Sochi National Park what can you see there. Sochi National Park. Sochi National Park and its vegetation
The Meghri and Psou rivers limit the 70-kilometer territory of the coast, which is protected by the state - this is the Sochi National Park. The region is famous for its natural wealth: subtropical climate, amazingly beautiful landscape, flora and fauna (with its rarest representatives from the world's Red Book).
Some animals can only be found here. Some plants are representatives of relict species that lived here in the prehistoric era. The rare species of flora and fauna found here have made the biosphere reserve an open-air museum. The local plants and representatives of the animal world are of value on a planetary scale.
In the Sochi National Park, they are busy not only protecting natural resources, but also popularizing them by organizing long and short-term recreation for people, divided into zones with different protection regimes. There is no place for excursions in the national reserve. Research works are carried out on its territory.
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History of creation
Sochi National Park and Mount Akhun - a developing tourist infrastructure. The National Park in Sochi was one of the first created in Russia. It was founded in 1983 as a specially protected wildlife area.
The reserve and the arboretum park were founded for the reasons of the beginning disturbances of the ecosystems created by the natural way for thousands of years. Preservation of the unique gene pool of relic flora, together with the recreational role of forests around the resort area, served as a start for the creation of the FGBU of the Sochi Biosphere Reserve. The area of its mountainous forests occupies more than 90% of the entire nature of the Black Sea reserve.
Not only the fauna of the Sochi National Park (unique in its kind), but also geo- and hydrological formations are world archaeological monuments. That is why the reserved part of the park was nominated in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.
Sochi Arboretum
The arboretum park and its created structure were entrusted with the following tasks:
- for the preservation of objects of historical and cultural heritage;
- environmental education;
- creation of conditions for health tourism;
- scientific activity in the field of nature conservation and its recreational use;
- monitoring of the state of ecology;
- protection of relict forests;
- foreign cooperation;
- increasing the resource potentials of the Black Sea coast.
Sochi National Park and Mount Akhun claims to be the leader in terms of the number of relict plant and animal species.
Location
A tourist map will inform vacationers how to get to the beauties of the national park. Regular bus routes and sightseeing flights with guides and a full tour of the main attractions are carried out to it.
The location in four resort areas between the Caucasian Nature Reserve and the Black Sea coast is convenient for tourists. Krasnaya Polyana provides them with all its developed infrastructure.
Information about the national park is provided on a specially designed map, which allows you to know in advance where places of interest for tourists are located, and allows you to plan an excursion in the shortest possible time.
The Sochi reserve also has its own official website containing a description of everything that can be seen in these protected areas. Mount Akhun is a popular place to visit, so you can book an excursion to it in all travel agencies.
What can be seen
What interesting things can a tourist see?
The Sochi National Park is literally dotted with mountainous karst massifs that are thousands of years old.
The arboretum park is dissected by the waters of mountain rivers rushing to the Black Sea and forming narrow canyons and gorges there.
Canyon Psakho No description can replace the contemplation of the majestic waterfalls and mysterious caves that the Arboretum Park provides to its visitors.
At their disposal are the sites of ancient people's camps on the territory of historical monuments.
Animals and plants of the reserve
Part of the park is closed to tourists, being a protected area. Rare species of fauna live here in favorable conditions.
Leopards in the reserve feel great, they were brought from different parts of the world and began to breed.
The bison population is increasing every year and has several hundred individuals.
In rivers and lakes, in addition to the Red Book Caucasian otter, endangered species of fish are found.
The arboretum park is rich in representation of unique plant species.
Valley saffron from the Iris family can be found in mountain meadows. Its wild representatives grow only in Asia Minor.
The aroma of relic Pitsunda pines (witnesses of the pre-glacial period), together with the smell of the sea, creates a unique aroma in the air of the park.
The richness of flora and fauna, together with the landscape and unique climate, make the park not only a place of recreation, but also a center for nature conservation, a kind of open-air museum.
