Akhun observation tower how to get there. Excursion to Mount Akhun. Mythic tales and facts
Akhun - a mountain between the rivers Matsesta and Khosta (Khostinsky district, on the territory of the city of Sochi, Krasnodar Territory)
Mount Akhun is a famous landmark and observation deck near Sochi. Located in the Khostinsky district, it includes the mountains Big Akhun (633 meters - the highest point), Small Akhun (501 meters) and Eagle Rocks (also known as White Rocks, 380 meters).
According to one of the legends, the height of Mount Akhun was originally 666 meters and was reduced during the construction of the tower.
Mount Big Akhun and tourist sites on it are available for visiting in winter. There is a restaurant at the base of the tower.
A classic Ferris wheel operates on the mountain. On the way to the tower, you can visit an exhibition of miniatures and a souvenir shop.
Observation tower on Mount Akhun
The tower is the main attraction of the mountain. Her appearance reminds medieval fortress, but in fact her age is not so solid.
The observation tower was built in 1935-1936 by order of I.V. Stalin, it is a monument of federal significance. Made in the Romanesque style, from white hewn limestone. Architect - S. I. Vorobyov.
The height of the tower is 30.5 meters. WITH observation deck offers a view of a wide stretch of the Black Sea coast: from the resort microdistrict Lazarevskoe to Pitsunda and the region Caucasus mountains.
From Sochi
IN holiday season many local travel companies offer bus excursions to Mount Akhun - from Sochi, Adler, other microdistricts and resort villages on the Black Sea coast.
The second common option is to get to Mount Akhun on your own by car (personal, rented or take a taxi). However, it is worth considering that the most critical section of the path falls on a serpentine with sometimes very sharp bends. The average distance from the center of Sochi by highway is 17 km.
Public buses to Mount Akhun from Sochi do not go, but pass not far from the start walking route. The stop "Small Akhun" is located on Kurortny Prospekt, about 8–12 km from it on foot, depending on the chosen route (along the highway or shortening the path on the map). The road will be shorter from the stop "Microdistrict Maly Akhun", where the minibus / bus number 2 stops - about 6-7 km.
Transport to Mount Akhun from Adler
You can get from Adler to Maly Akhun by public transport in the direction of Sochi: buses No. 125p, 125s, minibus 124s. Next, on foot standard route climbing (street Road to Bolshoi Akhun).
By car - along the A-147 road towards Sochi. Distance - about 20 km.
It is located on the top of the mountain of the same name, the height of which is 663 meters above sea level. In 1936, a 30-meter tower was erected at the very top of the mountain, and later a small square was laid out. Now there are several establishments on Mount Akhun Catering, A most The area is occupied by souvenir shops.
How to get to Akhun Tower
You can get to the Akhun Tower along an asphalted serpentine road. And if you wish, it is better to do walking tour with a lift to observation deck. The path should start from the Sputnik stop, you should get there by public transport, from the stop we go along the asphalt road to the Kavkazsky Aul restaurant, turn onto the path and go to the fork in the road, at the fork we go left. Next, we focus on the yellow marks on the trees, they will lead to the Akhun Tower.
The hiking route takes about 4 hours, it is accessible for beginners, but it is advisable to put on comfortable shoes and have a supply of water. The trail runs along the gorge and along the way you will be accompanied by picturesque views. The trail will lead to the 4th km of the road, you need to go another 300 meters, turn right and follow the marks on the trees and reach the gazebo. From it to the observation deck there is 1.5 km of the path, of which about 500 meters along a narrow path through the forest.
The tower with all its appearance resembles a medieval castle, but this is far from being the case, the tower was built in just 100 days, according to the project of architect S.I. Vorobyov. The walls of the tower are lined with white limestone, and a stone staircase leads to the observation deck. The observation deck offers a picturesque view of the Black Sea coast, the Caucasus Ranges, Eagle Rocks and the city of Sochi.
Video from the observation deck
Mount Akhun, located in the Greater Sochi region, is very popular among tourists and residents of the city. Most Interest causes the Great Akhun, towering 663 meters above sea level. The height of the mountain allows it to stand out against the backdrop of Eagle Rocks and Small Akhun, giving a unique opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.
