Caucasus

Adygea is an amazing land of mountains, waterfalls and caves. The most attractive is the trip to Lago-Naki plateau. From viewing platforms Azish-Tau Ridge majestic mountain panoramas open. One of the most beautiful caves in the North Caucasus, Nezhnaya and Azizhskaya, are also located here.
interesting route along the Belaya River up to the mountain the village of Guzeripl through picturesque granite gorge past jagged rocks mountains trident and violent merger Belaya rivers and quiche.
lovers mountain travel can climb mountains Fisht, Oshten and Thach .
granite gorge - rocks along the road Guzeripl - one of the most beautiful places in the mountainous Adygea. Flowing in steep rocky banks, the river rumbles and foams on numerous rapids and rifts.

For the first time Big Azish cave was explored in 1910 by five local residents. “... The entrance to the cave is an abyss. From the place of descent to the east we saw a gallery twenty fathoms long. The entire gallery is hung with thousands of icicles. In the depths of the gallery there are marvelous fantastic columns of great height. Wherever you look, you see objects one more wonderful than the other.. This is how the discoverers saw this cave, and this is how it has remained to this day.

Khadzhokh gorge - gorge along the left tributary Belaya river in the village of Kamennomostsky . Khajokh has its own fertile and mild southern climate. There are such winters that on a clear January day you go out into the forest to admire the flowering carpet of cyclamens. This is because this corner is sheltered by high rocky-wooded ridges from the southwestern heavy winds that bring rain, snow and cold from the glacial mountains. From the huge rocky bastions ridge Una-Koz from the edge of the rocky abyss, a view opens up to the stormy Belaya River, to the winding ribbon of the road, piles of stones stuck to the foot of the rocky banks. The silent majesty of the mountains is the rock kingdom of Khadzhokh. Mysterious, wild, little explored depth of the gorges. From a dizzying height, you can watch the beauty of wild, unbridled nature for hours. The small houses of Khadzhokh, immersed in the greenery of trees, are located in several tiers on the slopes of the closed ridges, forming a mountain village and a magnificent garden village.

Here in Khadzhokh are located Rufabgo waterfalls , not inferior to the Agur waterfalls of the city of Sochi. View from the footbridge the village of Kamennomostsky through the Belaya River is impressive: an unbridled mountain stream rushes through a rocky gorge. On the other side of the river, a path begins past six beautiful waterfalls . There is no place in Khajokh that has not been touched by the wheel of history. In its vicinity there are many mounds - Burials of "nomadic empires" and disappeared peoples - Khazars, Pechenegs, Scythians and Polovtsy. You can also say that this is the richest paleontological open-air museum , a giant fabulous island of fossilized marine animals that existed millions of years ago. The amazing underwater world, which lived in almost all epochs from the Cambrian to the Neogene, has been preserved here in stone. In deep rock canyons the rivers Aminovka, Mezmai, Kholodnaya, Hadzhokha, Polkovnitskaya, in Meshoko and Rufabgo there are imprints of giant ammonite shells, sea urchins, billimnites, corals and other representatives of bygone centuries.

Plateau Lago-Naki will captivate you with its beautiful views, interesting geological formations, karst lakes, alpine meadows, sparkling snow peaks, mountain honey, horseback riding. At the edge of the plateau, the view is stunning - a dizzying height from a cliff Ridge "Stone Sea" , flowers of alpine meadows of unusually delicate beauty, snowy peaks mountain range "Oshten" and non-melting snow mountain "Abadzesh". The stone sea really looks like a sea with waves frozen in geological centuries, created by large fragments of volcanic tuff. Rise between the waves "islands" - pointed rocky outcrops from 6 to 20 meters high. Gnarled trunks miraculously strengthened on the islands pines, lindens, ash-trees, chestnuts, junipers. In the lower part, at the edge of the forest, tender branches fall around the white trunks. Litvinov's birches. To the north of the screes, behind a wooded peak in a tectonic trough, there is a small lake 120 meters long and 30 meters wide. In the middle of the lake Island, overgrown caucasian blueberries. There are many lush pillows on the rocks Caucasian thyme. In August, the rocks are decorated white carnation.

The view from the observation deck on the way to Lago-Naki opens on pine meadow which is especially beautiful in the morning. Low milky white clouds completely cover the valley, forming a vast ocean of clouds that stretches below you. Only the bright sun illuminates the tops of the mountains. They cut through the white canvas with their pointed peaks and resemble icebergs drifting in the ocean. Gradually, a dense cover of clouds floats away, and now the clear outlines of the mountains are shrouded in a translucent haze.

The Upper Kurdzhip Gorge is the most unique natural object, the scientific and environmental value of which is of world importance.

Kurjip canyon up to 300 meters deep. Upper Kurdzhip Gorge - rocky canyon Kurdzhips river, stretching from the Lago-Naki plateau to the village of Mezmai. It adjoins the territory of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve. This is the most unique natural object, the scientific and environmental value of which is of world importance. Grows in the gorge relict Colchis flora. Its slopes are covered yew-boxwood forest. Many rare species of birds nest here, including, griffon vulture.

