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
- one Guam gorge
- 2 About the narrow gauge railway in Guamka
- 3 How to get there
- 4 Price and Schedule
- five On the map
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
The gate is closed during the day while the locomotive is running
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
Kurgips River
Kurgips River
Narrow gauge road in the gorge
Sign on the rock
Narrow gauge bends
Landscapes of the Guam Gorge
Fishermen. Trout is found here
Narrow gauge rail
Rocks hang overhead
Around vertical rocks
Guamki mini waterfalls
Semi-flowing Kurdzhips
The beauty of the Guam gorge
Toilet on the cliff
Guam Gorge narrows in some places
Guam Gorge narrows in some places
Guam Gorge narrows in some places
Guam Gorge Photos
Ribbons for memory
Bridge over the Sukha Balka stream, blown up by partisans in WWII
Commemorative plaque (even the sculptor is signed)
The river is visible through the bridge
Rocks surround in places on both sides
Remains of communications
The rails and sleepers are all covered in moss
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
Drezina rolling tourists
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!
