Caucasus Reserve

Caucasus Reserve is the largest and oldest specially protected natural area in the North Caucasus. It is located within three subjects of the Russian Federation – the Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Adygea and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic.

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Highlights

The entire territory of the reserve is divided into six divisions: Western, Northern, Southern, Khostinsky, Eastern and South-Eastern. Interestingly, two natural climatic zones with temperate and subtropical climate are combined here. This largely determines the originality of the region. The main Caucasus Range, which stretches for hundreds of kilometers from northwest to southeast, is the heart of the Caucasus Reserve. The maximum height of the mountains in the reserve is 3345 meters above sea level. This is the summit of Tsakhvoa.

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The Main Caucasus Ridge forms the basis of the relief of the Caucasus Reserve and determines the unique uniqueness of the area

There are more than 60 glaciers in the entire reserve, and there are a lot of caves here as well. Only in the Lagonak Plateau there are about 130 of them. An amazing natural architectural structure are the karst caves of the Caucasus. These underground spaces are formed by leaching of soluble rocks and can communicate with each other by long narrow passages or labyrinths.

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Rivers and lakes in the reserve make up 1.9% of the total area, they are amazingly beautiful, there are more than 120 of them. The largest lake in terms of area is Lake Silentia, which has a water surface of about 200,000 m². Lakes Huko, Goluboe, Kardyvach, Inpsi and others are no less famous.

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The rivers of the Caucasus Reserve are predominantly mountainous, swift and fast, with rapids and waterfalls. The most famous are the Shakhe, the Belaya Zakan, the Mzymta, and the Sochi.

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General information

  • Full name: Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve.
  • IUCN Category: Ia (strict nature reserve).
  • Date of foundation: May 12, 1924.
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  • Region: Krasnodar Krai, Sochi District.
  • Area: 280335.
  • Area: 280335 ha.
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  • Relief: mountainous.
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  • Climate: temperate and subtropical.
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  • Official website: http://www.kgpbz.ru/.
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  • E-mail: kgpbz@mail.ru.

History of creation

The history of the Caucasus Reserve dates back about 200 years. In 1888 was organized “Grand Ducal Kuban hunting” . Grand Dukes Peter Nikolaevich and Georgy Mikhailovich took about 80 000 dessiatinas of land on lease from the forest dachas of the Ministry of State Property and the Kuban regional army board. Henceforth only princes and their retinue had the right to hunt here.

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Initially, the bison was the main object of protection of the Caucasian Reserve, which when founded in 1924 was originally named the Caucasian Bison Reserve
Transcaucasian brown bear

Initially, the reserve was created for the purpose of bison protection, so these animals are treated here especially reverently. In the second half of the XX century, the reserve carried out targeted work to restore the number of this species, as in previous centuries it was almost completely exterminated.

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One of the largest representatives of the fauna is the Transcaucasian brown bear (Ursus arcto syriacus). Interestingly, Central Asian brown bears are three times smaller than their Far Eastern counterparts, but in strength and agility they are not inferior to them.

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The amazingly beautiful high-altitude lake Verkhny Kardyvach is located in the mountains at an altitude of 2,470 meters above sea level

The Caucasus is inseparably connected with mountains and water bodies. One of the most interesting and mysterious places in the Caucasus Reserve is Lake Verkhny Kardyvach, which can be accessed only as part of a special tour or by helicopter. It is located at an altitude of 2470 meters above sea level and at a distance of 44 km from the famous Krasnaya Polyana. From the calm and quiet waters of Lake Kardyvach, which is 470 meters below, the Mzymta River flows out in a barely noticeable stream, which quickly gathers strength and very soon rushes down with a 15-meter waterfall Emerald. The Caucasus is an amazing land of contrasts. Glaciers and severe mountain peaks are combined here with the exuberance of life and fabulous flower meadows. There are more than 30 species of orchids alone. The amazing orchid Venus’s slipper, popularly called cuckoo boots, Mary’s slipper, cockerels or Adam’s head, also grows in the Caucasus. This flower is widely cultivated. It is believed to have medicinal properties.

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Reserve regime

Ecological tourism is allowed. Routes around the reserve have been developed.

How to get there

You can get to Adler by plane or train. The aviary complex of the Caucasus Reserve is located on the Laura cordon of the Southern Department of the Reserve, near the village of Krasnaya Polyana in the Adler district of Sochi, 2 km from the federal highway. The complex works all year round, open daily from 10 to 17 hours. Travel from Adler to the village of Krasnaya Polyana by bus number 135 from the bus station Adler.

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Passes and tickets for excursion routes of the Caucasus Reserve can be purchased at its management, at the checkpoints Babuk-Aul, Lagonaki and in the departments of the reserve.

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Where to stay

You can stay in the village of Krasnaya Polyana. Overnight accommodations can be provided by local residents.