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RussiaDescription and Is It Worth Visiting
Lake of Love is a picturesque mountain lake on the Revunok River, located within the Teberda Nature Reserve. It is one of the main attractions for tourists in Arkhyz, although to be fair, it's not very crowded because the route is a hike and quite long.
The lake gained its popularity due to its heart-like shape. You can see this resemblance only from a specific point — from above. But even without that view, the lake and the scenery along the way are mesmerizing: emerald water framed by rocky shores and alpine meadows creates a stunning picture.
Where to See the Heart Shape: the heart shape can be seen when looking at the lake from above. There's a spot near the lake that offers the best angle. To get there, you don't need to look for complex paths: a clearly visible trail leads up from the main lake. The climb takes about 20–30 minutes. The exact location of this spot is on our map. It also offers a great view of the valley. Be sure to factor this time into your route if you want to take the most spectacular photo.
The route to Lake of Love is a classic one-day trek, accessible to most tourists without special training. However, it requires endurance: the total round-trip distance is about 15 kilometers, with an elevation gain of over 900 meters (from the village center at 1440 m to the lake at 2350 m). Plan for a full day for the hike. The trail is well-trodden and clearly visible, but be prepared for long climbs. In return, you'll get not only a beautiful lake but also magnificent views of the Arkhyz valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. By the way, even in mid-August, you can see snow on the nearby slopes — this gives the landscape a special alpine atmosphere.
Along this route, you can also visit the Cossack Waterfall (located almost at the beginning of the trail) and another beautiful lake, Belkau-Köl (located further on, rarely visited by tourists). All of these can be visited in one day, but we suggest doing the Cossack Waterfall last, if you have enough energy, time, and emotions left after the lakes.
How to Visit and Route Description
Lake of Love is easy to visit independently. Basic navigation skills are needed, but if you're unsure, you can hire a guide in Arkhyz or simply join other tourists heading to the lake. The route to the lake starts at the official checkpoint of the Teberda Nature Reserve. It is located beyond the bridge over the Arkhyz River on Khubieva Street, right at the beginning of the trail to the Cossack Waterfall (Checkpoint on the map).
How to Go from the Checkpoint:
- After passing the checkpoint, you walk along a wide dirt road next to the river.
- After about 1.5–2 kilometers, the road leads to a fork: the path to the Cossack Waterfall goes right, while the main trail leading up to Lake of Love goes straight.
- Look for a gazebo and an information board from the reserve.
- Then the elevation gain begins. The trail winds through the forest, crosses several streams, and after about 4–5 kilometers, you'll reach the forest line. From there, the first panoramic views open up, and the lake is not far away.
This might sound confusing and hard to remember, so the most reliable option is to use maps on your smartphone. The best apps for this are Organic Maps, Maps.me, and their analogs. They have trails for this and other routes (not available on Yandex or Google Maps), work offline without internet, and determine your location using cell towers and satellites. Install these apps, download the points from our Arkhyz map, and hit the trail. Also, look for tourist marks (paint on trees and rocks), and if all else fails, you can always ask other tourists for directions. Although not a mass tourist spot, it's quite active during the season, so getting lost is unlikely.
Lake Belkau-Köl: if you have energy and time left after visiting Lake of Love, be sure to go to the neighboring lake, Belkau-Köl. It is equally picturesque, but unlike its "heart-shaped" neighbor, it remains much more secluded and is rarely visited by tourists. The route to it goes downhill, with an elevation change of about 200 meters, and the one-way distance is about 2.5 kilometers. The trail is clear and gentle, without steep sections, so it's an easy walk. Coming back, you'll have to go uphill, of course. The round trip from Lake of Love will take about 2–3 hours, but you can do it faster if time is tight. Important: there is no loop trail; you must return the same way via Lake of Love. All trails are clearly visible on Organic Maps.
Our Video: The Route to Lake of Love Firsthand
Now see what it looks like in action. In this video, we walked the entire route from the checkpoint to the lake and back — so you can assess the trail, elevation changes, trail conditions, and the beauty of the views in real time. If you still have questions after reading, the video will provide clear answers.
Tips for Visiting and What to Bring
The success of a hike to Lake of Love largely depends on proper preparation. Here's a basic list of what to bring to make your outing a pleasant memory.
