Healing Park
During the years of its foundation, the Healing Park was called Sanatorium. The park, with wide alleys, rich vegetation and beautiful fountains, was founded in 1870. On the territory of the park there are gazebos for vacationers, there is also a small Aquarium, a Drinking Gallery, a Water Mill fountain and a Happy Bridge. The dominant feature of the attraction is 2 arches, built in 1914 and 2009. The “Arch with Lions” was built in honor of the 50th anniversary of the resort (1914). The new arch features a sculpture of lions hunting wild boar.
Sights of Goryachiy Klyuch
Goryachy Klyuch is a great place for those who want to improve their health, as well as for those who prefer natural attractions to architectural and museum attractions. Here you will not find merchant buildings, unusual museums or many churches and temples, but their absence is compensated by a great variety of rivers, waterfalls, mountains and, of course, mineral springs.
Healing Park
The park, which is considered the most healing and picturesque place in the city, was created in 1870. Throughout its long history, it has constantly developed and expanded. Today there is everything for a comfortable rest and healthy body: shady alleys, comfortable gazebos, benches and, most importantly, mineral springs.
The park is not marked in any way in terms of its exact boundaries - it seems to merge with the forest that extends right outside the Healing Park
More than a hundred plant species grow in the park, and each hiking trail can take tourists to one of the local attractions:
- Iveron Chapel;
- Dante's Gorge;
- Cockerel rock;
- Key mountain, etc.
At the very entrance to the park there is the Alley of a Thousand Pines, which consists of various types of this tree. Here you can find both ordinary pine and rare species, for example, Koch pine. The alley stretches for two kilometers, and all the trees here have the same shape and height and are located at the same distance from each other. The alley is the creation of schoolchildren who carefully planted trees here several years ago.
There are many birds in the Avenue of a Thousand Pines - and the calm silence is constantly interrupted by their beautiful singing, this is another feature that attracts tourists here
Address: Lenin street.
Iveron Chapel
The chapel was built on the slope of Klyuchevaya Mountain in the second half of the 19th century. For several centuries, a mineral spring flowed here, but in the 20th century, due to changes in mountain strata, the source dried up. All that remains from it is the chalice and the chapel itself, in which the image of the Iveron Mother of God is still kept, and services are held here every Friday.
The Iveron icon, according to the canons of the Orthodox faith, helps in deliverance and miraculous healing from diseases and ailments
Not far from the chapel building there is a monument to Living Water, which has no analogues in any country in the world. It was installed at the site of the concentration of mineral springs in 1914.
The Living Water Monument was erected to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the development of the resort
Address: Healing Park.
Abadzekh (Key) Mountain
The mountain is located on the banks of the Psekups River and rises above the water stream by less than 400 meters. The name "Abadzekh" mountain received from the name of the ethnic group - Abadzekhs, who once lived in this area.
Scientists suggest that Key Mountain appeared about 10-15 million years ago after the greatest tectonic uplift of one part of the river bank occurred here.
Dante's Gorge
The gorge is the result of the joint creation of man and nature. According to legend, it was cut down by local Cossacks, but the exact date of its formation does not exist. Nature made its contribution, because thanks to snow and rain, the gorge widened significantly, and the sharp rocks took on soft features and were covered with moss. Today the gorge is one hundred meters deep, the height in some places reaches fifteen meters, and the width - eight. The entrance to the cave consists of 49 steps carved from stone.
Local residents have a legend: supposedly every morning, at the very early hour, when the Dante Gorge and the surrounding area are completely deserted and quiet, a young girl appears next to the Key Stream flowing along the stairs - this is the mistress of the Dante Gorge
The name "Dante's" gorge received thanks to the creator of the "Divine Comedy" - Dante Alighieri, who described the entrance to hell as a "damp and cool place." This characteristic perfectly describes the climate in the gorge itself.
The gorge perfectly resembles the structure of the World: the bottom of the gorge is a dark and eternally damp Hell, everything is like in the “Divine Comedy”, and after getting out of the dark gorge, a person seems to find himself in Heaven - it’s so bright, light and beautiful here
Ladder of life
The staircase is located on the slope of Klyuchevaya Mountain, a hundred meters from another staircase leading to Dante’s Gorge. There is a legend that once on the top of the mountain the Adyghe people carried out executions - criminals were thrown off the cliff. However, they were given a chance for salvation - they could escape from death using the stairs, and this is how the modern name Staircase of Life appeared.
Thanks to the Ladder of Life, the death penalty was almost never carried out
Rock Cockerel
The rock was formed more than fifteen million years ago thanks to the waters of the Psekups River, which ground and created the outline of the rock for many millennia. The height of the mountain is not very high - a little less than thirty meters. It got its name thanks to local holidaymakers who once decided that its image was similar to the comb of a rooster. However, several centuries ago it had a different name - the Rock of Salvation; it was from it, paradoxically, that the Adyghe tribes threw off criminals.
In 1864, just in time for the arrival of the Great Russian Prince Mikhail Nikolaevich, a gazebo was built on the top of the rock, which to this day is called the royal one.
Psyfabe Fortress
On the Cockerel rock is located one of the oldest defensive fortresses in the country - Psyfabe, presumably built in the 5th-7th centuries. The name is rooted in the Adyghe language and means “warm water”. The construction was intended to protect local residents from enemy raids. According to a study conducted by archaeologists, it is believed that the total area of the defensive structure was about two hundred square meters. Only small parts of the fortress have survived to this day, but even from them one can judge how strong and impressive its walls were - their width reaches three and a half meters.
