What Could Be Better Than Mountains? Only Mountains Near Sochi! They give the famous resort on the Black Sea, with its warm subtropical climate and breathtaking panoramic views from many mountain peaks, a unique atmosphere and add diversity to the traditional beach vacation. Here, the mountains almost touch the shoreline, creating magnificent and inspiring landscapes.

In Sochi's mountainous region, there are mountains of varying heights, making this area ideal for mountaineering and hiking for both experienced tourists and beginners. There are many different routes of varying duration and difficulty, and you can even find mountain ridges that are easy to climb with children.

Bald Mountain (140 m)

On the slopes of Bald Mountain, you will find picturesque landscapes and a dendrological park. The name of the mountain is quite understandable — before the revolution, the forest here was cut down to build the Vereshchagin dachas. The route is suitable for tourists with basic skills and appropriate gear.

Coordinates: 43.34424, 39.442752

Battery Hill (146 m)

This is the highest point in the historic center of Sochi. In 1838, during the height of the Caucasian War, an artillery battery was installed on this elevation to protect the Alexandria Fort (now the site of the Archangel Michael Cathedral) from the mountaineers. That’s where the name comes from. After the war, the area gradually began to be developed with houses and other buildings. In 1978, a viewing tower called "Rose of the Winds" with an open observation deck was built on the mountain.

Coordinates: 43.583994, 39.732336

Bykhta (300 m)

This mountain is associated with a legend about a creature named Bykhta, which in the Ubykh language means "Goddess." In the 20th century, a residential area began to be built on its slopes, which is still considered one of the most peaceful in Sochi. Excavations are periodically carried out here, and recently archaeologists discovered the ruins of a Byzantine temple.

Coordinates: 43.560283, 39.781056

Pikiet (626 m)

On the slopes of Pikiet, there is a descent to the river and the famous Zmeykovsky Waterfalls. To climb to the top, no special skills or knowledge are required. This walk is accessible to everyone, beneficial for health, and offers stunning views.

Coordinates: 43.643519, 39.788494

Big Akhun (663 m)

This mountain is very famous for its beautiful landscapes, accessible height, and developed infrastructure. Its peak rises 663 meters above sea level. It is named after the indigenous people who inhabited these lands in ancient times. In summer, it is recommended to visit Big Akhun in the evening to enjoy the sunset view. You can reach the foothill by bus number 2, stopping at "Mikrorayon Maly Akhun." A good landmark is the tower located at the summit, with many cafes and a Ferris wheel along the way.

Coordinates: 43.550378, 39.843506

Sugar Mountain (1550 m)

Sugar Mountain, located 15 km from the village of Orekhovka, is popular among nature lovers despite its limited infrastructure. The route is not difficult, the trail is well-worn, and it is suitable for beginner travelers. However, beginners are advised to go with an instructor. The trail passes through dense mountain forests, where bears and other large wild animals live, so caution is advised. The hike takes two days: the first day is for the ascent, and the second day is for the descent. It is not recommended to climb in the winter months due to high avalanche risk. The optimal time is from May to November.

Coordinates: 43.758100, 39.847558

Ault (1855 m)

Far from settlements, Ault rises as one of the main tourist attractions. In the summer, livestock is grazed here. The ascent is possible only from one side, as the other three sides are sheer cliffs. From the summit, you get a magnificent view of the sea and the Sochi port. You can reach the mountain from Lazarevskoye.

Coordinates: 43.935278, 39.679444

Amuko (1990 m)

The mountain is surrounded by mountain rivers and lush vegetation. From the summit, there are views of the Black Sea coastline during the day and the lights of Sochi at night. To reach the mountain, you need to take bus number 102 to Orekhovka.

Coordinates: 43.781403, 39.883772

Big Chura (2250 m)

It is at this mountain, on the southern ridge of the Caucasus Mountains, that the rivers Sochi, Shakhe, and Bzych originate, each of which has contributed to the daily life of the city. An amusement park with extreme attractions is located in the village of Solokhaul, in the northwest.

Coordinates: 43.473061, 40.001029

Tabunnaya (2351 m)

Tabunnaya is one of the mountains of the Bzerpi Ridge near Krasnaya Polyana. It has gentle slopes where horses often graze. The trail is well-equipped and passes through endless alpine meadows and fir forests. The hike takes 4–8 hours. Before taking the cable car, you must purchase a ticket for entering the protected area. You can reach an altitude of 1600 meters by using the lift at the Gazprom Mountain Resort.

Coordinates: 43.415781, 40.230595

Big Tkhach (2368 m)

The rocky mountain in the foothills of the Western Caucasus is often visited during the festive May days to see the local beauty, although even at this time, snow still lies there.

Coordinates: 44.042996, 40.41862

Achisho (2390 m)

The mountain, located 10 km from Krasnaya Polyana, is very popular among climbers and rock climbers due to its nearly vertical slope. The best time for a hike is early autumn. The hike usually takes three days. You can go via the Khmelevsky lakes, which attract photographers with stunning views of dense vegetation, or through the meteorological station and the Beshenka River, where there is a healing water spring and a bathing pool. From the summit, you can enjoy vast panoramas of the Caucasus Mountains, Abkhazia, and the marine area. Sometimes, the summit may be closed for visits. In that case, a trip to the Achipsinsky Waterfalls with an overnight stay at Lake Zerkalnoe would be a great alternative, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of nature without reaching the very top. During hot weather, you can take a swim.

Coordinates: 43.434012, 40.07285

Arbaika (2310 m)

This pyramid-shaped mountain is the highest point of the plateau of the same name, which translates as "rooster's comb." Soviet geologists named the massif Arabika. The ascent is usually made along the northern slope. On a clear day, almost all the mountains of the Caucasus can be seen from here. The Arbaika massif is the largest karst formation in the region, hiding many caves, including the Verevkina and Krubera-Voronya caves, whose depth exceeds 2000 meters.

Coordinates: 43.75811, 39.84754

Rosa Peak (2320 m)

This is the main peak of the famous Rosa Khutor ski resort. It is part of the Aibga massif. From the observation platform, you can enjoy views of the snow-capped mountains. The year-round resort is equipped with excellent tourist infrastructure. There is a high-altitude restaurant, cable bridges, and mountain swings. To reach the summit, you can take three cable cars. The first ride, almost to 1200 meters, leads to the Olympic village, where athletes lived during the 2014 Olympics. You can also walk along the paved road, drive by car, taxi, or excursion bus. Climbers and hikers prefer a more challenging but interesting route through the Agura Waterfalls complex. At the top of the mountain, there is a small Romanesque-style tower built in the 1930s on Stalin’s orders, which still hasn’t been renovated. From the tower, you can enjoy a majestic panorama of the Sochi resort and distant Caucasian ridges extending to Abkhazia. After visiting the observation tower, it's worth descending into the gorge or walking to the Orly Rocks — tourist routes have been laid to them.

Stone Pillar (2509 m)

The Stone Pillar is located near Krasnaya Polyana. It is easily accessible, as the cable car station is just 1 km away.

Coordinates: 43.364896, 40.195169

Fisht (2853 m)

The mountain near the Black Sea coast attracts tourists with the opportunity to combine beach vacations with a climb, which can take up to five days. At the foot of the mountain, there is a campsite for overnight stays, where you can stay in a guesthouse or a tent.

Coordinates: 43.953761, 39.903119

Loyub (2970 m)

Climbing the rocky mountain Loyub requires good physical fitness and a special permit. At the foot of the mountain, there is the Kardyvach Lake.

Coordinates: 43.5886111, 40.6241667

Kozhevnikov Peak (3070 m)

It is located at the Aishkho Pass on the lands of the biosphere reserve, which is closed to tourists. The trekking route is relatively simple.

Coordinates: 56.25889, 83.97139

Rocky Mountain (3157 m)

The mountain rises almost in the center of the biosphere reserve. The ascent is closed to tourists due to the difficulty of the route.

Coordinates: 42.8591667, 45.2047222

Needle Peak (3168 m)

The summit, with its inaccessible rocky outcrops, is located in the closed area of the biosphere reserve. It belongs to the Pseashkho massif, whose glacier is the largest in the Krasnodar region.

Coordinates: 43°42'2"N, 40°28'16"E

Agepsta (3256 m)

This majestic mountain rises on the border between Russia and Abkhazia, so a border pass is required for ascents from the side of Krasnaya Polyana. The mountain is assigned a difficulty level of 2 "B." You need to bring special equipment to make the ascent safe and comfortable, as it can take up to four days.

Coordinates: 43.325313, 40.28557