What to take with you to Arkhyz in the summer. Sights of Arkhyz: from the ancient Alans to the modern observatory

Arkhyz is a famous mountain resort in Karachay-Cherkessia. The unique nature of the Caucasus, mild climate, many sunny days, calm and comfortable weather in winter and summer, made it a favorite vacation spot at any time of the year.

Arkhyz in the summer. Settlement Romantic.

Lovers of trekking have known these places for a long time, but with the start of construction of the Romantik village, Arkhyz has become one of the most popular ski resorts. The settlement is rapidly being built up with new hotels, new hotels and cafes have appeared. Develops every year tourist infrastructure resort.

Vacation in Arkhyz.

To fully relax, visit different parts of Arkhyz, see its sights, you need several days. It all depends on your desires and the season. In winter it is, of course, a ski resort.

View from cable car to the village of Romantic. Ski season is in full swing.

In summer, these are interesting historical places, trekking routes for both beginners and experienced tourists.

Arkhyz village. View from the road to the Barite waterfall.

Mushrooms, berries, fishing in season. Horseback riding, rafting, jeeping.

Protected forest, mountain rivers, lakes, waterfalls incredible beauty... All this is in Arkhyz.

Sights of Arkhyz. Where to go and what to see.

On the way to Arkhyz, you will not stop at the Face of Christ. A small chapel, near it a market and parking for cars.

Before the ascent to the face of Christ, there is a small chapel.
The face of Christ. Fenced with anti-vandal glass frame.

There are 525 steps leading up the mountain to Lik. This is one of the most ancient hand-made icons on the rock, preserved to our times.

Lower Arkhyz temples.

This is the second temple located near the Alan settlement.

The oldest temple, built in the 10th century. Here you can order an excursion, you can take a walk yourself. Monuments everywhere have descriptions, signs of what and where.

Observatory.

Past the temples, past the village of Bukovo, the road leads up to the observatory. It can be clearly seen from the road. Good paved road leading to the main telescope of the SAO. From here, a stunning view of the gorge opens up.

The observatory staff conduct excursions. There is a cinema hall where you can watch documentary about the work of astronomers. In the lobby, you can buy souvenirs to commemorate your visit to this unusual place.

Behind the village of Arkhyz there is a turn to Taulu meadow. A picturesque place along the Psysh mountain river. Lovers of rest in tents gather here. There are several hotels.

Glade Taulu. Arkhyz.

From here you can take UAZ cars to go towards Mount Sofia, to waterfalls and lakes. Rent quads or bicycles. Book horse rides. From here trekking routes start, both one-day and several days. Various gatherings and festivals are held.

From the village of Arkhyz, an easy route leads uphill to the Barite waterfall. It is impossible to get lost there, the road is absolutely safe. The journey will take several hours.

Barite waterfall. Not far from the village of Arkhyz.

This is for outdoor enthusiasts. You can slowly climb the mountain along the beaten path, swim under the waterfall, enjoy the views of Arkhyz from above. And if you get there in September, then pick up hazelnuts.

Excursions in Arkhyz.

Excursions to Arkhyz go all year round. But the most active season for such trips is, of course, summer. When it's warm and green. Usually these are trips lasting one or two days. We are now talking not about active recreation, trekking, but about sightseeing tours, where people of respectable age travel with children. Relax and enjoy the mountain views.

The main excursion routes pass through historical sites. These are the Face of Christ and the Lower Arkhyz temples. They stop by the observatory. There is very beautiful views on the gorge, you can take interesting photos.

They offer jeeping by car and horseback riding, from the Taulu glade towards the Sofia waterfalls and to the Belaya river.

You can climb the cable car in the village of Romantic. Very nice view from a height of 2400 meters.

Trekking routes.

We have recently discovered such a form of active recreation as trekking. So in our collection along Arkhyz there is only one route - a hike to the Barite waterfall. We wrote in detail about this in one of our articles .

View of the village from the Barite waterfall.

Arkhyz is famous for its mountainous beauty among tourists. So we have Sofia waterfalls ahead, Sofia lakes, Dukinsky lakes and many other wonderful places. Let's wait for spring. And if you don't want to climb the mountains, there are a lot of forest roads around the reserve not far from the village. Believe me, you will get a tremendous charge of energy and health.

Summer and winter in Arkhyz.

Arkhyz is loved by tourists at any time of the year. From the beginning of May to September - the time for hikers, mushroom and fishing enthusiasts, from December to March - for skiers and snowboarders.

It is generally very difficult to predict the weather in the mountains, but according to our observations, Arkhyz is the mildest, in terms of climate, resort in the Caucasus. There are rarely winds and many sunny days.

Green track in Arkhyz. What you need for beginners.

We spent more time in Arkhyz in winter, as we learned to ski, and for beginners there are all conditions. And only this year they discovered summer season in these parts.

We are going to Arkhyz. Everything you need to know.

First of all, that Arkhyz is mountains. That is, unpredictable weather changes, very often contrary to forecasts of weather forecasters.

There are no large shops in the village. The nearest Magnet is in Zelenchukskaya, that is, about fifty kilometers away. And here on the spot, there are small private stalls, where the assortment is not large, but everything you need is there. The prices are not too high. One grocery store is located in the service center of the Romantik village.

Accommodation needs to be booked in advance, especially during high season. Prices do not differ, we checked.

The tourist infrastructure is well developed. There are cafes, rentals, pharmacies, ATMs and so on. In short, everything is provided for relaxation.

How much is the rest in Arkhyz.

How much money you need for a vacation in Arkhyz depends on your desires and the season. Let's try to describe where we ourselves were.

Hotel Romantic 1.

