Without exception, the tourist offices of the city of Sochi invite vacationers on an excursion with the romantic name "33 waterfalls". This full day adventure is an exciting journey through the Shahe River Valley. During the trip, you can see the water cascades, learn the fascinating history of these places and taste the national treats.
A natural landmark worth seeing with your own eyes
Very close to the resort village of Lazarevskoye is a unique natural landmark. In tourist guides, this area is most often found under the name "33 waterfalls". In fact, this is the Dzhegosh tract, where you can admire the water cascades on the Shakh River. The waterfalls themselves are mostly small. The surrounding natural beauty deserves attention. In the valley you can see a relic boxwood grove, as well as many wild plants, many of which are listed in the Red Book. The tourist trail is landscaped, there are wooden bridges and decking. In the warm season, the most courageous travelers are invited to swim in the mountain river.
The legend of thirty-three waterfalls
According to ancient legends, the cascade of "33 waterfalls" is a real monument to courage and military ingenuity. Once upon a time, in the valley where the Shakhe River flows today, the Adygs Shapsugs lived. There were many small villages, whose inhabitants were engaged in crafts and agriculture. Once an evil giant appeared in these places and began to destroy the gardens and kill the peasants. The best warriors from all the villages gathered and began to draw lots, which of them would fight the stranger? The fight with the giant fell to the son of a blacksmith named Gooch, whom everyone considered the best hunter. On the eve of the battle, the young man dreamed of his late grandfather, who advised him to put several large barrels of honey where the giant should appear. Gooch listened to the advice and did everything as ordered by the ancestor. The giant noticed the barrels and began to greedily eat honey. He was very dirty, and wasps attacked him. Waving off the wasp swarm, the giant ran, leaving giant footprints on the ground. The giant took exactly 33 steps, reaching the mountain, on top of which Gooch was waiting for him. The young warrior slew the giant with a sword and, falling, he split the mountain, from which a stream broke out, which later turned into the Shakhe River. The footprints of the giant on the ground became cascades, which today we call "33 waterfalls".
Natural beauties and tourist attractions
Some tourists find trips to natural attractions very boring. If you want to get a lot of vivid impressions, you will definitely like a jeep tour in the valleyShah. Tourists are delivered to the excursion trail by open trucks or SUVs. The route runs right along the river bed and is definitely not for the faint of heart. During this extreme journey, tourists are offered pleasant stops. Those who wish can taste and purchase a variety of local products: cheese, honey, wines and chacha, tea. The excursion "33 waterfalls" can be combined with a visit to the museum of Adyghe culture or lunch at a restaurant located near the tourist trail to the water cascades. This institution should be noted separately, despite its location in a picturesque place, it pleases with low prices and high quality of dishes. The secret is simple - the fish in the restaurant comes directly from the local trout farm.
Tour or solo trip?
The valley of the Shakhe River with its water cascades is located at a distance from large settlements. You can get here only by private transport or as part of an excursion group. If you are traveling by car, do not even try to ask the locals for directions to the waterfalls. Most likely, you will be convinced that you can only get there by jeep and advise the best drivers. But in fact, any car will reach the water cascades. From Lazarevsky you need to drive to the village of Golovinka. After this settlement, turn onto Bolshoi Kichmai, and then continue straight ahead. Very soon you will reach an organized parking lot where you can leave your car for 100 rubles. Next, you have to gowalk past souvenir ruins, and you will see water cascades. You will also have to pay 100 rubles for the passage to the most natural attraction. It is much more profitable for tourists traveling by private cars to visit the "33 waterfalls" on their own. Photos in the valley are very beautiful, and a tour service is not required.
