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RussiaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Isichenko cave and waterfall on Kurdzhips River (Isichenko Trail, also Kurdzhips gorge) - this is one of the most famous and popular tourist routes in Mezmay. It is really very interesting, because on it you will see the six-meter waterfall, the Sandikov waterfall (dries up in summer), the cave and the Isichenko waterfall, the unnamed grotto and the crack in the rock, the "refrigerator" gap, The Palm waterfall, several unnamed waterfalls and water slides on the river, the observation deck. Isichenko cave is the culminating point of the route. A stream of water breaks out of it, which forms a powerful and full-flowing waterfall, dumping its waters from a height of about 20 meters into the Kurdzhips River. During the study of the cave in 1976, traces of the parking of an ancient man were found, but it is impossible for ordinary tourists to see them, since it is filled with water (waterfall), and you can only go into it for a couple of meters, and this is unsafe.
Technically, this is not the easiest tourist route from Mezmay, and its length depends on how far you are willing to go. But at least to Isichenko you need to go in one direction 700 meters and overcome about 80 meters of height difference. On average, it takes 3 hours to complete, and more if you decide to go further.
We strongly recommend wearing good hiking shoes or sneakers, no slippers and shoes. You can take trekking poles, but in some places they will interfere, so take care that you can put them in your backpack for a while. If you go here with young children, take a rope for insurance when passing dangerous areas.
🕐 Working hours
around the clock and all year round, it is better to visit in the summer during the daytime.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price
free.
🚶 How to get there
the route starts at the southern edge of the village of Mezmay from Zavodskaya Street (isichenko Trail on the map. In front of the entrance to the trail there is a spacious spontaneous parking (free of charge). Further along the route you can follow independently or accompanied by local guides.
From the beginning of the route, the trail will lead you along the gorge along the Kurdzhips river, sometimes very steeply rising and falling, so you have to climb grabbing stones, roots and tied ropes. In addition, the path runs along a steep cliff, and you need to be extremely careful not to slip, especially in wet weather. But the most important obstacle will be waiting for you when you reach the cave of Isichenko. A waterfall breaks out of it, a powerful stream of which will have to be overcome by Stones, holding on to the cable. After the waterfall, you can go further as you wish (for example, to the Palm waterfall or grotto, observation deck), and then go back. You can also take a circular route and get off elsewhere in the village, but it will take a few more hours of time and a lot of effort.
It is difficult to get lost here, as there are always many tourists who are ready to tell the way. You can also use offline Yandex map editor apps for navigation, such as Organic Maps, OSM and others.
See also, how to get to Mezmay here.