There are many interesting things here - lookout tower, which is considered an iconic object of Sochi, and a Ferris wheel that has recently appeared on top. The cafe and restaurant offer dishes of Caucasian cuisine, and in the tasting room you can try balms infused with various herbs. In memory of the visit, you can buy souvenirs in shops and take pictures against the backdrop of local beauties.
Legend
The name of Mount Akhun is associated with the mythological deity Akhyn. He was great, powerful and rich, had huge herds and could jump from one mountain to another with the help of his long staff. His appearance, which instills genuine fear in those around him, did not frighten the beautiful daughter of an influential gentleman. She fell in love with the giant Akhyn and married him, although her father opposed her decision in every possible way. One day, the father-in-law managed to get to the son-in-law's staff and file it, but the hero did not notice this. When he tried to step over the ditch, the stick broke, Akhyn fell from a height into the river and died.
Attractions
Since the opening of the Tower in 1936, excursions to the Big Akhun have been held regularly. Vacationers began to visit the summit in an organized manner, but apart from the observation deck there was nothing here. A little later, a barbecue house was opened, and with the advent of the era of private entrepreneurship iconic place took on a new life. In order to slowly get acquainted with everything, relax surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife and also get a charge positive emotions, it is recommended to come here for the whole day.
Tower on Mount Akhun
The building in the Romanesque style was erected in 1936 by order of Stalin, and in record time. The development of the project was entrusted to the architect S. Vorobyov. A year before, a road was built to the top.
The observation tower on Mount Akhun received its first visitors in July 1936
From the upper platform, magnificent views of the mountains, the resort town of Sochi and the Black Sea open (the distance in a straight line to the coast is only 3 kilometers). You have to climb more than 30 meters on foot, but the panoramic spectacle is worth it.
Inside the tower is tasting room, and next to it is a cozy restaurant "Akhun" and a tea house. Carved compositions are placed on a small square and a small lawn is laid out. Covered wooden pavilions and souvenir shops are placed along the pedestrian road, and closer to the parking lot there is a cafe "Prokhlada".
After visiting the observation platforms, resting in local cafe and a selection of souvenirs, you can walking trail go to the other side of the road to the Big Akhun - to the Agur waterfalls and Eagle rocks, or visit entertainment center PIK 701.
Ferris wheel
A few hundred meters from the Akhun Tower is located Entertainment Center PIK 701, where the most high point panoramic view of Sochi. From it opens amazing view on the sea, city landscapes and the Imeretinskaya valley.
From the Ferris wheel, which raises those present to a height of 701 meters above sea level, one can see Olympic venues and admire the peaks of the Main Caucasian ridge. The low rotation speed of the attraction allows you to take high-quality pictures of the surrounding landscapes directly from the booths. The wheel makes a full circle in 8.5 minutes. A special feeling of delight can be experienced by climbing up at sunset.
Options:
- the diameter of the Ferris wheel on Mount Akhun is 38 meters;
- the weight of the ground structure reaches 65 tons;
- the mass of the foundation is within 600 tons;
- panoramic radius covers 70 km.
Cafe "Mangal"
The very name of the cozy place, surrounded by wildlife, suggests that it serves dishes of Caucasian cuisine, the main of which is an appetizing and delicious shish kebab. The menu includes salads, hot and cold appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Prices can be found on the official website. The cafe is located on the territory of the PIK 701 complex, next to it is a playground.
Ghost Restaurant on Mount Akhun
Literally half a kilometer from the top of the Big Akhun there is a fork. One of its directions leads to a restaurant destroyed by time. The institution was built a little later than the observation tower, a magnificent future was predicted for it, but it did not open the next season. The restaurant managed to become a favorite vacation spot for local rich people, high-ranking officials and their friends, music and ringing laughter could be heard from its walls. It seemed like it would be forever. And suddenly it was all over. Luxury has been replaced by devastation and oblivion, and the ominous silence is broken today only by curious tourists taking pictures against the backdrop of almost ruins.
