Pshadskie waterfalls (Pshada, Russia) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
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One of the two main attractions of Pshada is the famous waterfalls in total about a hundred, which are located in the vicinity of the village. Pshada nestled in the beautiful valley of the river of the same name, near the mountain gorges, in which waterfalls are formed. Strictly speaking, only 13 waterfalls, scattered very close to the village, are specifically related to Pshadsky. The most popular among tourists are those eight that are located on the Krasnaya River and its tributaries.
The largest waterfall of all is called Bolshoi (or Olyapkin). This waterfall on the Red River is located downstream than the others, at an altitude of about 245 m above sea level. The height of the water slope here reaches 9 m. The second largest can be found on one of the tributaries of the Krasnaya, Vinogradny Brook. The waterfall is located at the very beginning of the stream, and its height reaches 7 m. It is the highest (270 m above sea level) of the nearest Pshad waterfalls.
The rest of the 13 are not so tall: the largest reaches 4.5 m, the smallest is not even a meter in height.
One of the two main attractions of Pshada is the famous waterfalls in total about a hundred, which are located in the vicinity of the village.
In the broad sense of the word, the waterfalls of the Gorlyanovsky brook and the Kokcharskaya gap also belong to the Pshadsky ones. Both are located on the tributaries of the Pshada River, and in aggregate there and here there are up to 20. The appearance of the waterfalls is very diverse: in the same Kochkar gap there are sheer narrow drains, and there are also wide and low slopes. Layered "pancake" layers of rock in cascades create a very picturesque picture.
The second main attraction of Pshada is the Pshad dolmens. There are about 70 different types and sizes of them in the village area. The oldest are from the beginning of the Bronze Age, and the largest are 4 meters long.
Pshadskie waterfalls are one of the central tourist attractions in the vicinity. Many people stop in Pshad specifically for the sake of seeing them instead of resting closer to the seashore (however, if you have a car, it is just a stone's throw from Pshada). Taking into account how many waterfalls are around, and how different they are, it is best to plan a hike for a couple of days to see them. The second, more comfortable option is to arrange a jeep tour of the falls with the locals.
Those who are ready to spend more time on waterfalls should include in their route the Gorlyanov brook, where you can see a dozen of them (maximum height - 10 m, minimum - about 4), the Tkhab river, in the upper reaches of which, in the gorge, as much as 40 waterfalls (alas, it is impossible to get close to most of them - you have to look from afar) and the Mill Brook, at the mouth of which there is a fairly high waterfall with a bowl very suitable for swimming.
Pshad waterfalls
Practical information
Excursions to the waterfalls are organized from both Anapa and Gelendzhik. The closest place where you can set up a camp is, of course, Pshada, where you can take a bus from Novorossiysk in an hour and a half. A little further - tiny Krinitsa, which is located on the seashore.
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- Where to stay: each district of Bolshoi Gelendzhik has its own character and "its" tourist. Historical Gelendzhik is lively, noisy and fun, but in the season it is crowded and expensive. Arkhipo-Osipovka is the most modern resort: large, spacious, with an abundance of hotels and entertainment. In Kabardinka and Divnomorskoye there are clean beaches and pine forests, the rest here is more calm. Dzhanhot, Krinitsa and Betta are quiet, secluded and very picturesque. Praskoveevka is a real corner of the 21st century Robinsons.
- What to see: it is worth starting your acquaintance with Gelendzhik with a high-society walk along the central embankment and the Old Park, visiting the local history museum and viewing the diverse, but laconic inhabitants
I was in Anapa only for a week, and I wanted to set aside the last day of my unexpected stay in the Black Sea region of the North Caucasus to go to the mountains to the Pshady waterfalls and visit what is next to it.
Pshada is an ancient mountain river 35 km long and it originates between the Pshada and Papai mountains and flows into the Black Sea near Gelendzhik. On it, or rather, on its right tributary, which is called the Red River, in its upper reaches there are many small and large waterfalls. With curiosity, I learned that the waterfalls from the Pshada village will have to be reached by powerful military all-terrain vehicles along the road that runs right along the Pshada riverbed. The movement will be accompanied by the roar of military engines, powerful fountains of river spray, pouring out desperate tourists who have decided on this, their shouts and screams. Nobody gave guarantees that you would stay dry ...
- Extreme! - I thought. Great! But it turned out that the extreme was not only this. Well, as they say - and now, about everything in more detail ...
It took us three hours to get from Anapa to the village of Pshada by a tourist and rather comfortable bus. Finally, the bus drove into a wide area of \u200b\u200bsome old base on the outskirts of the village, where there were many battered GAZ-66, ZIL-157 and ZIL-131 military all-terrain vehicles, converted to transport curious tourists. We got a three-axle ZIL-131 with high sides and three rows of upholstered wooden benches stretched in length along the body. It was only later that I realized that if we were driving a GAZ-66 with its very narrow and low sides, everyone would be exactly wet from head to toe.
