This amazingly picturesque mountain range is located in the Western Caucasus, 10 kilometers northwest from Krasnaya Polyana. The mountain is located in the Krasnodar Territory. The array has two peaks, the official names of which are marked on geographical maps. This is Mount Achishkho and Mount Green.
The article provides information on the nature of the wonderful southern region, as well as some interesting facts about this area.
Mount Achishkho and Krasnaya Polyana are the main natural attractions. They are included in excursion tours around Sochi.
Description of the Territory
As presented above, the mountain range has two peaks. The height of Mount Achishkho is 2391 meters, and the Green Mountain - 2079 meters. Through them stretches the Main Dividing Range.
The meaning of the name of the peak Achishkho in the Adyghe language means “goat mountain”. It is composed of clay shales, as well as tufogenic (or volcanic) rocks. The ridge and ancient glacial relief forms, including karst lakes, are characteristic of the landscape of these places. The slopes of the mountain in the upper reaches of the Achips river, originating here, have several waterfalls, including the cascading Achipsinsky, as well as more than ten dolmens. Scientists suggest that there are much more dolmens hidden beneath the earth's thickness.
The highest point of Achishkho is a unique place. It offers scenic views of Chugush, Ah-Ag, Aibgu and Fisht, as well as the Lago-Nak Highlands. From here you can even see the Oshten and Przekha-Su mountains. In cloudless weather, you can see from the top of Mount Achishkho Sochi and the Black Sea. The peak consists of 2 remarkable mountainous reliefs called circuses. For hiking, this mountain is the best choice.
Climatic conditions
These lands are quite diverse in their climatic conditions. Here, differences in temperatures are noted not only from the period of the year, but also from changes in atmospheric pressure. In cyclone zones, the pressure is usually lower, and the higher the mountainous area, the less it is. It also rains more often.
According to weather forecasters, there is a rather high level of humidity. On Mount Achishkho, annual precipitation reaches 3200 mm. According to local residents, precipitation (snow and rains) almost always falls at the top. Sunny days in the area - no more than 70 a year. In winter, snowdrifts can reach a height of up to 10 meters.
Nature
Due to the abundance of precipitation, a peculiar moisture-loving flora was formed on the top. The vegetation on the slopes of the Achishkho ridge is mostly represented by broad-leaved forests. Among tree species beech prevails. The northern part of the slope is represented by fir. The peaks of the mountains are covered with snow for most of the year.
Summer meadows are represented by a wide variety of tall herbaceous plants and flowers. Due to the numerous rainfall in this mountainous area, there are many lakes and waterfalls that splendidly decorate the area.
The animal world of these places and the entire Western Caucasus is represented by tours, mountain chamois, roe deer, brown bears, wild boars and bison. Representatives of birds living in the mountains are Ular, Caucasian black grouse and many others.
The rivers Monashka, Krasnopolyanka, Achipse, Medoveevka, Chvizhepse, Beshenka and the left tributary of the Berezovoy originate on Mount Achishkho.
Classic routes
Many routes to the top of Achishkho are accessible even to novice tourists. The classic and most common variant of the hike involves 1-2 tent nights, but physically trained tourists will be able to go to the top and back even in one day.
Such routes include a trip through the Khmelevsky lakes, located above sea level at an altitude of 1750 meters. This is the most popular climb to the top. The beginning is Khmelevskie Lakes, and then the route passes through the building of the former weather station and Lake Mirror. Then comes the descent to the Achipsinsky waterfalls and climb to the ridge with access to the summit itself.
This route is the shortest and fastest. All the way from Khmelevsky lakes to a given point and back takes up to 8 hours when hiking light and without spending the night. For camping with a halt (overnight in tents), a special place is equipped on this site of the reserve near Achipsa Falls.
To get to the lakes themselves (the starting point of the route), you need to rent an SUV, since public transport does not go to these places.
Route along the river
This journey runs along the Beshenka River. The main feature of this route is that it begins in the village. Krasnaya Polyana (from the bus stop for the Heliport). It should be noted that the climb on this route is 2 times greater than in the previous one.
