Honey Falls

Honey Falls attract not only the companions of Winnie the Pooh, who was ready to do almost anything for the sake of his favorite treat, but also connoisseurs of breathtaking landscapes. Unforgettable views are formed thanks to high cliffs, mountain waterfalls, unique climate, magnificent parks. Honey Falls is a fairy-tale world and a paradise for nature lovers, where everything is real: water, trees, air and the beating of your own heart. Here reality is perceived much brighter and sharper than in a huge metropolis. You immediately forget about all problems, worries and routine affairs. Being at the Honey Falls, you feel how Life itself comes to the forefront, the pulsating energy of which pierces every cell of the body and makes you think about those fundamental philosophical questions, the answers to which mankind has been searching for since the very beginning of its existence.

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Video: Honey Falls

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General Information

Honey Falls is a group of waterfalls in the village of Krasny Kurgan, 30 kilometers from Kislovodsk, in the Malokarachayevsky District of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic of the North Caucasus Federal District of the Russian Federation. Honey waterfalls, whose name in Karachai-Balkan language sounds like “Bal Chuchkhurla”, are located on the Echki-Bash and Alikonovka rivers. The Echki-Bash River (translated from the Karachai-Balkan language as “Goat’s Head”) falls into the Alikonovka River from a height of 18 meters.

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The group of Honey waterfalls is formed by five waterfalls of different shapes and heights: Shumny (Devil’s Mill), Hidden, Pearl, Small Honey (Snake) and Big Honey. Zhemchuzhny, Chertova Mill and Hidden waterfalls are located on the Alikonovka River, which cuts through the Rocky Ridge of the North Caucasus with a deep canyon. And Maly Medovy and Bolshoy Medovy waterfalls are located on the Echki-Bash River.

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Features of Honey waterfalls

The most powerful waterfall is the Pearl Waterfall. It has a relatively small height, which is only 6 meters. But there is no need to underestimate it, because thanks to the fall from the openwork cascade, a strong stream of water raises the splashes to 10-12 meters.

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The highest waterfall is the Big Honey Falls. Its height, like the height of the Gega Falls, is 18 meters.

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The quietest and inconspicuous waterfall is the Small Medovy. It is also often called Snake. This waterfall is small in size, and its water flow does not roll quickly and swiftly from the rock, and carefully and delicately runs down the boulder, its movements something reminiscent of the mysterious and wise reptiles scaly.

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‘ Big Honey Falls
‘ Pearl Falls
‘ Small Honey Falls

Why are Honey Falls so named

Historians have not been able to figure out the exact etymology of the name. One version says that the name of the waterfalls came from the perennial herbaceous plant Honey Grass or Stevia honey.

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Many couples in love and newlyweds prefer another version: Honey Falls got its name thanks to the honeymooners who come here to spend their honeymoon. The beauty of the waterfalls so inspired and energized the married people that their love flared up with renewed vigor, and the memories of the honeymoon and into old age gave only positive emotions.

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There is another widespread version. If you believe the local legend, once upon a time long ago in the rocks near the waterfalls lived wild bees. Since they had no natural enemies, and Winnie the Pooh had not yet managed to reach these places, their nests were always full of honey. Water during floods washed away the bees’ dwellings along with the honey, making it taste sweet. This is why the waterfalls came to be called “honeyfalls.”

Today, bees near the Honey Falls can no longer be found, as severe winter frosts, which began here at one time, proved disastrous for these hard-working insects. But the name caught on, and now the natural attractions of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic at any time of the year attract the attention of many tourists, both Russian and foreign.

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When is the best time to go to the Honey Falls

The weather both in Karachay-Cherkessia and at the Honey Falls is favorable in any season. Honey Falls attract attention and give a lot of unforgettable impressions at any time of the year.

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But the environment changes so much that after seeing the picturesque scenery in summer, when the region thanks to the pleasant warmth, clean air and peaceful atmosphere created all the necessary conditions for quality rest, you want to come back here again, but already in the deep fall or winter. Especially since the water jet of waterfalls in winter time never freezes completely, and icicles on the sides and ice blocks glisten in the sun and shimmer with blue and azure shades. Winters in Red Barrow are not too cold, so you can walk outdoors for hours on end and not freeze at all!

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Winter Honey Falls will definitely appeal to visualists and people with a well-developed sense of aesthetics. Fans of snowy tales should go on a trip in January, because it is in this winter month that a stable snow cover is formed. But in the fall and spring Honey Falls should be visited by photographers who are in search of original scenery created by nature itself, romantic natures and families with small children. And it is also in the spring and fall period that the water flows have maximum power and strength.

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What to see in the neighborhood

In addition to waterfalls, the surrounding area is full of steep cliffs with paths between them, compact but very cozy grottoes, dolomite caves and river rapids. The picturesqueness of all these natural attractions strikes the imagination and causes great excitement not only for novice tourists, but also for experienced travelers.

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Next to the Big Honey Falls is a bridge, from which opens a wonderful and mesmerizing panorama with its marvelous beauty. A massive cliff, located 7 kilometers from the Honey Falls above the gorge, resembles the prow of a large ship. This cliff, named the Castle of Guile and Love, is a kind of pointer to Mount Elbrus, the panorama of the Caucasus Mountains and the valley lying at their feet.

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‘ The Castle of Treachery and Love, but also with its ethnographic museum and zoo. In the museum you can learn a lot of useful information about the identity, mores and daily life of the Circassian people. You don’t have to pay anything for the entrance to the ethnographic museum, as it is free of charge. And on the second floor you can not only have a delicious snack and quench your thirst, but also admire the Big Honey Falls.

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The local contact zoo will delight children and animal lovers. The zoo is home to Maine lokhtans with four horns, Karachai sheep, mountain goats and horses. You can feed the animals by buying food for them for a nominal fee.

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Connoisseurs of quality tea should look at the Tea House at the Honey Falls. There are not only the best varieties of high mountain tea, but also very tasty jam made from lilacs, spruce cones, ginger and other unusual ingredients.

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Where to stay

The tourist base of the same name with a Russian wood-fired sauna and cozy cabins is located in close proximity to the Honey Falls, so tourists always have a place to rest from the road, spend the night and have a snack. Access to the sights is open around the clock, and at night the waterfalls change their appearance, become more mysterious and mysterious, especially when there is a full moon in the sky.

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The territory of the base “Honey Falls” is divided into sleeping and picnic areas, so visitors do not interfere with each other. In the restaurant “Eagle’s Nest” with a banquet hall is regularly held wedding celebrations, tourists more often prefer the cafe located on the territory of the base with local cuisine.

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How to get there

Getting to the Honey Falls is relatively easy, as the attraction has a convenient location. You can get to the Red Mound by road from Kislovodsk by your own car or a tour bus. From Kislovodsk to the Honey Falls, bus excursions depart every day.

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This option is convenient because you do not need to constantly monitor the winding roads, afraid to miss the right turn. Comfortable bus will definitely take you to your destination, and on the road will not be bored, because the guide will tell you in detail about the facts and legends associated with the Honey Falls.

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From Kislovodsk by car to get to the Honey Falls can be as follows: from Victory Avenue, heading north, first enter the highway A-157, and then follow in a westerly direction. The landmarks are the village of Mirny and the village of Krasny Kurgan. Once you reach Krasny Kurgan, you should get to Botashev Street, which behind the village joins the only road leading directly to the Honey Falls.

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