The medieval fortress used to be one of the main defensive structures in Russia
Alexandrovsky spring
Alexandrovsky spring is one of the oldest springs in the resort city. It was thanks to him that a hospital was once formed here. But he gained fame much earlier than the appearance of the health resort. It is believed that the ancient Greeks used the healing power of local water, evidence of this is the ancient precious coins they brought as a sign of gratitude, and which can be seen here today.
Every year, tourists and vacationers go to Goryachy Klyuch who want to experience the miraculous properties of the mineral water of the Alexander Spring.
Hell's Falls
Hell's Falls is the most mysterious and enigmatic place in Goryachy Klyuch. The water flow here is very strong and noisy, and it is framed by sharp stone ledges. Falling from a twelve-meter height, the water hits the rocks and falls into a deep pool. The waterfall received its name due to the gloomy sensations that beheld what they saw.
Hell's Falls is located in the Chepsi River basin, part of a tributary of Hell's Creek
Ayuk waterfall
Ayuk waterfall flows in a wooded, picturesque area. Its total length, which consists of two large steps, is about nine meters. The water flow foams strongly, which is why it acquires a snow-white hue. Its streams flow into a miraculous bowl, which is perfect for bathing.
Jets of water falling from a nine-meter slope have an unusual white color, this can be explained simply: numerous air bubbles form in the waterfall, and it is they that give this color
Kaverzinsky waterfalls
The waterfalls represent about a dozen water streams, but half of them do not have the required height, so they are not spectacular enough. The largest water cascade is twelve meters high. It falls from a fairly flat stone “wall”, which has symmetrical projections, as if created by human hands. The stream flows into a bowl formed by the water itself. Nowadays tourists often swim here. The water of the waterfall has a milky hue.
Kaverzinsky waterfalls are one of the most visited attractions of Goryachiy Klyuch. These places are famous for their beauty: unusual trees, ferns and mosses, Caucasian fir and yew grow here
Phanagorian Cave
No one knows the exact time of formation of the cave, but it is known that it already existed in the 17th century. Then a Turkish researcher visited and described it; according to him, the cave was large in size, and in its largest hall there was a statue larger than a human one. Unfortunately, no one else was able to find the statue. However, even without it, the cave can be considered perhaps the largest and most mysterious in all of Europe. Previously, pilgrims from all over Russia often prayed here, and Caucasians identified the Phanagorian cave with Tibetan Shambhala.
Local old-timers say that many years ago a cave tunnel led directly to the Black Sea
The cave is located at an altitude of three hundred meters above sea level. The entrance to it has a round shape and a diameter of one and a half meters. To get to the central hall of the cave, you need to overcome a ten-meter tunnel. The length of the entire cave exceeds one and a half thousand meters. According to scientists, some time ago the tunnels were about 25 kilometers long, but later some passages were blocked. The passages in the cave are not very wide; a shallow stream flows along its entire length, but the main hall is quite large - its vault is at a height exceeding human height.
Visiting the cave has a positive effect on health. The local air is weakly ionized, which helps to cure respiratory tract ailments, such as asthma. The temperature here is stable - +9 degrees; while walking through the tunnels, you can meet different types of insects and bats.
Bald Mountain
Bald Mountain rises on the banks of the Psekups River and its tributary Kaverze. The highest point is 423 meters above sea level. Although the mountain has a characteristic name, it does not reflect reality - there is a dense forest on it, in which you can find rare Pitsunda pines.
Some trees that grow on the slopes of Bald Mountain are quite old - they are already more than a hundred years old
On the mountain there is a monument dedicated to the soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War, who defended Goryachy Klyuch from enemy attacks.
Podnavisla fortification
The settlement received its name due to the nearby mountain called Navisla. In the 19th century, a farmstead was formed under its slope, which was named Podnavisla . During the Great Patriotic War, the settlement played an important role for Soviet soldiers. Here the soldiers organized shelter and defensive structures that saved many people from death. The wounded were also treated here, and the dead were buried right on the territory of Podnavisla. At the end of hostilities, the farm was abandoned, and Arshaluys Khanzhiyan, a girl who nursed wounded soldiers and promised never to abandon them, remained to look after it. So she kept her promise, living alone on the farm for more than fifty years. She died at the end of the twentieth century and was buried here.
In 2000, a memorial was erected on the territory of the settlement in honor of the fallen soldiers, and two years later the Arshaluys monument was erected. In addition, two small churches were built nearby - an Armenian and a Russian one, and in the house in which the heroic woman lived out her life, a museum was opened telling about her life. Now the settlement has become a kind of Mecca for people who come here to honor the memory of the dead.
Photo gallery: Podnavisla Castle
The highest point of Mount Navisla rises at a distance of 704 meters above sea level
During the Great Patriotic War, Goryachy Klyuch was relatively calm for only one year, and already in August 1942 military operations came here
Arshaluys died in 1988
The Russian chapel was built in memory of Soviet soldiers who died on this land
The stone Armenian chapel was erected in memory of the Armenian girl Arshaluys
Drinking gallery of three sources
In the gallery you can taste the water that came here from three different sources. Each liquid has its own special taste, chemical composition and temperature. Anyone can get 0.5 liters of mineral water for free.
