In this material, we have collected the best 12 attractions of Guzeripl in Adygea with photos and descriptions, learned how to get to the village and what to see in the surrounding area on your own. We definitely recommend watching the video review at the end of the article and plotting your own route on the map with the location of all the objects.
The Adyghe village attracts the attention of tourists with its picturesque mountain landscapes. The natural attractions of Guzeripl do not leave anyone indifferent; you want to come back here again and again to once again enjoy the local beauties and feel unity with nature.
Rope park in Guzeripl
Rope park
The attraction is part of the reserve. There are 5 routes of varying difficulty.
This is a suitable place to visit with children. Young travelers pass obstacles at a height of 1.5 meters, accompanied by specialists. And the most desperate guests choose the road located at an altitude of 6 meters.
Those who like to tickle their nerves go for a ride on the swings, which are installed right on the rocks. This is a dangerous adventure and not suitable for tourists with children.
- Address: Caucasian Biosphere Reserve named after Kh. Shaposhnikov.
- Opening hours: from 10 am to 5 pm.
- Ticket price: depends on the chosen route; a ticket for passing a path stretching over the river is called expensive. The price is about 1500 rubles.
- Official website: detailed information about the place can be found on the reserve’s website: www.kavkazzapoved.ru
Great Azish Cave
The object was opened at the beginning of the last century. If a tourist is familiar with the area and knows where Guzeripl is located, there will be no problems with the road. As a last resort, use a navigator. But you will have to go all the way to the border of Adygea with the Krasnodar Territory. But the impressions will last a lifetime. Caves are a visited, tourist place. The areas are equipped with handrails and decking. People come here to see clusters of stalactites and stalagmites. Guests are allowed to explore 5 rooms. 50 meters away is the Malaya Azishskaya Cave, combine a visit.
The Great Azishskaya Cave was discovered and superficially explored by five local residents in 1911. A message about the discovery of a natural object even appeared in the publication “Kuban Regional Gazette” - an interview with one of the participants in the events, K.K. Shevyrev, who gave a detailed description of the failure. It was noticed due to the fact that one of the vaults could not withstand the weight of the growing stalactites and collapsed. This created a vertical entrance well. The grotto received the status of a natural monument many years later - in 1973, and already in 1987 it was equipped to receive excursion groups.
The cave was formed in Upper Jurassic dolomitized limestones by the flow of groundwater. The age of this natural monument is about two million years. It is a three-tier cavity 650 m long and 37 m deep. The entrance is located on the upper tier, and a noisy stream flows on the lower one. Here you can see sinter formations and columns of various shapes and sizes. Of particular interest are the calcite slabs formed due to the presence of a river underground.
There is a beautiful legend associated with this mysterious place. According to legend, not far from the cave lived a wizard who could get all kinds of jewelry from the very depths of the earth. Some people asked him for help, some were jealous, trying to harm him.
The magician had more and more enemies, so he decided to move underground, away from the human race. One day, lost, the king’s daughter, Azish, wandered in to him. The sorcerer and the princess fell in love with each other and began to meet secretly in the sorcerer's chambers. The ruler's nosy servants found out that the girl's new friend was fabulously rich, and tracked her down when she came to her beloved on a date.
Angry, the wizard caused a collapse in the cave, as a result, the young princess was walled up in one of the halls. She tearfully asked the magician for forgiveness and, finally, unable to bear it, he led the girl out of the rubble and after that no one ever saw them again. It is believed that the cave was named in honor of the royal daughter.
Dolmens of Guzeripl
Natural places
Archaeological site. Located in a protected area. The object is striking in its impressive size:
- height – 2 meters;
- wall thickness - 0.6 meters.
The round hole is located near the ground.
Scientists claim that the construction of the structure began 5 centuries ago, but the work remained unfinished.
There is a legend that it was built by giant people. I readily believe in this version; it is unlikely that ordinary people could move such stone blocks without special equipment.
- Address: Caucasian Biosphere Reserve named after Kh. Shaposhnikov
- Opening hours: from 9 am to 18 pm.
- Ticket prices: 300 rubles. The price includes visits to all sites located in the protected area.
- Official website: www.kavkazzapoved.ru
Guzeripl: TOP 4 most interesting places
The main advantage of Guzeripl is its proximity to unique natural and archaeological monuments. The village is one of the cordons of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve; also relatively close to it are the picturesque Sahrai waterfalls and rare ancient dolmens.
Caucasian Biosphere Reserve
- Coordinates on the map: 43.999953, 40.121664.
Guzeripl owes its existence to a vast reserve founded in 1924. Initially, the small village was a cordon, the last settlement before the deserted reserve area. The KBZ received the name of its founder, former forester Khristofor Shaposhnikov, who for several years sought protection for rare southern flora and fauna.
Almost the entire territory is occupied by mountains, everywhere you look - there are green slopes, alpine meadows and snowy peaks with heights from 600 to 2900 m everywhere. The reserve covers three regions, but most of it is in Adygea. On its endless lands there are countless mountain streams and waterfalls, and on some mountains there is snow even in the hottest season.