Cossack Stone- unique natural monument . This is a huge boulder, one of the largest in Europe with a height and diameter of 20 meters, which the road bypasses on both sides. The impression is as if he fell right on the highway. Many tourists are attracted by the caves with their unique, healing climate, where there are no microbes, where nature's fantasies have no limits in creating wonderful lacy columned halls. Phanagoria cave known from written sources since 1666. According to the latest data, its length is 1442 m, the area is 2064 m 2. The underground world, where an ever-living drop of water sculpts beautiful masterpieces of eternity, is mysterious.

The Krasnodar Territory is an ideal place for every tourist. Amazing landscapes, lush vegetation, hot sun, gentle waters of two seas, breathtaking mountains turn it into a real paradise for vacationers. Thousands of nature lovers come here every year, wishing to improve their health, and simply escape from working days. Like streams of ants, with backpacks on their shoulders, they spread through the mountain gorges. Their flow never stops. They are not afraid of bad weather, because in every gorge there is a secluded corner that provides shelter from rain and wind. The gentle sea with the noise of its continuous waves delights the ear, the forest with the rustle of leaves, touched by a fresh breeze, as if something is telling you. And we strive here again and again, to the delightful Krasnodar Territory - a region that attracts with its endless beauties!

From the southern wooded slopes of the Greater Caucasus, hundreds of mountain rivers rapidly carry their waters. Their valleys in the lower reaches are densely populated.

The rivers of the Black Sea coast differ sharply from the rivers of the Azov-Kuban lowland, they are closer in appearance to the mountain rivers of the Kuban basin, but are formed in somewhat DIFFERENT natural conditions;

Natural conditions of the Black Sea river basin. The basins of the rivers flowing into the Black Sea within the Krasnodar Territory are located on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus. This slope is shorter and steeper than the northern one. Here, in front of a high watershed ridge, a series of medium-altitude ridges and low-mountain ridges stretches to the south, but unlike the northern slope, typical cuestas are absent. Plain areas here are small, scattered and broken and occupy the lower reaches of river valleys or are confined to Quaternary marine terraces.

The mountains reach the highest height in the Sochi region along its northeastern border. Here there are such mountains as Aibga with a height of 2450 m, Loyub with a height of 3000 m, South Pseashkho - 3251 m, etc. In the direction to the northwest, the mountains gradually decrease. In the Tuapse region, their peaks do not rise above 975 m (Mount Lysaya), and in the Novorossiysk region - 400 m. Further to the northwest, the foothills pass into the coastal plain of the Anapa region.

The high-mountain part of the basin is composed mainly of limestones and sandstones of the Jurassic system. Mid-high mountains - limestone and flysch of the Cretaceous and Paleogene systems.

The low mountains consist of rocks of the Paleogene system.

In the area between the cities of Novorossiysk and Tuapse, in the 1st Swarming of the folded ridges, flysch (layered) strata of the Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene from carbonate rocks, shale marls, and thin-layered limestones take part in the base.

To the east of Tuapse, Paleogene shale clays, sandstones, and marls play the main role in the relief structure of the foothills. Sometimes they have a flysch character, i.e., a layered structure. These rocks are relatively easily eroded by water and form here low hills and ridges of rather soft, smooth outlines. In the higher mountain ranges, composed of Upper Cretaceous limestone, karst landforms develop in the form of funnels, wells, and caves. Karst caves on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus are numerous and some of them, such as Bolshaya Vorontsovskaya, are of considerable size.

The climate of the Black Sea coast is not the same in its western and eastern parts. Annual rainfall ranges from 500 mm near the city of Anapa to 3500 mm - on Mount Achishkho near Sochi.

But on most of the coast from Arkhipo-Osipovka to Adler, precipitation is from 800 to 1700 mm per year.

Precipitation of the cold period prevails. The average annual temperature on the Black Sea coast is +13, +14° C. The average temperature in January is +3, +5, in July +22, +24°. The southeastern part of the coast from Tuapse to Adler is a humid subtropics with a mild, warm and humid climate.

The soil cover in the area of ​​the city of Anapa is expressed by chestnut soils. Further, in the southeast, in a wide strip, capturing the foothills and low mountains, humus-carbonate soils stretched to the city of Tuapse. To the north, in the mid-mountain zone, they pass into mountain forest soils. In the area from Tuapse to Adler, the low-mountain part of the coast is occupied by mountain forest soils in combination with zheltozems. And higher in the mountains, they go first in the lane. purulent-carbonate soils, then into mountain-forest soils, and finally, in the highlands, into mountain-meadow soils.

The wealth of heat, moisture, fertile soils, especially in the subtropical part of the Black Sea coast, led to the development of lush vegetation here.

The territory from Adler and almost to Tuapse, in the zone from sea level to mid-altitude mountains, is covered with dense, moist, deciduous forests of the Colchian type with evergreen undergrowth. Higher into the mountains, they give way to broad-leaved oak and beech forests, then to fir forests, and in the highlands, to lush variegated subalpine meadows with thickets of Caucasian rhododendron.

