Mount Akhun with an observation tower — the highest point of the Sochi coast with magnificent views of the sea and mountain ranges. Why is it better to go to Mount Akhun with a tour than on your own? Is it worth it to climb the tower and where else to take panoramic photos? The history of the Akhun tower and the abandoned restaurant.

How to get to Mount Akhun

Mount Akhun is located in the Khostinsky district of Greater Sochi, about 20 km from the center of Sochi. The Big Akhun mountain range stretches for 5 kilometers between the valleys of the Khosta and Matsesta rivers. Mount Akhun is clearly visible from many points on the coast, but getting here is not as easy as it seems.

Public transport does not go to the top of Mount Akhun. Bus number 2 reaches Maly Akhun, from where it is 8 km to climb on foot along a winding road without roadsides.

The second option is how you can independently get to Mount Akhun & # 8212; trekking in the national park. You can start the hike from Staraya Matsesta and Eagle Rocks (easier) or from the «Sputnik» and Agur waterfalls.

Both hiking routes are designed for several hours and require good physical condition. Return back also along the paths through the forest or go down the track. Hiking with an experienced guide.

Eagle Rocks, Mount Akhun and Agur waterfalls An inspiring hike to three bright places in Greater Sochi

You can come to Mount Akhun by taxi or your car. Parking upstairs is free and large. The road from Sochi or Adler without traffic jams takes 30-40 minutes. A round-trip taxi is more expensive than an excursion.

Rent a car in Sochi

Considering the difficulty of the hiking route, mountain serpentine and the cost of a taxi, it is best to go to Mount Akhun with an excursion, which we did.

Excursions to Mount Akhun

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Group tour from Sochi to Mount Akhun and Stalin's Dacha To be impressed by the view from the observation tower and see the interiors in which the Father of Nations rested and worked < p>Excursion to Mount Akhun — one of the most popular excursions in Sochi. We went on a group tour to Mount Akhun and Agur waterfalls, which began in the afternoon. You can combine a visit to Mount Akhun with Stalin's dacha — all these places are nearby.

Aleksey about the excursion from Sochi to Mount Akhun and Stalin's Dacha:

A rather extensive story on the way to Mount Akhun about the city of Sochi, the mountain itself and the tower, as well as the road leading to them and the Ferris wheel, are impressive. Stalin's dacha is amazing, done soundly and for centuries. Not for nothing at the moment there are administrative buildings. I recommend it.

Individual excursions to Mount Akhun offer various routes. For example, on the excursion Fabulous Surroundings of Sochi and Matsesta, you will visit the Eagle Rocks, Dagomys troughs, Solokhaul Park and the Akhun Tower.

Fabulous surroundings of Sochi and Matsesta Eagle rocks, Dagomys troughs, Solokhaul park and Akhun tower on a car tour

All excursions with a visit to Mount Akhun

Entrance tickets to the national park are paid separately: 200 rubles — adults, children under 10 free.

When is the best time to go to Mount Akhun

People go to Mount Akhun for panoramic views, so the main thing is that the weather is clear on the day of your trip. If the sky is covered with clouds, then you won't be able to see anything from above.

It is also better to go to Mount Akhun in the late afternoon. Sunset from Akhun tower or Ferris wheel — impressive sight. Knowing this, most of the excursion routes end on Mount Akhun.

Akhun Tower

Tower on Mount Akhun — Sochi's iconic landmark, where every tourist dreams of visiting at least once. Despite its medieval appearance, it was built less than 100 years ago.

The Akhun Tower appeared thanks to the order of Joseph Stalin, who liked the views from Mount Akhun so much that he ordered to build an observation tower on its top and lay it road.

The Akhun tower was erected in 1935-36 according to the project of the architect S. I. Vorobyov, and the road was laid in just 100 days. The tower made of white limestone organically fit into the surrounding landscape. In appearance, it looks like a small fortress in the Romanesque style. The height of the Akhun tower — 30.5 meters, the view is not obstructed by the crowns of trees.

A ticket to the observation tower on Mount Akhun — 200 rubles, cash desk to the left of the entrance. We arrived at the end of April, in the late afternoon, there was no queue.

To the observation deck you need to climb the internal stairs (there is no elevator). On a clear day, visibility from above reaches a radius of 70 km, you can see almost all areas of Greater Sochi and even the Turkish coast. On the other side, landscapes open up with emerald valleys and snow-capped peaks of the Caucasian Range.

On the way from the parking lot to the Akhun tower, there are stalls with souvenirs and food. We took a snack with us, but you could buy it on the spot — prices are normal. They sell barbecue, shawarma, pies, corn, sweets.

A visiting card of Sochi Agur waterfalls, Eagle rocks and magnificent panoramas from a bird's eye view

There is no time for dinner on Mount Akhun with a group tour. On the way back, we were taken to a winery for a tasting, where they also sold cheese and honey.

Park «PIK 701» and Ferris wheel

At the same height as the Akhun tower (663 meters) is an amusement park & ​​# 171; PIK 701 & # 187; which includes:

Santa Claus Village (Summer Residence)Ferris WheelHusky ParkTasting HouseRope ParkTrampoline and PlaygroundFast Food CafeGuest House

“Visiting the Huskies” – an ethno center on the top of Mount Akhun Get to know northern sled dogs, recharge your emotions from trekking and enjoy the panorama of Sochi

Most of the objects are intended for children, but there is also a universal attraction — Ferris wheel. On the way to Mount Akhun, the guide said that you can climb the tower or take a ride on the Ferris wheel — types are the same. We decided that buying 2 tickets did not make sense and chose the wheel, which we did not regret.

Ferris wheel on Mount Akhun was built for the 2014 Olympics. This is the highest viewpoint in Sochi — 701 meters above sea level. Wheel diameter — 38 meters, time of 1 revolution — 9 minutes. The wheel operates all year round, but is stopped by any type of precipitation.

Ticket price: adult — 350 rubles, children (5-12 years old) — 250 RUB

Number of seats in the cabin — 6 people, we were two. One turn of the wheel is enough to enjoy the views and take pictures. We went upstairs as the sun was already setting. In addition to breathtaking 360-degree panoramas, we saw the Akhun tower from a new angle.

Compared to the observation deck on the Akhun tower, where you have to climb the stairs and wait your turn to take a picture, no one bothers you on the Ferris wheel . The minus can only be for those who are afraid of heights (cabins are open).

Abandoned restaurant «Akhun»

600 meters from the Ferris wheel and 900 — from the Akhun tower there is an abandoned restaurant «Akhun». You can easily walk to it on foot or by car (just outside the Santa Claus village). There are no panoramic views — everything is overgrown and covered with trees, but this place attracts lovers of «abandoned» and mystics.

Abandoned Sochi: a resort that we have lost See the most spectacular ruins of the city, take unusual shots and reveal the secrets of these places

Restaurant «Akhun» with an area of ​​1000 m² was built in 1937 in a chic Empire style, with flowerpots, columns and stucco. Jazz played and variety shows danced within its walls. Among the famous guests of the restaurant were Yuri Gagarin, Broz Tito and even Stalin himself.

A year after opening, the restaurant &# 171;Akhun» burned down. They say that this happened due to the fact that it was built at an altitude of 666 meters (a fatal number). There are other legends as well. If you are interested in this topic, take a tour of abandoned places in Sochi — you will be told about everything and photographed in atmospheric interiors.

Now in the ruins of the former restaurant «Akhun» play airsoft. The building is in disrepair, the walls are covered with graffiti, you will walk there — look under your feet. Plans for the restoration of the restaurant «Akhun» No, and it's slowly falling apart. They write that the object is for sale.