You can enter the protected natural area only through the cordon on the border of Guzeripl. Most often, tourists visit the reserve in groups under the guidance of a guide. Immediately behind the cordon, guests will find numerous shops selling Adyghe honey, souvenirs and even paleontological finds - fossilized shells.
Those who wish can stay in the forest overnight or even spend several days in it. Some vacationers set up entire tent camps. Most prefer hiking, or a one-day hike, in which you can explore the main attractions of the reserve in a few hours.
Museum of the Caucasian Reserve
- Address: Zarechnaya st., 5.
The only museum in the village, which is rightfully considered the best in the republic, will help you learn more about the reserve, its history and values. The KBZ Nature Museum was created in 1956, since then its collection has been constantly updated with new exhibits.
The spacious halls contain photographs, drawings and three-dimensional models of plants and animal inhabitants of the reserve. The stuffed wild animals are life-size and look incredibly lifelike.
At a separate stand you can see all the insects of the protected area. One of the exhibitions is dedicated to the history of the creation and development of the museum itself. Local experts also conduct excursions within the reserve along the so-called “Leopard Trail”.
You can get to the Museum of Nature only through the Guzeripl cordon. Every tourist is required to register at the checkpoint and obtain permission to visit the protected area.
Dolmens
- Coordinates: 43.998855, 40.136729.
Amazing buildings made of huge stone slabs are a unique property of the south of Russia. Dolmens, whose purpose still remains a mystery to scientists, are found only in the North Caucasus and the Krasnodar Territory, although in some places they are also found in the Crimea.
Guzeripl was lucky enough to become the owner of several similar architectural monuments. A number of local dolmens have been preserved in excellent condition. The most popular among tourists is the so-called Big Dolmen, located near the Museum of the Reserve.
The multi-ton stone “house” is the largest on the territory of the reserve, its height is two meters, and the thickness of the slabs is almost 60 centimeters. The age of the structure is about 5000 years. Near the ground there is a dark, perfectly even round hole, which is considered the entrance.
Sahrai Falls
- GPS coordinates: 44.174181, 40.299703.
A few kilometers from Guzeripl there is the endangered village of Novoprokhladnoye. The tiny village stands on the banks of the Sakhray River; until 1920 it was called the Sakhray village. The main attractions of the village are dozens of magnificent waterfalls.
The picturesque gifts of nature are worthy of the brushes of the best landscape painters in the world. Some streams fall over a vast grotto; tourists can go behind the curtain of water and look at the waterfall as if from the inside. Small lakes form under the waterfalls; in the warm season, seasoned travelers swim in these refreshingly cold reservoirs.
Large and small observation platforms of Guzeriplya
Small plateau with a tourist camp
Large observation deck
You can see the village of Guzeripl from above from observation platforms equipped on mountain peaks.
Note that there are four such points in total. But for beginners who are not used to climbing, we recommend going to Mount Chernaya. The climb here is not that difficult.
- Visiting is free.
Partisan glade
Partisan clearing
A partisan detachment formed a base here during the Second World War. This is a historical monument, a memory of tragic events, a reproach to the people who started the bloody war. From here you can enjoy views of the surrounding area. The partisan clearing in Lago-Naki is popular among tourists. But it was not always so. The object became of interest to travelers only after a tourist base was opened here. Now it is also a transit point for those moving to the Stone Sea Ridge.
A photo of the Partisan Glade in Guzeripl confirms that this place is worth a visit.
- Address : western direction, 15 km from the village.
Sahrai Falls
Sahrai Falls
If you go down the Sahrai stream, you will come across numerous waterfalls. This picturesque place is a suitable option for photography. Every guest of Adygea dreams of visiting here.
But travelers are drawn here by the preserved ancient buildings. They are scattered throughout the area. Historians call the founding date the 2nd century BC.
Previously, settlements of ancient people were located on this site.
- Address: Novoprokhladny village.
- You can visit the facilities at any convenient time.
Yavorovaya Polyana
Yavorovaya meadow
It received its name because of its abundant vegetation. A rare species of sycamore maple grows here. From here you will also be able to view the area from above. Acts as a transit point.
Advice! Combine a visit to Yavorovaya Polyana in Guzeripl with a visit to the previous attraction. It is located just 6 km from the former partisan base (10 minutes by car). This will save energy and help you compile the maximum number of attractions in Adygea that you can visit in one day.
Sights of Guzeripl
Guzeripl, whose attractions are created by generous nature, also attracts tourists with ancient stone buildings - dolmens. A museum has been opened on the territory of the Caucasian Nature Reserve, where unique exhibits and stories from all over Adygea are collected.
Therefore, when traveling to the village, you should take a camera and hiking accessories with you. Travelers can also take tents.