In the very center of the city, right in the sanatorium complex, there is a Drinking Gallery, into which water from three mineral springs flows through a special pipeline: No. 21, 58 and 104
Address: Psekupskaya street, building 2. Opening hours: 7.00–19.00, break - from 14.00 to 15.00.
Museum of History and Local Lore
The museum began its work in 1864, becoming the first such institution in the entire Caucasus. The excursions are designed for visitors of all ages. The local exhibitions tell about the ethnography of the region, its flora and fauna. The museum also presents archaeological and geological finds that highlight the history of local lands.
The Museum of History and Local Lore is located in a small building, and the number of its exhibits does not exceed 6,000 items
Four halls are open to visitors, designated for a certain period of time:
- the first - antiquity and the Middle Ages;
- the second - the period of formation of the Hot Spring;
- the third - the years of the Great Patriotic War;
- the fourth - the modern history of the city.
Near the museum building there is a monument to Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, who loved the Caucasus very much and lived here for several years of his life.
Address: Lenin Street, building 132. Opening hours: 9.00–17.00, closed on Monday. Ticket price: from 50 rubles.
Bridge of Hope
The first bridge across the Psekups River was installed at this place a century ago. It was narrow and shaky, and during the Second World War it was partially destroyed. They did not dare to restore it, considering that it would be better to build a new bridge; the remains of the old one remained in place. The modern building is 70 meters long, suspended on steel cables and is one of the largest structures in the entire Caucasus.
The Bridge of Hope got its name thanks to a resort woman who realized that Goryachiy Klyuch is the very place needed by a person looking for relaxation and healing.
Arch with lions
The construction of the arch was completed in 1914, as evidenced by the inscription on one of its columns. On the second, the date of foundation of the resort is carved. The height of the structure is about five meters, and it was installed at the entrance to the Healing Park. Later, the park expanded its territory, so the arch moved inside.
Lions in the Caucasus are not a fiction; many years ago, even in ancient times, these powerful animals lived here; they were forced to leave these places by the people themselves, who mercilessly exterminated lions, hunting them for their valuable skin and large amounts of meat
After the end of the Second World War, sculptures of lions tormenting boars were installed near the arch. This picture symbolizes a person’s struggle with his illnesses and victory over them.
Phanagoria stalactite cave
Phanagorian cave can be called one of the largest in the Krasnodar region. It consists of several corridors and interior halls. The cave is located 12 km from the village of the same name. The hole formed in the mountain slope has a height of 1.5 m. Through it there is an entrance to the stalactite cave. The total length of the underground attraction is 1.5 km. This is only the accessible part of the tunnels; further chambers were blocked as a result of the collapse. In the cave, special attention should be paid to the stalagmite “Climb”. It surprises everyone with its huge size. And the rest of the stalagmites and stalactites, which once adorned the underground attraction, were taken away by “curious” travelers.
Rock Cockerel
The top of the rock resembles a comb or even the head of a rooster. That is why the stone cliff received such an interesting name. The second name of the rock is “Salvation”. The Psyfabe fortress was built on its surface. In past centuries, those living in the village came up here to hide from enemies. In addition, people have written many legends about this rock, which talk about a sorcerer who imprisoned a unicorn here, about an evil man whose tears turned into healing waters, and about criminals who climbed the slope to receive pardon. The Cockerel Rock is a symbol of the city of Goryachiy Klyuch. A large stone in the shape of a wavy cockscomb will crown its surface. In 1864, the Tsar's Gazebo was built here. An observation deck was built next to it.
Churches and Temples
Chapel in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
Coordinates: 44.62074, 39.093816 How to get there: to the restaurant “Old Castle” by car or by public transport to the stop “Sanatorium Goryachiy Klyuch”, then on foot; travel time - 30 minutes.
The Iverskaya Chapel was built in honor of the consecration of the source, which after some time disappeared due to the shift of ground rocks. Residents of the city say that on the site of the chapel there used to be an entrance to an underground labyrinth that led to the sea.
The Kuban Cossacks wanted to take out carts of gold through this tunnel, but disappeared into it. The same fate awaited everyone who later went in search of their treasures.
According to another version, the entrance is indicated by a stone in the shape of a lamb, which is located to the right of the chapel.
Spring of Panteleimon the Healer
Coordinates: 44.620588, 39.094105 How to get there: to the “Old Castle” restaurant by car or by public transport to the “Goryachiy Klyuch” Sanatorium stop, then on foot; travel time - 30 minutes.
A spring with rejuvenating healing water is located on the Mineral Glade of Goryachy Klyuch. In 2011, it was reconstructed and decorated with an icon of a healer, cast in bronze using donations.
It is customary here to ask for health for yourself and your loved ones.
Holy Trinity Church
Address: st. Sovetskaya, 100 Phone: 8(6159) 4-20-69 Website: pravkuban-15.cerkov.ru Opening hours: Mon-Fri 07:00-19:00
The history of Trinity Church begins with the construction of a church with a bell tower in 1867. But it did not survive Soviet times: it was looted and abandoned.
Divine services were restored in 1992, but they were held not in the church, but in the building of the former parish school. After 2 years, a new building dedicated to the Holy Trinity was laid. Work on it was completed only in 2009.
Today the following are stored here:
- icon of Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom with particles of relics;
- Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”.
