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RussiaDescription and Is It Worth Visiting
Cossack Waterfall is the closest natural attraction to Arkhyz, reached via the easiest hiking route in the Teberda Nature Reserve. Moreover, most of the way can be covered on horseback; horse rentals are offered before the entrance for 500 rubles per hour. From the center, you'll need to cover 2.5 kilometers with an elevation gain of just 180 meters, most of which is on a gentle slope through a shady forest. Only the last few hundred meters require climbing up a trail.
The waterfall itself is quite modest — a thin stream trickles down the rock face, with no pool for swimming at its base. The water isn't very clean, though it's drinkable in small amounts. The main attraction of this route is the pleasant walk through the forest, and for some, the horseback riding. You can also visit the "Sleeping Lake" along the way, which is a short detour from the main trail (there are signs). Honestly, the lake is unremarkable — just a small bog surrounded by meadows.
The trail to the waterfall is the beginning of a longer route to the picturesque mountain lakes. If you wish to continue your hike, further ahead you'll find Lake of Love and Lake Belkau-Köl — destinations worth setting aside a full day for and mustering your strength.
What to See Along the Way: Lake of Love and Lake Belkau-Köl
The trail leading to Cossack Waterfall is only the first, easiest section of a longer route. If you're up for a serious hike, continue onward. Seven kilometers from the village center, at an altitude of 2350 meters, lies Lake of Love — a picturesque body of water on the Revunok River. It gained its romantic fame due to its heart-like shape (best viewed from the high point above). The water has an emerald hue, and the lake is surrounded by cliffs and alpine meadows.
The hike to Lake of Love requires endurance: the elevation gain from the center of Arkhyz (1440 m) to the lake is over 900 meters. The round trip takes a full day, but in return, you'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the valley and mountain ranges. Even in mid-August, you can see snow on the slopes, adding an alpine charm to the landscape.
Further beyond Lake of Love lies Lake Belkau-Köl — visited by very few tourists. If you still have energy and time left, you can venture there, but most travelers limit themselves to Cossack Waterfall and Lake of Love. Read the detailed guide to these places with a map and trail description in a separate article: Lake of Love and Lake Belkau-Köl in Arkhyz.
🕐 Working Hours
Access to the trail via the reserve checkpoint is from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM; it's best to visit from May to September. In winter, the waterfall freezes over, forming ice formations, but the trail becomes slippery — be careful, and during snowy periods, access may be limited.
💵 Entrance Fee / Ticket Price
Entry to the route costs 200 rubles; preschool and school-age children, senior citizens, and other eligible categories enter for free.
🚶 How to Get There
Cossack Waterfall is located at the end of a tourist route through the Teberda Nature Reserve, 2.5 kilometers from the center of Arkhyz (waterfall on the map). The start of the route and the checkpoint are across the bridge over the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River on Khubieva Street. After the bridge, you'll need to walk another 500 meters to reach the gate and checkpoint. You cannot reach the checkpoint from Arkhyz without crossing the bridge. From the checkpoint, it's a 30-minute walk to the waterfall and 20 minutes to Sleeping Lake. If you plan to continue further to Lake of Love and Belkau-Köl, the climb from the waterfall becomes more strenuous — set aside a full day for these lakes.
Just in case, we remind you that the best way to get to know Arkhyz is through excursions. Even better if they are conducted by locals who know and love their region. You can find and book group or private tours from locals with reviews on these trusted websites: