Gelendzhik is comfortably located at the foot of the Markotkhsky ridge, which belongs to the mountain system between the Black and Caspian seas called the Greater Caucasus. The maximum height of the ridge in the Gelendzhik region is about 600 meters. Two cable cars lead from the city to its top, one of which bears the proud name “Olympus”.
- Length
– 1150 meters. - The height difference
is 420 meters. - Travel time by cable car
is 15 minutes. - 2 stations:
lower and upper stations. - Cabins:
60 open cabins, each accommodating 2 passengers. - Capacity:
750 people per hour.
Ticket prices
Children under 5 years old can ride the cable car for free. The cost of a child ticket (from 5 to 11 years old) is 500 rubles. For adults, travel will cost 900 rubles.
The ticket price includes not only a ride on the cable car, but also a visit to the petting zoo, exotarium, dolmens and a Ferris wheel.
The diameter of the attraction is 25 m. This Ferris wheel, which is located on the top of the Markotkhsky ridge, is the only one in Russia located at an altitude of 640 meters above sea level.
Lower level of Olympus Park
First of all, from the free parking we approach the ticket office and the beginning of the park along a rather high staircase:
Entrance to Olympus Park. Gelendzhik
After the ticket office (see prices here), you can not immediately take the cable car, but take a walk along the lower level.
Dolmen Valley
If you go left along the path from the ticket office, you will come to a complex of several dolmens. The dolmens are artificially created and placed here solely for atmosphere. But they look quite beautiful and attractive. They are located at different heights relative to each other, and a stone staircase leads to them along a shady alley.
Wildlife Park "Call of the Jungle"
At the Call of the Jungle petting zoo, children and adults can observe and interact with animals up close. Most of the pets can be touched, fed and photographed as a souvenir. Treats for animals and birds can be purchased at the entrance.
There is a contact area “Aviary with Birds” with various species of birds and parrots. Among them are cranes, peacocks, pelicans, pheasants, emus, parrots and many others.
In addition to birds, in the zoo you can see and feed: Himalayan bear, goats, rabbits, nutria, monkeys, Indian Zebu cow, raccoons, guinea pigs, lemurs, chinchillas.
Exotarium
There is a wide variety of reptiles in the exotarium. Here you will see different types of snakes (anacondas, boa constrictors, 8m long reticulated python), iguanas, Nile crocodile, lizards, chameleons and several types of turtles. The highlight of the exotarium is the giant spurred turtles weighing up to 100 kg, which wander right among people around the territory and sometimes even give rides to small children.
Rope park
Between the exotarium and the petting zoo there is a small ropes course for children. There are bridges, ropes, swings and many other entertainments for children. Meanwhile, parents can relax on the benches located nearby.
Rope park in Olympus Park
Cable car "Olympus"
The chairlift will take you leisurely in 30 minutes to a height of 540 meters above sea level. The length of the cable car is 1150 meters. The climb up is a memorable flight over the picturesque mountains of the Markotkhsky ridge with gorgeous views of the lower level of the park, the lake and Gelendzhik Bay.
Olympus cable car in Gelendzhik
And after sunset, when descending on the cable car, romantic views of the city sparkling with lights open up.
Olympus cable car in Gelendzhik
Holidaymakers should take note - at Olympus, for guests who climb the cable car to its top, during the summer, free beer show parties and children's entertainment programs are held.
Be prepared for the fact that it may be noticeably cooler at the top than at the bottom. The cable car operates even in winter.
How to get there
The lower cable car station is located just 600 meters from the central (upper) bus station of the city. You can even walk to the entrance to the ski lift. This walk will not take even ten minutes. During the tourist season, free buses run from the city center, and you can ride them from 10:00 to 20:00. On the map, the stop of these buses is marked with an orange mark from No. 1. A passenger's pass to the vehicle is a ticket for a ride on the cable car, which can be purchased at a special kiosk near the stop.
Parties
A huge number of positive reviews can be heard about the parties that take place at Olympus at the safari park in Gelendzhik. Adult tourists speak especially well about various beer events. Those who want to dance a fiery dance with a mug of aromatic beer in their hands should visit Olympus Park after 20:00. In addition to a vibrant disco, guests will enjoy original competitions. You can drink as much beer as you can fit in your stomach absolutely free. The main prize of the competition is a ticket to a performance by a pop singer. Consolation gifts are also given out - mugs with the Olympus logo.
A show ballet performs at almost every party. Original dances, decorated with light and music, will be remembered for a long time. There will also be incendiary fire shows. Reviews show that it is impossible to leave the party without vivid impressions.
Safety regulations
Cable car employees have the right to refuse to sell tickets to visitors if they violate one of the rules for using the lift:
- Are in a state of alcoholic intoxication.
- They violate public order.
- They try to ride in a swimsuit, dirty clothes or half naked.
- Carry weapons, drugs, explosives, food or alcoholic drinks with them. The exception is water, soda, tea in plastic containers.
Children under 12 years old are not allowed on the cable car unless accompanied by an adult. Those who take hand luggage with them or try to disembark without permission in places that are not intended for this will also not be able to ride. Although the Austrian equipment works like a charm, on a cable car it is better not to rock the cabin during the ride. You should also not smoke while driving, or throw garbage or flammable objects down.
The upper and lower stations are fenced for safety reasons. Boarding and disembarking can only be done in the presence of funicular employees who are on duty at the foot and top of the ridge. Before the trip, every tourist is required to undergo a short safety briefing. After landing, you need to lower the protective bracket, which is located above the passenger’s head, fix the safety belt and rest your feet on the stand.
History of construction
Tourists are attracted to the cable car primarily by its sonorous name. The name of the object was not given by chance. Olympus is a legendary mountain range in Greece. According to legend, the gods themselves chose it as their abode. The park's name alludes to the similarities between the Greek mountain range and the peak of the Markotkh Range, which offers equally stunning views.
The cable car was opened back in 2005. Initially, the complex included only a small amusement park on the upper platform and the ski lift itself, but in recent years the park has grown greatly. Every year new entertainment appears here for tourists and residents of Gelendzhik. The list of events currently taking place in Olympus Park can be found on the cable car’s official website.
Concert hall
The Olympus amusement park in Gelendzhik is a place where various cultural events regularly take place. There is a huge concert hall where various show programs are held and celebrities perform. The hall is located in the southeastern part of the park, surrounded by pine trees on a mountain slope. It can accommodate up to 3,500 visitors at the same time. However, when Russian pop stars perform, there are practically no empty seats.
Events in the concert hall of Olympus Park are planned several months in advance. The most intense program here is from May to September, when tourists visit Gelendzhik. In July 2022, Yegor Creed, Timati, and Philip Kirkorov performed here. According to the reviews, tourists had only positive impressions from the concerts.
During the cold season, the concert hall is also not idle. Various festivals and competitions are held here (Humorina, KVN, etc.).
Useful lifehacks
- It is better to visit the cable car twice. During the day, you will have an excellent opportunity to take luxurious panoramic photographs of local beauty, but at night the picture changes, and travelers will see a city buried in thousands of lights, which from a bird’s eye view will merge into a bright web under the starry sky.
- Passengers should take into account that the temperature at the top of the Markotkh ridge is lower than at its foot. Changes can reach 10 degrees, so you should take warm clothes with you just in case.
- When it’s cloudy outside and clouds are gathering, it makes sense to take raincoats with you so as not to get wet on the way. Don't forget that the cabins are open, so passengers will experience all the delights of capricious weather.
- To protect themselves from the scorching rays of the sun, tourists wear hats, but along the way a strong wind can arise, so all hats must be securely fixed with special elastic bands.
- When choosing between two cable cars in Gelendzhik, it is better to choose the “Olympus”, which has two advantages - close proximity to the 44-meter Orthodox Cross and the 110-meter inscription “Gelendzhik”. From the top station of the park you can reach them on foot.
- On the vast territory of the park there are several observation platforms, a concert hall, cafes, restaurants, a bowling club, tasting rooms, a children's playground, a planetarium, and a paleontological museum. It will easily take all day to see all the sights. In the park you can go fishing and ride jeeps, ATVs, and horses. There is also entertainment for romantics here. According to a beautiful legend, a stone of love, which is saturated with solar energy, was brought here from the Valley of Silence. According to legend, it is enough for lovers to touch it from the sunny side for the couple’s cherished wish to come true.
- At the foot of the ridge there is Lake Aya, into which two springs flow. In one, water is considered “living.” There is a special bowl from which you can scoop up water. In another source flows “dead” water, which, according to legend, heals people. There is a special font here where you can wash yourself.
Where to eat?
Vivid impressions always whet your appetite. In Gelendzhik, Olympus Park has several places where you can have a tasty snack. If you believe the reviews, the Varenichya Khata restaurant is extremely popular. The establishment, designed in Russian style, pleases the eyes of foreign tourists. A large assortment of national cuisine is offered. Dumplings remain especially popular.
Where else can you go in Olympus Park in Gelendzhik? Reviews show that the Golden Fish cafe, located in the lower part of the territory, is popular. Mostly seafood dishes are offered here. Although you can also order French fries, the same dumplings, and soups.
There are several beer bars and children's cafes in the park. Everyone can find a food option to their liking.