A hotel room in the warm season costs from 1000 rubles in the village (we are talking about a double standard). In the hotel Romantic 1 - from 2500 per day. Prices are constantly changing, even during the week the price for a room may differ.

A ski pass for one day in 2017 cost 2,100 rubles. Sightseeing lift - 700 rubles per person. Official ski instructor services RUB 3000 in Romance.

Jeeping in the mountains with local drivers from 3000 per car (up to seven people). The price varies slightly depending on the route, plus or minus 500 rubles.

Rafting from 800 to 3000 rubles per person, depending on the route.

Horseback riding 400 rubles per hour.

Lunch in local cafes with Caucasian cuisine costs about 500-700 rubles for two. In Romance and on Lunnaya Polyana, fast food cafes are slightly more expensive.

Food prices. What to buy and where to eat.

There are a lot of catering establishments in Arkhyz, for every taste. We prefer Caucasian cuisine, so we visit private local cafes near the Face of Christ. Home atmosphere and delicious khychins and lamb.

Khychins in a cafe, homemade sour cream and mountain tea.

Khichin with meat 100 rubles, barbecue 300 rubles per skewer (300-400 grams of lamb pulp). They will also put home sour cream to the khychins.

Trampoline restaurant. In the center of the village of Romantic.

In Romance restaurant Tramplin. Near the cable car, in the center of the village. Nice environment. Prices, of course, are several times higher. (100 grams of barbecue 280 rubles, steak - 450 rubles). It is difficult to voice the price for lunch, depending on who eats what. We think three thousand is enough for two.

Lunka cafe on Lunnaya Polyana.

In the Service Center in Romance and on Lunnaya Polyana, there is a fast food cafeteria. Tasty, clean, inexpensive. We liked. About 1,000 rubles for two is enough to have lunch. Salads, soups, main courses. Everything looked delicious.

Souvenirs, shopping, what to bring home from the trip.

As in all the resorts of the Caucasus, there are souvenir markets in Arkhyz. Many residents here live off folk crafts. Sheep wool knitted items, fur toys, painted dishes. Magnets, of course.

Market in Romance. You can buy magnets, mountain tea, jam.

Arkhyz's exclusive are pickled mushrooms in Bukovo, they are sold in the market near the Face of Christ. Very tasty, we recommend!

What to take with you to Arkhyz.

We emphasize again that these are mountains. Warm clothes and comfortable shoes are a must.

Take your essential medicines. There is a pharmacy in Romantica, and if you are staying in the village, you will have to travel far enough.

Despite the fact that rams are raised in almost every yard, it was difficult to buy meat in the village. Everything related to food and alcohol is better to take with you. Or buy in Zelenchukskaya. On the market in the village you can buy in addition if you forgot something.

To the Arkhyz mountains on your own.

Nowadays it has become very easy to organize a vacation in the Arkhyz mountains on your own.

First, we buy a ticket to the nearest station or airport. By railroad It is most convenient to get to Nevinnomyssk, by plane - to Mineralnye Vody. It is convenient to order tickets online at www.aviasales.ru. or download their mobile app for finding cheap flights.

Second stage - looking for low prices and book accommodation for the required dates. Through the service http://hotellook.ru/ you can find the most suitable option for the required days.

We determine how to get from the airport or railway station to Arkhyz. Can by public transport, a minibus runs to the village of Romantic from the cities of Stavropol, Cherkessk, Nevinnomyssk, etc. Or order a transfer from the airport via , you can find fellow travelers on . It will be more convenient than public transport, especially if there are several people.

Where and how to find housing for rent in Arkhyz.

In order for accommodation to meet your expectations, you need to understand where the hotels are located and guest houses.

In the immediate vicinity of the ski lifts, in the village of Romantic, there are hotels Romantic 1, Romantic 2 and Vertical. This year, a new cottage boarding house Allure was built.

You cannot reach the cable car from the rest of the hotels on foot, in ski boots, and in any case, you will have to go by car from the village of Arkhyz. Most of the hotels and guest houses are located directly in the village. If you come without a car on vacation, there is always a private taxi in the center.

In the warm season, we prefer to stop the other way around in the village of Arkhyz. From here, walking trails, jeeping, rafting, and horseback riding start. The guest houses have barbecues, near the forest, mountain rivers.

How to travel by public transport.

With the development of Arkhyz - ski resort, route taxis and buses from the nearest cities were launched to the village of Romantic. From Pyatigorsk, Mineralnye Vody, from Stavropol, from Nevinnomyssk and Pyatigorsk.

For example, last year a bus went from Mineralnye Vody once a day at lunchtime. Perhaps the bus schedule will change, as the flow of tourists and the need for transport is constantly growing.

You can get there with a transfer in the village of Zelenchukskaya. From there a bus goes to the village of Arkhyz several times a day.

The schedule of minibuses needs to be learned in each specific case, city, departure time.

In the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, there is the village of Arkhyz, known to travelers in the Caucasus region. Many of us, hearing this name, remember bottles with clean water. And it is not in vain, because Arkhyz water is extracted from the melting glacier in this very village. Arkhyz is remembered for its grandeur and attractive landscapes. Its sights must be seen with your own eyes.

Geography and natural conditions

Arkhyz is often understood as a whole Arkhyz gorge, and it includes, in addition to Arkhyz, the villages of Upper and Lower Arkhyz. Arkhyz is the center of tourism and resort recreation in the Caucasus, just like Dombay, but they have significant differences:

• Dombay is a resort for skiers and climbers. There are many hotels, holiday homes and other infrastructure for tourists.
• Arkhyz resembles a simple village with wooden houses and cattle grazing everywhere.