To understand why Guzeripl is becoming so popular among travelers, you should walk along the Belaya River, climb to observation platforms, take a walk in the reserve and get inside the largest dolmen. The entire vacation will be accompanied by the Caucasian hospitality of local residents and delicious food.
Dolmens of Guzeripl
Guzeripl, outside of Adygea and Russia, became famous for its landmark - the Guzeripl dolmen, which is considered the largest and best preserved. All information that exists regarding ancient stone structures is hypotheses. There is still no exact information about why such buildings are needed and their functional meaning.
Most scientists and archaeologists believe that these are crypts. They are so ancient that they were built even before the Egyptian pyramids. Only very worthy people of those times could rest in such a structure. It is interesting that they left to die on their own feet, that is, while still alive. Dolmens made it possible to create a connection between man and space.
Guzeripl is famous for its dolmens.
The ability to build stone structures originated in India and spread to:
- Europe;
- territory along the Black Sea;
- north of Africa.
Some researchers believe that the idea of building pyramids has roots in the construction of dolmens. The dolmen, which can be seen in Guzeripl, is 2.5 m high and more than 5 m long. From the outside it seems that the sides are just a pile of huge stones. However, once inside the structure, it becomes clear that the stones were well processed and precisely adjusted, forming a smooth wall.
The age of the dolmen in Guzeripl is 3-4 thousand years. Its value also lies in the fact that it is one of the best preserved, although it has obvious traces of the influence of time. Its roof was once one solid slab. Now these are 3 separate stones. One of the walls has collapsed, either due to a weak foundation or due to earthquakes, which are not uncommon in these parts.
There is a stone building near the entrance to the reserve, a step away from the museum.
Until now, many believe that this is a “place of power” where the influence of the cosmos is strong. Whether this is true or not, everyone can check for themselves. To do this, you need to put your hand on the dolmen and make a wish or ask a question. The answer will come in a dream soon.
Old railway
The village in the usual sense appeared only in 1920 during the time of young Soviet power. At first there was an idea to make a cordon here, beyond which the Caucasus Nature Reserve would begin. Then this idea was shelved, and the village became a place of residence for lumberjacks.
Since the 1930s, processes have taken place in the Krasnodar region, which in history are called decossackization. In other words, the Red Terror, which the Bolsheviks organized against the rebellious Cossacks. The fears of the new government were understandable. Under the emperor, the Cossacks were a strong and organized army that posed a real threat to the Bolsheviks.
So in 1936, barracks for political prisoners - Kuban Cossacks - appeared in Guzeripl. Before the war, they had to cut down trees and process wood. Finished wood was transported along a narrow-gauge railway, which originates at the local cemetery and has a length of 3 km. Further timber was floated downstream along the Belaya River.
Sahrai Falls
Guzeripl, whose attractions are difficult to rank in terms of significance and beauty, offers travelers an interesting walking tour along the waterfalls. 10 waterfalls created by the mountain river Sakhray are one of the attractions of Adygea. The reason lies in the picturesque and pristine beauty of these places, as well as their accessibility.
For a hiker, the road is quite comfortable, but travelers traveling by car will have to walk part of the way. Exceptions include owners of all-wheel drive vehicles. Near Guzeripl you can see 3 waterfalls. The path starts from the village of Ust-Sakhray. The first waterfall is not visible from the road, so it is easy to drive through.
You need to focus on the mileage - it is located 6 km from the start of the journey. It is about 2 m high. In warm weather, you can swim in the small lake that is formed by the flowing water. The second waterfall is called “rift” by locals. Streams of water have made a gap in the rock and are noisily rushing down through it.
In the summer, the small area in front of the descent to the waterfall is filled with gazebos, which local residents set up for travelers to relax; they also charge money for a civilized descent to the river along wooden steps. Entrance is paid only here. Other natural descent sites are accessible to everyone.
The road to the next waterfall will take about 20 minutes. Despite its small size, it is picturesque.
Many walking paths continue to wind up the river. During the journey further you can see a narrow canyon, a suspension bridge and another waterfall consisting of water cascades.
Large and small observation platforms of Guzeriplya
To explore the natural beauty of the surrounding Guzeripl, coniferous forests, rivers and mountain slopes, there are several observation platforms:
- Small the site is located in the heart of the village on the slope of a cliff called Chernaya. The site is a flat ledge on a rock on which pine trees grow.
- Large observation deck. To get there you need to walk up the hill from the Small Platform. At the top of the rock there will be a flat top with panoramic views that will take your breath away.
- Site on Mount Cossack . It is located on the opposite side of the Belaya River. From this angle, the whole of Guzeripl is clearly visible, as well as other local attractions, for example, the Abago pasture.
Belaya River Gorge
The Belaya River is a strong mountain river, which, freeing its path among the rocks, creates natural landscapes of amazing beauty: gorges and rapids. The length of the river is 270 km. The difference in altitude along which it flows is more than 2 thousand meters. The White River is always full-flowing, and when the snow melts in the spring, the river often overflows its banks.