The beginning of the path passes through the village, and in the upper part of the village, near the river, the asphalt road passes into two unpaved roads: one goes along the left bank of the Beshenka, the second on the right (more convenient). Both of them lead towards the rocky spurs of Achishkho. They are visible from the village. It should be noted that all along this path a rise to a height of up to 1000 meters is carried out. In one place, the road goes around the shelter in the mountains - Achishkho. This is the name of the building where you can take a break and take cover from the weather.
The path along the right bank runs along the forest road for about 30 minutes, after which the bridge crosses to the left bank. Then the forest road ends, and the path winds among the trees to the "glade with a stone." Having rested on a stone and examined the magnificent landscapes around, then you have to go again through the forest, where a 500-meter steep climb begins, leading to the building of the weather station and to Lake Zerkalny. This place is the intersection with the main trail leading from the Khmelevsky lakes to the Achipsa waterfalls.
Unlike the first route, this one is more “sporty”, as the trek starts from a height of 500 meters, and the total climb reaches more than 2000 meters.
Way to the top through the Bear Gate
This version of the campaign is similar to the previous one, but it is slightly shorter. In this case, after the "clearing with a stone" should be turned left. Further, the path runs along a barely noticeable path rising to the Bear Gate pass. Then again there is access to the main path leading to the parking lots at Achipsa Falls.
This is the most “wild” route, there are much less tourists on it. This is also due to the fact that in rainy and wet weather it is very difficult to go along a steep slope before the pass.
Route through Medoveevka
This is the most difficult of all routes to Mount Achishkho. It has the worst trail, also this path is the longest. Partly paths are not visible at all. Climbing is more than 2000 meters.
Such climbing can be suitable only for experienced and physically prepared tourists who can navigate the terrain without trails.
Greek Spur Path
This is the least popular route. The reason is high complexity. In places, the trail runs along a sharp ridge, which requires great care, especially in bad weather. For experienced tourists, it can be interesting. Here, throughout the climb, beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes open.
The starting point is the Achishkho camp site, where the first fork is located. The road leading to the right ends about 200 meters at a small bridge through which you can go to the left bank of the Beshenka River. From this place originate the "classic" routes and the path through the Bear Gate. To get to the Greek Spur, at the fork at the camp site you should turn left. The road ends after 300 meters, after which the path runs along a forest path. Then (after a few hundred meters) there is a path, serpentine leading to a forest ridge. This is the Greek spur. Then the route follows this massif. The path here is sometimes lost, so you should stay on the watershed. A miracle zone begins at about 1800 meters s alpine meadows, and the trail steeper rises, bringing the top of Achishkho.
It is important to note that it is not recommended to go down the ascent path, as the sharp and steep ridge in some places is grassy and in some places rocky, so moving down it is very dangerous. Here, with the slightest awkward movement, it is quite possible to fall into the abyss. Only experienced mountain hikers can take this route in dry and calm weather. It is best to go down Mount Achishkho using the classic version (via Khmelevskie Lakes).
Views from Green Mountain
This mountain is an excellent observation point located, as noted above, in the Achishkho massif (2.2 km from the peak of Achishkho). It is located between the headwaters of the Berezovaya (tributary of the Belaya) and Chvizheps (tributary of the Mzymta) rivers.
The view from her to Mount Achishkho is unique. The rocky mountain peak is surrounded by caravan snowfields, and the rocky narrow ridges extending from the top are separated by rocky-grassy wide and deep circuses. The bottoms of the latter are indented with hollows of streams, the waters of which are torn off by waterfalls from the terraces. The noise of two beautiful waterfalls, visible from Mount Zelenaya, reaches even these places.
Interesting Facts
The mountains of Psekhako, Achishkho in the Caucasus are one of the main attractions of Sochi.
On the slopes of Psekhako are the facilities of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games (2014). From the northern part of this ridge begins the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, which also captures the Achishkho site.
Do you know where in Russia the wettest place? There are not very many similar places around the world. For comparison, it should be noted that more than 3, 000 millimeters of precipitation falls annually in the zones of the Amazon basin, in Africa (south-western part) above the equator and on the territory of some islands of Oceania. And the wettest place in Russia, where the average annual rainfall reaches more than 3, 000 mm, is a section of the Caucasus Mountains, where Achishko is located.
Tourists like to visit this place, since the nature of the surroundings of Mount Achishkho is fabulously beautiful.