The coastal area from Tuapse to Anapa is covered mainly with broad-leaved oak and beech forests. Separate islands along the very coast of the sea are found here between Tuapse and Gelendzhik forests of Pitsunda, Pallas and hooked pine, and between Gelendzhik and Anapa juniper woodlands with other drought-resistant shrubs.

Hydrologically, the Black Sea coast of our region is very different from the basin of the Kuban and the Azov rivers. It is divided into numerous small drainage basins. From the city of Novorossiysk to the southeastern border of the region, there are up to 80 separate rivers flowing into the sea, and only three of them - Mzymta, Shakhe and Psou have a length of more than 50 km and a catchment area of ​​​​more than 400 km 2, all other rivers are much smaller. 20 km are (counting from southeast to northwest) Psou, Mzymta, Sochi, Shakhe, Psezuapse, Ashe, Tuapse, Nechepsuho, Shapsuho, Dzhubga, Vulan, Pshada.

The Black Sea rivers are characterized by large slopes and often look like mountain streams, cascading down from the mountains.

In many rivers, especially in the upper reaches, the valleys have a canyon-like character. Rivers located southeast of the river. Shapsuho, are characterized by the presence of high "river terraces" in the lower reaches.

The water regime of the Black Sea rivers is peculiar. Rivers located west of the river. Nebug, are characterized by high floods from rain and melting snow during the cold part of the year and persistent low levels from May to October. (Sometimes the summer low water is interrupted by floods caused by heavy rains. Then the rivers can turn into powerful turbulent streams.

The snow cover in the basins of these rivers is unstable, and when it melts, no pronounced flood is observed;

Rivers located east of the river. Nebug, have larger drainage basins with higher elevations.

the amount of precipitation and the density of the river network here are almost twice as much.

The snow cover is also unstable. Snow is accumulating

only in parts of the basins with elevations above 1000 m. These rivers are characterized by floods, which often occur during the cold season. They are caused by prolonged autumn rains and snowmelt in winter. Floods are also observed in summer, but less frequently. Low water is not long and is also interrupted sometimes by flash floods.

At the same time, floods, due to heavy precipitation and large slopes of the terrain, are short-lived and have a sharp rise and fall in the level. Turning into turbulent streams, rivers sometimes bring destruction to settlements. Most of the Black Sea rivers are characterized by the absence of freezing.

The total mineralization of the water of these rivers ranges from 50 mg/l (the Mzymta river in the upper reaches) to 940 mg/l (the Gostagai river) and higher. But most rivers are still characterized by low and medium (not higher than 500 mg/l) mineralization.

There is a general pattern of increasing mineralization of the river waters of the Black Sea coast from the source to the mouth of these rivers, as well as in the direction from southeast to northwest along the coast.

The predominant ions by weight in river waters here are bicarbonate, calcium, and sulfate ions.

Using the classification of O. A. Alekin, the waters of all Black Sea rivers should be attributed to the hydrocarbonate class of the calcium group - the second type. The content of sulfate ions rarely exceeds 10% meq. There are few chloride ions. The hardness of river waters can range from 0.5 to 11.2 meq (Gostagai river). During the period of low water and interflood periods, water hardness is greatest. Moderately hard waters at this time distinguish rivers from the river. Psou to the river. Tuapse. The rivers lying west of the river. Tuapse, have a higher water hardness (6-9 mgeq).

Psou river

On the slopes of a high mountain range, to the west of Mount Agepsta, at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level, the river is born. Psou. Half of its drainage basin is located on wooded mountains above 1000 m. Total catchment area; ; rivers 431 km 2. Having traveled 53 km, Psou flows into the Black Sea, 8 km southeast of the Adler resort. In its lower course, the river is the border between Krasnodar;; the Shsou is a typical mountain river with a fast current, clear water and a picturesque valley "noy?") For the first 28 kilometers it flows in a narrow valley with steep slopes, up to 100 m high in some places. turns to the southwest and, breaking through the ridge, made up of the spurs of the Akhkhach and Dzykhra mountains, flows to the sea along a wide valley.In the lower reaches, the river has a wide pebble floodplain and is divided into branches.

The largest tributaries of the Psou are pp. Phista and Besh. Both flow into it from the left.

The river is fed in the spring due to the melting of high mountain snows, in the summer - due to showers, and in autumn and early winter it is fed by prolonged rains. Underground nutrition plays a certain role during the low water period.

The water regime of the river is flood.; The average annual discharge of Psou (near the village of Leselidze) is about 19 m 3 /s. During the year, the river brings in. The Black Sea has more than 650 million m 3 of water of medium mineralization.

The following settlements are located in the Psou valley: Aibga, Ermolovka, Nizhneshilovskoye, Veseloye.

Mzymta river

This is the largest and richest of the rivers of the Black Sea coast within the Krasnodar Territory. Mzymta originates on the southern slope of the Main Caucasian Range in the region of Mount Loyub, at an altitude of 2980 m.

Having made a path of 89 km among the mountains and collecting water from an area of ​​885 km 2, Mzymta flows into the Black Sea near Adler.