The official reason for the closure of the old restaurant is considered to be a violation of unsanitary standards, which is hardly true, given the "difficult" status of visitors. In fact, there was a strong fire in which people died. The roof was destroyed and the building fell into disrepair. Several times the restaurant tried to revive, but to no avail. Locals claim that the reasons for the failures lie in the night ghosts.
Another legend is connected with the bride who died at the time of the accident of the wedding cortege. At the fork leading towards the old restaurant, there is an original sign resembling the image of a girl. In the fog, he looks like a white ghost bride. Locals often scare their guests with it.
Prices on Mount Akhun
Observation tower:
- adults - 100 rubles;
- free of charge - children under 10 years old, disabled people, participants in the Great Patriotic War and hostilities, large families, Chernobyl survivors, conscripts;
- stationary binoculars — 50 rubles. in 3 minutes.
Sight wheel in the PIK 701 complex:
- for adults - 250 rubles;
- for children from 7 to 14 years old - 150 rubles;
- for children under 7 years old - free of charge.
Opening hours
You can go up to the observation deck of the Tower from 10:00 until it gets dark. They say that you can go there even at night, and for free. Cafe "Prokhlada" is open from 9:00 to 22:00. The tasting room is open daily from 11:00 to 20:00.
The entertainment complex PIK 701 is open daily from 11:00 to 21:00. Cafe Mangal, located on the territory of PIK 701, serves visitors every day from 10:00 to 21:00.
How to get there
There are three different ways to get to the observation decks from Sochi: by bus, car or on foot. Each of them is interesting in its own way.
Excursion to Mount Akhun
Local travel agencies organize transfers in groups. It is also possible to pre-book a tour with a private guide.
By car
There are three options here:
- own car;
- rented vehicles;
- taxi — order through Uber, Yandex. Taxi, Maxim, Red Taxi, Gett.
On your own
Trained tourists can use this method. They need to take the city bus number 2 to the stop "Microdistrict Maly Akhun" and then walk to the top of the mountain. You will have to walk more than 8 km, but the impressions of the surrounding views will be remembered for a lifetime. Bring drinking water and wear comfortable shoes.
Observation tower on Mount Akhun
Mountains always attract a lot of attention. Clean air and stunning views set the mood for calm and serenity. For me personally, one of the most beautiful places in the city of Sochi - this is Mount Akhun. A road stretches 11 kilometers up to it - a highway built back in 1936 at the direction of Stalin. Climbing it, you observe all the charm of wild nature, with its mixed forests and winding roads. These landscapes are unique, one cannot help but feel their beauty.
I am regular and different time I have been visiting Akhun for years and every time I find little things that attract attention, new nooks and crannies wildlife. Any such trip leaves behind a gamut of inspiring emotions. We can say that our family has a tradition to visit the mountain at least once a year: just admire the view, breathe fresh air and make sure that best holiday are mountains.
How to get to Mount Akhun
To get to the 35-meter Romanesque white hewn limestone tower and enjoy the views, you will have to be patient - up to end point route public transport does not go. But there are several options.
The wheel is big, I look far!
All on the same site rises the Ferris wheel. The ticket price for one person is 700 rubles. Feelings will remain unforgettable, because before your eyes is the whole Big Sochi at a glance: from different sides there will be an opportunity to see the sea, the Olympic buildings, the mountain range, and in beautiful cloudless weather you can see the coast of Turkey. How amazing and multifaceted is the world around us?! In my opinion, these are the thoughts that arise when you sit in the cockpit at a height of 83.5 meters and contemplate the picturesque panorama.
On the way from the wheel to the tower, at its foot, there are souvenir shops where you can buy a variety of pleasant little things for every color and taste.
Akhun tower
An interesting architecture building that can be loved by connoisseurs of beauty. Entrance to it costs 100 rubles.
After a couple of minutes, having overcome all the steps, you get to the observation deck along the perimeter of the last floor. How amazing is what you can see from it.
Like a wheel, you can see absolutely everything from a bird's eye view. Only in comparison with him, time stops, making it possible to capture everything in your memory. The lungs are filled with oxygen, the pulse becomes less frequent, you fall into euphoria. Upstairs beyond additional fee(50 rubles) you can watch through binoculars for any detail that attracts attention.
