Tumanli-Kel Lake and Gonachkhir gorge tourist route in Dombay

What to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting

Tumanli-Kel Lake and Gonachkhir gorge tourist route - this is the easiest tourist route from Dombay and Teberda on Teberdinsky nature reserve which leads to the Mountain Lake Tumanly-Kel. The fact is that the whole route can be done by car. A good asphalt road leads to the lake along the military-Sukhumi road, which can be easily overcome by any transport. The path passes through the gorge of the Gonachkhir River, where you will have beautiful views of the mountains and valleys, also in one place you can drive off the asphalt to the place of rest.

The route ends near Lake Tumanli-Kel at an altitude of 1,850 meters, and although the road goes further, it cannot be passed, since it is a border area with Abkhazia. Near the lake there are tables and benches for recreation, picnic areas, barbecues for general use, but keep in mind that fires outside the barbecues in the Reserve can not be bred. The lake is quite large: length-275 meters, width-120 meters, depth up to 23 meters. You can swim in it, but the water is very cool, because it feeds on the waters of melting glaciers.

In general, it cannot be said that this is the most beautiful route and the most picturesque lake, but rather a picturesque place to relax in nature. But if you could not see Turye or Baduk Lake and go through other hiking trails, then you can go here.

By the way, the modern military-Sukhumi road runs along a historical road that was of strategic importance in the Middle Ages. It was part of the "Turkish trail" and was an important military and trade route since the VIII century, and possibly earlier. Local guides say that it was even part of the Great Silk Road, but there is no confirmation of this. Today, the road does lead to Abkhazia and Sukhum, but the paved part ends a little further after the lake.