The river and the village of the same name are located in the Gelendzhik region of the Krasnodar Territory, on the southern elephants of the Caucasus Range, which determines the mildness of the climate. Peaches, excellent plums and apricots have long been grown here.
There are many hiking trails and routes in the Pshada basin. Tourists are transported from the village to nearby waterfalls using all-terrain vehicles. Despite the fact that cab drivers call them Pshadsky, among tourists this name has long been assigned to another place located 20 km higher.
Not far from the confluence of Pshada and Papaya there is an interesting place - if the average depth of Pshada in summer is 20 centimeters, then here under the rock the depth reaches five meters, there is a clear spring right there. A few kilometers up the Pshada River there is a relict oak, possibly surviving from the sacred groves of the Circassians.
25 kilometers from the village of Pshada, having overcome 48 fords, we first find ourselves in an abandoned area, where the ruins of cells, the remains of barriers and guard towers still remain. And after 500 meters we come to the village of Novosadovy - previously it consisted entirely of staff serving the zone, then it fell into disrepair along with the prison, and later Danilevich came to it, who today is almost the only resident of the village. Tourists are always welcome here; at our service there is a bathhouse and several “rooms” in personally renovated buildings.
Higher up the valley there is a lonely forestry hut and a kilometer away - the old base of the planned routes "climbers' shelter". From here, along the Melnichny Stream, the path to the famous Monastery rocks (aka Gray Monasteries, aka Krasnodar Pillars) begins. The place is really very interesting - right in the middle of the slope of Mount Thab there is a sandstone layer sharply protruding, which stretches for several kilometers, while having a thickness of only 4-15 meters, with a height of up to 80. On two streams cutting through these rocks there are waterfalls - Melnichny and Grafskie ruins.
From the village of Pshada to the sea there are 12 kilometers of asphalt road.
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Trough-shaped dolmen
Dolmen on the outskirts of Pshada
The village of Pshada is located in the valley of the river of the same name in the Krasnodar Territory, famous for its natural resources, but still not sufficiently developed by tourists. It is surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains, densely covered with emerald greenery and hiding picturesque waterfalls and mysterious dolmens. The village is also famous for its fruit trees and amazing honey. The incredibly clean air is filled with enchanting aromas - it is impossible to breathe enough of them.
Where is the village of Pshada on the map?
It is located on the M-4 highway, between Gelendzhik and Arkhipo-Osipovka. The nearest villages are Mikhailovsky Pereval and Beregovoe. Geographically, all this is the Gelendzhik urban district in the Krasnodar Territory.
Rest in Pshad. Hotels and inns, recreation centers
Among the riot of vegetation, various buildings are hidden, ready to receive guests. As a rule, when choosing a hotel or accommodation in the private sector, tourists are guided by guest reviews.
"Filippovskaya"
One of the most popular is the Filippovskaya private hotel. It is located on the border with the forest, one of the buildings is adjacent to the Mother’s Heart dolmen, and the second is conveniently located on the shore of a private pond. Guests are offered rooms of various categories – from small economy class rooms to spacious “suites”.
Each one is furnished with comfortable furniture and everything necessary for a carefree holiday. There is free wireless Internet, parking, and nice gazebos on site. A cedar sauna, fishing or a picnic at the barbecue will allow you to diversify your holiday. The presence of a large hall and spacious territory make it possible to organize family celebrations and mass gatherings.
Mini-hotel on Kubanskaya
Visitors can find economy class rooms in the two-story Guest House, which is located on Kubanskaya Street. The rooms will be no frills, but clean and comfortable. There is an equipped kitchen, so everyone can cook their own food. There is a starting point for everything in front of the yard; you don’t have to go far or look for an experienced escort.
"Pshada Ranch"
For lovers of complete unity with nature, there are car camping sites. “Pshada Ranch” is located on the bank of a river in the shade of fresh mountain greenery. This place allows you to renounce civilization for a certain period of time and be left alone with Mother Nature, imbued with its energy.
However, you will be surrounded by neighbors, you can make acquaintances and spend time together around the fire. There is a friendly atmosphere. In the evenings there are discos, and during the day - horse riding, paintball and ATV riding. Since lovers of “wild holidays” most often travel by personal car, there is also a parking area here.