Mineral glade
The mineral glade is located near Dante's Gorge. A considerable number of springs with healing water are concentrated on its territory. In past centuries there were much more of them, but over time some of them dried up. In Mineralnaya Polyana you can always see many people wanting to try healing water from a natural source. In addition, there are interesting sights here. For example, in 1914, for the 50th anniversary of the resort, a monument to a “living” source – water – was erected in the Healing Park at Mineral Glade. It is the only one of its kind in the whole world. Also on this territory they built the chapel of the Iveron Mother of God.
Psyfabe Fortress
In past times, numerous fortresses were built on the territory of the Psekuls Valley. Psyfabe, with 3 m massive walls of stones, was one of the most famous citadels of its century. The ancient structure is located on the top of Abadzekh Mountain. Being on the walls of the fortress, the soldiers were able to observe the entire district. The citadel was built around the 5th-7th centuries. Today, only ruins remain on the site of the fortress. But the remarkable defensive complex still attracts the attention of many travelers.
Historical sites and museums
City Historical Museum
Address: st. Lenina, 34 Phone: 8(6159) 3-52-43 Website: museum.ru/M3197 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00, Thu 09:00-21:00, Fri 09:00 -17:00 Cost: children - 30 rubles, adults - 50 rubles, excursion - 100 rubles.
The decision to create a museum came in 1998, at which time the collection of exhibits began. Two years later the grand opening took place.
Today his collection amounts to 6 thousand items and is housed in three halls:
- “Archaeology”: materials from ancient and medieval times are presented, the history of the region is told.
- “Kuban Life”: the exhibition is dedicated to the Psekupsky mineral waters and their influence on the formation of the settlement.
- “Military History”: the exhibition covers war times, introduces the personality of intelligence officer Alexander Ivanovich Kozlov, a resident of the city, whose story formed the basis of the films “The Path to Saturn” and “The End of Saturn”.
Drinking Gallery
Address: st. Psekupskaya, 2 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 07:00-19:00, break 14:00-15:00
On the territory of the sanatorium in the city center there is a Drinking Gallery. Water is supplied here from three mineral springs.
Water from the 21st spring is useful for patients with gastritis, as it is saturated with hydrogen sulfide. In the other two - 58th and 104th - it is salty and hot (38-45˚С).
It is recommended to drink it here, but if desired, any visitor can take 0.5 liters with them for free.
Psyfabe Fortress
Coordinates: 44.622145, 39.091691 How to get there: to the restaurant “Old Castle” by car or bus to the stop “Sanatorium Goryachiy Klyuch”, then on foot; travel time - 30 minutes.
In the valley of the Psekuls River there were at one time several fortresses, the most famous of which was Psyfabe. This is one of the most ancient buildings in Russia.
The citadel is located on the top of a cliff - the highest point in the area. Once it had a stone fence, observation towers and shelters for people.
Today, only ruins remain of the fortress.
Drinking gallery
The resort town of Goryachiy Klyuch is most desired to be visited due to the presence of numerous mineral water springs on its territory. The drinking gallery is located in the central part of the city - on the territory of the Healing Park. Water supply in the Drinking Gallery is provided by 3 natural healing springs. The chemical composition and temperature of water in mineral springs may differ, but they are all used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases. You can drink the healing water right there. But if necessary, you can pick up mineral water in small quantities for free.
Travel tips for staying in the city
Goryachy Klyuch is a resort town; the bulk of tourists try to come here in the summer or early autumn. The hottest months are July and August, temperatures can reach 45 degrees, so those who don’t like heat should come in September or early summer. During this period, you can not only calmly treat your health, but also visit the sights without meeting a large number of vacationers. Some travelers even choose winter for their trip, because there are much fewer tourists, and the weather is not the coldest - in February the temperature is already above zero. You can visit the sights even in the cold season; they all take on a new look when covered with snow.
Snow is rare in the city; even in winter you can find flowering plants and green grass here
Since they often come to the city to improve their health, they stay here for at least ten days. There are more than fifteen sanatoriums and boarding houses open in Goryachy Klyuch, which welcome vacationers of any age, selecting the optimal course of treatment for them. The wellness program can be easily combined with visits to memorable places in the city and surrounding area. It is worth booking a place to stay in advance, since there are many holidaymakers who come here for the purpose of recovery at any time of the year.
If the purpose of the trip is only to explore the sights of Goryachiy Klyuch, then you need to set aside three to four days for the trip. Since the majority of natural monuments are located outside the city, and getting to them is not so easy, it will not be possible to travel around them in one or two days. For tourists who do not need health improvement, there are dozens of guest houses and hotels in the city, which should also be booked in advance.
Accommodation in a sanatorium will cost a traveler from 1,500 rubles per day
It is best to come to Goryachy Klyuch by personal vehicle, since moving between attractions will be much easier and faster. For travelers without a car, the city has a public transport network represented by buses. Any route starts from the sanatoriums. You can get to natural monuments located outside the city only by taxi or intercity buses.
The most important gift that a traveler from Goryachy Klyuch can bring for himself is improved health. For loved ones, the best souvenir will be a bottle of mineral water, collected with your own hands in the Drinking Gallery. Also in the city you can buy various types of honey - buckwheat, flower, linden, acacia, enriched with various useful additives. In addition, they sell herbal teas made from Caucasian and Krasnodar herbs. There are quite a few types of tea, all of them differ in their unique composition and medicinal properties. Not only teas are made from herbs, but also pillows that can improve the quality of sleep and relieve some diseases.