Eat after a walk
There is a cozy restaurant on the first floor of the tower. It is spacious inside, there is a fireplace, there are wooden tables and benches. You can try the national Caucasian cuisine there. I ordered barbecue, pickles, stuffed eggplant, hot bread, meat sauces. I won’t list all the goodies: it’s better to try once than hear a hundred times. I especially liked the herbal tea from the samovar standing right in the yard. I was satisfied with this place and to say more - I was pleasantly surprised. It was not superfluous to warm up after climbing to the clouds.
Nearby is the cafe "Prokhlada" and the tasting room "Krasnaya Polyana". And there, and there no one will be allowed to die of hunger: even sophisticated gourmets will be able to try something new and undoubtedly tasty.
Bon appetit!
Let's not run away
Because there are a lot of interesting things hidden around:
Stay and live in the mountains - dreams come true
Among all this unsurpassed beauty, if you wish, you can stay longer, namely, find a small hotel or a private house. Local hotels have a varied pricing policy. Depending on your wishes, you can find something more modest and comfortable, or, on the contrary, relax “royally”. Find for yourself suitable option and you can compare prices (here they range from 1,500 to 10,000 rubles per day). And the easiest way to book a room you like is at Booking.com. What pleases me is the location of all holiday homes: there is always access to the sea and public transport nearby.
Mount Akhun in Sochi
Mount Akhun was established as a natural monument by the decision of the executive committee of the Krasnodar Regional Council of People's Deputies dated July 14, 1988 No. 326 “On classifying natural objects as state monuments nature."
The above decree refers to Mount Big Akhun, but on modern topographic maps the name is given without an adjective - Akhun. In accordance with the provision according to which only normalized names of geographical objects should be published, in the given characteristic of the massif, the name of the mountain is used, which corresponds to the regulatory legal acts that determine the procedure for registration, accounting and preservation of geographical names.
Akhun is a mountain range located in the south of the Krasnodar Territory, in the coastal part of the land and is part of two of its districts: Central and Khostinsky. The massif has clear boundaries from the west-northwest (the Agura river), the east (the Khosta river) and the south-southwest (the Black Sea coast). It rises to a height of 662 m above sea level. It stretches from west-north-west to east-south-east for 5 km.
The erosion-denudation north-north-eastern slope of the massif is relatively simple, and the south-south-western one, which was subjected to powerful landslide processes at different geological times, is more complicated: the peaks of the Small Akhun (503 m) and Podakhunk (389 m) rise on it. The western-north-western and eastern slopes end at the bottom with the rocks of the gorges of the Agura and Khosta rivers.
Axial part mountain range It is composed of limestones forming a symmetrical anticline fold, called the Akhun anticline in geological works (Geology of the USSR .., 1968). From the north-northeast and south-southwest, the Akhun anticline is limited by sublatitudinal tectonic faults. In the valleys of Agura and Khosta, submeridional disturbances were noted (Complex karstological and speleological studies .., 1987). The restriction of the uplifted massif by discontinuities gave reason to S.A. Nesmeyanov (1992) to distinguish here a more complex fold-block structure, consisting of the Akhun horst and two structural steps lying to the south of it. Experts are of the opinion that the Akhun uplift received orographic expression at the beginning of the Pliocene (Nesmeyanov and Izmailov, 1995).
The Akhun horst anticline is composed mainly of massive and layered Cretaceous limestones, which form the axial, most high part mountain range and its slopes descending to Agura and Khosta. In the sections of the Agur Gorge, limestones with silicon concretions were uncovered. To a lesser extent, sandstones and marls are involved in the fold. Gray, dark gray and brownish gray mudstones, greenish gray and gray marls and Paleogene sandstones dominate to the north-northeast and south-southwest of the limestones. So, for example, Mount Small Akhun is composed of Paleogene shales and sandstones.
The morphostructural plan and lithological features of the described region determine the course of modern exogenous relief-forming processes and the formation of various genetic types of relief. The massif is dominated by fluvial, karst and gravitational (with a significant predominance of landslide) processes and landforms.