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We sat down, the engine roared, and the journey began!
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Almost immediately, raising the speed, the military all-terrain vehicle rushed to the river, and the first powerful wave of river water washed over us, covering the seated and unsuspecting tourists. It was so fast that it took your breath away, everyone screamed in surprise and loss of their usual comfort. Adrenaline in the blood boiled with an increase in the speed of this miracle of the domestic auto industry. To be honest, I expected that the body would shake, and we would be thrown out of it, but to my surprise it was quite comfortable, stable, albeit peculiar. The engine roared, the car was thrown along the river channels, river water flew, there were continuous enthusiastic screams and screams of adults and children, the wind whistled in their ears, forest greens rushed rapidly towards, they had to quickly navigate and bend their head, or even the whole body, so that tree branches not slapped in the face. In general, those who were expecting a calm and traditional excursion were shocked, some people were clearly puzzled by such a beginning and a “rush of patterns”. Even then, jumping on the next river bump and crossing the numerous river arms of the Pshada valley to the screams and screeching of neighbors, I thought that the trip would be definitely unusual. By the way, no one canceled screaming therapy, let's remember how the Beatles went to India to Maharishi for this) ...
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We rushed steadily along the Pshady valley, the car “hooted” leaning down and then rising sharply upward, splashing was flying, in the eyes of tourists there was delight and frank childish joy from this action. All around, wherever you look, there were numerous river branches, trees overgrown with moss, thickets of greenery and lianas, reminiscent of a tropical, and, of course, mesmerizing mountains that approached with each next roar of an engine that was similar at these moments, for some reason, or the roar of an angry bison, or the growl of Spielberg's Tirex)
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The air was thick, fragrant, sparkling, saturated with freshness and purity. Lungs joyfully and convulsively inhaled this mountain oxygen cocktail, hands grabbed the handrails, my face was flooded with river water, my thoughts of consciousness practically turned off, I was carried and carried swiftly forward, and I thought that I had not experienced anything like this for a long time. The shake-up was unexpected, discouraging, and everything around me was filled with delight, a feeling of richness with life and passionate dynamics of movement. The car, having driven along the channel, roared, began to climb stubbornly and climb up the mountains along a narrow and winding clearing ... All this lasted forty minutes. Finally, we entered the territory of the mountain base.
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There were several army all-terrain vehicles and two old "UAZ" cars converted for river all-terrain vehicles. Obviously, they are ordered individually. We poured out of the body. The impression of this march was simply overwhelming. Everyone felt about the same, unconsciously looking at each other with stunned glances. The guide gave a short briefing, warned about caution, and that this route is of high difficulty. Here's your time! I was in sneakers and thought that if the route was so unusual, then it would definitely be difficult for them to walk in simple rubber flip flops, as people were in. However, everything turned out to be even more interesting ...) After returning from the route, we pre-ordered a local specialty lunch with trout, wine and went to the waterfalls.
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Crossing the wooden bridge over the Red River, we went deep into the mountainous Caucasian tropics. Yes, exactly, the tropics. It was humid and slightly steaming. On the rapids the river was noisy and raging. Gold glare of the sun shone through the dense forest thickets. A narrow path led deep into the thicket, passing along a mountain stream.
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And then the surprises began. The path ended treacherously, and it was necessary to go straight along the river bed, stepping from stone to stone. At first, everything was within the expected limits, but as the rise went up, the slope became steeper, the pressure of the river grew, and it was already necessary to go practically over stones, water and ribbed layers of eroded sandstone. The soles of the new hiking shoes slid desperately over the flat stone slabs. These were summer sneakers with an open top made of special mesh and soon, moving and jumping from stone to stone, I took cold mountain water right into the inside of my shoes for the first time. It became uncomfortable and damp, and I noticed that by this moment everyone was already almost knee-deep wet. It was more comfortable for those who put on shorts and tourist sandals on their bare feet. Those who were already just walking along the river bed, not paying attention to the cold mountain water.
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And so the movement towards our goal continued. Here I want to say separately that the beauty of these places is simply indescribable. Having already passed this route, I once again realized that the main thing was not to reach the highest waterfalls, but simply, during the route, to enjoy the virgin, strict and such a romantic and mysterious nature of this wonderful mountainous region, passing all these sensations through myself. The route, of course, was not entirely extreme, but also not entirely simple, once, for example, I had to climb over a high threshold of a waterfall along a steel cable almost vertically.
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However, no words can convey this beauty, this effect of presence, rather than a specific visual series. In these photos I tried to convey my feelings and feelings from being in this wonderful place. Thick, dense, strict and clean energy came from the river. Mountain aromas were intoxicating, waterfalls were noisy, birds were singing, and all this created a unique harmonious and enchanting atmosphere, leading to a light and wonderful trance ...