Translated from the Circassian, Mzymta means "mad", and it fully justifies its name, as it is a stormy mountain river, quickly and noisily carrying its foaming waters between steep rocky banks. At the very source, Mzymta looks like a mountain stream falling from a steep cascade clean and clear cold water.Two kilometers from the source, the river flows into the picturesque high-mountain lake Kardyvach, about 0.5 km long.It is located at an altitude of 1850 m, in a deep basin and is surrounded by high mountains.The nature here is beautiful: the variegated green carpets of the Alpine meadows, dark green coniferous forests on mountain slopes, sparkling snowfields, lake Kardyvach Mzymta flows out as a calm river with clear cold water and flows at first, meandering in low meadow banks) Then the river valley narrows. down a waterfall with a mighty rumble, scattering in cascades of spray.This waterfall, called the Emerald, has a fall height of about about 15 m.

poses an insurmountable obstacle even for swift trout, and it is not found above the waterfall, but below it there are quite a few.

Trout - silvery, with black and red specks, cautious and shy fish. Its meat is tender and tasty. In addition to trout, barbels, black-bellies, and chub and roach are found in the Mzymta. In autumn, the Black Sea salmon enters the river to spawn - a rather large fish, reaching up to 30 kg of weight.

The forests and meadows of the Mzymta basin are inhabited by numerous animals that find abundant food in the form of juicy herbs, fruits, berries, acorns, chestnuts and nuts. There are many Caucasian bears, wild boars, badgers, foxes, wild cats here. There are lynx, wolves, valuable fur-bearing animals - martens, hares, Altai squirrels, otters and minks. The pride of the local forests is the Caucasian red deer and wild goat - roe deer. Beautiful and agile chamois graze in subalpine meadows, mountain goats - Severtsov's tours, mountain turkeys, Caucasian black grouse live.

There are also many birds in the forests.

(Many tributaries flow into the Mzymta, the largest of them are Pslukh, Pudziko, Chvizhepse. There are a number of waterfalls on the tributaries of the Mzymta, fast mountain rivers.!

Below the confluence with the Mzymta river. The Pudziko river valley changes dramatically: the channel is divided into branches, the floodplain expands to 0.6 km, and the river slope decreases. At 46-48 km from the source, on the right bank of the Mzymta, in a picturesque valley, the working settlement of Krasnaya Polyana is located at an altitude of about 600 m above sea level. In Krasnaya Polyana there is a department of the southern department of the Caucasian State Reserve, woodworking and sawmills. Near the village, a little downstream of the Mzymta, there is a diversion hydroelectric power station with an original design with a 30-meter equalizing tower. HPP capacity is 29,000 kW.

Even further downstream, the Mzymta valley narrows again, as the river, breaking through the Aibga-Achishkho ridge here, forms the Greek gorge. Its shores are composed of dark gray Jurassic shales. Steeply falling, with a slope of 0.1, the river, compressed by rocks, has a rapid rapids. During floods in the narrowest part of the gorge, the water horizon can rise higher than usual, up to 5 meters or more.

Escaping from the Greek Gorge, the river expands its valley, and the floodplain here has a width of 100 to 500 m. However, after about 15 km, the river valley sharply narrows again. Here Mzymta cuts through the Akhtsu Katsirkha mountain ridge and forms the deepest and longest of its gorges, Akhtsu, reminiscent of the famous Darial Gorge in beauty. The width of the gorge along the bottom in some places is only 3-10 m, its slopes are composed of very hard and dense limestones of the Jurassic age. Not reaching 19 km from the sea, Mzymta crosses the Akhshtyr mountain range. The river flows through a narrow gorge called the Akhshtyr Gates. Behind this gorge begins the lower course of the river. Its valley expands again, and the river takes on a flat character. The slope of its channel drops to 0.004. For the last 6 km, the Mzymta flows along a wide flat terrace made of river sediments. The river splits into branches and winds along the floodplain. The shores here are very unstable, easily washed out during floods and need to be strengthened.

One of the attractions of the Mzymta valley are karst caves. The most famous is the Akhshtyrskaya cave, located opposite the village of Akhshtyr, 15 km from Adler. It was formed under the action of groundwater on the right steep, rocky bank of the Mzymta. The entrance to it is located at an altitude of about 120 m above the river level. The cave is about 150 m long, up to 9 m wide and up to 10 m high in some places.

During excavations in the cave, archaeologists discovered traces of human settlement 60-70 thousand years ago. Evidence of this are finds such as stone axes, arrowheads and spears, fragments of pottery, bones of animals and fish.

This cave is well known. The tourist centers and excursion bureaus of Adler, Sochi, Gagra include it in their excursion routes.

A trout farm has been built and operates 13 km from the mouth of the Mzymta, where trout is bred and the resort of Sochi is supplied with this delicious fish.

[Feed r. Mzymtu small glaciers, firn snowfields of the Agepsta, Pseashkho, Chugusha ridges, prolonged autumn rains, summer showers. In addition, the river basin in the upper reaches is very rich in springs and springs, the nourishing value of which is especially noticeable during the low-water period.

The water regime of Mzymta is flood. At the same time, spring, summer and autumn floods are observed "The highest discharges and the highest levels usually occur in April - May. Low horizons and discharges are observed in January - February and July - August. The average annual water discharge near the village of Kepsha is about 44 m 3 / s , and the maximum is 764 m 3 / s.