The powerful, sometimes seething stream attracts rafting professionals. The picturesque gorge can be reached on foot along a path leading from the village.
Polyana Yavorova
Yavorovaya Polyana is famous for the white maple that grows here and is called Yavor by the locals. The clearing is located at an altitude of 1680 m. And the path to it follows through the Partizanskaya clearing. This is the end point of a simple walking route. The ideal time to visit the meadow is in September and early October. The velvet season in the mountains is an incredibly beautiful sight.
At the same time, the weather is not hot, but soft and comfortable. Also an important plus is the absence of crowds of tourists in the fall. From mid-October the weather quickly deteriorates and climbing the mountains, much less staying overnight with tents, becomes no longer comfortable.
Partisan glade
The partisan glade got its name during the Civil War, when the partisans of the Red Army tried to repel the attacks of the White Guards. During the Great Patriotic War, it was also remembered by historians thanks to the soldiers who managed to hold the height for a long time, not allowing the Germans to come here. But there was something to hide; residents were hidden here, as well as livestock that had been brought in from the occupied areas.
Currently, a tourist base is located in the clearing. The glade is located at an altitude of 1600 meters. From the village to it you need to travel 17 km. The route is accessible even for a novice traveler.
Although the place is called a clearing, in fact it is a fairly wide plain, in the center of which there is a high-mountain lake. The water in the lake is suitable for drinking. Many tourists do not deny themselves the pleasure of swimming in the lake even in the cold season.
Festival of author's song "Primrose"
The four-day festival has been attracting hundreds of participants from Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union, as well as spectators, for more than 15 years. All these people are united by a love of original songs and poetry. The goal of the festival is to ensure that each author has the opportunity to introduce listeners to his texts, as well as compete with other participants for the title of best author or performer of songs.
The organizers highlight several goals for which the festival is held:
- Tourism development. That is why Adygea with its natural beauty and hundreds of hiking routes was chosen for the song competition.
- A chance for songwriters to give their voices and present their creations to others.
- Communication between people coming from different Russian regions and neighboring countries.
During the festival, a stage and sound equipment are installed. But most bards prefer to sing songs on stage with a guitar near a tent, when the fire is burning, and appreciative listeners sit around and sing along. For guests and participants, the organizers prepare tourist travel programs to local attractions.
Ski complex "Oshten"
Mount Oshten is considered one of the highest mountains included in the Caucasus range. Climbers enjoy conquering the height of 2800 m all year round. And if in summer even a novice climber can master the existing hiking trails, in winter it is better for beginners to climb with an instructor.
The slopes of Oshten are inhabited by Caucasian chamois. This rare ungulate can only be seen from afar. Since they are afraid of people, and noticing that they are approaching them, they take off, briskly moving along the slopes of the mountains. Sometimes they are capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h.
The local residents who inhabited Adygea worshiped the divine sun for many centuries. Therefore, the top of the mountain was their place of worship. The name of the mountain is translated from the local dialect as “eternal snow.” The snowy peaks of Oshten can be seen even from the capital of Adygea - Maykop.
That is why the authorities planned to build a ski complex on the slopes of the mountain. As planned, it should be a year-round resort with a cable car and ski slopes for athletes of different levels.
Abago Pasture
Guzeripl, whose attractions are difficult to fully list, since every landscape, slope and river rapids deserve attention, has an amazingly beautiful place - the Abago pasture. The name Abago translates as multiplication of livestock.
That is, these are pastures that, thanks to the mountain air and herbs, contributed to the effective reproduction and raising of domestic animals. The ascent along the pedestrian route from the village to the pasture takes up to 8 hours. During this time it will be possible to rise to a height of 1700 meters. The plain pasture provides visibility in all directions.
The surrounding landscapes look especially impressive in clear weather. The mountain of the same name, on which the pasture is located, has a height of 2689 m. As you rise, you can see how one belt of vegetation passes into another. It looks like multi-colored vertical stripes encircling the slopes.
Devil's finger rock near Guzeripl
The Devil's Finger rock has a height of 1021 m and attracts tourists with the opportunity to take spectacular photos with the original natural monument.
The appearance of the mountain peak is shaped like a goat's head with horns. Local residents have long considered this mountain a “place of power” and associated the original shape with the god Perun. According to legend, such uniquely shaped stones and sections of mountains are obtained at the point where fiery arrows hit the mountain, which Perun fired from a bow, trying to hit his antipode, the god of poetry, Veles.
From the outside it seems that the Devil's finger cannot be of natural origin, but it was made by people. The top of the mountain becomes especially picturesque thanks to the moss and greenery and gives an overview of the villages lying below, other peaks of neighboring mountains and endless expanses.
Old railway, Zhelobnaya river and waterfall
Railway
Zhelobnaya River
Waterfall along the trail
The village of Guzeripl is famous for places that have become a reminder of the past of the settlement. There was once a prison camp here. Timber was melted along the preserved section of the railway tracks.
