Arkhyz is the largest ski resort in the North Caucasus. In 2022, a large-scale construction program has been launched here, which will double the length of the ski slopes and 4 times increase the number of hotel rooms. Recreation in Arkhyz allows you to visit beautiful places in the mountains and at the same time live in comfortable conditions and visit gourmet restaurants.
The largest ski resort in Russia is Krasnaya Polyana on the southern slope of the Caucasian Ridge. The length of its ski slopes reaches 160 km. After the reconstruction of the Arkhyz ski area, the length of its trails is planned to be increased from 25 to 57 km. This is significantly more than at other resorts in Russia. If we talk about summer tourism, the number of hiking trails and natural attractions is probably more than in Krasnaya Polyana. By 2030, a highway is planned to be built between Arkhaz and Krasnaya Polyana to connect the resorts of the Black Sea and Mineral Waters regions.
The mountains in the vicinity of Arkhyz are not very high, and the Great Caucasian Ridge is several dozen kilometers away. The highest mountain in Arkhyz is Pshish (3790 m). There are no glacial zones with stone moraines. However, mountain valleys at the level of 2000 meters are located in the zone of alpine meadows. In summer they are covered with colorful flowers. During the comprehensive development program of Arkhyz, investors plan to equip 65 kilometers of tourist routes.
Natural attractions of Arkhyz
In the villages of Arkhyz and Upper Arkhyz (where the ski lifts are located), the mountains do not look as picturesque as on Dombay or Krasnaya Polyana. However, at a distance of 10-15 kilometers in the mountain valleys there are very beautiful places and interesting hiking routes. They run along mountain rivers, and in the hollows, there are lakes with the purest water.
Mount Sofia (3637 m) is one of the symbols of the Arkhyz mountain resort. Everything around is named after it. The Sofia Glacier lies on Mount Sofia, the Sofia Waterfalls fall from it into the Sofia Valley, and then they flow into the Sofia River, which flows into the Psysh River. Next to the Sofia Waterfalls is the Sofia Saddle pass, which allows you to make a circular route to the waterfalls and return back along another trail. No less famous natural pearl of Arkhyz is the Sofia Lakes.
Sofia waterfalls are the most accessible attraction of Arkhyz, which is visited by all guests of the resort. These waterfalls can be called the most beautiful and powerful in the entire mountainous Caucasus. Nine powerful streams flow down from the Sofia Glacier, and they cascade from a height of 90 meters into the Sofia Valley.
Sofia Lakes are a less accessible attraction of Arkhyz. The route from the Sofia Valley is only 4 kilometers, but you need to climb to a height of 1000 meters. In the mountains you will see three lakes with water of bright blue color. In June, Lake Sofia is still covered with ice. The ice in the lake and the snow around it finally descend only in July. The ideal time to climb to the Sofia Lakes is August–September.
Two interesting routes are located in the valleys of the Small Dukka and Big Dukka rivers. They start in one place, but if you go along the valley of the Big Dukka River, you will see a Seven-colored Lake. If you walk along the Small Dukka Valley, you will see three lakes: Rybka, Arkasarskoye and the Fairy Tale of the Caucasus. They are called Dukkinsky Lakes. Hiking along each route will take a whole day.
Upper Arkhyz and Moon Glade are the place where the ski lifts to the skiing areas are located. In the Upper Arkhyz, you can climb the Southern and Northern slopes. The lifts also work in summer, allowing tourists to climb to the mountainous areas of Arkhyz to admire the beautiful scenery.