Arkhyz-Romance is the future name of a new center for skiers under construction. The climate and nature here meet the highest international standards for resort area... The village is surrounded on three sides by mountains, which protect it from unpleasant cold winds in winter. A thick carpet of pine trees is found on the slopes of the mountains. Thanks to him, the well-being of people with lung diseases improves here. Plus to this - perfectly clean air. On weekends it is always pleasant to spend a vacation in Arkhyz. The sights of the village will be pleasant and amaze with their beauty.

Tourism

But all these natural resources difficult to use due to poor infrastructure development. Hotels have only recently been commissioned, and catering points operate only in summer time... Before the opening, new guests were received by hotels built in the days of the Soviet Union. There were also sanatoriums and tourist bases, intended for summer vacation children and students. Officially, Arkhyz does not have the status of a resort, because it cannot be obtained now. But this does not prevent the village from being popular with tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Arkhyz is rich in various unexplained objects. Sights (the face of Christ, a kind of icon painted on a rock is one of them) attract thousands of tourists.

Many cycling, water, horse and other routes start and end here. At this point 5 valleys converged, giving the possibility of radial exits and hikes for several days along all of them. According to this criterion, Arkhyz is superior to Dombay, which has only one valley. They do not stay in Arkhyz for a long time, usually they just start and finish here.

Alan settlement

All notable places are located right on the road to Arkhyz, which is very convenient for travelers. The first step is to look at the modern observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the largest radio telescope on the planet. The structure is very large and can be seen from afar. Lower Arkhyz also has sights.

The ancient Alan settlement keeps three oldest temple, erected in the X century. They are among the 6 most ancient buildings for performing religious rites in our country. Another temple has recently been built by the road for pilgrims who come to the face of Christ. It is depicted on a rock, but it is not known for certain by whom and how. The gaze of Jesus Christ is directed to one of the ancient temples. By the way, all of them are not valid. There is organized parking for cars, sale of souvenirs and hot meals. For this it is worth visiting Arkhyz. The sights will be remembered for a lifetime.

Space excursion

In Bukovo, there is an academic town where astronomers live. The village has a small, but the only museum in the region, where finds from the Nizhnearkhyz settlement are collected. You can stay at the "Academy" hotel. The village of Arkhyz is also famous for its scientific objects. These sights are of national importance.

Nizhnearkhyz settlement is a museum-reserve. The entrance to the territory is paid. The only guide lives here, in one of the houses by the road. At the turn to Bukovo in the rock you can see the burials of the Alans. They look like this: holes in the rock, closed by stone doors. In this place they are very clearly visible.

Features:

Recently built in Arkhyz good hotelsand outdated tourist bases are being modernized. However, catering is still difficult. During the tourist off-season, travelers are left to have a snack with khychin or a meager selection of food from shops. Tourists are attracted by the sights of Arkhyz in summer, when you can have a great rest in tents.

Downhill skiing is also possible in the village itself. It is hard for local tracks to compete with Dobaevsky or Elbrus tracks, but they can be used for pokatushki. There are 2 tracks created here:

1. The first has a small slope, from the Abishira-Akhuba mountain it goes out to the Church glade. This name is not accidental: it contains the remains of a 10th century temple. And on the outskirts of the meadow there is a stone with a carved cross.
2. The second one goes near the recreation center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which stands on the edge of the village, in a pine forest. The use of the track is free. You can stop at the base subject to availability. The slope is higher here, so there are more experienced skiers.

Here is such a versatile village of Arkhyz. There are attractions for every taste.

Another trail can be found eight kilometers from Arkhyz, near the Taulu glade. There are also slopes for experienced skiers and beginners. Drag lifts operate on all three slopes. If necessary, you can use the services of instructors and equipment rental. Pleased with affordable prices and short queues. The sights of the Arkhyz village are known all over the world.

The service may not be as developed, but it will not be difficult to find entertainment here. Snowmobile, bicycle and ATV rental points operate. It is possible to book horseback riding or horseback riding in any hotel. This can be done through travel companies working in this direction. Seventeen clean lakes lie very close to Arkhyz, high in the mountains.

Locals

Mostly Karachais live in the village. Many have their own horses, so you can negotiate a horse ride directly with the animal owners. All year round near the bridge in Arkhyz, a functioning market is open, where they sell souvenirs. Here you can refresh yourself with a hot barbecue. Drinking water "Arkhyz" in the place of its production is not cheaper than in other cities. Locals take pride in the popularity of their water. They generally love Arkhyz very much. Landmarks often show exactly locals.

The winter season starts in mid November and lasts until mid March. During this period, the land is covered with a snow-white cover. The height of the village above sea level is 1450 meters, but despite this fact, even people with high blood pressure do not complain about their health. These delightful places are simply made to be seen.

FEATURES OF TRAVELING IN AUTUMN AND SPRING

In our guide, route descriptions are made in relation to summer time - the most favorable for hiking in the mountains. Travel conditions at other times of the year are fundamentally different. Natural obstacles are becoming more difficult and more dangerous, especially for those tourists who have only summer hiking experience.

The complication of routes occurs due to a decrease in air temperature, an increase in precipitation in the form of snow, snow cover and avalanche danger, a decrease in daylight hours, a decrease in visibility, frequent clouds and fog. The significance of each of these factors varies greatly depending on the location of the valley, the exposure of the slope, altitude, and season.

Average monthly air temperature and average precipitation recorded at the Arkhyz weather station (1456 m)

Low temperatures require additional measures to protect against hypothermia: warmer clothing (preferably down), insulated sleeping bags, double tents, as well as the group's readiness for prolonged cold weather. Under the influence of low temperatures, significant changes occur on the routes: steep humid slopes are covered with ice, water sources freeze, the possibility of rock falls increases.