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And now, let's just go along this route with you and enjoy this hymn of nature that pours out on us from the boundless divine source, which is called Life! ...
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Location: Krasnodar Territory, Gelendzhik District, r. Pshada
Pshada is a small mountain river flowing in the Gelendzhik region of the Krasnodar Territory. This river is famous for a large number of waterfalls, both small and large. Getting to most of the waterfalls of the river from them is very difficult, and only trained tourists can afford it. But in this place there is one of the most accessible tourist routes for any tourist. Well, the path of the route, the length of which is about 5 km, will surround you with amazingly beautiful nature and come across a large number of small rapids and waterfalls.
Almost anyone can follow this route, half of the way is equipped with special paths, part of the way will have to go along a small river bank. this is the easiest of the routes along the mountain rivers of the Black Sea coast. On the way, you will come across a large number of small and medium-sized waterfalls, and the nature in this place will delight the eye. Sheer cliffs on one side and hilly forests on the other create landscapes of unusual beauty and a trip to this place will bring you many pleasant impressions and great memories. When you reach the medium-sized waterfalls (10 to 20 m), you can swim in the icy mountain water and take great photos for memory.
How to get there
Location: Krasnodar Territory, Gelendzhik District, Pshada village
The beginning of the tourist route along the waterfalls begins near the village of the same name Pshada. The village can be reached by a regular bus from Gelendzhik, Novorossiysk and Tuapse or by your own transport. A dirt road begins from the village to the beginning of the route along the river. You can overcome it on foot (about 2 hours) by renting an SUV in the village, which will take you to the starting point of the walking route along the river.
A waterfall is a natural decoration for any landscape. Moreover, it does not depend on its size. And a cascade of small streams, and a powerful stream, rushing down from a great height, evoke a feeling of peace, joy and admiration. The falling water brings with it a feeling of freshness, acting as a huge natural conditioner. Waterfalls on the Pshada River are a decoration of the Krasnodar Territory.
Some waterfalls have a comfortable bathing bowl
Valley of hazelnuts
The most picturesque places of the Krasnodar Territory are located along the Black Sea coast. Quite often, steep rocky ledges approach the water itself. They alternate with small cozy bays that attract with their beaches. It was here that such popular resort centers as Gelendzhik, Divnomorskoe, Dzhanhot and Arkhipo-Osipovka were formed. In summer, many tourists and vacationers from all over the country come here.
The waterfalls of the Pshada River are located approximately in the middle of this resort area near the village of the same name. According to one of the versions, the name of the settlement comes from the Adyghe word “pshede”, which means “hazelnut”. These gifts of nature grow in abundance in the mountain valley.
The distance from Krasnodar to the waterfalls is about 150 km, from Gelendzhik - about 40 km. To the seashore from here no more than 25 km. The Don highway passes through the village of Pshada, which provides transport accessibility to this natural masterpiece.
Do not forget that there are over 70 dolmens in the vicinity of the Pshada River. The purpose of these ancient buildings is still a mystery. They resemble birdhouses in shape. Some dolmens are no bigger than a dog kennel. But most are of more impressive dimensions - their length is 2.5 m, their width is 2 m, and the thickness of the walls is 60 cm. They are composed of several flat stone slabs. One such "brick" can weigh up to 40 tons! A plug weighing about 100 kg is attached to the perfectly round hole.
It is also worth paying attention to the beautiful place on the M-4 highway near the village of Pshada. It is called the Mikhailovsky Pass. It has a source called "Natasha". A trickle of crystal spring water flows from the neck of the jug held by the girl. In addition to the source, there is a souvenir bazaar here. There is a fountain, a cafe, a chapel and a small cascade of man-made waterfalls nearby.
From Popeye to the Black Sea
The birthplace of Pshada is located on a pass near two mountain peaks Pshada and Papay. The water stream runs briskly along the slope of the Caucasian ridge and flows into the Black Sea. The river is only 34 km long. It cannot be called a stormy river. The water has carved a shallow, gently sloping bed in the stone, which ensures a smooth flow.
In places it accelerates its course, and from the cliffs it rapidly falls down. This is called a waterfall. The high flow of Pshada depends on the season and the abundance of precipitation. During floods, it becomes more violent. During this period, the waterfalls look especially impressive.
In its valley there is a small lake, which is called "Aphrodite's Drop". According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite, while washing, dropped a drop of water on the Earth - and she formed a lake with ice water of dark blue color. Legend claims that if a woman bathes in this lake, the miracle of rejuvenation will occur. For this reason, a women's bathhouse was arranged here.