Kaverzinsky waterfalls
The falling water flows of the Kaverza River formed dozens of water cascades. This is the right tributary of the river. The waterfalls are located in a remote area from the city. Here you need to cover an 11 km path. Water cascades are located in the area of the village of Khrebtovaya; excursion tours with a 2-day overnight stay are organized here. The hiking route passes through quiet forests, where you can admire the beauty of wild nature. The Big Kaverzinsky waterfall has a height of more than 10 m. The Small and others in their composition fall from a height of 1-5 meters.
Dante's Gorge
The development of the territory began only in 1870; before that, there was a narrow fracture in the stone rock. At the bottom of the damp gorge there is a walking path, which they used to call the hellish road. According to local legend, in past centuries there lived an evil witch named Dante. She wanted to destroy the entire world, and the Great Goddesses had to kill her. When the witch died, strong lightning struck the rocks and split them. A stream of blood fell from the rift, and the gates leading to the kingdom of the dead opened. One of the goddesses decided to change the witch’s spell and sacrificed herself, then healing water began to flow instead of blood. Nowadays, the territory of the gorge is called a paradise on earth.
City Historical Museum
In the city of Goryachy Klyuch, the historical museum was founded in 1864. This is the first exhibition opened in the Caucasus. The idea to open a museum complex belongs to Colonel Ivan Popko. He served in the Cossack troops of Kuban. The soldier made a lot of efforts to collect the best historical exhibits in the museum. There is a collection consisting of ancient household items of the Kuban people. The museum also displays exhibits related to the military history of the area. In total, the museum collection contains at least 7 thousand paleontological and archaeological exhibits.
Description and history of the Hot Key
Goryachy Klyuch is a resort town located in the Krasnodar Territory. It is one of the oldest hydropathic hospitals in the Caucasus. The city is small - it occupies a little less than twenty-one square kilometers. The population is less than 38 thousand people. Goryachiy Klyuch stands on the Psekups River and is surrounded by the Pshaf and Kotkh mountain ranges.
Goryachy Klyuch is a quiet provincial town in which all attention is focused on calm and orderliness, comfort and coziness without noisy pastimes
The city traces its history back to the second half of the 19th century. Before the formation of Goryachiy Klyuch, there was an Adyghe settlement called Psyfab. However, after the end of the war in the Caucasus, the indigenous population left these places. In 1864, thanks to the hot waters of Psekups, a resort was organized on the territory of modern Goryachy Klyuch - a park was laid out, a bathhouse was organized and a military hospital was built. On July 15, the first mineral springs were consecrated, and later this date became the official founding day of the city. Four years later, a place was formed here, called Goryachiy Klyuch. It began to actively develop: factories were built, new wells with mineral water were launched. In 1926, the settlement acquired the status of a village, and in 1930 - the status of a resort village. During the Great Patriotic War, Goryachy Klyuch was captured by the invaders, who severely destroyed the buildings of hospitals and factories, and in addition, burned the main sanatorium of the resort. After the liberation of the village in 1943, it began to be urgently restored so that wounded soldiers from all over the country could be treated here. After the end of the war, they continued to drill new wells with mineral water, and the number of vacationers in hospitals increased greatly. Until 1963, Goryachiy Klyuch served as the center of the Goryachiy Klyuch district, and two years later it received the status of a city. Today, Goryachy Klyuch is not only one of the most important resort hospitals with a mineral water deposit, but also a center for the production of building materials and oil production.
Sounding Cave
A small grotto located in the Cockerel rock is called the Zvonka Cave. It was given this name because of its extraordinary acoustics. While in the cave you can hear all the sounds and noise happening on the other side of the Psekups River. The sonorous cave is recognized as one of the most interesting attractions of Goryachy Klyuch. Many people come here to check the acoustics of the Sounding Cave for themselves.
How to get there
There is an airport in Krasnodar. Regular flights connect it with other major cities of Russia. The M-4 Don federal highway runs along the outskirts of Goryachiy Klyuch, which ensures transport accessibility. From Krasnodar you can get to Goryachiy Klyuch by car, taxi, minibus and bus.
The resort town has its own railway station, where all trains heading towards Sochi stop. Electric trains run between Krasnodar, Goryachiy Klyuch and Tuapse. From Krasnodar they take electric trains to the sea, making a transfer in Goryachiy Klyuch.
Alexandrovsky spring
The natural spring with healing water was consecrated in 1864. It is from this period that the history of the resort town begins. The mineral water of the source is effective for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. The source of “living” water is located at the foot of Abadzekh Mountain. This is the territory of the right bank of the Psekups River.
Description of the resort city
The city is located on the banks of the Psekups River (a tributary of the Kuban), in a valley between the northern slopes of the Kotkh and Pshaf mountain ranges. It is literally buried in deciduous and mixed forests, greenery, flowers; and a large alley of tall coniferous trees (Alley of a Thousand Pines) leads to the health resorts at the ancient mineral springs. In the foothills there are dozens of large and small, old Soviet and more recently built sanatoriums and hotels, where tourists combine relaxation with health promotion. From these health resorts, excellent hiking routes are laid through the forested mountains - with bridges, ladders and fences in dangerous places.