Snowfalls lead to the fact that the snow cover on the mountain routes increases, in winter the snow border drops to minimum heights. Trails are under the snow, while the traverses of steep slopes become much more complicated, many familiar landmarks disappear - shepherd huts, individual stones, bushes, etc. Freshly fallen snow, loose and deep, makes it difficult to move, but the most dangerous in the off-season is avalanches.

It is difficult to predict the time of avalanches, and such a danger exists everywhere, where mountain slopes (with a steepness of 15 to 65 °) are overloaded with snow. The highest avalanche activity is observed on slopes of 30-50 °. The descent of an avalanche depends on many factors: the nature of the slope, the conditions of accumulation of the snow charge, the temperature and humidity of the air, the direction and strength of the wind, the time of day and even rockfall. Being able to recognize an avalanche danger and, with this in mind, build your route is a prerequisite for traveling in the off-season. A decrease in the light part of the day in the off-season, frequent fogs, low clouds reduce the time of daytime transitions and work on difficult areas.

A tourist group, preparing for a hike in the off-season, must: 1) present in all details the seasonal complications on the route, which is selected based on the experience of tourists and their ability to ensure the safety of the path; 2) be able to retreat in the event of a critical situation, for which it is necessary to plan alternatives along the entire route line.

Autumn. In September, travel conditions on many routes Zap. Caucasus, especially along the valleys through non-category passes, are close to summer ones. But tourists have more than once experienced the unexpected arrival of winter. Autumn becomes colorful, as a rule, in October. Mountain forests are painted with yellow, red, brown colors. Against the background of a clear blue sky, peaks powdered with fresh snow shine.

Hiking conditions in the autumn, like at no other time, can vary greatly from year to year. There are years when the warmth in the valleys lasts until November, and the snow cover is established in the zone of alpine meadows only by December. But sometimes already in September snowstorms rage on the passes and frosts crackle.

According to long-term data of meteorologists, autumn in the Caucasus is characterized by the following indicators.

Air temperature. From August to December, the average air temperature decreases monthly by about 5 "C. The dependence of the temperature on the altitude and the degree of the valley's closure can be seen. The daily temperature range can reach 15-20 ° C. And it is in the calculation for the lowest temperatures that you need to select equipment and clothing. It is advisable to have an individual thermos with you. Some reference point can serve as the absolute temperatures recorded at the Arkhyz meteorological station: September - minus 9 ° C, October - minus 19 ÜC, November - minus 29 "C. The statistical date of the transition of the average daily temperature through 0 ° С in Dombai is November 16.

You should also take into account the changes caused by cold snaps. Wet grassy slopes freeze at this time. And where in the summer one could easily walk in boots, now crampons, rope belay and even hooks may be required. Wet talus from small stones can turn into "concrete" slopes that are difficult to overcome. At the same time, on the rocks, even in frost, individual stones are heated by the sun so much that snow melts near them and drip ice appears, complicating the path (the passes of Kurela, Vasiliev). Stops and holds are under the ice, you need to clean up with an ice ax and increase the number of hooks for belaying.

Precipitation, snow cover, avalanches. In points such as Krasnaya Polyana and Audkhara, winter precipitation exceeds summer by 1.5-2 times. The qualitative difference from summer is that in autumn precipitation more often falls in the form of snow.

The first snow in the valleys and on the slopes usually melts in a few days under the sun's rays or is washed away by rains. Autumn snow cover is loose and fragile. In the placers of rock debris, the traveler can fall into invisible crevices.

Snow bridges over glacial crevasses and streams do not "hold", so you need to be careful and reliable insurance. Traffic often slows down because the steps in the autumn snow are deep and laborious to form. Here it is advisable to pre-treat (in the evening light) snow slopes, so that it would be easier to walk with a load on the rise in the morning.

Freshly fallen snow easily slides off a smooth inclined surface, forming light avalanches - "debris". Such avalanches gain great power only in narrow, steep corridors of great length.

Heavy snowfalls (especially if the snow has fallen on frozen slopes) will necessarily be followed by avalanches. There are known destructive avalanches that descended from a slope with a steepness of 15 ° with a snow cover of only 10-15 cm. When assessing, it should be taken into account that the accumulation of snow with height can increase and the real avalanche danger will turn out to be greater than it seems from below.

Daylight hours, clouds, fogs. Compared to July, the daylight hours in October are reduced by almost 6 hours, which must be taken into account when developing a travel schedule. For the most part, Zap. In the Caucasus, September has an average monthly minimum of cloudless clear days. Later, at altitudes of more than 2000 m, the number of days with low clouds and fogs, which make it difficult to navigate in the mountains, increases, and especially on the southern side of the GKH, where the maximum cloudy days are in winter (up to 20 days a month). At the same time, in the northern part of the Caucasus, there are up to 12 of them per month.

Spring... Most of the hikes in the Caucasus in the springtime fall on may holidays... Often these are study and research trips. The goal of many tourist groups - acquaintance with spring in the mountains. She is exceptionally beautiful here. The slopes of the ridges are covered with snow. The upper belt of mountain forests is still in winter. Below, willows are puffing in yellow balls, on the thawed patches there are armfuls of white, yellow and purple violets, carpets of blue snowdrops. There is a bouquet of aromas in the air, the hubbub of birds.

The routes are usually laid through low passes and green valleys. The experience of passing at this time technically difficult routes 4-5 k. Ate. rather convinces of their inexpediency for mass tourism. In addition to the danger of avalanches, the amount of precipitation and fog increases with height. Travels take place in poor visibility conditions, most of the path runs through deep snow left over from winter, which is physically difficult and monotonous.

Air temperature. The average air temperature in the second half of April and May in most of the Caucasus (at altitudes below 3000 m above sea level) is already above 0 ° C. The dependence is clearly maintained - the higher, the colder. At altitudes of about 2000 m (especially the northern slope of the GKH), frosts are frequent at night, while in the daytime the air can be heated to 20 ° C; at altitudes over 3000 m, the air temperature often drops to -10 "C.

Indicative are the average dates of the last frosts and absolute minima, marked by meteorological stations.

The closer to the Black Sea, the less often frosts occur, even in the highlands. Participants of spring hikes need to know that frosts at this time are more frequent at night. To protect against hypothermia, you need good boots, shoe covers for them, a waterproof backpack, an additional set of warm clothes and a rain cover that can shelter a tourist along with a backpack.

Precipitation, snow cover, avalanches. On the northern slopes of the GKH, the greatest amount of precipitation occurs in May, June and July. In general, Zap. In the Caucasus, an increase in precipitation with height was noted in the spring, but it is not the same in different areas. So in the valley of the river. Bzyb (at its source) receives 1.5 times more precipitation than at the mouth. More precipitation falls in front of hills, ridges and immediately behind them (on the leeward side). In protected mountain basins, precipitation is distributed more evenly throughout the year (for example, in Arkhyz).

In the spring, at all heights Zap. In the Caucasus, it rains more often than snow. Rain thickens the winter cover and accelerates its melting. But there are years (usually during winters with little snow), when in late April and early May mountains above 2500 m are covered with a thick layer of snow. At the same time, hiking in the highlands becomes dangerous due to the possibility of avalanches. When preparing the May routes, it is imperative to foresee the likelihood of such snowfalls and outline alternate, safe options.

In the described area, as a rule, at the beginning of May, the border of the snow cover passes through the forest zone at a level of 1500-2000 m. Moreover, its height increases with distance from the Black Sea from west to east along the GKH. Snow accumulation also depends on the exposure of mountain slopes to moisture-carrying winds.

May snow is usually packed, rather dense. A man with a backpack falls into it by 20-40 cm. At night, at altitudes of more than 2000 m, there are often sub-zero temperatures (more in the eastern part of the Caucasus), but the formed solid crust quickly weakens as soon as the sun shines on it. Frozen snow is dense, and in steep sections you have to chop steps or use crampons. However, in the middle of a sunny day, the snow becomes so limp that you fall through to the full depth of the cover. This must be taken into account when working out a traffic schedule.

In spring, most of the rocky routes are covered with snow. Therefore, in some cases, instead of climbing, you have to overcome steep snowy slopes, and in others, you have to clear the hooks, rocky ledges and ledges from snow (special attention is required here so as not to throw stones on the downstream ones with the snow).

A real danger on the spring routes is the collapse of the snow cornices, which were outlined during the winter (for example, Ad-zapsh lane). It is impossible to predict such collapses. In May (in the zone 2000-2500 m) at positive temperatures the cornices collapse at any time of the day. Dangerous proximity to them must be avoided.

Possibility is also possible for wasps of snow layers from smooth sloping rocks ("sheep's foreheads") and grassy slopes. The front of the capture and the speed of their advance are not high, but the formation can be crushed under itself or thrown off the cliff. Powerful wasps were observed in the upper reaches of the river. Gribza, on the Bzybsk ridge (Dzyshra town), on the lane. Sancharo. Layers of snow, compressed to stone hardness, cut off bushes and earth like a bulldozer.

We should not forget about the rare but destructive avalanches associated with a sharp disruption of the natural course of natural processes in the mountains, which in May may be warm, long rains, high air temperatures or a delay in the descent of winter avalanches.

Daylight hours, clouds, fogs. In May in the West. In the Caucasus, the duration of daylight hours is close to the maximum summer and, as a rule, there is no long (more than two days) bad weather. On average, out of three days, two are sunny, one is cloudy with rains. However, the number of days with precipitation and fog increases with altitude (in the 2500-3000 m belt, it is approximately twice as compared to the 1000-1500 m belt).

The off-season requires tactical literacy, physical readiness, the ability to work at low temperatures and high snow cover, good orientation on the terrain, the ability to wait and assess avalanche danger.

It is more expedient to carry out hikes in the spring and autumn to familiar places. The inclusion of difficult and high (over 3000 m) passes in the route must be preceded by a rigorous assessment of all possible complications on the way and the ability of the group to go through the entire trip with guaranteed, without disruptions.

The arrival of spring in the mountains (when the average daily temperature rises above 0 ° C) is accompanied by a massive descent of wet avalanches. The effect is enhanced by warm rains, which avalanches figuratively called "windshield wipers". At this time, for about a month, wet ground avalanches descend from the grassy slopes - a period forbidden to go to the highlands.

By the beginning of May, avalanches generally stop in the described mountains up to an altitude of 3000 m. At the bottom of the gorges there are impressive traces - snow heaps tens of meters high, torn off layers of earth and stones, trees uprooted. It is possible to determine whether a dry winter avalanche has descended (clear cone, loose snow) or a wet spring avalanche (dense snow mass with mud).

These blockages make it easier to move along the upper valleys. The passage of some passes (for example, Amanauz), due to the fact that the cracks in the glacier are reliably hidden, becomes less dangerous. At the same time, routes through uncategorized passes (in summer), along which trails are laid, become significantly more difficult, especially where the trails are punched on steep, steep slopes (Khalega, Tsegerker, Himsa passes), since now the snow will require the ability to belay through an ice ax and beat the steps.