Krasnodar region
Founding history
Sochi National Park is one of the very first parks created in our country. It was founded in 1983 with the aim of preserving and restoring natural complexes and objects of high environmental, scientific and recreational value. Its area is about 194 thousand hectares.
Sochi National Park is an ideal place for ecotourism due to the unique climatic conditions for our country, biological and landscape diversity, and the uniqueness of many natural objects.
Physical and geographical features
The national park is located in the northwestern part of the Greater Caucasus, on its Black Sea slope. The relief of the territory is mountainous, strongly dissected.
In total, 40 rivers and streams flow through the territory of the national park, the longest are Mzymta, Shakhe, Psou. There are a large number of waterfalls and canyons on rivers and streams: Bezymyanny (72 m) on the Psou River, Orekhovsky (33 m) on the right tributary of the Sochi River at the confluence of the Bezumenka stream.
Interesting karst formations are located in the park - the famous Vorontsov and Akhun caves.
The subtropical climate of the territory is characterized by warm and mild winters and hot summers. The average air temperature varies with altitude and progression from north to south. Average temperatures in the northern part of the coast in January are about +5ºС, in July +23ºС, and at an altitude of 2000 m (Cherkess Pass) -5ºС and +12ºС.
Diversity of flora and fauna
In the park, the most widespread forests are dominated by oriental beech. Its silver-gray trunks reach a height of 50 meters! Oak plantations occupy about a quarter of the forested area and are located mainly on the dry and warm southern slopes of the mountains. Only in the Caucasus, under natural conditions, the sowing chestnut (European) grows, which is a relic species.
Boxwood plantations are very picturesque: a lace of small, black-green, glossy foliage of boxwood and everywhere hanging from trunks and branches, fluffy, long, like the beards of fairy-tale heroes, moss gives the forest a fantastic look of a green kingdom.
This territory, like the entire Caucasus, is rich in very rare and valuable species. Common figs, Caucasian lily, Caucasian kandyk, Lipsky tulip, types of orchids found here are listed in the Red Book of Russia: water-bearing ophrys, pyramidal anacamptis, purple orchis and many others.
The fauna of the national park includes about 70 species of mammals: brown bear, deer, lynx, Caucasian and European roe deer, marten, otter and others.
The most rare and valuable animal species are listed in the International Red Book. This is the Caucasian krestovka, the Aesculapian snake and the Caucasian viper.
What to watch
Dozens of tourist routes pass through the territory of the national park, many of which have a long history. They include visits to the Agur and Orekhovsky waterfalls, Mount Akhun, Vorontsov caves, Akhshtyrsky and Khostinsky canyons.
And you can’t help but visit the Narzan springs, the Mamedov Gorge, the Dolmen archaeological site, the Volokonskoye Gorge, speleological routes through numerous caves.
According to oopt.info and zapoved.ru
"Sochi National Park" - this announcement was met by all tourists who traveled to natural sites in the Greater Sochi region. Many of us are perplexed: “What national park? What a feature." So here
1. Sochi State Natural National Park appeared in 1983 and was, in fact, the first national park in Russia. Long before that, since 1870, there was a Sochi forestry. It included the Sochi and partially Velyaminovskoye (now the Tuapse district) departments of the Black Sea District. The forestry was engaged in the collection and planting of seeds, issued permits for hunting, catching birds and animals, was engaged in logging and selling timber.
By 1915, the area of the Sochi forestry was 114,745 acres.
2. In November 1995 Sochi State Natural National Park was renamed Sochi National Park.
3. The area of the park is 93,000 hectares - these are mountains and a narrow strip of foothills.
4. The park includes 15 forestries, the Arboretum and Southern Cultures parks, the leopard reintroduction center and the Priazovsky reserve.
5. About 40 rivers flow, 103 waterfalls are noisy.
6. Grows - 1500 species of native higher plants, and only 164 species are classified as trees, shrubs, semi-shrubs and vines, and all the rest are herbaceous plants.