The private sector of Pshada will also provide a lot of offers - in the village during the holiday season a variety of housing is rented, from apartments and rooms to entire houses, completely ready to receive holidaymakers.
Sights and entertainment of Pshada. What to see?
The most interesting attraction here are tiny houses of unknown origin. In the vicinity of the village there are about 70 mysterious objects. On both sides of the local river you can come across at least 28 pieces. have some features. There are no patterns on them, and the front plate is trapezoidal in shape and covered with a canopy. Amazing Neolithic monuments date back to the 3rd century BC; they have amazing energy and are shrouded in many secrets.
There is a belief that some of them can bring good luck in love, contribute to overall success and have a beneficial effect on health. To preserve centuries-old monuments, the Dolmen Farm was organized, which made it possible to improve the approaches to the buildings and protect them from vandals. Independent search for such objects often resembles a game or a quest, which is an excellent pastime for a company of like-minded people.
Here, in the Pshada valley, there are picturesque ones. There are about a hundred of them, but not all of them can be reached as part of an excursion group. The most popular are the thirteen Pshad waterfalls, located on a length of only 1 kilometer. They are surrounded by green spaces and amaze with their power and energy. The largest has a fall height of 9 m.
Photos, of course, will not be able to convey all the beauty of the environment, but they turn out very impressive. Hiking enthusiasts come here for several days, admire the mountain river, overcome gorges, and get acquainted with the hard-to-reach cascades of the village of Pshada. It’s worth a look into the abandoned village of Kholodny Ruchey, wandering among the ruined buildings swallowed up by greenery.
Where else to go?
The Orthodox are attracted by the oldest parish in the North Caucasus - the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. Founded more than 150 years ago. The territory has its own apiary, tea drinking, tasting and sale of honey are held. Sunday school is open. This region is generally famous for its apiaries and high-quality honey of various varieties. You can buy a jar of treats at the entrance to the village, right on the highway, at the market or special sites.
It would also be a good idea to get acquainted with the House of Culture, where tourists will be shown master classes by local craftsmen. For more than half a century its doors have been open to visitors. Various performances and exhibitions are held here. For complete relaxation, you should visit the Yin-Yang recreation park. It is located on the outskirts of the village. Pshada, near the river and forest. There are excellent picnic areas here. You can rent a gazebo, barbecue, or order ready-made meals. It is easy to devote your free time to medical procedures. You can enjoy mud baths, herbal and wine barrels, relaxing massages and peeling with special fish.
The male part of the tourist flow is attracted by good old fishing, because in Pshad there are two picturesque ponds with different types of fish. The banks of the reservoirs are equipped with special bridges, and gear can be rented. At the request of vacationers, horseback riding is organized and teams are assembled to play paintball. After a busy holiday, it’s easy to rent a house for the night.
Where can I eat?
Despite the huge number of natural and historical attractions, the infrastructure in Pshad is not at all developed. When it comes to food, it is better to rely on your own strengths and choose housing with an equipped kitchen unit or dining room. It is recommended to bring your favorite products with you.
How to get (get there) from Gelendzhik?
You can easily get to Pshada by public transport - there are stops here, even a small bus station. Many buses going to Arkhipo-Osipovka stop here (check the schedule by calling +7-86141-6-83-23). In addition, minibus No. 109 enters the village, running from the Gelendzhik Old Bus Station to.
The easiest way to get to the village by car is this:
Pshada is a little-known place in a picturesque valley, shrouded in secrets and legends. The village is literally filled with the energy of untouched nature and ancient dolmens. The ringing silence in the depths of the forest will allow you to break away from reality and enjoy the solitude to the fullest! In conclusion, watch the video about this village of Kuban, enjoy watching!
There are so many natural attractions around Pshada that it is impossible to explore them in one day. These places are widely known thanks to the ancient megaliths. In the village and its surroundings there are more than 70 dolmens, built during the Bronze and Iron Ages - the same period when the Egyptian pyramids were built. For this reason, Pshada has become a real Mecca for lovers of antiquities and fans of esoteric tourism.
