Guam Gorge in Krasnodar Territory - my review and info

I confess that I am not a fan of history, and never have been. That in school lessons, that on organized excursions, all the information flew out to me almost immediately. That is why, having traveled with groups to attractions, I once became interested in independent travel, when you can compose your own program and lay as much time as I need on it, while excluding what is potentially uninteresting to me (museums, cathedrals, historical monuments) ... And once I began to notice when I find myself in certain places, it becomes terribly interesting to me how it happened and why. As a result, when I come home, I sit and read the very story on different sites 🙂 So it was, for example, with Berlin Wall, about which we only knew that she was.

The director told us correctly Tanais Museum - travel greatly expands horizons, after which a person begins to change, whether he wants it or not. But I am already starting to move away from the topic. I just wanted to say that the Guam Gorge got me interested in the history of narrow gauge railways in this region. This is how it happens.

The content of the article

Guam gorge

The Guam Gorge, or sometimes it is also called Guamka by the name of the village of the same name, from where all the tourists start their way, is located in the Absheron District of the Krasnodar Territory. Its length is about 3 km, but the narrow valley continues further, to the village of Mezmay, where a narrow-gauge railway goes from the village of Guamka.

Much has already been written about the Guam Gorge. Indeed, it strikes with its beauty from the first time, like a cover girl. When we got there, I could only regret that we did not take our backpacks and all the other equipment with us - I so wanted to reach the end and spend the night somewhere along the way in a tent. Although, due to the great depth (300m) there is very little sunshine, and the weather plays roulette - either rain or sun.

Modern and expensive hotel in Guamka

Modern and expensive hotel in Guamka

The gate is closed during the day while the locomotive is running

The gate is closed during the day while the locomotive is running

Diesel locomotive for transporting tourists to cafes

Diesel locomotive for transporting tourists to cafes

It is best, of course, to be here at the beginning of summer, and not at the end of it, then you can see the full-flowing Kurdzhips and full-fledged waterfalls. In September, it remains only to be amazed by the bends of the stone riverbed, cut over millennia, and the winding path along the rails with rocks hanging overhead..

Winter photos of the Guam Gorge are no less interesting, when large icicles hang from all sides.

Guam gorge

Guam gorge

Kurgips River

Kurgips River

Kurgips River

Kurgips River

Narrow gauge road in the gorge

Narrow gauge road in the gorge

Sign on the rock

Sign on the rock

Narrow gauge bends

Narrow gauge bends

Landscapes of the Guam Gorge

Landscapes of the Guam Gorge

Fishermen. Trout is found here

Fishermen. Trout is found here

Narrow gauge rail

Narrow gauge rail

Rocks hang overhead

Rocks hang overhead

Around vertical rocks

Around vertical rocks

Guamki mini waterfalls

Guamki mini waterfalls

Semi-flowing Kurdzhips

Semi-flowing Kurdzhips

The beauty of the Guam gorge

The beauty of the Guam gorge

Toilet on the cliff

Toilet on the cliff

Guam Gorge narrows in some places

Guam Gorge narrows in some places

Guam Gorge narrows in some places

Guam Gorge narrows in some places

Guam Gorge narrows in some places

Guam Gorge narrows in some places

Guam Gorge Photos

Guam Gorge Photos

Ribbons for memory

Ribbons for memory

Bridge over the Sukha Balka stream, blown up by partisans in WWII

Bridge over the Sukha Balka stream, blown up by partisans in WWII

Commemorative plaque (even the sculptor is signed)

Commemorative plaque (even the sculptor is signed)

The river is visible through the bridge

The river is visible through the bridge

Rocks surround in places on both sides

Rocks surround in places on both sides

Remains of communications

Remains of communications

The rails and sleepers are all covered in moss

The rails and sleepers are all covered in moss

The setting sun illuminates the rocks

The setting sun illuminates the rocks

About the narrow gauge railway in Guamka

Regular traffic was stopped back in 2002 after a large flood. After that, the narrow-gauge railway was restored for several years, and it seemed like it was restored by 2008, but the trains to Mezmay were never launched..

At the moment, the Guamka-Mezmay narrow-gauge railway is intended for transporting tourists, and only to a cafe, which is located in the middle of the Guam Gorge. Thus, the train can travel about 1.7 km. And then on foot or on a motorized railcar. Moreover, the railcar will carry no more than two kilometers, since in 2011 the mudflow descended and it was impossible to drive, besides, the rails had already begun to be dismantled there..

What interested me personally so much about the narrow-gauge railway? Imagine a narrow gorge, almost vertical walls, and a road runs along one of the walls in a niche. I looked at the opposite bank and thought, but the place where my foot is now advancing was once the same, just as inaccessible as the opposite. How much human resources had to be spent to cut down such a shelf in the rock? Sitting at home, I tried to find information about this, but most sites write only about the beauties of these places and legends. And only literally on a couple of sites, I read that the labor of prisoners (or maybe ordinary people) was used, who simply blasted the way in front of them. They were hanging on ropes, since there was nowhere to stand, during the explosions they hid in recesses, because you won't get far, otherwise you won't have much time in a working day. And all in order to carry the forest from the side of Mezmay.

A diesel locomotive fell into Kurdzhips in 2002 during a flood

A diesel locomotive fell into Kurdzhips in 2002 during a flood

Drezina rolling tourists

Drezina rolling tourists

Selle blocked the way

Selle blocked the way

How many grandiose things were done in the Soviet era! Recently we were at the ruins of the dam, due to which Podolsk sea, that is still a project in scope. Someday I would like to see the remains of the Igarka-Salekhard railway, which fascinates and causes strange feelings in many.

How to get there

We got to the Guam Gorge by car, but you can also get there by bus from Krasnodar. First you need to buy a ticket to Apsheronsk (180 rubles). Bus schedule: 9.27, 10.59, 12.51, 14.10, 16.52, but it may change. Travel time is about 2.5 hours. It is best to take the morning buses to get back in time.

In Apsheronsk, at the bus station, we sit down on a minibus that comes from the second site, it costs 60 rubles. On weekdays: 6.00, 8.00, 12.00, 15.00. Sundays: 8.00 and 14.00.

The minibus comes to the village of Guamka. It takes about 5-10 minutes to get to the train.

Price and Schedule

A one-way ticket costs 250 rubles to the cafe and another 100 rubles to the bridge. The reverse is all the same.

Trains run every half hour from 9 am to 6 pm, except Monday and Tuesday. Accordingly, if you want to walk only on foot, you need to choose the time from 18 pm to 9 am, or you should be guided by the beginning of the week..

On the map

Guam gorge

Guam gorge
A very beautiful place.
Read about Guamka

A very beautiful place. Read about Guamka

P.S. The more I travel around the planet, the more I am convinced that natural beauty cannot be compared with anything man-made. And how many more such amazing places!