7. 51 species of plants are listed in the Red Book of Russia. The most famous of them are 2 types of snowdrops, yew berry, boxwood Colchis, Caucasian lily.
8. There are 80 species of mammals, about 120 species of birds, 17 species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians, 21 species of fish.
9. The Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature includes 15 species of animals, including the leopard and the Caucasian viper.
10. On the territory of the park there is a significant number of karst massifs, there are about 200 caves in them. The most famous are the Vorontsovskaya and Nazarovskaya caves.
11. Found 114 monuments of history and culture - these are the sites of ancient people, settlements, dolmen structures, well-shaped tombs, the remains of fortresses, temples, burial mounds, a sacrificial stone.
12. The entire territory of the national park is divided into 5 zones. The largest zone of regulated recreational use is 86,683 hectares, which is 44.7% of the entire territory. The smallest is the economic zone - 3453 hectares (1.8%). But the area, which is called the visitor service area in total - 13,031 hectares (6.7%).
13. No industrial activity is carried out on the territory of the national park.
14. For the entrance to the park, payment is taken from all tourists.
15. In March 2018, the protected areas were to be merged into a new structure - the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Reserved Caucasus" ("Joint Directorate of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve and the Sochi National Park").
Now we can say with confidence that the Sochi National Park is not an invention of bureaucrats. This is a unique territory that needs to be preserved for posterity.
This is interesting
Sochi National Park is an amazing place with beautiful nature. Those who are in Sochi and nearby should definitely visit this amazing place, because you can admire the Agursky waterfall or the Volkonsky gorge. Coming here you can feel yourself in the wild, though you can not be afraid that you will be attacked by wild boars or bears.
By the way, this fact is very encouraging. On the territory of the park itself, a huge number of rivers flow, which turn into waterfalls, both large and very modest in size.
It is also important to pay attention to the flora of the Sochi park. Well, that's where you will still see a large cluster of beeches, each of which reaches 50 meters in height.
What is also interesting is that massive oaks grow on the slopes of the mountains and sometimes it seems that they are falling into the abyss. But the massive roots of these trees keep them in the soil.
By the way, moss grows there. Lots of moss. Therefore, the surface of the earth there is soft, like a blanket, which creates a kind of fabulous impression from visiting this place.
Walking there, there is a high probability of stumbling upon a Byzantine temple, or rather its ruins. Of course, little is left of it, because it was built in the 12th century. But just imagine, you will have the opportunity to touch the history, the stones that were laid there many centuries ago. This trip is definitely worth it.
At the same time, near the Volkonsky Gorge there is a small waterfall, at the foot of which a lake has formed. As they say, these waters are curative. And it is worth taking at least one sip of them to give strength to the body.
Of course, not everyone believes in this, but the water there is really clean, so you can safely drink without fear of harming the body.
It is worth noting that the park staff very painstakingly approached the protection of its nature. So, on its territory there are 15 forestries, in each of which separate plant species are bred.
There is a constant monitoring of the level of soil and water pollution. Most importantly, it is in this park that a system for restoring the leopard population has been developed. There are very few of them left in the wild, so the staff took up this issue.
They constantly control all individuals of this species and, if necessary, intervene, but not often, so that the leopards can lead their "wild" lifestyle.
It is important that the main goal of the Sochi Park is the preservation of the natural species of the flora and fauna of the Black Sea coast.
Studying the world around, the 4th grade will now be able to make their imaginary journey to the Sochi National Park and answer the questions: What interesting things can you see there? What are the employees of the national park doing to protect the nature of the Black Sea coast?
A visit to the Sochi National Park is a great option for those who do not intend to spend their entire vacation by the sea. On the one hand, this is also communication with wildlife, on the other hand, it is a variety of outdoor activities from hiking or horseback riding to rock climbing. Today in our review we will talk about the main attractions of the park, what to look for, what you should definitely see, how to get there, where to start. You can visit the Sochi National Park either on your own or with a guided tour. Which option is more convenient for you, you decide, it depends on individual characteristics and wishes. In the course of our review, we will tell you both about independent ways to get there and about interesting excursions that take place in these places.