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Clothing and Gear
Mountain weather changes quickly: it can be hot at the start and cool and windy at the lake. The best option is to dress in layers. Be sure to bring:
- Hiking footwear: sneakers with a rigid sole or lightweight hiking boots. The trail is rocky and slippery in places; good traction is key for safety.
- A waterproof jacket (windbreaker) or at least a rain poncho: in case of rain or strong wind.
- A hat and sunglasses: above the tree line, the sun is very intense, and you can easily get sunburned.
- Trekking poles: not mandatory, but highly recommended. They reduce stress on your knees, especially on the descent, and help with balance.
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Water and Food
There are a few springs along the route where you can replenish your water supply at your own risk, as water purity is not guaranteed. To be safe, bring 1–1.5 liters per person. Be sure to pack a snack: sandwiches, nuts, energy bars, fruit.
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Swimming in the Lake
The water in Lake of Love is freezing even in midsummer — temperatures rarely rise above 5–7 degrees Celsius. If you decide to take a dip, be prepared for a very bracing plunge. Many people limit themselves to a quick dip just to say they swam in a mountain lake. The water is not suitable for prolonged swimming. After swimming, immediately change into dry clothes to avoid getting chilled.
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Caution, Ticks!
Ticks are found in forested areas, but their activity in the mountains of Karachay-Cherkessia is significantly lower than in central Russia, and they are rarely carriers of dangerous diseases. Nevertheless, at altitudes up to 1500–1800 meters, there is a chance of encountering them. Therefore:
- Periodically check yourself and your companions during breaks.
- Be sure to do a full body check upon returning home.
- Use repellents, especially if you plan to stop in grassy areas.
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Be Responsible Tourists!
Remember that you are in a nature reserve. Do not leave trash, make fires, or pick plants. If you see blueberries, you can enjoy a few berries, but don't pick them in large quantities. The same goes for fireweed and other wild plants. Arkhyz's nature is unique, and our job is to preserve it for future generations. We recommend watching our video on trail etiquette: 📷 Trail Etiquette – 9 Rules of Conduct.
🕐 Working Hours
The reserve checkpoint on this route operates from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If you plan to visit both lakes and the Cossack Waterfall, you need to start as early as possible. The ideal starting time is 8 AM (in summer, it gets light very early, so you can even start earlier). At this pace, you can cover all the locations leisurely, with stops for rest and lunch, and return to the village before dark.
The best season to visit is from May to September, when the trails are free of snow. In July and August, you can find plenty of blueberries on the slopes. In winter, the route may be closed; check trail conditions on the reserve's website (you need the Cossack Waterfall route).
💵 Entrance Fee / Ticket Price
Entry to the route via the checkpoint costs 200 rubles. Preschool and school-age children, senior citizens, and other eligible categories enter for free (be sure to bring documents confirming your eligibility).
🚶 How to Get There
You can only reach Lake of Love on foot or by horse (such excursions are available); you cannot drive up to it at all. The lake is located 7.5 kilometers from the center of the village of Arkhyz (lake on the map). Lake Belkau-Köl is about 2.5 kilometers beyond it (lake on the map). You can reach the starting point of the route (the checkpoint) in several ways:
- On foot from the center of Arkhyz: A walk from the main square of the village to the reserve checkpoint takes about 30–40 minutes, approximately 2.5–3 km (Checkpoint on the map). This is a good warm-up before the main climb.
- By taxi or ride-sharing: If you're staying in remote areas of Arkhyz (e.g., in Romantik or Nizhny Arkhyz), you can take a taxi to the bridge on Khubieva Street. The cost of a ride within the village is usually 200–300 rubles.
- By personal car: You can leave your car at a small unofficial parking lot before the bridge or at the checkpoint. However, the road to the checkpoint is unpaved and can be washed out in the rain; in that case, you should leave your car before the bridge on the asphalt, for example, near the market.
The route from the checkpoint to the lake is on foot, 7.5 km one way. For a detailed trail description, see the "How to Visit and Route Description" section above.
If you want to reach the lake from other regions, read our guide: How to Get to Arkhyz and What to Use.
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: