Canyon of the Belaya "Shum" River, Kamennomostsky Canyon, Khadzhokhskaya gorge - all these are the names of the same place, known to every Adyghe, and far beyond the borders of the republic, a subject of the Federation, which is part of the Southern District.
What is a gorge
The word "gorge" itself refers both to a narrow passage between high mountains or cliffs, and to a deep valley, which is completely occupied by a rapid riverbed. The banks are usually steep, often overhanging. Gorge has synonyms - canyon, passage, uzina, gorge, defile, difeleya. All these words mean something narrow, long, deep.
Lermontov wrote about a similar place "… and, deep down below, blackening like a crack, the dwelling of a snake, the radiant Daryal curled…". The Khadzhokh gorge, like the Darial Gorge, was formed over the millennia not by the Terek, but by the Belaya River, the left-bank and most powerful tributary of the Kuban.
Canyon Options
Conventionally, the entire gorge can be divided along the road bridge overgorge into two parts. In the first, the course is very rough, and in the second, the river calms down and gradually expands up to 20-30 meters to the exit from the canyon, which is so narrow in the upper reaches (in some places its width narrows to 2-3 meters) that it is hardly noticeable from above. The canyon itself is quite deep - vertical walls reach 40 meters. Actually, the Khadzhokhskaya gorge is the final part of the Big Canyon of the same name, the Cossack stone located not far away can serve as a reference point for the beginning of which. The total length of the corridor cut through the rocks by the Belaya River is 500 meters, namely the gorge is 400 meters.
From the history of the gorge
A long time ago, during the Russian-Caucasian war, these places were known for fierce resistance to Russian troops. Aul Khadzhokh, whose defense was led by Shamil, did not give up for a very long time, as a result of which it was completely destroyed.
In 1862, in its place, on the right bank of the canyon, a Cossack defensive post first appeared, and in 1864 Cossacks from the Orenburg army and the Stavropol province founded the village of Kamennomostskaya here. New houses were built, since the Cossacks were forbidden to occupy the undestroyed Circassian huts. Gradually, from 1873 to 1914, the village grew and received the status of a village.
Pearl of Adygea
Now it is an urban-type settlement, on the southern edge of which there is the world-famous difelea, which is famous for its extraordinary magical beauty and powerful energy. Every guest of the republic is certainly brought here. And the way tothis tale lies only through the village of Kamennomostsky (Adygea).
The Gorge is a real miracle of nature. And this is true, because, according to eyewitnesses, in this place a person enters a state of light trance, and he is visited by thoughts and feelings never experienced before. Since 1979, the gorge has been a natural monument of local importance. During floods (and the water sometimes rises to 20 meters), it is impossible to be in these places because of the roar of the rushing stream.
Legends of the Gorge
These beautiful places are steeped in history. So, in the place where the canyon once diverged into two branches, on a rocky ledge there is a round platform, which is called "Aminovskaya". The legend tells about the cruel morals of the abreks - the governor of Shamil, Muhammad Amin (or Emin), threw the guilty fighters from this site into the abyss. But there were times when they swam out, and then they were given life. And in Soviet times, when there were no such strict prohibitions and fences, local boys earned (a ruble from each tourist) by jumping into the water from a bridge that nature designed, washing out the unnecessary from the rock. The bridge was pedestrian for a long time, and its remains are visible to this day. The Khadzhokh gorge has many miraculous stone figures and bas-reliefs, each of which has its own name and legend.
The uniqueness of the canyon
All together - fabulous beauty, enchanting energy, history and legends about the wild customs of the highlanders, about the exploits of local residents during the Second World War and about the three-headed dragon who once lived herethat attract tourists from many countries. The peculiarity of this place lies also in the fact that at the entrance to it the gorge is not visible - all the beauty is below. You can admire it from special viewing platforms located along the edge of the cliff.
Given the popularity of route number 30, the gorge is equipped with transitions, decorated with living corners. There are three of them throughout the gorge - two with bears, Masha and Timofey, one with waterfowl.
Tourist capital of Adygea
The village of Kamennomostsky, located in the Maykop region of Adygea in the foothills of the Caucasus, is located at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level. Its population is approaching 9 thousand. The village is fully equipped, it has all the necessary infrastructure, a good highway, which can be reached from Maykop by bus, and modern cottages. Khadzhokh is beautiful in all seasons, even in winter it is full of extraordinary charm. At its southern end, in front of the entrance to the defile, there is a stele with the inscription "Khadzhokh gorge". The photo attached below shows the entrance to the fairy tale created by nature. This settlement is considered both a tourist center and a resort.
The specifics of these places
Located in a valley, surrounded by mountain ranges covered with mixed forests, providing healing air, filled with the smell of pine needles and alpine meadows, the village has a mild climate, and there are never any mosquitoes or midges.
Charmforests, sometimes dense, full of mushrooms, nuts and various berries, and crystal water, originating on mountain glaciers, are added to the garden village. The gentle slopes of the gorge are covered with thickets of barberry, turning them red during the ripening period of the berries, which adds an inexpressible charm to the landscape.
The village of Kamennomostsky is located in an amazing, unique place. The sights in the immediate vicinity are impressive - waterfalls and caves, dolmens (ancient burial and religious buildings built of large stones) and canyons, alpine meadows and the Cossack stone - the beauties that numerous photographs tell about.
Uncount all the beauties
All Rufabgo waterfalls are beautiful, especially the "Bowl of Love", which has its own legend. It should be noted that for the entrance to the "fairy tale" you must pay a certain amount. But there is a charming Mishoko gorge not far from the highway.
Entrance to it is easily accessible to people who do not have the skills and dexterity of inveterate tourists. And, most importantly, you can enjoy the beauties for free.
The Lago-Naki Plateau (Lagonaki Highland, 2200 meters above sea level), which is famous for its alpine meadows, and St. Michael the Athos Monastery, surrounded by amazing gardens, deserve special mention. Mount Fiziabgo itself is cut through with passages and caves, in which the monks created a library and icon-painting workshops. All this makes it possible for specialists to compare Fiziabgo with the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
On the mountain there arethe remains of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a beautiful observation deck at the top, from which visitors admire the views of the surrounding mountains, fonts and springs with healing water. The Khadzhokh gorge is full of attractions, of which I would also like to mention the Sakhrai waterfalls, the Ammonite Valley, the ancient Dakhovsky bridge, the Labyrinth rock complex, which is located near the Gorny he alth-improving children's camp. In the village itself, there is a beautiful wooden church of Demetrius of Thessalonica.
The canyon is winding, and around every turn, tourists are waiting for new unique beauties that are best seen with their own eyes. The well-equipped tourist center "Gornaya", which is more than 60 years old, is at the service of travelers. From here and from the village of Kamennomostsky there are routes to Mount Fisht and to the Guam Gorge.