The facility is located in a picturesque area. The Zhelobnaya River flows nearby, and the streams of waterfalls fall with a roar.
- Address: right bank of the Zhelobnaya River.
Lake Psenodakh
Tent camp near Lake Psenodakh
The shape of the pond resembles a crescent. The beauty of the place is mesmerizing. The lake is considered karst, its age is difficult to determine.
If you are wondering how to get to Lake Psenodakh, then get ready for difficulties. The natural attraction is located 20 kilometers from Guzeripl.
Museum of Nature of the Caucasian Reserve
Entrance to the museum
The reserve in Guzeripl is the object of close attention of tourists. The museum on the territory of the protected area was opened in the middle of the last century. The collections tell about the flora and fauna of the region.
- Address: Guzeripl village, Guzeripl cordon.
- Opening hours: 9am to 5pm
- Ticket price: 300 rubles for adults, 200 for children.
- Official website: https://kgpbz.ru/node/14
Local travel agencies offer their services with the possibility of ordering individual excursion support to the reserve. Programs for 2-3 nights with an overnight stay in a tent are especially popular among tourists.
Belaya River Gorge
Here you can appreciate all the beauty of the region. Beeches and firs grow along the banks of the river. Human hands have not yet reached here: nature is untouched.
A suitable option to get to the place would be to participate in rafting. The hikes are organized by a club opened in the locality. Suitable even for beginners; no serious preparation skills are required.
An independent visit is suitable for those tourists who want to save money. In this case, you will be able to admire the picturesque place for free, at any time of the day.
Lagonaki
Lagonaki Plateau
A mountain plateau unique in its beauty. People come here to take pictures for memory. The object is also known among climbers, speleologists, and rock climbers.
There are clubs and schools specializing in mountain sports on the territory.
Geographers and local historians believe that Lagonaki is a highland that begins on the Lagonaki ridge in the area of the Mezmay village in the North and ends on the southern slopes of Mount Fisht. Most of the highlands are located on the territory of Adygea and a smaller part on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory. The relief of the highlands is very diverse. The mountain formation includes several mountain plateaus, the most famous of which begins in the area of the border of the Uzurub (Lagonaksky) reserve and ends at the foot of Mount Oshten. The highland includes nine ridges, many gorges, canyons, rivers, waterfalls, passes, two glaciers - the Big and Small Fisht Mountains, and even a mountain junction called Fisht-Oshtenovsky. All the main forms of karst relief are found here, and in the south, in the highlands, a complex glacial-karst relief is developed. Karst relief can be surface or underground. “Among the first, karst sinkholes and basins, karrs, karst ditches, ponors, karst hills and towers (or outcrops) are common in the Lagonaki Highlands. The latter are represented by karst wells, chess and caves.
The flora of the Lagonaki Highlands is distinguished by its richness and originality; it includes 765 species belonging to 307 genera and 77 families of higher plants. For comparison, we point out that the flora of higher plants of the entire Caucasus, including Transcaucasia, has about 6,000 species. Among the most numerous families of the flora of the Lagonaki Highlands are aster, bluegrass, rosaceae, and umbelliferae. Herbaceous species predominate (about 90%), woody species - 38 species. For some genera (wolfberry, mountain ash, bluebell, kostenets, star, miniuaricia, foxtail), the territory of the Lagonaki Highlands is one of the leading centers of speciation.
Where is it located, how to get to Lagonaki? Tourists and vacationers define Lagonaki as the territory from the village of Tulsky and the Lagonaki sanatorium in the North to Mount Fisht in the South. This includes the settlements of Dakhovskaya, Khamyshki, Guzeripl and, above all, the village of Kamennomostsky (Khadzhokh) where there is a large concentration of natural monuments, excursion and entertainment facilities, and accommodation sites. In the east the area is limited by the village of Pobeda, and in the west by the Guam Gorge. You can get there by plane or train to Krasnodar, then by bus Krasnodar - village. Pobeda or by bus with a transfer in Maykop. Buses run from Moscow to Maykop. By personal transport to Maykop, then along the Maykop - Guzeripl highway. Main attractions, what to see in Lagonaki? Belaya River Canyon and Khadzhokhskaya Gorge Landscape Park. Gorge, canyons, Rufabgo waterfalls. Gorge, canyon, Meshoko waterfalls, Extreme Park, Meshoko. Observation platforms, a through cave of the Azish-Tau ridge. Grottoes, easily accessible caves, Devil's Finger observation decks of the Una-Koz ridge. Monastery, canyons of the Fars River and the Skull Grotto near the village of Pobeda, Cossack Stone, the ancient Dakhovsky Bridge. Granite canyon of the Belaya River. Dolmens in Kamennomostsky and Guzeripl. The entire valley of the Belaya River from Kamennomostsky to Guzeripl. The entire line of the legendary route 30 through Lagonaki on the sea is light.
Mount Fisht
Mount Fisht in October
The attractions of Guzeripl in Adygea include the mountain peak Fisht. All guests of the region want to climb the mountain. To do this, you need to enroll in a special group.