From the village up the picturesque valley there are excursions to the famous Pshad waterfalls - a cascade that is located in the middle reaches of the river. In Pshad you can see many amateur tourist groups whose routes are laid out along the sights of the North-West Caucasus. From here you can climb the Gray Monasteries or Krasnodar Pillars rocks, and also climb Mount Papai - the westernmost rocky peak of the Main Caucasus Range. Most often, travelers are passing through Pshad and do not stop overnight. They come here during bus tours or safaris, which take place in jeeps and trucks.
There are no asphalt or dirt roads along the Pshada River, and especially in the valleys of its tributaries, and only old logging roads exist. Even in low water, only off-road vehicles can drive up the river valley.
Those who plan to travel along Pshada on foot should keep in mind that walking along mountain trails and canyon-like river valleys requires good physical fitness. For hiking in Pshada, you need to have trekking shoes, as well as camping equipment for spending the night in the field.
History of the village of Pshada
People began to inhabit the fertile land around Pshada since the Stone Age. In 1837, a Russian outpost appeared here, and then a village grew in its place. In 1866, a wooden Orthodox church was built in Pshad, consecrated in honor of the Great Martyr Dmitry of Thessalonica. This church has not survived to this day. A new Orthodox church dedicated to the same saint was built in the 2000s on Shkolnaya Street.
Now about 2.7 thousand people live in Pshad. There is no industrial production in the village, so local residents are engaged in gardening, beekeeping and receiving tourists. There are many orchards around Pshada, and the peaches, apples and hazelnuts grown here are famous far beyond the Gelendzhik region.
The hotel business in Pshad is almost undeveloped. The reason is that tourists coming to the Black Sea coast prefer to stay in coastal resorts, by the sea. The demand for housing in Pshad itself is low, and only two guest houses and one private mini-hotel are open in the village. Pshad also has a market and cafe.
Dolmens
The Pshada Valley is the only one on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus where you can see so many dolmens. Some ancient monuments have been preserved in very good condition, while some megaliths are dilapidated.
Most Pshad dolmens are a rectangular structure made of four vertically placed slabs. They are covered with another slab on top. Each part of the dolmen is carved out of sandstone and weighs more than a ton. As a rule, a round hole is made on one of the vertical plates.
At the time when the Caucasian dolmens were erected, there were no jacks or other construction equipment, so it remains a mystery to scientists how the people who lived then managed to build them in such large numbers.
Another unresolved question is the purpose of megaliths. There are different points of view on this matter. Some scientists are sure that dolmens were needed for astronomical observations. Others say that they were used to perform ancient religious rites. This idea is suggested by the mysterious drawings, ornaments and patterns preserved here and there on the stones. Most researchers agree that megaliths served to bury the dead, that is, they played the role of large stone crypts.
Two dolmens can be seen right in the village of Pshada. The most popular monolithic dolmen among tourists is called “Mother’s Heart” and is located on Kubanskaya Street. More than 20 megaliths of varying degrees of preservation are scattered on the slopes of the low Tsygankova Mountain - above the village buildings.
There are 18 dolmens on the left bank of the river, and 20 on the right bank, with the largest and best preserved megaliths located on the right bank. Near the Skull Cave, not far from Pshada, there is an unusual trough-shaped dolmen.
A group of four Bambakov megaliths is located 4 km southwest of the village. They are located on the territory of the Dolmen farm, south of the M-4 Don highway. About 5 km above Pshada, on the left bank of the river, in a place called the Wide Pshadskaya Gap, there is a dolmen village popular with tourists. Here you can see 8 well-preserved and two dilapidated megaliths.
Pshad waterfalls
There are about 100 picturesque waterfalls in the valley of the Pshada River and its tributaries. The most popular of them are given the name “Pshadskie”, although they are not located on the river itself, but in the valley of its right tributary – the river. Krasnaya, 20 km above Pshada. Eight picturesque waterfalls of different sizes are located close to each other, so you can explore the entire cascade in an hour.
