Hiking to the Small Dukka Lakes is one of the most popular hiking routes in Arkhyz. They are located in the mountains, at an altitude of 2,450 meters above sea level. Here you can see three lakes: Fish, Arkasar and the Fairy Tale of the Caucasus. The Small Dukka River originates in these lakes. The mountain landscapes around the Small Dukka Lakes are very picturesque.
Most tourists without mountain hiking experience visit only the lakes Fish and Arkasar. They are in close proximity to each other. Lake Fish is small, and it can be seen from above that it has the shape of a fish. To reach Lake Arkasar from it, you need to climb a fairly steep path along a stone scree. The distance is only 250 meters, but the climb is almost 100 meters. There, among the rocky mountains, you will see the most beautiful Arkasar Lake. Rocks and scree descend into its waters, and their reflection impresses with its beauty.
There is almost no vegetation at this height, there are only rocks around. However, huge thickets of rhododendrons are visible on the southern slopes of the mountains. They bloom in June, when the lakes are freed from snow and ice, but hiking to them is quite difficult, since it is damp on mountain trails at this time. Thickets of dwarf birches are visible below. There are many flowers here throughout the summer. Since the route is very popular in Arkhyz, there are always a lot of people on the trail.
If you also want to climb to the lake Fairy Tale of the Caucasus, then you need to return 200 meters down from Lake Fish, cross the stream and climb a rather steep mountain slope. The distance from the crossing of the stream to the lake is only 800 meters, but the climb reaches 240 meters (from 2185 m to 2425 m).
The route to the Small Dukka Lakes begins at the place where the Dukka River flows into the Arkhyz River. A bridge has been built over the confluence of the rivers and you can come here by private car or taxi from the village of Arkhyz. It is impossible to drive a ordinary car further. If you park here, the distance to the Small Dukka Lakes will be 8.5 kilometers with a climb of 690 meters (from 1765 m to 2455 m). For such a hiking trip, you need to plan the entire day from early morning.
If you decide to contact the drivers of SUVs, of which there are many in Arkhaz, they will take you to kosh (shepherd`s house) for 7 thousand rubles. Then the walking distance along the Valley of the Small Dukka River will be 4.2 kilometers (climb 500 meters). The strongest climb is at the end of the trail, but the distance is almost halved and this is important. Nearby, in the valley of the Big Dukka River, there is an equally popular route to the Seven-Colored Lake, but it is unrealistic to walk both of them in one day.