During the year, the river carries over 1.4 billion m 3 of water and a large amount of solid sediment into the Black Sea.

Mineralization of the water of the river. Mzymta from small in the upper reaches (50 mg/l) to medium in the middle and lower reaches (200 mg/l).

Hydrocarbonate, calcium and sulfate ions predominate in water by weight. The river basin is rich in mineral springs. For example, on Engelmanova Polyana, in the upper reaches of the river, there are more than 120 outlets of mineral water. The largest of these sources with a flow rate of over 20 thousand liters per day is similar in composition to the Kislovodsk narzan. The waters of the vicinity of the village of Krasnaya Polyana contain boron. A number of mineral springs are available in the valleys of Pslukh, Chvizhepse and others. In terms of mineralization and chemical composition, some of them are of the Borjomi and Essentuki type, others are calcium carbonate and alkaline, saturated with carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, the mineral waters of the Mzymta basin are still poorly used in balneological terms.

There are a number of settlements in the river valley: EstoSadok, Krasnaya Polyana, Chvizhepse, Monastery, Moldovka and Adler resort.

Khosta River

It is a small, shallow river that deserves a description due to the interesting features of its basin. Khosta is formed from the confluence of two small mountain rivers - Western Khosta and Eastern Khosta, originating on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus.

The length of Khosta itself is only 4.5 km, but if we consider its length together with Eastern Khosta, then their total length is about 21 km, and the fall is 933 m. The length of Western Khosta is 14 km. The Khosta flows into the Black Sea near Cape Vidny in the Khosta area.

The area of ​​the entire drainage basin of Khosta is about 96 km2. Its relief is mountainous, but the heights of the terrain nowhere reach 1000 m, and more than 30% of the basin lies no higher than 250 m above sea level. Most of the basin is covered with forests of the Colchis type. A unique object of nature in the river basin is the Khosta yew-boxwood grove. It is located 2 km from the resort

Khosta district and 20 km from the Central district of the city of Sochi on the southeastern slope of the Big Akhun mountain and covers an area of ​​300 hectares. The grove is a small separate branch of the Caucasian State Reserve.

Favorable climatic conditions of this corner of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus: an abundance of solar heat, a significant amount of precipitation, high humidity "and mild winters - contributed to the preservation of such relic trees as yew and boxwood. In addition to them, more than 60 species of trees and shrubs grow in the grove and including beech, cherry laurel, hornbeam, butcher's broom, oak, sweet cherry, creepers.In the forests of the Khosta basin and even in the deep parts of the grove, bears, roe deer, wild cats, jackals, wild boars, badgers, squirrels, martens, dormouse, near the river otters are found in the Khosta basin, including thrushes, woodpeckers, finches, tits, jays, hawks, kites, etc.

Here you can occasionally meet a poisonous viper snake, more often harmless snake, snake and spindle.

For a small part of its length, the Khosta flows in a steep-walled valley overgrown with forest. She is very picturesque. One of the most beautiful places in the valley is the White Rocks area on the territory of a yew-boxwood grove. Coming out of the twilight of the grove to the observation deck over the cliff, you will see a lovely panorama of the river valley immersed in the greenery of forests. Hosts. In the north, jagged spurs of the Greater Caucasus looming in a misty haze. On the opposite bank of the river, a hundred-meter cliff of light-gray limestones whitens, and at the foot of the cliff, the impetuous Khosta roars dully.

D The river is fed mainly by atmospheric precipitation, and partly by groundwater. The water regime of Khosta is flood, like all Black Sea rivers. During the period of prolonged or heavy rains, as well as during intense snowmelt on the slopes of the surrounding mountains, the river, usually shallow in low water, turns into a high-water raging stream.

The average annual water flow near the village of Khosta is 5 m 3 /s. The maximum flow reaches 436 m 3 /s, and the minimum drops to 0.98 m 3 /s.

"The mineralization of the water in the river is average. Khosta is not abounding with fish, but fast trout, barbel, chub, blackbell are found here. Such valuable fish as salmon enter the river from the sea during the spawning period.

Sochi river

Sochi's watercourses are located on the southern slope of the Main Caucasian Range near Mount Chura at an altitude of 18-3 m. The river flows into the Black Sea in the central part of Sochi) near the Caucasian Riviera sanatorium. / The length of the river is 45 km. Sochi collects water from an area of ​​296 km 2 / Almost half of the basin lies at an altitude of more than 1000 m. Most of the basin is covered with forests of the Colchis type. In the first ten kilometers of its course, the river falls steeply from the mountains, with a channel slope of 0.13, and flows rapidly in a narrow valley with steep, high rocky banks. Below the confluence of its tributary Ats into Sochi, the river valley expands noticeably, and below the confluence of the river. Azhek pebble islands appear in the channel.

Approximately 28 km from the source of the river. Sochi breaks out of the mountain valley into the foothills. The slopes of the channel here are already much less - 0.008-0.005, so the river flows more calmly along the pebbly channel and has formed a wide floodplain.