The largest of the waterfalls - Olyapkin - has a height of about 9 m. Another waterfall is slightly smaller (7 m) located higher, in the valley of the Vodopadny stream - the right tributary of the Krasnaya River. The height of the other six Pshad waterfalls varies from 1 to 4.5 m. Near the cascade of waterfalls there are houses of the Pshada tourist shelter, where groups of amateur tourists like to stay.
At the height of summer there is not much water in the river. But even with a small amount of water, the Pshad waterfalls present a breathtaking sight. Olyapkin waterfall falls into a small lake - the so-called water well, which the water washed into the stone river bed. Tourists who come here love to swim in this natural body of water. The cool water of a mountain river is very pleasant and refreshing after a tiring hike.
You can get to the Pshad waterfalls by all-terrain vehicles - UAZ, GAZ-66 or ZIL-131, which are available in the village of Pshada. Their rental can be negotiated with local residents. During the summer tourist season, people are taken to the waterfalls from Pshada several times a day.
Those who want to walk to the waterfalls should expect to spend the night in tents, because the journey to the waterfalls and back takes 2-3 days. A walking tour through the Pshada Valley has its advantages. During it you can admire the clear mountain river, picturesque tributary streams and beautiful rock outcrops. The Pshada Valley is forested. Oaks, beeches and hornbeams grow here. In summer, tourists are accompanied all the way by birdsong. There are also animals in the forest, but they are usually shy and try to avoid meeting people.
There are also many waterfalls in the side tributaries of the Pshada River. Those located in the valleys of the Gorlyanova Stream, in the upper reaches of the Thab River, on the Melnichny Stream and in the Kochkarskaya Gap are considered especially beautiful.
Fishing ponds and apiaries
In addition to traveling to dolmens and waterfalls, in Pshad you can go fishing and visit apiaries. In total, there are four stocked ponds in the vicinity of the village. One of them is located in the valley of the Doguab River, the second is on the territory of the Filippovskaya estate, at the end of Kubanskaya Street, and two more are in the Yin-Yang recreation park on the outskirts of the village (Rechnaya Street).
The Yin-Yang Park is very popular among tourists who relax in Pshad and Krinitsa. It is considered an excellent place for family and corporate recreation. Arriving here, you can undergo mud therapy and massage procedures, as well as have a picnic with friends in gazebos with barbecues. The two park ponds are home to carp, carp and grass carp. Here you can fish with your own gear or rent the necessary fishing equipment.
People come to Yin-Yang for half a day or several days. For those who want to spend the night in the park, small houses have been built. If desired, horseback riding, jeep travel through the Pshada Valley, as well as paintball tournaments are organized for guests.
Pshad has a mild climate and many flowering plants, so there are several apiaries in the vicinity of the village. One of the largest is located on the territory of the Dolmen farm. Delicious mountain honey is sold at the Pshady market, as well as at equipped trading platforms stretching along the M-4 Don highway, at the entrance to the village.
How to get there
Since Pshada is located on the M-4 Don federal highway, it is easy to get here by car. The nearest airports to the village are located in Gelendzhik, Anapa and Krasnodar. The distance from Gelendzhik and Dzhubga to Pshada is the same - 33 km, and the entrances are convenient on both sides.
Those who come to the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus by train take tickets to Novorossiysk or Tuapse. From Novorossiysk and Tuapse to Pshada it is about 70 km. Pshada is connected with Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, Tuapse, Anapa and Gelendzhik by regular bus service. In addition, many intercity buses pass through the village. If desired, it is easy to get to Pshada by taxi.
Pshada is a village within the municipal resort city of Gelendzhik, Krasnodar Territory. It is the center of the Pshad rural district. It is located on the river of the same name, 32 kilometers from Gelendzhik on the federal highway M-4 “Don” “Novorossiysk - Moscow”. The distance to the Black Sea is 11 kilometers.
In addition to s. Pshada, the rural district includes the villages of Beregovoe, Krinitsa, Mikhailovsky Pereval, as well as the villages of Shirokaya Pshadskaya Shchel and Betta.
About 2 thousand 800 people live on the territory of Pshada, mainly Russians, as well as Greeks.
