Sofia waterfalls are one of the most interesting sights of Arkhyz. They are visited by all tourists who have come to the resort. These waterfalls are not the highest in the Caucasus, but they are definitely the most spectacular. Cascading Sofia waterfalls consist of 9 streams. They drain from the Sofia glacier and fall into the valley from a 90-meter height.
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 the Sofia River flows down the valley and flows into the Psysh River. Next to the Sofia Waterfalls is the Sofia Saddle pass, which allows you to make a route to the waterfalls circular and return back along another trail. There are also Sofia lakes high in the mountains here.
Sofia waterfalls are located 17 kilometers from the village of Arkhyz. The starting point is the Taulu Glade, which can be reached by private car or taxi. It is impossible to go further by your own car. Some tourists from the Taulu Glade walk, but you need to plan for this hike all day, and you have to go out early in the morning.
The distance from the Taulu Glade to the Sofia Waterfalls is 10 kilometers with a climb of 500 meters (from 1557 m to 1997 m). You will have to walk for several hours and this hike is unlikely to be a pleasure, since dozens of SUVs will pass by.
Most tourists turn to the drivers of SUVs in the Taulu Glade to take them to the Glacier Farm. This is a place on the Sofia Glade at the very foot of the Sofia Waterfalls. After that, tourists walk to the foot of the waterfalls. It is necessary to climb the rather steep slope of Mount Sofia, along the riverbed of the Sofia River. In the middle of the way, you need to ford the river, and after that you will come to the foot of the Sofia waterfalls. Their height and power are impressive.
Some tourists, after they come to the foot of the waterfalls, go back down. However, you can follow the trail along all 9 waterfalls. Three of them have the most powerful streams, and they will have to be forded. Depending on the melting activity of the glacier, the power of water flows will differ. In any case, it is impossible to cross them without getting your feet wet.
After you cross all the streams, the ascent to the Sofia Saddle pass will begin. It offers a beautiful view of the Sofia Valley. On the other side there is a narrow gorge of the Kizgych River and the peaks of the Uzhum mountain range on the territory of the Teberda Reserve. You can go down to the Kizgych River only if you have a pass to the Teberda Reserve (it costs 200 rubles), but then you will have to climb back to the pass, since it is impossible to walk to Arkhyz along the Kizgych riverbed. Back to the Glacier Farm from the pass you need to go along the crest of a small mountain, from which the Sofia waterfalls are clearly visible.