The most ancient agent of exogenous relief formation is erosion, which manifested itself from the moment the formation of the massif began in the Pliocene. The two main rivers of the described area (Agura and Khosta), washing the massif from the flanks, have worked out deeply incised transverse valleys with clearly defined gorge features in the areas where they pass through the dense limestones of the Akhun structure. The longitudinal profile of the riverbeds in the gorges is not worked out, it is replete with ledges from which waterfalls fall. The height of the largest of them in the Agura gorge reaches 20-30 m. In some areas, the ledges of the channels form cascades. In the limestone bed, water flows develop basins with small reservoirs. The slopes of the massif are dissected by deep steep ravines, among which the longest can be called the Labyrinth (right tributary of the Khosta river), Sutuginskaya (flows into the sea) and the Dry Log, which has a second name that contradicts the first - Vodopadnaya gully (left tributary of the Agura).
Karst phenomena are widely developed in the limestones of the massif. In special works, the karst typology of Mount Akhun is defined as follows: the karst class is mountainous, the subclass is low-mountain, the lithological type is limestone, the morphological type is bare, soddy. Of the surface karst forms, there are small forms of karrs (mainly grooved), karst ditches, funnels and ponors. Karr can be seen on rocky surfaces. Karst ditches are very clearly represented within the Khosta yew-boxwood grove, where their entire system is called the Labyrinth. sinkholes and puns are relatively few in number.
The largest cavity in the array is named after him. It is called Akhunskaya cave. Its length reaches 384 m, and the volume is 910 m 3. Other caves of the region stretch for distances not exceeding 100 m. In addition to sub-horizontal cavities, vertical forms are also known in the massif, represented by both relatively shallow wells and one cavity 40 m deep. This is Kaskadnaya Cave. The name expresses its structure: it consists of a number of wells and narrow passages connecting them.
The limestone massif of Mount Akhun is a zone of formation of karst waters involved in the nutrition of fresh and mineral springs Sochi-Matsesta resort.
The spatial binding of the gravitational processes of the massif is significantly affected by the composition and genetic type rocks that make up the slopes. So, for example, landslides and screes are mainly associated with limestone rocky slopes of the Agura and Khosta gorges. Great importance here it also has the fact that these gorges are laid along tectonic faults, characterized by manifestations of increased fracturing of rocks.
Collapse deposits are represented by block piles at the bottom of gorges and on slopes.
Landslide processes are most pronounced on the seaside slope of the massif, composed of Paleogene sandy-argillaceous rocks. Experts define this zone as one of the classical landslide regions of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. The described landslide slope is strongly dissected by ancient landslide cirques, gullies and modern landslides. Complex uneven-aged landslides of different genetic types are common here. The largest of them are ancient, they have cirques well expressed in relief, formed at the place of separation of rock masses.
A striking example of slopes subject to soil sliding is the complex and extensive landslide area of the Maly Akhun mountain, covering a range of altitudes from 270 m to sea level, which is 1.2 km downslope. The width of the disturbed area reaches 2 km. The average steepness of the surface of the landslide slope is 12°. Here, ancient landslide deposits are superimposed by modern landslide containing eluvium of argillites and sandstones with an admixture of deluvium. The total thickness of landslide deposits in the lower part of the slope is estimated at 28 m (Anosova, 1976). In addition to natural conditions, modern landslide displacements are largely caused by the anthropogenic factor.
Akhun is remarkable not only for its geology, gorges, waterfalls, caves, huge landslides, but it is also interesting for the peculiar vegetation that covers its slopes. Mount Akhun has long attracted attention as an interesting natural formation. This was facilitated primarily by the presence on the slopes of areas with relic yew and boxwood. Here, the classical pattern of vegetation distribution along vertical belts is completely violated. The mutual position of oak and beech forests does not depend on the height above sea level, but on the exposure and steepness of the slopes. The flattened areas of the summit and the terraced ledges of the southern slope are covered with communities of sessile oak, and the steep sections of the slope are covered with downy oak. In the south, oak and oak-hornbeam forests are common with an admixture of maple, chestnut, and linden. The northern slope is covered with beech forests, on the northeastern slope at an altitude of 200 m above sea level there is a laurel-cherry beech forest (Fagetum laurocerosum). In the first tier, beech is joined by Caucasian linden, ash, maples (Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer laetum), Cerasus avium. In the second tier - yew, hornbeam. The undergrowth is dominated by cherry laurel, rarely Caucasian mock orange, and even more rarely Daphne pontica. The herbaceous layer is rare. It includes Dryopteris filix mas, Circaea lutetiana, Athyrium filix femina, forest violet, Caucasian peony, butcher's broom, European sapling.