Hiking along these hiking trails is very beneficial for anyone who suffers from asthma and other respiratory diseases. And any other person will also benefit from the local fresh air, enriched with beneficial phytoncides. The local climate can be described as exceptionally mild. It is transitional from humid subtropical to temperate continental.
At the Goryachiy Klyuch balneological resort, several types of mineral water are used. Thermal (up to +60 C°) sulfide chloride-bicarbonate sodium springs are used for medicinal baths. This treatment is prescribed to patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, peripheral nervous system, and female genital area. Mineral waters from sources No. 21, 58, 104 are taken orally. They belong to the hydrocarbonate-chloride-sodium type and are similar to the Essentuki waters, differing from them in the gas fraction. In Essentuki there is carbon dioxide, and in Goryachy Klyuch there is hydrogen sulfide. All these mineral waters are presented in the ancient Drinking Gallery, located on the territory of the sanatorium park. You can drink as much as you like for free, but you have to pay to take water out of the gallery (with the exception of a small 0.5 liter bottle).
Drinking gallery in Healing Park.
On the southwestern outskirts of the city, close to the mountains, sanatoriums, boarding houses and hotels are concentrated. The complex of buildings of the main sanatorium “Goryachiy Klyuch” is a real architectural monument. Most health resorts are adjacent to the Mountain (Healing) Park or are located directly inside it.
This magnificent park has no clear boundaries and in many places simply merges with the wild forest. On the territory of the Healing Park there are Mineralnaya with the Alexander Spring, from which history began, and the beginning of Dante’s Gorge, and the beautiful Iverskaya Chapel, right in the mountain, and the ruins of the ancient fortress Psyfabe, and the Cockerel rock. From the park you can go to the embankment of the Psekups River and walk along the suspension bridge over this river. The outskirts of the city are famous for the presence of numerous caves, waterfalls on mountain rivers, and mysterious ancient dolmens.
Hell's Falls
The cascading water streams of the stream of the same name caused the appearance of a magnificent waterfall. Interesting legends have been written about the beautiful water cascade with a height of 12 m. One of them says that healing water is heated by a prince imprisoned in a dungeon. He cursed the princess for not accepting his proposal. And terrible ulcers appeared on the girl’s body. The princess cried for a long time and prayed to the spirits. They helped her by making the man a prisoner of the dungeon. The prince worked hard to heat the spring water with sulfur fire. With the help of the source, the princess got rid of the disease and became beautiful again. Since then, the water in the spring has been considered rejuvenating. And another folk legend says that the gates of the Dead World are hidden behind the powerful flows of the waterfall. Therefore, in ancient times, people did not approach him.
Attractions and activities in the surrounding area
Big Kaverzinsky waterfall
Coordinates: 44.498060, 38.954690 How to get there: by taxi or your own car to the farm (1 hour), then walk about 6 km; The nearest settlement is the village. Khrebtovoye, 20 km from Goryachiy Klyuch.
The height of the largest of the five Kaverzin waterfalls is about 11 m.
A walk here will require effort: the route at times requires crossing a mountain river over rocks.
For tourists, there is an observation deck and a picnic area nearby.
Beer Baths
Address: Goryachy Klyuch, village. Bezymyanoye, “Old Castle” Phone: 8(6159) 3−73−37 Website: st-zamok.ru Opening hours: Mon-Sun around the clock Cost: from 1500 rub./hour How to get there: by car along M-4 Don, 1390th km + 570 m, from Goryachiy Klyuch by bus or minibus.
Beer baths are an effective means of prolonging youth, increasing immunity and restoring tone. Moreover, the drink is produced in its own brewery using special technologies from the Middle Ages.
For bathing it is used warm, unfiltered and unpasteurized. In addition, the baths are equipped with air massage, which allows you to get the maximum effect from the procedure.
Beer baths in Goryachy Klyuch are branches of the European Center for Natural Beer Baths, located in the Czech Republic.
Ostrich Ranch
Address: Molkino village Telephone: 8-800-350-29-39, Opening hours: Mon-Sun 09:00-17:00 Cost: children - 70 rubles, adults - 150 rubles. How to get there: by private car along M-4, by train or bus (30 min.)
Recently, tourists can visit one of the largest ostrich farms in Russia. Visitors here will be given a tour of the ranch, shown incubators, small ostriches, and told about the life of birds.
The farm currently houses eight ostrich families, each consisting of a male and three to four females.
It is best to come in spring or summer: there is a chance to see the chicks being born.
In addition to ostriches, the ranch has pheasants, peacocks, ornamental chickens and ducks.
Bogatyrsky caves
Coordinates: 44.592778, 39.085556 How to get there: by car you need to go along the M-4 Don to the village of Fanagoriyskaya, after the Charming Polyanka tourist center there will be a path into the forest, along it 15 minutes. walk up. You can get to the camp site from Goryachiy Klyuch by train and bus (1-1.5 hours).
The caves were created by human hands in the 18th century.
Some claim that they were dug by fugitives from the Circassian tribes, others are sure that an ordinary person would not have been able to do this and the caves were the work of heroes.
During the Great Patriotic War, they housed strongholds for Soviet army soldiers, so a monument was later erected above the caves in memory of the events of that time.
Abadzekh Key Mountain
Coordinates: 44.622114, 39.091680 How to get there: to the restaurant “Old Castle” by car or by public transport to the stop “Sanatorium Goryachiy Klyuch”, then on foot; travel time - 30 minutes.
