Dagomys Troughs

The Dagomys Troughs (Dagomysskie Koryta) are a cascade of natural rock pools in the bed of the Zapadny Dagomys (Western Dagomys) River in the Lazarevsky District of Sochi, Krasnodar Krai. They lie in the gorge of the Dagomys Canyon, near the villages of Altmets and Baranovka, about nine kilometres from Dagomys. The troughs are part of Sochi National Park and are reached by an ecological trail.

What to see

The troughs are hollows in the rocky riverbed that look like baths or small swimming pools. There are more than ten of them. The pools are from half a metre to three metres deep, and some are several metres long. Water spills from ledge to ledge, forming small waterfalls and chutes between the pools.

The Dagomys Troughs ecological trail, 1.8 km long, follows the river through the forest. The water in the Western Dagomys stays cold even at the height of summer, so bathing in the pools is popular on hot days.

Origin

The pools were carved by the mountain river in layers of sedimentary rock, sandstone and limestone. Over centuries the current wore away the softer parts of the rock, leaving steps and hollows in the riverbed that are now filled with water.

Legends

Unofficially the troughs are called the "Lakes of Love". According to a local legend, bathing in one of the stone baths together strengthens a relationship and brings luck in love.

How to get to the Dagomys Troughs

By car from Dagomys, take Armavirskaya, Kosmicheskaya and Gaya streets to the sign for "Koryta".

By public transport, buses and minibuses No. 145, 146, 153, 154, 155 and 156s go to the Altmets stop. From there, walk along Volkovskikh Partizan highway to the Dagomys Troughs checkpoint, where the trail starts.

Good to know

• Entry is through a national park checkpoint. According to the park, in the high season, June to September, it is open from 9:00 to 19:00, and in October from 9:00 to 17:00.
• The rocks by the water are mossy and slippery, and the bottoms of the pools have sharp edges of sandstone and limestone. Water shoes help.
• After heavy rain the river rises and going down to the troughs is unsafe.
• In July and August the trail is crowded; the start or the end of the season is quieter.