Independent tourists paved the trail. If you follow it, you will be able to visit low hills, like Mount Blam, which is more like a hill.
The sights of Guzeripl with photos and descriptions will surely convince every traveler that this place is definitely worth visiting. The beauty of the region will be remembered for a long time. But there are also objects here that are best viewed while traveling by car.
Guzeripl Pass
Guzeripl Pass
To get here you will need special equipment. Unprepared tourists will have a hard time: the height of the pass is more than 2 kilometers. Moreover, you need to enroll in a special group. You will not be able to visit this site on your own.
With the construction of a new road to the high-mountainous zone of Adygea Guzeripl - Partizanskaya Polyana - Yavorovaya Polyana, the opportunity has opened up for vacationers and tourists to make interesting weekend hikes to unique attractions.
In one daylight you can leisurely stroll to the waterfall and Vaucluse of the left bank source of the Armenian River. Climb Mount Blyam and the karst sinkholes of Mount Oshten. Go to the Instructor Pass (Uzurub) and even climb Mount Oshten (2804m). Go to the Mogilnaya beam, to the vast plantations of bush Caucasian blueberries and prepare them for the winter in the required quantities.
The most prepared tourists from Yavorova Polyana will be able to climb the pass of the Adygea State University and go out to the panoramic sites of the Kamennye More ridge, as well as descend into the canyon of the Armyanka River to picturesque waterfalls.
Arriving in our cars at a dead-end road, we were stunned by the beauty of the golden autumn. The first snow covered the three thousand-meter peaks of Chugush, Tybga and Dzhemaruk.
Golden scatterings of broadleaf maple foliage were everywhere. They burned in the rays of the dim sun and slowly crumbled.
We did not immediately find the forest path covered with dry leaves leading to the Guzeriplsky pass. Autumn lit the aspen and maple trees with golden fire, kindled a multi-colored fire among the tall Caucasian firs. All the colors of the rainbow are around: crimson, purple, foggy, lilac, bronze, but most of all red gold is spilled.
We wander through the rustling golden heap. The golden rain of falling leaves drizzles quietly and thoughtfully, layer by layer refreshing the airy rustling carpet, like a talented master applying stroke after stroke to a golden Dagestan dish.
The clearing received its name from the growth of broad-leaved maple - sycamore. The path boldly goes into the zone of fir and beech forest and, after jumping over a stream, it ends up in a clearing with a huge fir. There is a tourist stop near the fir. Here the path forks. Turn right to Lagonaki, left to the tourist shelter “Fisht”.
Along the left path, holding on to the fir trunks, we descend to the Armenian River. Here, on the banks of a clear spring river, in the distant eighties there was a tourist shelter “Armeniansky”. Its height above sea level is 1600 meters. The All-Union planned tourist route No. 30 passed here.
About a kilometer from the Armenian shelter, the forest zone ends, and tourists find themselves in a zone of tall grass subalpine vegetation. Directly along the route you can see the green slopes of Mount Guzeripl (2156m), and on the right are the limestone rock-talus slopes of Mount Oshten (2804m). The trail slowly rises, goes high above the Armyanka River and after 5 km. smoothly approaches a wide depression between Mount Guzeripl and Oshten. This is the Guzeriplsky pass (1958m).
Guzeripl, translated from Adyghe, is a landmark on the road or far-sighted. On the right side there is a high cone-shaped peak with a steep wall - this is one of the five spur peaks of Mount Oshten.
On the Guzeripl pass there are obelisks to the soldiers of the 23rd NKVD regiment who fought the Nazis in August 1942.
If you go down 300m below the pass. then on the left side, on small terraces, you can find the graves of Jewish refugees and wives of Red commanders killed by a German reconnaissance group. They walked along the path to the sea, but were met by the Nazis and shot. There used to be an obelisk here, but now it is not there. The serpentine path descends from the pass to the springs, and then comes out to a pine forest. From the pines it crosses a wide stone scree and smoothly rises to the Armenian Pass.
What to see in the vicinity of Guzeripl?
Now that we have figured out what to see in Guzeripl, it remains to find out about the attractions located in the surrounding area. It is better to get there by car. Thus, a guest of the region will not be tied to time and will examine everything that interests him in detail.
Lake Psenodakh
Tent camp by the lake
The shape of the reservoir resembles a crescent. The beauty of the place is mesmerizing. The lake is considered karst, its age is difficult to determine.
If you are wondering how to get to Lake Psenodakh, then get ready for difficulties. The natural attraction is located 20 kilometers from Guzeripl.
- Address: Lago-Naki.
Sahrai Falls
Sahrai waterfalls
If you go down the Sahrai stream, you will come across numerous waterfalls. This picturesque place is a suitable option for photography. Every guest of Adygea dreams of visiting here.
But travelers are drawn here by the preserved ancient buildings. They are scattered throughout the area. Historians call the founding date the 2nd century BC.