Arkhyz is a magnificent resort in the North Caucasus. Having come here once, you can no longer forget majestic mountainsthat frame the treasures of this wonderful land. Songs and poems are dedicated to him, thousands of people leave their cities every year and go to look at its wonderful landscapes. What attracts people Arkhyz, read in our material.

Nature and climate

Arkhyz is known for its mild, temperate continental climate. July, August and September are the driest months of the year. It is rainy in May and November. Winter is sunny, snowy and fabulously beautiful. It lasts about four months. The first snow falls usually in mid-November.

Due to the large territory of Arkhyz, the climate in its different parts is different. So in the northern part the climate is warm and mild, and in the highlands it is harsh. If you want to go to Arkhyz in the first half of autumn, then you need to prepare warm clothes for the evening, because the temperature in the afternoon can reach +10 degrees. During the day it is warm - up to +30. But the evening cold snaps more than compensate for the wonderful autumn views of Arkhyz. All around there are colorful mountains, a river ... and silence. In late autumn, it is better to take a down jacket, felt boots, and alpine skiing, of course.

The nature of Arkhyz is unique. In 1957, the Arkhyz district was included in the Teberda state reserve... One of the most interesting natural monuments - beech forest. There are trees there that are about 200 years old. Their height reaches 28 meters, and the trunk girth is up to 3.5 meters. And in the upper reaches of the Kizgych you can find fir up to 60 meters in height, some of them live up to 700 years. Very beautiful in summer. With its onset, the entire territory of the Teberda Reserve is filled with thousands of multi-colored herbs and plants. At the end of summer, the alpine meadows turn into a purple-blue scabiosa carpet.

The fauna of Arkhyz is also rich. Here you can see the West Caucasian tur, among the common people - the Caucasian stone goat. Chamois and wild boar are found in large numbers. There are also wolves, lynxes, martens, badgers, otters, wild forest cats, ermines, weasels and foxes. Large animals include yaks and brown bears.

Entertainment

If it is not enough for you just to enjoy the beauty of the Arkhyz landscapes, but you want to spend time actively, then everything can be arranged. In warmer months, you can rent ATVs for a few hours or for a day. They can be found at almost any recreation center. You can go on a horse trek or walk. It is better to go on a hike in the summer, as it takes from 2 days and is quite exhausting. But you can see all the most beautiful places Arkhyz. Horse rental costs about 300 rubles per hour.

If you don't want to pay for the horses, you can go hiking on your own two. It's even more useful. It is better not to go on a hike on your own, but to take an experienced instructor who will arrange you a tour of lakes, forests, alpine meadows and waterfalls.

Don't like dry land? Welcome to the water element. This is the only way to go rafting here. Mountain rivers especially dispose daredevils to this occupation. Well, being engaged in extreme sports, thoughts about how beautiful it is around and how wonderful it is to live on this planet feel sharper. The cost of such pleasure depends on the level of difficulty and duration of the route and ranges from 350 to 1600 rubles per person.

You can also play paintball in Arkhyz. Those who like to shoot have a lot to turn around. The huge natural space will become a playground and make you feel like a real fighter. This pleasure costs about 500 rubles per person.

Those who do not want to walk, row, shoot, but just want to relax, will also be satisfied. You can order a real SPA procedure "Cedar barrel" for 250 rubles, or rent a sauna. Or you can bring the bathhouse directly to the river bank. For this, there are special baths and tents. After all, it is so wonderful to barbecue by the river, enjoy the scenery and pamper your body with pleasant procedures.

In winter, Arkhyz also has something to do. Your choice: downhill skiing, snowboarding, sledging and snowmobiles. In addition, mountaineering is developing here. Renting ski equipment here costs from 300 to 700 rubles, a drag lift at about the same price.

sights

Arkhyz has a lot amazing places... There are magnificent waterfalls, ancient temples, an astrophysical laboratory, the miraculous "Face of Christ" and much more. But every tourist who goes to these parts should know that to visit some places, a border pass is required. The list of these places is as follows: Dukkinsky lakes, Lake Semitsvetnoye, Ayyulyu pass, a waterfall on the White River, Dorbun and Duritsky passes, gorges of the Sofia and Kizich rivers, Devil's Melnitsa tract, Oleniy, Kara-Dzhash and Irkiz passes, valleys of the Amanauz and Psysh rivers.

You need to apply for a pass one month before the trip. Registration and issuance of passes is free of charge. But you can use it for a whole year. As "AiF-SK" was told in the Border Department in Arkhyz, it often happens that local residents, tourists who do not have passes, promise to carry them out, having agreed with the border guards. But these stories often end sadly. After all, this is an administrative offense.

You can get a pass at the border outpost, or call the department by phone 8 87-82 26-55-56 in advance and send an application by fax, or issue a pass via the Internet by sending an application to the email address [email protected]

At the department, passes are issued daily, except Sunday. Opening hours from Monday to Thursday from 9.00 to 17.00, Friday: 10.00 - 15.45, Saturday: 10.00 - 13.00.

But even if the rest turned out to be spontaneous and you did not have time to issue a pass - it's okay. There are many places in Arkhyz that can be visited without a border pass: Mostovaya Polyana, Taulu Glade, Gabulu Plateau, Lunnaya Polyana, Solnechnaya Glade (Greek), Malaya Dukka River Valley, as well as Sifia and Sophia Lakes.

So without a pass, you can visit the dolmens, which are located 12 km from the village of Nizhny Arkhyz. Now this place is called the Alan settlement. The tour is incredibly interesting. You can plunge into the ancient history of Arkhyz, see Alanian burials of the pre-Christian period, Byzantine temples, drink from the Holy Spring.

http://www.russianlook.com

For lovers of science and modern technologies, it will be interesting to visit the Scientific Research Institute Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SAO RAS), which is located in the valley of the Bolshoi Zelenchuk River. The largest telescopes in the world are located there and ground astronomical observations are carried out in the entire range of electromagnetic radiation.