According to AS Solodko, in the flora of the Akhun massif there are more than 200 species of higher plants from 60 families, among which there are many endemics and relics. On the south-eastern slopes of the massif within the Khosta yew-shit grove, a section of subtropical forests of the Colchis type with a complicated structure and increased species diversity is protected.
In the complex structure of the Colchis forest, the first tier is formed by beech, sycamore maple, linden, ash, chestnut, Hartvis oak. Under their canopy, rocks of the second tier grow - field maple, beautiful maple, yew. The third tier is represented by Colchis boxwood. Below (outside the continuous thickets of boxwood) evergreen and deciduous relict shrubs grow: Colchis cleaver, officinalis laurel, Colchis holly. The herbaceous layer is weakly expressed. However, in spring, synusia of ephemera and ephemeroids from Kos cyclamen, Voronov's snowdrop, Caucasian hellebore, corydalis, blueberry, five-leaved denticle, etc. is pronounced.
In a yew-boxwood grove, P.D. Lazuk (1960) established ten types of forest, of which unique communities are cherry-laurel euce, cherry-laurel beech, boxwood hornbeam-beech, boxwood hornbeam, boxwood ash, boxwood linden, and mossy boxwood. Above the subtropical forests, along the slopes, mainly northern, beech forests are common with Colchis shrubs in the undergrowth and boxwood. Oak forests with hornbeam, dogwood, skumpia, and rhododendron grow along the steep southern slopes. As A. Solodko notes, there are other plant communities in the Akhun forests, for example, linden and Ashenvale with boxwood and colchis shrubs. For the Colchis forest, an undergrowth of laurel cherry, rhododendron, holly, Caucasian blueberry, mock orange, and Colchis cleaver is typical. Lianas are common in the Colchis forest: Colchis ivy and common ivy, clematis, and Greek obvonik.
On the northwestern slope of the mountain, a zoo with an area of 1116 hectares was created. On the top of the mountain in 1936 a thirty-meter observation tower was built. 
According to all environmental documents, Mount Akhun is defined as landscape monument nature, however, it is not the array that is taken under protection as a single natural complex, and separate forest quarters. According to the materials of the Research Institute of Mountain Forestry and Forest Ecology, the territory of the natural monument corresponds to the area covered by 1-35 quarters of the Matsesta forestry. At the same time, the eastern part of the limestone massif of Mount Akhun is excluded and, in addition, the territories located on the right slope of the river valley are attached to the natural monument. Agurchik, that is, located outside the array. With such allocation of territory for a natural monument, there are no signs of a landscape approach.
To preserve the massif of Mount Akhun as a single landscape complex, it is necessary to draw the boundaries of the natural monument along natural (or close to them) boundaries, and not along formal lines, especially as unstable as the boundaries of forest quarters.
The most logical boundaries of the natural monument are as follows: r. Agura (from the mouth of the Dry Log) - r. Agurchik - power line (it approximately coincides with northern border array) - r. Malaya (Western) Khosta - r. Khosta - Labyrinth gully - a saddle between the town of Maly Akhun and the main massif of the town of Akhun - a saddle between the town of Podakhunok and the main massif of the town of Akhun - a ravine Sukhoi log (Vodopadnaya) - r. Agura (to the mouth of the Agurchik River). With this definition of boundaries, the territory of the natural monument corresponds to a limestone massif, representing a single landscape complex of the city of Akhun. At the same time, the residential, dacha, agricultural and transport functional zones of the city of Sochi, located on the slopes of the Podakhunok and Maly Akhun mountains, are removed from the natural monument.
The main problem of protecting the natural monument is associated with the influx of a large number of recreants. These are the littering of the territory, the breaking and cutting of trees, the burning of forests, the trampling of slopes and the development of a wide network of trails.
