Sochi National Park

Image of Sochi National Park

Location: Western Caucasus Map

Area: 1937 km2 (478,730 acres)

Tel. (8622) 64 52 37

E-mail: forest_sochi@pochta.ru

Official site

 

Description

Sochi National Park (Сочинский национальный парк) is Russia's second largest National Park. Located in the Western Caucasus, it is part of the Western Caucasus World Heritage Site. Sochi National Park contains 28 well marked trails and tourist excursions. Backcountry camping is also possible, however due to numerous dangerous animals like bears, wolves, boars and even leopards, it might be a risky thing. But then again it is possibly the only way to find a local zubr or European buffalo that moved here from the Belorussian forests in an attempt to repopulate these forests. The region is full of history and ruins. Some date to the time of the Greek colonists who were looking for the Gold Fleece or simply wanted to make a living. Other belonged to the Byzantine Empire. It would be hard to count and name of the castles, towers, and settlements since many remain nameless. Ancient legends claimed that these mountains served as a prison for legendary Prometheus. According a legend he was a titan, who stole fire from gods of Olympus and gave it to the mortal men. Gods punished him by chaining to the Caucasian mountains. An eagle came here ever day to eat his liver. During the night Prometheus regenerated his body organ and the next morning the punishment continued.

 

History

Sochi National Park was established on May 5, 1983, by Resolution No. 214 of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR. It was one of the first national parks in the USSR and Russia, created to protect unique ecosystems from anthropogenic impacts, including deforestation and urbanization. In 2013, the park's territory was expanded by Russian Government Resolution No. 534: lands of the Tuapse Forestry and part of the Sochi State Nature Reserve were added, increasing its area from 193,737 hectares to its current size.
Since 2009, the U.A. Semenov Caucasus Leopard Recovery Center has been operating in the park, implementing a reintroduction program for the Persian leopard. By 2023, 28 cubs had been born here, and 15 individuals had been released into the wild—the first successful attempt in Russia. The park also includes historical sites such as ancient dolmens and fortresses, highlighting its role in preserving cultural heritage.

 

Geography

The park is located in the northwest of the Greater Caucasus, from the mouths of the Shepsi and Magri rivers (bordering the Tuapse region) in the northwest to the border with Abkhazia in the southeast, and from the Black Sea to the watershed line of the Main Caucasus Range. The coordinates of the park's center are 43°35′00″ N, 39°47′00″ E. Most of the territory (94.1%) is covered by mountain forests, with elevations ranging from sea level to 2980 m (Cherny Peak in the Turi Mountains).
About 40 rivers and streams flow through the park (the longest is the Mzymta, 89 km), forming canyons, waterfalls (more than 103), and lakes. The climate is subtropical and humid: warm summers (average temperature +24°C), mild winters (+5°C), and abundant precipitation (up to 3,000 mm per year in the mountains). The park is divided into 16 forestry units, including Adler, Krasnopolyanskoye, and Lazarevskoye. Ecosystems range from coastal subtropics to alpine meadows.

 

Flora and Fauna

The park's biodiversity is enormous: the native flora comprises over 2,200 plant species, of which 30% are relics, 20% are endemic, and more than 20% are listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. Rare species include Colchis boxwood, common yew, Wittmann's peony, Caucasian erythronium, and Voronov's snowdrop. The forests are predominantly Colchis (oak, beech, chestnut, boxwood), with subtropical elements (magnolias, palms). The Arboretum Park boasts a collection of 1,800 plant species from five continents.
The fauna includes more than 80 mammal species, 248 birds, 20 reptiles, 11 amphibians, and numerous invertebrates. Rare species include the Persian leopard, Caucasian bison, golden eagle, black vulture, Caucasian otter, and stag beetle. Many (about 20%) are listed in the Red Book: Kaznakov's viper, peregrine falcon, and white-tailed eagle. The park is home to chamois, deer, bears, and a variety of birds. The rivers are home to brown trout and shemaya.

 

Attractions

Byzantine Church (10th- 12th century)

Location: South of village Loo Map

This medieval Byzantine Church is located just South of village of Loo. It was originally found in the 8th century. It was badly damaged during an earthquake and subsequently rebuild in the 10th century. Later it was converted into a fortress by the local tribes in the Late Middle Ages, when the Byzantine power started to wane and they abandoned these lands.

 

Achun Tower (Башня Ахун)

Achun Tower stands on top of the Achun mountain that is situated about 3 km (2 mi) from the sea coast at elevation of 662 meters above sea level. The name came either from a local Abchaz word "ach" and means "hill" or it might be given after Achin, god of shepherds and hunters. The tower was designed by S.I. Vorobiev and constructed in 1936 as a medieval stronghold near ruins of a Byzantine church. It took only 108 days to erect this structure that reached a total height of 30 meters. Some say that in a good weather you can see the shores of Turkey.

 

Volkonsky Dolmen (Волконский дольмен)

Volkonsky Dolmen is situate along Lazarevskoe- Sochi highway just 2 km from a village of Soloniki and about 1 km from a Black Sea. This magnificent structure was carved from a single boulder. Inner chamber measures 1.65 mmeters by 1.90 meters by 0.90 meters. The entrance is a hole with a diameter of 0.45 meters and points in the South Eastern direction. It was made by ancient people 3000 years ago. This monolith is situated near a sulfur spring so the smell might be somewhat unpleasant.

 

Orekhovsky Waterfall

Image of Sochi National Park

Orekhovsky Waterfall is one of the most picturesque geological formations in the Sochi National Park. It flows near a small village of Nizhnaya Orekhovka and reached an elevation of 27 meters. It is particularly strong in the late spring months when melting water causes the river to swell.

 

Current status and significance

Today, the park is a federal state budgetary institution (the Sochi National Park Federal State Budgetary Institution), subordinate to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation. In 2024, it was visited by 2.79 million tourists, making it the second-most visited park in Russia. Ecosystem monitoring and scientific research are actively conducted (the 2016–2020 plan focused on biodiversity and plant collections). Visitor regulations: entrance fees (starting from 200 rubles) are required; dogs are prohibited, as are fires outside designated areas and plant collection.
The park plays a key role in Sochi's ecotourism, contributing to the region's economy. Current events include photo exhibitions ("Four Seasons of Beauty"), concerts at the Nadezhda Villa, lectures, and fauna quizzes. Official website: npsochi.ru, where you can find maps, prices, and news. I recommend visiting in spring or fall to avoid peak heat and crowds.