You can see the panorama of Arkhyz by climbing the Abishir-Akhuba ridge. This ridge stretches for more than 30 km parallel to the Main Caucasian ridge.

One of the most famous sights of Arkhyz is the miraculous Face of Jesus Christ on the slope of the Matseshta ridge near the village of Nizhniy Arkhyz. The natural drawing is very similar to the famous Sinai icon of Christ Pantokrator, which, according to a very widespread version, was copied from the face that appeared on the Turin shroud.

Another mystery of nature in Arkhyz is the Lake of Love. This body of water is shaped like a heart and is located high in the mountains. Trout splashes in the clear water, and a ring of mountains rises around the lake. Perhaps this is one of the most romantic routes of Arkhyz. There is a belief that if you throw a coin, a ring into the lake or drink water from there, then love will never leave your heart.

There are other wonderful reservoirs in Arkhyz, for example, the Sofia Lakes. They reflect the sky and the necklace of mountains around like in a mirror. Sometimes tourist groups come here with tents for the night. The Sofia waterfalls are also beautiful. Their height is about one hundred meters. The waterfalls were formed by the Sofia glacier.

Travel

It is only 242 km from the city of Stavropol to Arkhyz. Therefore, most of the residents of Stavropol go there by their own car. You can also easily get there by bus or even by minibus. The situation with neighboring regions is a little more complicated. AiF-SK made a selection of routes for residents of Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and Volgograd. It is possible to get from these regions by car, but it can be quite long, from 5 to 11 hours on the way, not everyone can survive. Therefore, you can always fly by plane to Mineralnye Vody and from there by bus or taxi a stone's throw. You can take a train to Nevinnomyssk and from there take a bus to Zelenchukskaya. In Zelenchukskaya, take a bus to Arkhyz or a taxi.

From Rostov to Arkhyz 547 km. Can be reached by high-speed train to Kislovodsk and from there will go to Arkhyz. You can also take the Rostov-Teberda bus.

From Krasnodar to Arkhyz 562 km.

From Volgograd to Arkhyz 814 km. You can get by train to Kislovodsk, and from Kislovodsk by bus to Arkhyz.

It's good when you can ride well in a mountain resort. But it's even better if there is something to do without skiing. Because then tourists have questions such as:

• how to entertain yourself after / instead of riding
• what to do if the weather is not suitable for skiing
• what to do if one of the family members does not ride
• why can I come to this resort in summer (autumn, spring)

And any resort that has answers to these questions becomes a) popular and b) all-season. And this allows you to load the number of rooms, develop infrastructure, and create jobs. In general, it is good for both yours and ours.

Arkhyz has such trump cards. In this article you will find a description and photos of those attractions of Arkhyz, which we managed to see in just a couple of days. True, we were by car, but excursions are organized to all these objects, so you will not be left aside :-)

What to see in Arkhyz in 2-3 days

Even when we were examining the ski cluster of the Arkhyz resort (report on it here :), I noticed the following stand at the service center:

I always pay attention to these stands - usually you will find information on the most popular tourist spots region. Well, and at the same time the contacts of those who can take you there.

Sofia waterfalls

We started from the first point - Sofia waterfalls ... True, in winter it is probably more appropriate to name them Sofia glaciers ... On the route between the village of Arkhyz and the ski complex itself, there is a pointer to them. We turn off at the sign and drive for about ten minutes along the forest road:

The asphalt ends in 500 meters from the turn and then there is a rocky primer. It's pretty bad, but we are not in danger of getting stuck anywhere. Soon she takes us to a clearing, where signs of outlets are full of signs and people are scurrying about:

This is the last stronghold of civilization before the real off-road. This is how the owners of the tents explain to us. Further the road becomes completely unimportant. And about how to get to the falls by our car at this time of year, according to them, there can be no question. Of course, you can be taken there for a reasonable fee, those guys in the UAZ:

We drive up to them to find out what and how. They willingly share all the peculiarities of the local tourist business: you can go to waterfalls, you can go fishing, you can go hunting. Only for hunting you need a license, it costs 1000 rubles. It is done in Cherkessk, but it is possible to resolve the issue on the spot.

In general, any whim for your money. But we don't want to get out of our car and shake in their UAZ, and we are no fishermen / hunters either. So thank you for the information and turn back towards civilization. And I can write you a phone number, if you are going to hunt, write in the comments.

RAS Observatory

We return to the highway and, passing Arkhyz, go towards Nizhny Arkhyz - it is here that the next two objects that interest us are located.

RAS Observatory can be seen long before the pointer to it from the road - it is built on a hill and is visible from afar. In the village itself, the pointer to it is also difficult to miss:

The Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences was built in 1966, and Nizhny Arkhyz, respectively, was built specifically for astronomers and other employees of the SAO RAS.

At the entrance, the road is blocked by a barrier. Today is Tuesday, there are no excursions, no one is allowed to enter the observatory, the employee at the gate informs us. But we know the magic word (no, not "please", but "We are journalists"). And he agrees to let us in so we can take some photos.

From the barrier to the observatory - 17 km of serpentine.

And the road is good, and the mood is good - when we learned that there were no excursions on Tuesdays, we thought that we would not see the observatory. And considering that today we have already broken off with the Sofia waterfalls, it would be completely offensive.

On the sides there are picturesque views of the valley:

The sun comes out from behind the clouds, then goes back, and the picture changes every minute:

In general, precisely because there are at least 300 clear and sunny days in Arkhyz a year, the observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences was built here on Pastukhov Mountain.