Previously, settlements of ancient people were located on this site.
- Address: Novoprokhladny village.
- You can visit the facilities at any convenient time.
Khadzhokh Gorge and Rufabgo Waterfalls
Khadzhokh Gorge
Rufabgo waterfalls
Tourists traveling by car will enjoy visiting the famous Adyghe attractions of the Khadzhokh Gorge and Rufabgo waterfalls.
Battles took place here during the Russian-Caucasian War of the 19th century. Places remember tragic events. People come here not only to admire the local beauty, but also to honor the memory of fallen soldiers.
The length of the section is half a kilometer.
Important! You won’t be able to visit the place in the spring, during high water: the river floods and you can only admire the gorge from afar.
The Meshoko gorge is located nearby. Numerous grottoes and waterfalls are the decoration of this natural attraction. If you travel by car, getting to the place will not be difficult.
The village itself is also interesting, we definitely recommend visiting here. It is often called the pearl of the region.
- Address: Maykop district, Kamennomostsky village, Adygea
- There is an entrance fee, the price depends on the time of year.
But you can see the waterfalls for free. Rufabgo Gorge is distinguished by its beauty. Beeches grow everywhere and streams ring. There are 10 waterfalls, three of which can only be visited by trained tourists. Getting to the water cascades is not easy. The remaining waterfalls are accessible.
Great Azish Cave
Azish Cave Rope park for active tourists
The facility was opened at the beginning of the last century. If a tourist is familiar with the area and knows where Guzeripl is located, there will be no problems with the road. As a last resort, use a navigator. But you will have to go all the way to the border of Adygea with the Krasnodar Territory. But the impressions will last a lifetime.
Caves are a visited, tourist place. The areas are equipped with handrails and decking. People come here to see clusters of stalactites and stalagmites. Guests are allowed to explore 5 rooms.
50 meters away is the Malaya Azishskaya Cave, combine a visit.
Rivers and reservoirs of Guzeripl that are worth visiting
The territory of the reserve contains dozens of mountain lakes and rivers. The most interesting ones occur near tourist routes.
Belaya River
- Coordinates: 44.003052, 40.136167.
Almost through the center of the village, dividing it into two parts, the Adyghe River Belaya runs. This water beauty has a temper, the fast current often encounters numerous rapids, the water foams and turns white. For this feature, Belaya got its name.
Rafting enthusiasts raft down the river every year; there is a special club in the village for fans of this extreme sport. Belaya is so good that she was chosen to host a stage of the Russian Rafting Championship.
Zholobnaya River
- Coordinates: 44.034507, 40.076531.
The small river Zholobnaya, which many call Zhelobnaya, flows into the Belaya River not far from Guzeripl. The source of the river is located north of the village. The total length of the tributary is only 14 kilometers.
The water in Zholobnaya is cloudy and cold, its temperature rarely rises above 5 degrees, so few people dare to swim in it even in the heat. The mouth of the river looks unusual: the brown Zholobnaya merges with the pure White, and then a two-color stream rushes forward.
Molchepa River
- Coordinates: 43.938528, 40.181768.
Another tributary of the Belaya flows a few kilometers from the village. The length of Molchepa is 17 km, the river originates near the southern border of Adygea. Not far from the Guzeripl cordon, a small dam was built on the river for a small operating hydroelectric power station. The flow of river water rolls over the dam, forming an artificial waterfall, which visitors to the reserve love to photograph.
Lake Psenodakh
- Coordinates: 44.010232, 39.900227.
The most unusual body of water in the entire Maikop region is located 20 km from Guzeripl on the Lago-Naki plateau. The karst lake has the shape of a crescent. Psenodachus is also similar to the moon due to its inconstancy: during dry seasons, the water in it almost completely dries up, turning a large reservoir into a narrow stream.
During prolonged rains, the lake is again filled with life-giving moisture and returns to its original appearance.
Psenodakh is surprisingly clean, the clear water in calm weather looks like glass. Tourists like to relax on the shore; tent camps can be seen here almost at any time of the year, although almost no one swims in the reservoir itself due to the low water temperature.
How to get to Guzeripl?
There are several ways to get to Adygea on your own; we will consider Moscow as our starting point.
Automobile . We leave on the E50/M29 highway and continue driving for about 16 hours; if you make 3-4 stops along the way, you can get to Guzeripl in 18 hours, the distance according to the navigator is 1485 km. The average amount of gasoline is 110 liters, gasoline prices are rising by leaps and bounds, so we will not list them.
Bus . There is no direct connection, you will have to go through Kamennomostsky or Maykop (139 km), we buy tickets at the bus station without problems or queues.
Flights . It’s best to fly to Krasnodar airport; it’s cheaper to buy air tickets through Aviasales, select the desired departure city and date, and the service will look for the cheapest tickets.
