Sophia waterfalls, Arkhyz

In the Western Caucasus, in Karachaevo-Cherkessia, there is a terrain that is famous all over the country for its picturesque landscapes: the mountain slopes of the Main Caucasian Range, covered with dense forest groves, a large number of beautiful lakes, mountain rivers and clean air permeated with the smell of needles of pine and fir forests. However, the true gem of this mountainous region is the Sophia waterfalls of Arkhyz. It is about them that will be discussed.

Sofia waterfalls in Arkhyz

Between the valleys of Psysh and Kizgych, on the spur of the Main Caucasian ridge in Upper Arkhyz the second highest mountain of Arkhyz rises Mount Sofia. Its height is almost 3700 m above sea level. It is from its glacier that the famous Sophia waterfalls occur, which are, by the way, the largest in Arkhyz. Meltwater with great speed falls from a hundred meter rocky threshold. Current and falling two-cascade flows of water 50-90 m high form a chain of several picturesque waterfalls, and with such force that the rushing of boiling water spreads far in the neighborhood. From a strong impact of water on the ground, even tubers of water dust appear, on which glare is reflected in sunny weather. It is with the Sofia waterfalls of Upper Arkhyz that the Sophia River originates, which then descends into the valley of Psysh. The Sofia River is one of the five sources of the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River.

Route to the Sofia waterfalls, Arkhyz

The magnificence of natural beauties contributed to the development of tourism here. Many people wishing to see with their own eyes the romantic peaks of the Main Caucasian Range, Mount Sophia and, of course, the picturesque scenery of the Sophia waterfalls. You can get here from Pyatigorsk in a western direction along the Circassian highway. Having reached Cherkessk, you need to move through the city of Khabez to the village of Zelenchukskaya, from where the road to Sofia's waterfalls begins. Having reached the village of Arkhyz, you need to cross another 17 km along the wheel road. Along the way, travelers will often want to stop to see on the horizon the Main Ridge, the thick of fir forests, alternating with river valleys. The road leads to the so-called Glacial Farm, a glade by the river Sofia. From here you can already see the cold ledges of the glaciers of Mount Sofia. The ascent goes along the Sofia River, past birch and pine groves and lasts for about two hours. As we approach the first, and the largest waterfall, travelers are surrounded by meadows with tall grasses. Other waterfalls will have to reach the rocks, in some places the rise is much more difficult. But from the top opens an incredible view of the valley of the river Sofia.

If you are talking about the beauty that inspires, then allocate time for a trip to the lakes of Krasnoyarsk and Lake Sevan , which is in Armenia.