On the river Sochi and its right tributary Orekhovka has beautiful waterfalls. At the very mouth of the river Orekhovka, its channel breaks off abruptly, and the stream of water falls almost vertically from. 35 meters high, uplifting cascades of spray. The waterfall looks especially impressive during floods.

In the lower reaches, the river flows through the Central District of the city of Sochi. Here, its banks are clad in concrete; a beautiful embankment stretches on both sides. Bridges are thrown across the river.

(The Sochi River is fed by melting snow, rainfall and groundwater. Its water regime is flood. The spring flood period is 40-50 days. The winter flood is clearly expressed, resulting from the melting of unstable snow cover in pool. Often spills from rains occur in summer. Horizons of water and costs of the river. Sochi fluctuate significantly throughout the year. Thus, water discharges in the lower reaches can vary from 2.3 to 587 m 3 /s. The average annual flow of the river here is 17 m 3 /s. During the year it carries out to the Black Sea about 600 million m 3 of water and a significant amount of sediment.

Mineralization of the water of the river. Sochi does not exceed the average (100-250 mg / l), the water is soft. The predominant ions (by weight) are calcium bicarbonate and sulfate.

River valley Sochi in the middle and lower reaches is densely populated; here, in addition to the world-famous resort city of Sochi, there are also settlements Azhek,

Plastunka, Navaginskoe. River valley Sochi is one of the objects of tourist trips. Here you can admire the waterfalls on the river. Sochi and Orekhovka, visit a karst cave on the left bank of the river. Ats. This cave named after N.I. Sokolov is located about 1.5 km from the confluence of this river with the river. Sochi. The cave is very interesting, it has an underground river with waterfalls.

Traveling through the river valley Sochi, you can also get acquainted with the rich flora and fauna of this fertile corner of our Motherland.

Shahe River

River is born. Shahe near Mount Chura at an altitude of 1718 m above sea level in the zone of alpine meadows. This is the second longest and most abundant river of the Black Sea coast within our region.

Flowing through the Lazarevsky district of the city of Sochi, it collects water from a basin with an area of ​​562 km 2 and flows into the Black Sea near the village of Golovinka, having traveled 60 km. Almost the entire river basin is mountainous and covered with forest, while almost two-thirds of it lies above 1000 m. In its upper reaches, the Shakhe has a very steep slope for 14 km - from 0.14 to 0.04 narrow steep rocky valley. Here, many small mountain streams flow into it. In the middle reaches of the Shakhe, on the segment from the mouth of its tributary, the Boyuk, to the confluence of the river. Tukh, the slopes are already smaller - from 0.03 to 0.01, and it flows more calmly in an extended valley, which has a pebble floodplain with a width of up to 0.6 km in places. In the lower reaches, the river valley expands even more.

A number of tributaries flow into Shah, the largest of them are Bzych (left) 25 km long, Kichmay (right) 12 km long and Azhu 11 km long.

They feed r. Shah precipitation in the form of rain and snow and groundwater. Springs and groundwater give a certain stability to the flow of the river during low periods. Shahe does not reach the boundaries of eternal snow.

"The water regime of the Shakhe River is flood, unstable. Floods are caused by prolonged or heavy rains and melting of seasonal snow in the highland zone of the basin. The latter is observed in November - December and from March to June.

High flood peaks are almost possible SCH. ,.joe. season, except for January and February, when the snow cover is the most stable. In the floods of the river Shahe rises violently and rushes in a formidable powerful stream. At the same time, water discharges can vary at Solokhaul from 6.5 m 3 / s (during low water) to 421 m 3 / s (during high water). The average annual discharge of the river here is about 28 m 3 /s. The river carries almost 1 billion m 3 of water and hundreds of thousands of tons of sediment into the Black Sea per year. The general mineralization of the water of the river. Shahe low to medium: 100-250 mg/l. The water is soft, it is dominated (by weight) by hydrocarbonate, calcium and sulfate ions. On the river Shah settlements are located: Babukaul.Shzych, Big Kichmay, Golovinka, Solokhaul.

Tuapse river

[The origins of the river. Tuapse is located on the southern slope of the Main Caucasian Range at an altitude of 350 m above sea level, 2.5 km southeast of the Goyth Pass. The length of the river is 35 km. It flows in the lower reaches through the city of Tuapse and flows here into the Black Sea. The drainage basin of the river with an area of ​​352 km 2 is located in a zone of low mountains covered mainly with deciduous forests consisting of oak, hornbeam, beech, alder, ash, and maple. Among these forests there are often wild fruit trees - pears, apples, cherries, walnuts, chestnuts, etc. I shrubs such as wild rose, buckthorn hawthorn, barberry, laurel cherry grow in the undergrowth. Wild pigs, deer, roe deer, bears, wolves, jackals, foxes, hares, badgers, squirrels, martens, raccoon dogs live in the forests of the river basin, mink along the river banks.

The river valley is rather narrow and steep-walled; in the upper reaches, below, especially in the pre-estuary part, it is strongly smoothed and widened, acquiring a significant pebble floodplain.