Pshadsky dolmen
Pshad hits
Since there are a lot of cliffs on the river, more than a hundred waterfalls have formed in the valley. Many small streams and rivulets flow into Pshada, and they also have their own waterfalls. For example, in the Gorlyanovsky brook and the Kokcharskaya gap, there are more than two dozen of them. Another 13 pieces are in the upper part of the river, which is more difficult to get to.
The most popular are the eight waterfalls seething on the Red River, the right-bank tributary of the Pshada. Usually, travel agencies organize excursions to this particular place, since it is located downstream and therefore more accessible. Often they are called Pshad waterfalls. The tourist trail does not overgrow here.
A significant part of the path will have to be covered on foot
SPA center with a view of nature
The largest waterfall seethes on the Krasnaya Rechka. He was nicknamed Olyapkin - in honor of the water thrush. These funny, smart birds live in dense coastal thickets. The stream here falls from a nine-meter cliff. Because of its impressive size, it was given a second name - Bolshoy Pshadsky Waterfall. It rises above sea level at an elevation of 245 m. A little higher, at an elevation of 270 m, the next largest waterfall seethes. It falls from a height of seven meters, and is part of the Grape Stream, which, in turn, flows into the Red River.
The rest of the specimens are smaller - on average, about 4-5 m. The smallest ones do not exceed one meter. Many have a bowl in which to swim comfortably. Strong sensations are guaranteed if you stand under the stream of water falling from a steep cliff from a great height. This is something like a natural SPA center with hydromassage. The water in the mountain river is very clean and slightly cool even in the height of summer, so a shower invigorates and energizes.
The water in Pshad is very clean and clear
Our tourist club offers the following hiking programs in Pshada:
By off-road vehicle, jeep and on foot
Excursions are organized from Gelendzhik to Pshadsky waterfalls. In this case, off-road tourists are transported from Pshada to the pedestrian part of the route by a GAZ-66 car. Private traders offer jeep tours on domestic "UAZs".
You can also get to the waterfalls yourself. From Gelendzhik through Pshada buses follow to Krasnodar, Rostov, Sochi and Tuapse. There are eight flights from the bus station during the day. The earliest bus leaves at 8:30 am. Travel time is 45 minutes. It is better to check the return schedule with the driver.
The most difficult part of the route begins in Pshad, since you have to walk up the river to the cordon on foot. The distance is about 10 km. The journey can take up to three hours. It will take about an hour more to get from the cordon to the first waterfalls. In some places you will have to go straight on the water. The difficulties of the route are fully compensated by the picturesque views.
In the wonderful Krasnodar Territory, near Anapa, there are amazing and incredibly beautiful Pshad waterfalls. They consist of a hundred springs, among which there are giant mountain rivers, and calm streams flowing down the stones. Anyone can see this miracle of nature, the main thing is to choose a suitable route and travel time.
Leaving Anapa and bypassing Novorossiysk, and after it Gelendzhik, you get to the Pshadsky waterfalls. The excursion, as a rule, covers only eight springs, and also includes a walk along the waters of the Red River. On the way to the waters of this region, travelers also pass the ancient valley of dolmens, which were built on the territory of our country by peoples who lived here long before their appearance. It is believed that any wish made here comes true.
Departing from Anapa to Pshadskie waterfalls, tourists get the opportunity to see the monument to the sunken ships, as well as the monument erected in honor of And, of course, just unforgettable moments spent in an SUV that moves along mountain cliffs and slopes. Therefore, if your vestibular apparatus is disrupted, it is better to refuse the trip.
Driving directly to their destination, everyone usually stops in Pshad. In this village, tourists can have a snack, relax, but most importantly - swim in one of the most healing springs in the Krasnodar Territory called "Natasha". After that, everyone ascends on foot along which is overflowing from a nine-meter height with powerful streams. It is in this place that the Pshad waterfalls in all their glory become available to the eye. And also only here you can feel incredibly clean air with your whole body, from which, it seems, you can suffocate.
Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that such a trip will not be boring at all, moreover, you will forever be remembered as one of the brightest and most extreme. That is why, before the trip, it is necessary to properly equip yourself, choose the right clothes and shoes. It is worth noting that the Pshad waterfalls and the valleys that precede them are very steep and dangerous, therefore, on your walking path, always look under your feet and calculate your strength. Also, local guides recommend wearing the most comfortable and comfortable shoes so that nothing distracts you on the way.
Freshness, stunningly beautiful nature, mountain slopes and high-speed streams of the purest water - all these are Pshad waterfalls. How to get to this area, your guide will tell you, who will accompany all tourists during this trip. Climbing the peaks of these mountains on your own is very problematic, since some sections need to be overcome by an SUV, and some must be walked on foot. If you book this wonderful sightseeing tour, you can see the local nature in all its beauty and power. Have a nice trip!