Story
The area near the village of Pshada was most likely one of the first to be populated on the Black Sea coast. In any case, this is indicated by the dolmens located on the territory of the district and dating back to the early Bronze Age (some of them are about 5 thousand years old!). The location of dolmens in the vicinity of Pshada suggests that people lived here already in those ancient times. After all, a dolmen is nothing more than an ancient burial structure.
The founding date of Pshada is 1864. Initially, it was a village that was part of the Shapsug battalion. The first settlers of the created settlement were families of low-ranking officials and families of soldiers.
The next, second, wave of immigrants lasted from 1887 to 1893. Thanks to the royal decree allowing foreign citizens to settle, citizens of other states were settled in the territory of Pshada: Greeks, Czechs, Armenians, etc.
The third wave of settlement started with the arrival of employees: doctors, teachers, etc.
Climate and nature
The climate of Pshada is transitional from temperate to subtropical. In summer, the average air temperature does not exceed + 24 C. There is almost no wind here (this can also be learned from the name of the village, since “apshada” in translation means a windless lowland).
The village of Pshada is located in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains and deciduous forests. The forests are inhabited by: roe deer, wild boar, raccoon, badger, etc.
The mountain river Pshada flows through the territory of the settlement, on the banks of which juniper and wild walnut grow. In the upper reaches the river is an unbridled seething stream, and in the lower reaches it is a calm river that provides life-giving moisture to countless orchards. The Pshada River contains large reserves of blue clay, widely used for cosmetic purposes. Therefore, here you can not only swim, but also spend time benefiting your appearance.
Attractions and entertainment
You won’t be able to find entertainment typical of seaside resorts in Pshad, since there is no sea here. They come here for something else: to admire the famous Pshad waterfalls (excursions to them are organized in almost all resorts of the Krasnodar region), to comprehend the secrets of dolmens, which, by the way, are the same age as the Egyptian pyramids, to offer a prayer to the Lord in one of the oldest temples on the Black Sea coast, in the temple Great Martyr Dmitry Sologunsky.
Recently, such types of active recreation as canyoning and jeeping, as well as mountaineering along the mountain river Pshada and its tributaries, have been developing on the territory of the village.
Infrastructure and economics
The village of Pshada has everything for a comfortable stay. The social infrastructure of the village is represented by a kindergarten, a school, a clinic with an ambulance substation, a recreation center, a library, a children's art school, a post office, a fire station, and a sports ground. Trade and service facilities on the territory of Pshada include shops, a market, cafes, and guest houses. Near the village there is a fishing farm.
Residents of the village are mainly involved in agriculture. Pshada is famous for its orchards, where delicious apples and peaches are grown, which are sold both at the local and city markets. Also, one of the leading industries in the village is tourism, including agritourism. The highlight of the village is the ostrich farm, where you can meet ostriches and also enjoy dishes prepared from the eggs and meat of these birds. Horseback riding and fishing in the local reservoir are also organized here; You can rent a catamaran or ATV.
Pshada has a very good location - the village is located on the M-4 federal highway, which means it has good transport links. Regular bus services have been organized to Gelendzhik and other settlements in the region, and public transport also runs to Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, Tuapse, and Sochi. The nearest railway station is in Novorossiysk (about 70 km), the nearest airport is in Gelendzhik (about 40 km).
Real estate
Private development predominates in Pshad; there are only three apartment buildings. The real estate market has a large selection of plots for building a house. Real estate prices in the village are among the most attractive in the region.
In connection with the development of the tourism sector, commercial real estate, including guest houses, has recently come up for sale more and more often.
Rural development
The master plan of the urban district of Gelendzhik provides for the implementation of the following projects:
- Construction of a bus station (in connection with the organization of a new highway "Krasnodar - Pshada", which will be the shortest access to the Black Sea coast);
- Construction of a helipad (to increase the efficiency of the air transport system in terms of serving vacationers, as well as in case of emergencies);
- Reconstruction of kindergarten No. 19 with an increase in capacity to 107 places;
- Reconstruction of the library, providing for an increase in the book stock to 10 thousand units with the organization of 10 reading places;
- Construction of a cinema with 200 seats;
- Laying a gas pipeline from Teshebs to Pshada.
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