The river is fed by atmospheric fires. v. part of the groundwater. Its water regime is flood. The river is shallow, dries up in summer. During the year, the river carries 0.5 billion m 3 of water and more than 0.2 million suspended solids into the Black Sea.The water of the Tuapse River is of medium schneralization, 200-350 mg/l, soft.

(The predominant dissolved components , are bicarbonate, calcium and sulphate ions (N..

rivers * are located settlements: Turkey, Krivenkovckos and the industrial port city of Tuapse. A city of glorious revolutionary, military and labor traditions.

Pshada river

This small mountain river originates on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus near Mount Pshada at an altitude of 448 m above the sea. The length of the river is 35 km. In terms of basin area, equal to 358 km 2, Pshada ranks fourth among the Chernomorsk rivers of the Krasnodar Territory. In its upper reaches, the Pshada is a real mountain river flowing in a gloomy, wild gorge with steep rocky slopes covered with a gloomy forest. The gorge is winding and narrow. The riverbed here is replete with boulders, stone “va. [by us], cluttered with windbreak. There are numerous waterfalls. Total on the river. Do you have Pshade and its tributaries? over a dozen waterfalls. The most picturesque and highest is the Bolshoy Pshadsky (or Olyapkin) waterfall. From a stone ledge 20 m wide, water ") falls in sparkling jets from a height of 9 meters into a rather vast! reservoir. During the low water period, the Pshada river is shallow and the waterfall has a very peaceful appearance. However, in floods after heavy rains, it presents an impressive spectacle when , i, a with a frantic roar collapses down in the foam and splashes the yellow wall of water.

In the middle reaches, the Pshada valley expands and becomes flatter. In the lower reaches, the valley becomes even more flattened, but the slope of the channel remains relatively greater! -0.01.

The Tsshada flows into the Black Sea almost in the middle between Areshpo-Osipovka and Dzhankhot.

The river is fed mainly by precipitation and partly by groundwater. Its water regime is characterized by very high sharp rises in the water level during floods and a rapid decline. This indicates a close relationship between floods and surface runoff of precipitation. Floods on Pshad are observed in all seasons of the year, but are most frequent from November to March. The average annual discharge is 0.65 m 3 /s (near the village of Beregovoe).

Water in the river of medium mineralization - no more than 500 mg / l. The predominant ions in water are bicarbonate, calcium and sulfate.

In the Pshada valley there are settlements: Pshada, Beregovoye, etc. In the area of ​​​​the village of Pshada, you can see ancient burials - dolmens.

The Mzymta River flows in the Krasnodar Territory for 89 km. The name of the river comes from the name of the Medozyuev tribe, which means "born in the snow." It takes its source on the Main Caucasian Range, flows into the Black Sea. Water basin - 885 sq. km. It has large tributaries - Pudziko, Laura, Pslukh, Chvizhnpse.

The river is turbulent, it is characterized by rain floods and spring-summer floods. The flow velocity is 2.6 - 3.5 m / s. During the melting of snow, the water level in Mzymta rises to 5 m. In its basin there are three glaciers with an area of ​​2.58 sq. km. At 2000 m from the source, the river forms a mountain lake, 0.5 km long. Then it flows among the low banks and, breaking through the gorge, falls down in a swift waterfall from a height of 15 m. Throughout the river, the width of the channel changes from 8 to 100 m. In the lower reaches it flows calmly along a wide flat terrace. The shores here are unstable and need to be strengthened.

Fishing and recreation on the Mzymta River

Alpine meadows are located in the upper reaches of the river. Chestnuts and beeches grow on the banks of the Mzytma, some of them are 300 years old. The river flows through the territory of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, rich in various trees and shrubs. Rare animals, birds, insects are found in it. Including spotted deer, badgers, bison, falcons, eagles. All types of river trout are grown on the river. For tourists, fishing is organized on a trout pond.
Mzymta is attractive for fans of rafting, and snowboarders love to ride on the slopes of the mountains. Karst caves are an attraction in the river valley, the largest is 150 m long and up to 9 m high. The Emerald Falls are also popular with tourists.

The skittish Mzymta carries its waters in the Krasnodar Territory. The river has a difficult character, which is very popular with rafting enthusiasts. Its picturesque shores do not leave tourists indifferent, and cold waters can not only give pleasure from rafting, but also provoke man-made accidents. It is about this obstinate beauty that today's story will go.

Short description

On the territory of Russia, the Mzymta River is one of the largest water arteries flowing into the Black Sea. On average, it annually throws about 1.4 km³ of fresh water into the deep sea. The length of the river is more than 89 km, and the drainage basin covers 885 km².

The source of the river should be sought on the slopes of the Main Caucasian ridge, at an altitude of more than 2400 m (the base of Mount Loyub). The upper reaches of the Mzymta River feed the alpine lakes Maly Kardyvach and Kardyvach. Below the lakes, a strong stream forms a waterfall, the height of which is 15 m. It is called the Emerald. Then the stream picks up speed and rushes on. The path of the middle riverbed passes through the Aibga-Achishkho ridge, creating a picturesque Greek gorge. Downstream are the gorges Akhtsu and Akhshtyr.

