GORIACHY KLYUCH

Goriachy Klyuch lies in 60 km shortly southeast of Krasnodar City, at the federal highway of Krasnodar — Dzhubga. The city is located at a height of 72 meters above sea level; in a large forest Valley of Psekups River.

The vicinities of the Goriachy Klyuch are quite picturesque. There are many beautiful corners in the foothill part of the resort including the chapel of Iverskaya Birth-Giver of God, Dantovo gorge, Abadzekhskaya Mountain, Petushok rock, Psekups River, Zvonkaya cave, the drinking pump room, Fanagoriyskaya stalactite cave, the falls on Kaverze River, Bogatyrskie caves and much more.

1. DANTOVO GORGE — SPASENIA ROCK — GORIACHY KLYUCH CITY

Duration — 1.5 hours.

The route is easily accessible and participation of lightly prepared groups of tourists is possible.

The gorge of Dantovo received its name because of similarity with a road to hell, described by a great poet in «The Divine Comedy». The beams of the sun never inside this place. High on the rock it is possible to see a bas-relief of Dante, which was skillfully carved out by an unknown artist. The track is marked, so it is possible to pass it independently, having a booklet with description of the route, or in a small guided group.

Foot route, extent — 2 km.

2. SPASENIA ROCK

Petushok rock (also known as Spasenia rock) is one of the most famous and accessible excursion objects in the vicinities of Goriachy Klyuch. The cock's comb of the rock is quite visible from the highway of Krasnodar — Dzhubga. The height of the rock is 27 m, so from its top, one can enjoy a magnificent panorama of a quiet smooth surface of Psekups River, woody northeast spurs of Pshaf ridge. There are wire handrails and the self-made steps, leading along the crest downwards. On the left hand side there is a hollow — Zvonkaya cave, called so because of possessing a surprising physical quality: a person while being inside is able to hear the people talk on the other bank.

3. BOLSHAYA FANAGORIYSKAYA (PSEKUPSKAYA) CAVE

This cave lies in 12-13 km to the southwest of Fanagoriyskaya village on right bank of Ayuk River, one of the left tributaries of Psekups River.

Fanagoriyskaya cave is known from the written sources since 1,666.

Its extent, according to the latest data available, makes 1,442 m, and its area makes 2,064 square m. A little brook, being 10-30 cm deep, is flowing at the bottom of the narrow cave.

4. BOGATYRSKIE CAVES

These are two artificial little caves, dug out in the pliable sandstone. Who and when did it is still an unsolved puzzle, but, most likely, it used to be a tomb.