Mount Akhun is of great scientific, recreational, aesthetic and educational value.
Long caves, unique plants and mystical objects- all this is the Khostinsky district of the city of Sochi. Everyone here knows where Mount Akhun is. How to get to this place by car and what is worth seeing there, we will tell in the article.
Main attraction
From the top there is a grandiose view. From there, guests can see all the greatness of the Caucasus Mountains, the boundless expanse of the Black Sea and the main objects of the city.
The tip itself resembles a perfectly even evergreen cone. Ordinary tourists say that the object looks like a volcano.
Akhun - a mountain 663 meters high - stretched high ridge 5 km along the Black Sea coast. The beauty of the peak lies in the fact that nature clearly separated it from other geographical features. The canyon of the Agura River runs from the west, and its tributaries from the south. In the east, the cone is washed by the waves of Khosta.
Another attraction of this object are the caves. About 30 underground passages have been opened. The longest of them has a length of almost 400 meters, and its depth is 20 meters. This cave is another reason for the influx of tourists. Everyone is hospitably received by Mount Akhun (Sochi). Signs will tell you how to get to the mine.
It is not recommended to go there without an instructor. In addition, many visitors say that it is quite dirty there. Clay and slush also spoil the impression. Only those who understand something in this kind of entertainment will really enjoy the gallery of the cave.
Road to the top
Of course, every traveler wants to get to the observation tower. It was built in 1936. Architect - S. I. Vorobyov. The height of the building is 36 meters. The view from the rooftop is amazing. A road leads to the tower, the customer of which was Stalin himself. 11 km of track was laid in a short, 100-day period in 1935. Interestingly, the leader of the peoples never climbed this path to the top.
Mount Akhun has an advantageous geographical position. How to get here, you can ask the residents of Sochi. In addition, it is worth noting that the peak can be seen from anywhere in the city. It practically rests on the center of Sochi.
The best guide for beginners - tourist centre Sputnik (end of Kurortny Prospekt). Near this base there are two routes leading to Adler. One road leads to the Agoura River and its waterfalls. The second way you can climb to the top of the mountain. There are signs and markers along the way.
Drivers should be very careful. The turns are sharp and dangerous, so you need to drive slowly and carefully. 30 minutes by car - and Mount Akhun will appear in front of you. Signs will also tell you how to get to the tower itself.
At the very top, the paths diverge, but there is a stone that indicates the direction. One road leads to an abandoned restaurant, and the other leads to an observation tower.
Travel option
You can get there by bus (route No. 2 or No. 110). But public transport goes only to Small Akhun. Further to the mountain you will have to get on your own on foot or hitchhiking. The road is steep and long. But the beauty of nature will not let you get bored.
It should be noted here that the distance from lower peak(Small Akhun) to the tower - 8 km. But cars with other tourists run constantly, so there will be no problems with a ride.
Provide their services and sightseeing buses. popular place among the tourists - Mount Akhun. Sochi offers many tours that include visiting this attraction. A ride on a comfortable air-conditioned bus will be offered. Tours take place almost every day and at any time of the year. Guests can choose a convenient time for themselves. Groups are picked up both from Sochi and from neighboring city Adler.
It is worth noting that usually a ticket to the mountain is not included in the price of a tour ticket. Before ordering a trip, you should familiarize yourself with the details of the tour in detail. The entrance to the tower itself costs around 100 rubles. Children under 10 years old are admitted free of charge.
Name history
Mount Akhun gathered many legends around itself. Historians believe that the name of this geographic point associated with the name of the pagan god in whom they believed locals. The name of the heavenly patron was Ahyn, and he was the protector of all shepherds and cattle. Myths say that in ancient times, some peoples sacrificed a white cow to this deity, while other tribes of shepherds shared milk porridge with an idol. Above the dish, the oldest of the men asked the patron to protect his herd from predators and increase the number of livestock.
There is one more official version origin of the name. Scientists believe that Mount Akhun got its name from the Abkhaz word "ahu", which translates as "elevation" or "hill".
From the Adyghe, the name of the peak means “feed for livestock”, because in this territory, even in the most severe years, meadows always bloomed and the land fruited.
