If you have already seen the sights of Sochi, and lying on the beach all day is not your thing – rent a car and go explore the surrounding area! Beautiful gorges with waterfalls, caves, mountain lakes and snow-capped peaks even in summer, yew and boxwood groves, mysterious dolmens, delicious local cuisine, as well as neighboring resort towns with their unique atmosphere await you. We have selected for you the most interesting places where you can go from Sochi for 1 day by car.
1. 33 waterfalls (Aul Bolshoi Kichmay)
GPS: 43.836889, 39.557797
Distance 53 km, 1.5 hours one way.
The cascade of waterfalls is located 50 km from Sochi, in the mountain gorge of the Shakhe River valley. The waterfalls, although small, are very picturesque, surrounded by a boxwood grove. The route is looped (that is, you won’t have to go through the same path twice),
which is very convenient. As expected, the waterfalls are shrouded in numerous legends, which they will be happy to tell you here.
There is a small market in front of the entrance where you can buy souvenirs, nuts, honey and local sweets.
Be sure to wear non-slip athletic shoes.
2. Khmelevskie Lakes
GPS: 43.717915, 40.200030
Distance 72 km, 1.5 hours one way.
Four large lakes, united by a common name, are located on the territory of the Sochi National Park at an altitude of 1750 meters. You can get here only if you rent a jeep.
An ecological trail begins from the lakes, which we recommend walking along to all lovers of hiking and active recreation. From here you can enjoy beautiful views of mountain meadows, snow-capped mountains and forests. There are information boards along the trail, as well as rest stops where you can have a picnic.
It is better to plan a visit to the Khmelevskie Lakes from May to October, since the rest of the time they are covered with ice and snow.
3. Mamedovo Gorge (Lazarevskoye, Sochi)
GPS: 43.962012, 39.320567
Distance 75 km, 1.5 hours one way.
This picturesque gorge is located in the Lazarevsky district of Sochi. The length of the walking route along it is about 7 km, most of it runs along the Kuapse River.
Here you will see ancient dolmens, stone rubble on the river, canyons almost closing overhead, waterfalls (to see them, you need to follow the sign to turn off the main route). The waterfalls are called Happiness, Youth and Love and, according to tradition, you must swim in them. So don’t forget to take your swimming trunks or swimsuit!
Sports shoes are required to cover the route. Also be sure to take plenty of drinking water with you.
4. Guam Gorge (Guamka village)
GPS: 44.220694, 39.9085540
Distance 258 km, 5.5 hours one way.
If you want to go to the mountains and have a couple of free days, go to the Guam Gorge. It is located between two mountain ranges in the upper reaches of the Kurdzhips River, and its depth reaches 400 meters. Take a walk along the gorge and admire the mountain river, waterfall, and taste the purest water from it. The most typical representatives of the flora here are boxwood, yew, beech.
There is a narrow-gauge railway in the gorge, along which small trains run. By train you can, for example, return back after a walk if you are tired.
Entrance ticket costs 400 rubles.
In order not to tire yourself of the return trip, you can stay overnight in the village of Guamka in one of the hotels.
5. Tuapse
Distance 116 km, 2.5 hours one way.
Tuapse is not only a large seaport and industrial city, but also a resort (which, however, does not have many attractions). Here you should have time to do the following:
1. Admire the Kiselyov rock, which drops steeply to the sea. This is one of the symbols of Tuapse.
2. Walk along the Tuapse port, look at the huge ships and tankers.
3. Take a walk along Karl Marx Street with its majestic plane tree alley.
4. Visit the ancient dolmens in the village of Prigorodny. GPS coordinates: 44.121334, 39.122326.
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6. Gelendzhik
Distance 250 km, 5 hours one way.
Gelendzhik is one of the most beautiful resort towns on the Black Sea coast. The city embankment stretches from one cape to another for 14 km and is one of the longest in the world. Along it there are numerous restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, shooting ranges, shops, fountains, small parks and monuments. In addition to the obligatory walk along the embankment, here you can:
1. Take a photo as a souvenir of the trip with the “White Bride” sculpture, which is a symbol of the city. It is located in the central part of the embankment.
2. Visit the Olympus amusement park. The entrance ticket costs 800 rubles, which gives you the opportunity to take a cable car up the hill, from where you can appreciate a panoramic view of the entire bay. The price also includes a ride on a Ferris wheel. The park also has a small zoo, which will definitely interest all children. Address: Kupriyanova Shchel, 1.
3. Visit the unusual gallery “White Horse”, in which most of the exhibits are created from garbage (bags, bottles, etc.). Address: st. Vzlyotnaya, 44.
4. Visit the romantic building of the Gelendzhik lighthouse, located on the embankment. The lighthouse is active, so it is especially interesting to come here in the evening.
5. Take a breeze down the slides at the Zolotaya Bukha water park. There are many slides to suit every taste, suitable for the whole family. Please note that the water park is only open until the end of September. Address: st. Tourist, 23.
6. Find yourself in the African savannah and see enough of the strange animals in the Safari Park. You can also take the cable car here and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. Address: 1511 km of the federal road “DON”.
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7. Route: Agur waterfalls — Mount Akhun — Olympic Park — Trout farm — Skypark — Rosa Khutor
Distance 123 km, 2.5 hours driving time. With full stops, visits to Skypark and Rosa Khutor resort – 8 — 10 hours.
Especially for you, we have prepared a detailed and eventful itinerary for traveling by car around the outskirts of Sochi. You will have the opportunity to swim in mountain lakes, ride a Ferris wheel at the top of a mountain range, walk through the Olympic Park, learn all about trout farming, walk over the abyss in the famous Skypark and finally get to the Rosa Khutor resort. And all this can be done in one day! Read more…
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