After arriving at the airport, we order a taxi or catch a private taxi driver near the exit, there are plenty of them here, you can safely negotiate the price and knock it down. Even cheaper (but you can lose a day in terms of time) you can leave from the Krasnodar bus station by bus (flight “Krasnodar-Maikop”), the travel time to Maykop is 3 hours. In the capital we change planes to Guzeripl, the trip takes 1 hour. 40 minutes.
There are few flights from Maykop to Guzeripl (1-2 flights, but there are private traders who charge a decent amount), so estimate your time and effort in advance.
Train . From Moscow, from the Kazansky railway station or any city in the Russian Federation, you can get to the railway station of Krasnodar or Belorechensk. From Krasnodar we transfer to a bus according to the already known travel pattern described above. From Belorechensk we transfer to the train and go to the Khadzhokh station (Kamennomostsky village). Next, we have to cover 47 km, we take a bus or catch a private driver.
Guzeripl in the Republic of Adygea: location of the village on the map, description
The village of Guzeripl is lucky with its location: clean mountain air, surrounding nature, which includes a nature reserve, mountain rivers and gorges. The village is located 75 km from the Adyghe capital - the city of Maykop. There are just over 100 permanent residents in the neat, well-kept houses. But in the summer season their number increases significantly thanks to the endless stream of travelers.
Among the guests of Guzeripl are lovers of hiking and driving routes, guests who come to take part in the bard festival, as well as athletes who visit the village for rafting.
There are enough places to stay overnight in hotels and camp sites. Around the village there are a lot of beautiful forests where you can camp with a tent.
Guzeripl is considered the final settlement of Adygea, where there is an asphalt road, then there are only forests, meadows, rivers and a nature reserve. At the beginning of the last century, the settlement was conceived as an outlying village, whose residents were supposed to be involved in preserving nature and caring for the reserve.
Now the cordon where you can enter the Caucasian Nature Reserve is located on the border of Guzeriplya. The reserve is an untouched corner of wildlife. Red Book animals and plants live here. There are a lot of berries and mushrooms growing. But none of this can be collected.
You can get to Guzeripl by bus, which runs from the Maykop bus station, or by personal transport. Travel time will take up to 2.5 hours.
Where to stay in the village? (don’t touch the point)
Staying in Guzeripl for the night or for a longer period in the private sector will not be difficult; you can book verified places in advance through Booking, this will be calmer and more profitable.
In terms of cost, hotels charge an average of 2,550 rubles per day, private housing can be found for 1,800 rubles, but the conditions are worse, and the reviews from tourists are negative.
- We recommend that you consider the Lago-Naki tourist center, the good Legend of the Mountains guest house, and the slightly more expensive Mountain Village for your vacation.
The best accommodation in Guzeripl – hotels and recreation centers
And although there are a little more than 100 local residents in Guzeripl, there is a decent selection of mini-hotels and tourist centers of various levels and classes.
Hotel "Eden" is located close to the center, and the path to the river from it will take only a couple of minutes. It attracts attention with its exterior with decorative elements made of stone and wood. It is impossible to leave without description the decoration of the interior. They resemble hunting lodges, caves, etc. It is clear that soul and a lot of work was put into the design.
“Abago” won love thanks to its landscaped territory and carved gazebos. From the rooms you can see a tall building simulating a mill. The interior of the rooms is dominated by calm, noble tones; among the furniture there are many products made of wood, rattan or its imitation. The design style immerses you in a cozy atmosphere, conducive to a good rest. There is a rich infrastructure here and there is everything for a carefree vacation.
“Wellness Estate” resembles a fairy-tale tower thanks to the carved fences of the terraces. Many of the rooms offer impressive views of the slopes. Wood material predominates in the decoration of residential and public premises, which creates a special energy and gives the guest house charm.
At Chalet Voyage you will find beautiful, respectable apartments containing the necessary furniture and pleasant household items. Public areas will delight you with a beautiful design with wrought iron railings, a fireplace and wooden trim. Holidaymakers are welcome here all year round.
“Manor in the Mountains” on Lesnaya Street has a chalet with two bedrooms. A secluded place where you can relax with your family or a small group. Here guests will find everything for a comfortable stay at home. There is an equipped kitchen and a fireplace creates a particularly relaxing atmosphere.
The Volkov House camp site is surrounded by greenery. Its perimeter is mesmerizing; comfortable living spaces, tree houses, and gazebos are at your service. And very close by there is a bubbling mountain stream.
How to plan a trip cheaper?
With the help of practical tips, you can arrange a vacation at sea or a trip to the sights much more profitable:
- ROOMGURU will help you stay in any city on a budget . The search engine compares prices across all housing databases and displays the result. It is very convenient to use the HOUSING SEARCH via a smartphone. It is especially helpful upon arrival, when you need to immediately book an apartment or hotel.
- Before each trip, you must purchase an insurance policy; we recommend TRIPINSURANCE , the service works only with the best insurance companies that you can trust.
- Where to buy cheap air tickets? We definitely use the AVIASALES , it looks for the most profitable options from all airlines.