Since ancient times, healing mineral springs have attracted people, so we can say that Goryachy Klyuch owes its existence to the mountain on which they are located.
Then there were many fortresses and shelters, and there was a trade route to the Black Sea coast.
Inside the Abadzekh Mountain, at a depth of 100 meters, there is an underground lake from which the Blue Spring originates. Its waters bring rejuvenation.
Ayuk waterfall
Coordinates: 44.474916, 39.020969 How to get there: by car from Goryachiy Klyuch to the place (25 min.); by bus to the river Chepsi, then walk 6 km (1.5-2 hours)
The waterfall is located in the Ayuko valley, which means “evil” in the Adyghe dialect. The reason for this name is unknown.
It has two cascades - 5 m and 4 m, falling into a 10-meter bath, the water in which is milky white due to foam.
Hell's Falls
Coordinates: 44.41834, 39.01551 How to get there: by personal transport, or by bus from Goryachiy Klyuch; the nearest settlement is the village of Fanagoriyskoye; travel time 1 hour 15 minutes.
According to legend, not far from this place there was a palace in which a beautiful princess lived. Suitors from all over the area approached her, but she refused everyone - she was waiting for true love. One day a prince came to ask for her hand, but he did not accept her decision and cursed the girl.
Then she lost her beauty: her body was covered with ulcers. No treatment helped, the princess cried for a long time, and the spirits took pity. They imprisoned the prince in a dungeon and forced him to heat the springs over a sulfur fire, which made the water healing. The princess washed herself with it and became beautiful again. Since then, the water here has been considered rejuvenating.
There is also a legend that the waterfall hides the gate to the afterlife. Ancient tribes avoided this place and did not collect water for cooking here.
Phanagorian Cave
Coordinates: 44.469187, 38.977697 How to get there: from Goryachiy Klyuch you can take a bus or private transport to the village of Fanagoriyskoye, after 14 km on foot or by SUV, 2.5-3.5 hours.
Phanagorian Cave is the largest in the vicinity of Krasnodar. The entrance to it is located 300 m above sea level.
Now its depth is 1.5 km, but before the collapse it reached 25 km. The main of the four halls is located 10 m from the entrance.
A stream flows along the bottom of the cave, and its walls are covered with clay of different colors. Various insects and bats live here.
The air inside is healing: it treats respiratory diseases.
Chapel of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
The small Iverskaya Chapel is located next to the Abadzekh Mountain, on the territory of the Mineral Glade. It was erected around the middle of the 19th century. During this period, the resort flourished, and its healing springs were sanctified. On the site where the chapel dedicated to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was built, there used to be the Iveron Spring. But at the beginning of the twentieth century, the layers of the earth's surface shifted, and the spring dried up. The old chapel is still visited by pilgrims.
On the banks of the Psekups River
The city of Goryachy Klyuch is located almost in the center of the Krasnodar region. It is only 50 kilometers away from the regional capital, and 65 kilometers away from the Black Sea coast. It is located on the banks of the Psekups River between the Pshaf and Kotkh ridges. Despite the surrounding mountainous landscape, the maximum altitude within the populated area does not exceed 50 meters. It was given city status in 1965. In this regard, he is still very young.
The unusual name of the river in the valley of which Goryachiy Klyuch is located is of Adyghe origin. The length of the river reaches 146 kilometers. Water flow is 20 cubic meters per second. The source is located on the slope of Mount Lysaya, and the mouth is in the Krasnodar reservoir. In the mountainous part the river is quite narrow, but before Goryachiy Klyuch it widens. From a bird's eye view, it resembles a snake with numerous sharp bends. The river receives a large number of small tributaries - streams and rivulets.
Neighborhood of Goryachiy Klyuch
Since there are no glaciers nearby, Psekups feeds on rain, snow and springs. During floods, water flow can increase 50 times and amount to a thousand cubic meters per second! Of course, a critical rise in water is observed not along the entire length of the river, but in its individual sections. In winter, the ice does not last long, no more than two months. Some years it doesn't happen at all.
In some places the water is dirty green in color and smells foul. It's OK! This is not a breakthrough in the city sewer system, but the result of the activity of sulfur sources. However, this does not allow us to call the river a decoration of the city. But its shores in the immediate vicinity of Goryachiy Klyuch are very picturesque. In summer, Psekups becomes the property of rafting enthusiasts.
In summer, the river becomes the property of rafting enthusiasts
The proximity to the sea and mountains determines the characteristics of the local climate, which falls into the category of transitional from humid subtropical to temperate continental. What does this mean? Neither hot nor cold! At the height of winter, the average temperature fluctuates around +2 degrees. In mid-July it is +23 degrees. Maximum precipitation occurs in November, December and January. Among the summer months, June is the rainiest. In total, the city receives 895 mm of precipitation per year. This is not a very big number.
Mount Lantern
Lantern Mountain is located on the banks of the Psekups River. The unusual name of the mountain comes from the name of the Phanagorian village. The word "lantern" is accepted as a simplified version of "phanagoria". There is also another version about the name of mountain peaks. During the Caucasian War, a guard post was created here and a signal light was installed. Therefore, the mountain range was given this name. The mountain has a height of more than 278 m. From its top there is a stunning panorama of the valley.
