Sochi National Park, Protected natural area in Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Sochi National Park is a protected area in southwestern Russia stretching from the Black Sea to the slopes of the Greater Caucasus. The landscape shifts between coastal forests, deep gorges with waterfalls, rivers, and mountain meadows at higher elevations.
The area was designated as Russia's first national park in 1983 to protect the ecosystems of the western Caucasus. The forests and mountains had served for centuries as refuge and passage for settlers and traders moving along the coast.
Local communities have long used the thermal springs and mineral water sources that surface in some sections of the park. Hikers often follow traces of old trade routes that passed through the forested valleys and connected villages.
The park has several entry points near Sochi, from which marked trails lead into different elevations. Visitors should bring sturdy footwear and weather-resistant clothing, as conditions in the mountains can change quickly.
In the higher section of the park, a breeding program for Persian leopards raises cubs that were born here starting in 2013. These were the first leopard births in five decades, with some later released into the wild.
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