Sochi National Park: structure
Sochi National Park is one of the first national parks in Russia. The park stretches from the borders of the Tuapse region to the borders of Abkhazia, there is a place for tropical forests, snow-capped peaks, rivers, waterfalls, canyons and gorges, caves and historical monuments. The territory of the Sochi National Park consists of 3 large groups - Lazarevskaya, Central and Adler, which in turn are divided into 15 forest areas. Most of the park has hiking trails, guided by which, you can visit the main attractions of the place.
Attractions in Sochi National Park
Sochi National Park consists of many natural and man-made attractions, we will talk about some of them that are most popular among tourists and travelers.
Mount Akhun is located in the Khostinsky district of Sochi, it is very popular among tourists due to the observation tower and the observation deck located on the top of Mount Big Akhun (a little over 600 m high). The observation tower on the mountain was built at the beginning of the 20th century and is made in the Romanesque style. In good weather, it offers stunning views all the way to Pitsunda. There are always a lot of tourists here in the "high" season, this is one of the most popular places in the Sochi National Park.
You can get on your own to the stop "Small Akhun". Buses and minibuses from Adler and Central Sochi go here (105, 105s, 124s, 125, 125p, 125s). Further - on foot along the standard path of ascent. You can get there by car along the A-147 highway. But the most frequent option among tourists is organized bus tours. Excursion to Mount Akhun is extremely common due to the popularity of the place, so you can order it in almost every local tourist office.
If you prefer to take care of excursions in advance, then similar excursions in this direction are also offered. The advantage of these services is that any excursion can be selected and paid online.
Sputnik8 offers a tour for 5 hours, the tour includes the services of guides and a tourist bus, check the schedule of excursions and their cost on the description page.
A private Tripster guide offers an excursion, which includes a tour of the Agur Falls, Eagle Rocks and Mount Akhun. The tour is walking and individual. Duration - 4 hours.
Eagle rocks
The Eagle Rocks are also located in the Khostinsky district of Sochi and stretch along the right bank of the Agura River near the Agurskiye waterfalls. The shape of the rocks resemble an eagle's head, they are composed of limestone and sandstone, which is why the mountains got their second name "White Rocks". The rocks are famous for their sheer cliffs and panoramic platforms, which offer views of the mountain peaks of the Caucasus Mountains (including the famous Sugarloaf, Pseashkho, Chugush, etc.).
You can get to the rocks on your own. The route will look something like this: first you need to take the bus to the stop "Green Grove" or "Staraya Matsesta", then walk to the main entrance (the walk will go uphill, duration approximately 20-40 minutes depending on your physical capabilities) . You can overcome this distance by car, there is a car park at the main entrance. Entrance to the territory is paid.
A private Tripster guide offers a private tour of the route. Walking tour (about 6 km), lasts from 4 to 5 hours, the price includes a transfer from Adler, Central Sochi or Khosta.
Mount Fisht
Canyon Psakho
The Psakho canyons were formed near the river of the same name, and now the so-called “Psakho trail” operates here, which is considered one of the most picturesque among trekkers. Psakho canyons are divided into "wet" and "dry". The “wet” canyon was formed by the turbulent Psakho River, which either rapidly narrows or expands no less rapidly, forming seething streams and quiet calm backwaters. The "wet" canyon stretches for about 2 km. Along the route there are karst caves, waterfalls and natural pools.
The "dry" route runs nearby. It was formed during an earthquake, since then there is a deep canyon with grottoes, in which stalactites are hidden. Both canyons are overgrown with boxwood, and in some places with dense tropical vines.
Getting here on your own is not easy. First you need to take bus number 131 to the village of Galitsino, then walk to the village of Lesnoye, to the left of which the Psakho trail starts.
Practical and eventful travels for you!