Sofia Falls

In Arkhyz there are many natural attractions that should be visited by everyone who came to rest in the mountains. The main advantage of all mountains is waterfalls, sparkling with all the colors of the rainbow, roaring like a multi-voiced orchestra, with all the sounds of nature and the sun, air and water. Sofia waterfalls are waterfalls of glacial origin flowing from the Sofia glacier of Mount Sofia, which is a symbol of Arkhyz.

Sofia waterfalls are the largest in Arkhyz. They are called pulsating water flows in them are unstable, their peak falls on the flood period of July-August, the time of the greatest melting of snow in the mountains. Locals say that if you haven't been to Sofia Falls, you haven't seen Arkhyz.

Sofia waterfalls are considered the most beautiful waterfalls of the Caucasus, they are formed from jets of different power and height. Two-stage jets with a height of 50 to 90 meters, hitting the ground, form clouds of water dust, in which sunlight reflects. The most powerful waterfall is the one that first meets those climbing the trail. To approach it, you need to cross a mountain river. In some places, a loose glacier hangs overhead. Along the rocks on wet ledges you can approach the other waterfalls. From the waterfalls opens, as in the palm of your hand, the entire Sofia Valley. Around are splendid carpets of subalpine high grass. Sofia Falls is the source of the Sofia River, one of the five rivers that form a river called Bolshaya Zelenchuk. It is from here that water from mountain rivers feeds not only the entire flat part of Karachay-Cherkessia, but also the neighboring arid Stavropol region.

Waterfalls are streams of water that flow from the slope of the glacier, and form a chain of waterfalls. The roar of falling water can be heard in the mountains. The concession allows you to approach the flow of falling water, and in the rumble of breaking jets it is impossible to talk, gusts of chilling, splashy wind beat in the face. Here you need to be careful not to slip on wet stones. Carefully moving along the rocks, you can approach the other waterfalls.

Inexperienced tourists find it easy to climb over the lamb foreheads to the source of the waterfalls and the glacier itself, but in fact, to go along this route, certain skills and equipment are required. From the Sofia waterfalls, the entire valley of the Sofia River before its confluence into the Psysh River is very well visible, as well as the mountain ranges converging to the Arkhyz basin. The picture that opens to visitors is fascinating and makes you spend some time in reverent silence, bowing to the power and inexhaustible imagination of Mother Nature, capable of creating such impressive landscapes.