But a strong wind does not allow to enjoy this beauty for a long time. Let's go further. The familiar dome has already appeared:

Several cars are parked near the observatory. But there is not a soul. The wind is even stronger here:

We go to the main entrance. While we are taking a photo, we finally freeze it:

To get inside, if only to warm up! To our surprise, the door is not locked. We pass inside.

Anyone who wants to get on excursions - remember this schedule:

Guided tours only on Saturdays and Sundays. Strictly from 9 to 15 hours. Ticket price - 200 rubles for adults, 100 rubles. - for children. The prices, you see, are very reasonable!

But, alas, we only have to take a photo of the first floor of the observatory:

And this is where our acquaintance with the observatory ends. We leave, get into the car and drive back 17 km along the serpentine.

Alan settlement

But we are in no hurry to leave the barrier. Because it is here, at the turn to the observatory, on the bank of the river, that there is another must see place in Arkhyz - an ancient Alan settlement :

The entrance to it also pleases with democratic prices - RUB 100 per adult and 50 rubles. with a child 7-14 years old .

This object is available for inspection every day, from 9 to 18 hours.

The entire historical and architectural complex stretches for 2.5 km along the river. The reserve regime operates on its territory:

Although it is written that it is forbidden to inspect the complex without a guide, no one imposed this service on us at the entrance. They just said - you can drive directly in your car or walk. We chose the first option - again because of weather conditions (a strong wind blew and began to drizzle). But in warm times and good weather I recommend taking a walk.

Here on this stand - all the information you need to know when setting out to inspect the Nizhne-Arkhyz settlement:

The first object we saw was a statue of an Alanian warrior:

Although it is dated 10-11 centuries, it looks as if it is a maximum of 150 years old. This is how it was restored by local "craftsmen". Nearby trays with local delicacies. And tastings are also held in high esteem here:

The second temple looks more authentic, as from the outside:

and from within:

We are heading to the third - the Northern Temple. The road pleases with beautiful shots:

And the third temple itself is just a miracle:

But, as it turned out, this is also a reconstruction, just more successful. And before her, the temple looked like this:

Although inside, they seem to have overdone the reconstruction:

This is the largest, majestic temple of ancient Alania, it was here that the residence of the Alanian metropolitans was located. Over there, in that bay window, in the central place, as scientists assume, during the meetings sat the chief patriarch, and on his left and right hand were the servants of the diocese. Also, an ancient baptismal was discovered in the cathedral, it was here that the Alans adopted Christianity. The walls and arches of the cathedral were painted with the most beautiful frescoes, which, unfortunately, have not survived to our time.

The second and third temples were supposedly built at the same time by the best Byzantine craftsmen. Therefore, they are outwardly similar and differed only in size.

On the territory of the settlement you can also see a circle made of stones. Historians suggest that this is an astrophysical solar calendar. But due to the large size of this structure (the diameter of the circle is 88 meters), it is not at all easy to discern its outlines in the piles of stones from the height of a human ...

We finish the inspection and head towards the exit from the settlement, simultaneously noting its ideal location: on the one hand - a stormy river, on the other - rocky mountains protected the inhabitants from the raids of the conquerors. And in general, the inspection of the settlement is the brightest impression of this day.

The face of Christ in Arkhyz

Directly across the river and the road from the ancient Alan settlement there is another tourist attraction - the miraculous Face of Christ. This image, which appeared on the rock, according to believers, as an image not made by hands. Others believe that this is still the creation of human hands. Why couldn't some icon painter paint an icon on a rock? Indeed, in thousand-year history Christianity, no one has ever determined the place where it is possible and where it is impossible to paint icons. Christians went into the catacombs - wrote in the catacombs, left the catacombs - painted temples. They lost churches - they wrote where they prayed.

In any case, visit the place yourself to decide which version you are leaning towards. And to see him, you have to climb the stairs, which starts behind that temple:

Shopping arcades are located next to it. So you definitely won't miss this place.

What else can you do in Arkhyz

In addition to sightseeing, you can do other exciting things in Arkhyz:

• jeeping
• rafting
• horse rides
• paragliding
• aTV ride
• snowmobiling

For all these activities (except for snowmobiling), the warmer months are better suited. Well, if you are resting in Arkhyz in winter, like us, then my advice will be as follows:

• dress warmly, in layers (thermal underwear, fleece, jacket + pants)
• the weather in the mountains changes quickly, but still look at the forecasts for the day so that your plans don't get frustrated
• buy some of the local delicacies - you won't regret it!

And where are the mineral water springs in Arkhyz?

Many people associate Arkhyz with the same name mineral water... And yes, her homeland is really here - it was in Arkhyz that a plant was built that produces this mineral water Arkhyz. Water is extracted from a depth of 150 meters. Water comes from the well around the clock. By the way, the water supply of the Arkhyz village comes from the wells adjacent to the factory.

But this story has one small "but". In 2016, the Visma company, which produced Arkhyz brand water, was declared bankrupt. As a result, the plant and the brand passed into the ownership of the new owner - Delta LLC - who actively began to carry out the reconstruction and restoration of production. But the former owner is rumored to be challenging the rights to the brand. In general, history will show how the fate of the beloved mineral water will turn out.

Oh, how great it would be to add to the range of excursion opportunities of Arkhyz a visit to the production where the famous mineral water is produced ...

In the meantime, if you are in Arkhyz with your own transport, I can recommend visiting the neighboring region - Mostovskoy district Krasnodar Territory and its famous hot thermal springs. I will have the next article about this.

In general, our rest in Arkhyz turned out to be unexpectedly varied. Which is what I wish for you.

See you on the blog!