Maltsevo waterfalls
Magnificent water cascades begin from Maltseva Glit, which is why they were given this name. Getting to them is easy; you only need to travel 5 km from the city. The route will pass through places with picturesque natural landscapes. This waterfall is popularly called “Dragon’s Mouth”. The waterfall with 4 cascades has no more than 23 meters in height. In the spring season, when the snow melts abundantly, the water flow increases several times. And during the hot summer, here you can see only a thin thread of water jets.
Rock Mirror
A unique natural object with a height of at least 32 m, located on the territory of the Maltsev Valley. The rocky hill was given the name “Mirror” because of its surprisingly smooth surface. It is worth noting that mountaineers and rock climbers love to train on this rock. Because Not every athlete manages to climb to the top of a rock with an absolutely smooth surface, where there are no protrusions. The rock was formed from quartz-glauconitic sandstone with a yellow color. Its age exceeds a million years. On the surface of the rock you can see bizarre patterns formed naturally. According to legend, patterns can predict the future.
Territory of caves, rocks and waterfalls
No less interesting are the immediate surroundings of Goryachiy Klyuch, where there are 160 natural, historical and archaeological monuments. These, for example, include the Great Phanagorian Cave. It is located on the right bank of the Ayuk River, 12 kilometers southwest of the village of Fanagoriyskoye. Its length reaches one and a half kilometers. In fact, it is a long pipe of natural origin.
A karst void in the mountain was discovered back in 1666! The entrance is located at an altitude of 300 meters. At the beginning of the journey, the cross-section is small - only one and a half meters in diameter. Then the cave expands. There are even spacious halls. The main hit is considered to be a huge stalagmite, which was called “The Climb”. The name was given for a reason - in order to continue the path, the stalagmite will have to be climbed over.
There are several caves in the vicinity of Goryachiy Klyuch
The first official explorer of the cave was the Turkish traveler Evliya Celebi. He visited here in the middle of the 17th century! According to local legend, the karst tunnel once stretched for 25 kilometers and reached the Black Sea. However, then the roof collapsed and the main passage was filled in. Now the cave ends with a fork. One passage becomes too narrow to climb through, another ends in a dead end. Until recently, there were many stalactites and stalagmites in the cave, but they were all barbarically destroyed.
There is also a Cat Cave near Gorny Klyuch. The name is due to the fact that people found the skeleton of a huge wild cat in it. Archaeologists made an even more surprising discovery - they discovered a human skull on a stone shelf. He was pierced through by a stalactite, which, as you know, grows very slowly. It turns out that people lived in these places hundreds, or even thousands of years ago. In the depths of the cave there is a small lake that appears and disappears. Perhaps, through karst voids it connects with other underground lakes.
The mountain with the strange name Navisla is located between the Ayuk and Chepsi rivers. It got its name from the steep exposed slope that literally hangs over the water. Its height is 704 meters. The surface of the mountain is covered with dense vegetation, however, tourists storm the peak with pleasure. It takes about four hours to get to the top. The steepest are the southern and eastern slopes. For beginners, it is better to choose the northern slope.
A waterfall with the terrifying name “Devil’s Mouth” is a water stream that cascades down in the upper reaches of Maltsev Stream. The fall height is 20 meters. The intensity of the stream makes you respect the power of the waterfall, and the narrow gorge in which it seethes evokes thoughts of dark forces. A well-trodden path leads along the left bank of Maltsev Stream to the “Devil’s Mouth”.
The “Mirror” rock is popular among tourists. It is located on the banks of Maltsev Stream, four kilometers from the resort center. Why this name? The smooth surface of the quartz-glauconitic sandstone reflects the surrounding space. Climbers and rock climbers come here to train. There is a path leading to the rock, which starts on Shchorsa Street. Along the way you can see Maltsev Waterfall. It falls in cascades from a height of 23 meters.
Cascade of waterfalls
Among the natural hits, it is also worth noting the Ayuksky and Kaverzinsky waterfalls, as well as the Karaulka waterfall. In addition to Fanagoriyskaya there are Bogatyrskaya and Zvonkaya caves. The Catacomb rock is picturesque. Near the above-mentioned “Mirror” rock, a red ferruginous spring gushes out of the ground. It is worth visiting the Podnavisla settlement on the Chepsi River at the source of the Monastyrsky stream. In addition to the trough dolmen, there is the Kesukh waterfall.
In Goryachy Klyuch it is worth trying mineral water from the neighboring region
The nature of the region itself is also an attraction. Goryachy Klyuch is located in the place where the Kuban steppes turn into forests. Oak trees make up almost half of the forest area. It is followed by beech, fir, and spruce. Lots of juniper. More than 130 species of animals live in the region. Of course, you won’t see deer near settlements, but it’s quite possible to see a golden eagle, an eagle or a gyrfalcon. The city itself amazes with the abundance of greenery and bright flowers. In this regard, the Mountain Healing Park is especially indicative.
Mount Lysaya
Mount Lysaya occupies the space opposite the picturesque Abadzekh mountain peak. During the Great Patriotic War, the mountain range occupied an important strategic position. The fact is that it is practically impossible to climb to its peaks from 3 sides due to the location. Therefore, fierce battles between opponents took place over the Lysaya mountain range. And sometimes military operations ended in hand-to-hand combat. In order to perpetuate the memory of the soldiers who took part in these merciless battles, a monument was erected on the mountain peak.