The Mzymta channel is weakly branched, but very winding. The banks are ledges of terraces, the depth of which is about 10 m. At the source and in the upper reaches, the valley is V-shaped. The slopes are steep up to 35°, but in some places they are much steeper - up to 50°. Along the entire channel, they are divided into deep beams and valleys. The upper part of the channel has a rocky bottom with large boulders, the middle and lower parts are characterized by a pebble-boulder and pebble bottom.

river mouth Mzymta is located on the Adler lowland. Here the water artery falls into a wide valley with small slopes. In the upper reaches and middle reaches, the river is characterized by a large fluctuation in the water level, the annual amplitude can be 2.32 m. Closer to the mouth, this indicator becomes smaller. The Mzymta River in Adler usually does not rise higher than 2.23 m during the year.

Characteristics of the catchment area

Mzymta is a river of mixed recharge. In spring and summer, its waters are replenished as a result of the melting of snow and ice in the mountains. During floods, the water horizon can rise up to 5 meters. Additional nutrition comes from rainwater runoff, which can also cause floods. The duration of this period depends on the amount and intensity of precipitation over the catchment area. Floods carry a large amount of sediment.

The Mzymta basin is famous for its numerous mineral springs.

About the title

Initially, there was no name Mzymta on old maps and historical documents. The river was signed as Mdzimta, Midizimta, sometimes it was called Mizimta. The roots of these words belonged to the names of the Abaza local tribe. The Abkhazians called him "Mdzaa", and the Adygs called him "Mdavei". The toponym Mzymta appeared a little later. Its rough translation is "the valley of the honeysuckers". Some local historians translated the name as "a river born in the snow."

The well-known physicogeographer Yu. K. Efremov, in the book “The paths of the mountainous Black Sea region”, put forward a version that the name Mzymta can be translated as “mad river”. According to the author, the name came from the Circassian language. This version is promoted by most local guides, avoiding complex concepts, names and words. However, the guides, most likely, did not bother to read the book in its entirety. Further in the text, the author refutes his assumptions, explaining them by the unprofessionalism of the person who brought the first "translation".

About economic use

On the banks of the Mzymta there are several settlements and villages. The most famous of them are Krasnaya Polyana and Estosadok. The Krasnaya Polyana hydroelectric power station was built near Krasnaya Polyana. Its average annual output is over 166 million kW/h. This HPP, together with mountain transmission lines, supplies electricity to the city of Sochi.

Even before the October Revolution, Mzymta was engaged in breeding river trout. To date, this type of economic activity has not lost relevance. On the banks of the river there is a solid fish farm engaged in trout breeding.

Unfortunately, human activity could not but affect the ecological state of the river. In the process of the Olympic construction, uncontrolled illegal extraction of sand and gravel took place in the Mzymta channel, which partially disrupted the natural hydraulics of the flow and reduced the flow of the cone at the mouth. It will take almost 15 years for these losses to be replenished in a natural way (by the solid runoff of the river).

Man-made and natural problems

The river has thrown unpleasant surprises to people many times. In December 2009, for example, there was a major Mzymta spill that flooded one of the Olympstroy overpasses.

In November 2010, the water level, which rose as a result of rains, destroyed buildings at the mouth of the water artery and demolished construction equipment.

In 2011, either by mistake or as planned by the builders, drilling fluid was put into the river during the construction of one of the tunnels. As a result, the water artery was heavily polluted and the septic tanks overflowed. The situation repeated itself several times.

River rafting

Rafting on the Mzymta River can be interesting for people with different levels of training. Some rapids, for example in the Greek Gorge, have a 5-6th category of difficulty. They require skills and experience to pass. But this does not mean that there are no routes for family or student walks.

Simple options for rafting on the Mzymta River today are offered by many companies. They include a visit to Krasnaya Polyana in their itinerary, make a stop at the Maiden's Tears waterfall, and visit Narzan springs. Such trips end with noisy picnics and a visit to the bathhouse to relieve muscle fatigue.

As a result of the construction (for the 2014 Olympics) of a combined road and railway leading to Krasnaya Polyana, some adjustments were made to the riverbed, so that athletes and amateur tourists have to change their usual routes.

Fishing Features

Fishing on the Mzymta River is not allowed in all places. Fishermen should not approach closer than 1 km to the mouth. Before you cast fishing rods in the Sochi region, you should check with the rangers for permitted places. An easier option is to contact a travel agency that specializes in organizing fishing or hunting. For amateur fishermen in the vicinity of Sochi there are a large number of paid reservoirs where you can catch carp, crucian carp, grass carp, carp and other types of fish.

The Adler fish farm also offers paid fishing and even a tour of its territory. Here you can not only catch different types of trout, but also see all the stages of its cultivation.

River in Adler

By 2014, modern embankments of the Mzymta River were equipped. Adler greatly benefited as a result of their appearance. On the right bank, the embankment almost adjoins the center of the settlement (actually, Adler is one of the districts of Sochi). A park is laid out here, cozy alleys are equipped, benches and monuments are installed. A calm and measured promenade along the Mzymta river embankment in Adler will bring real pleasure. It is especially interesting to observe the mouth where the freshwater artery flows into the Black Sea.