Prison of Prometheus
Another attraction is the Eagle Rocks, whose height is 380 m above sea level. This facility is located along the Agura River. Water washes a vertical cliff, which stretches uphill for as much as 125 m. Residents of Sochi know another beautiful and tragic story that allegedly took place in this area. Legends closely intersected with the myths of ancient Greece.
According to legend, Mount Akhun and the Eagle Rocks became the place where Prometheus served his punishment for his kindness to people. For the fact that the titan stole the sacred fire from Olympus, Zeus ordered him to be chained to a stone in a distant mountain country. Hephaestus himself - the patron of fire and blacksmithing - made shackles for the giant.
But the revenge of Zeus did not end there. This mountain was owned by the pagan god Okkhyn (according to another version, Akhyn). Serious giant eagles served him. At the request of the Olympian, every day one of the strongest birds had to fly up to the prisoner, tear his chest with his claws and peck out his liver. During the night, the wounds healed, and in the morning the eagle began its bloody work again.
Bold act of a girl
Greek myths diverge from local traditions. According to legend, Mount Akhun was not far from the village. A beautiful and kind girl Agura lived there. When the girl found out about the terrible fate of Prometheus, she felt deep regret for him. Despite the fact that the ascent to the mountain was not easy, and the god Okhyn was sitting on the top and carefully watching the execution of a severe punishment, the girl made her way to the titan. For a long time she managed to quietly help the enemy of Olympus. The beauty gave water to the captive, fed him and even sang songs to him.
One day she stopped. And before her eyes, a terrible eagle began to torment Prometheus. The girl did not tolerate injustice and boldly rushed at the bird. But the beast grabbed her and carried her to the owner.
End of the story
The god Okhyun was very angry. He ordered to throw the maiden under the top. Akhun (mountain) became her last home. In the abyss, it turned into a river that beat in waves under the Eagle Rocks. This was another punishment for Prometheus. Every day he watched the streams of tears of a girl who had been kind to him flow under his feet. But death did not stop the beauty. high waves she went up to the prisoner and continued to give him water to drink.
A lot of time passed before the hero Hercules agreed with Zeus to forgive the titan. And the river is still flowing. In winter, when Agura becomes cold, the rock where Prometheus was chained throws hot stones into the water. They still have not cooled down from the warm heart of the captive. Therefore, the river never freezes.
Today, on the site where the giant was chained, there is a statue. The author of the work is Alexander Kapralov, a sculptor from Omsk. The monument was erected in 1998.
summit ghost
But Mount Akhun attracts not only ancient Greek legends. Sochi residents also know completely new stories. One of them is especially interesting for those who love mysticism and riddles.
The inhabitants of the city have a good tradition on the day of the wedding to be photographed at the top. Once the cortege, which was getting out on the mountain, suffered a disaster. The driver lost control and the car went off the road. The bride died on the spot. This event happened in 2000.
After that, the ghost of a woman began to appear near the scene of the accident. The figure in white was present in hundreds of photographs of ordinary tourists. Dozens of people go out every night to hunt for a ghost. The bride often appears at dusk and among the mists. But Mount Akhun boasts not only this mystical phenomenon. The photo of the ghost is not the only supernatural mystery of the summit.
Emptiness and music
Another point of pilgrimage for tourists is an abandoned restaurant. Its history began in 1937. The luxurious room immediately attracted a crowd of people. Designed in the classical style, the complex was more reminiscent of a royal estate. But this place did not have a chance to please the guests for a long time. The restaurant was only open summer season, after which it closed. The reason for this decision remains a mystery to this day. It is said that incomprehensible anomalous phenomena occurred on the territory of the complex.
lovers thrill Mount Akhun attracts. Photos of the restaurant for 1937 are impressive. But even today, an empty institution has something to brag about. Mysticism and magic enveloped him. Many people who have visited these ruins assure that sometimes muffled music and female laughter can be heard from the premises.
How to get to Mount Akhun will be prompted not only by signs and a navigator, but also by the flow of tourists. Under the tower you will find a cozy restaurant with reasonable prices, where you can have a delicious and satisfying meal. There are small shops selling souvenirs. Guests are also offered to take original photos.
