The Black Pyramid is a peak located in the Aibga ridge at an altitude of 2375 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountain passes and other ridges.
The Black Pyramid is part of the year-round mountain resort Krasnaya Polyana (formerly Gorki Gorod) in Krasnaya Polyana (Esto-Sadok).
This is the highest point of the Krasnaya Polyana resort.
The Black Pyramid owes its name to the triangular shape of the peak and the dark color of the steep rocky section on the northern slope.
On the northern slope there is one of the highest waterfalls of the city of Sochi - the Polikar Waterfall, which can be reached on foot by trails from Glade 960 (the second level of the resort) in the summer season.
Even in summer, there may be snow on the top of the Black Pyramid and around it.
You can climb to the top of the Black Pyramid in the summer season. This is the only peak in the Krasnaya Polyana mountains (Esto-Sadka), from which a full 360-degree panoramic view opens: to the peaks of the Greater Caucasus, the valley of the Mzymta River and the mountain villages along its banks. In clear weather, the horizon of the Black Sea can be seen from the top. At the very top, you can see cup-shaped depressions-kars formed millions of years ago by ancient glaciers.
Who and how can climb to the top of the Black Pyramid
Any guest of the Krasnaya Polyana resort older than 10 years can go to conquer the top of the Black Pyramid.
In the winter season, it is impossible to climb the Black Pyramid peak itself. Skiers and snowboarders can use ski passes to climb to the site located near the peak at an altitude of 2300-2350 meters above sea level. By the way, the site itself is marked as 2375-the height of the Black Pyramid.
Guests with walking tickets (visiting the resort without skating) in the winter season can climb on three gondola cable cars only up to the "Glade 2200" mark.
During the summer season, which lasts somewhere from May-June to October-November (determined by the administration of the Krasnaya Polyana resort, depending on weather conditions), anyone can climb the peak of the Black Pyramid with walking tickets.
The ascent to the top takes place in 6 stages.
Ascent to the Black Pyramid peak
The first three stages are ascents on three convenient gondola cable cars (closed cabins with seats inside, with a capacity of up to 8 people) up to the mark of the peak "Polyana 2200". These are cable cars: Krasnaya Polyana K-1, Relict forest K-2 and Vertex K-3.
The K-1 cable car starts from the lower station of the cable cars of the Krasnaya Polyana resort, located at the Polyana 540 mark. She lifts the guests to the station "Polyana 960". At the Polyana 960 station, it is necessary to transfer to the K-2 cable car, which will raise to the "1460 meters" mark, where another transfer should be made to the K-3 cable car, which lifts guests to the "Polyana 2200" mark.
You can go up and down on the cable cars all year round with walking tickets, and in the winter season also with a ski pass.
If you climb from the Polyana 960 mark, then you should go on two cable cars K-2 and K-3.
In the Meadow 2200 are: panoramic viewing platform and observation points, ski slopes, ski lifts, instructor-service restaurant with a panoramic terrace, an outdoor area fast-food, medical centre and toilets, the attraction Megacycle (mountain panoramic swing), a fun suspension bridge over the abyss, a gazebo for relaxing, Hiking on mountain trails, possible paragliding (if appropriate the appropriate weather). Learn more about Polyana 2200…
The fourth stage of the route
From Glade 2200, you should take the Aibga chairlift (K-4) to the mark of 2050 meters.
Type of lift: 4-meter chairs. The length of the lift is 466 meters. The height difference is 108 meters.
Or skip the lift on this section of the path and walk it on foot along the easy mountain hiking route "Circus-2".
The fifth stage of the route
At the mark of 2050 meters, you need to take the Black Pyramid chairlift (K-5) and climb to the station at the mark of 2300-2350 meters. This station is marked as altitude 2375.
Type of lift: 4-meter chairs. The length of the lift is 668 meters. The height difference is 235 meters.
If there is no K-5 lift, then you can also walk to the 2350 mark along the Black Pyramid mountain route. The route is quite complex, with a length of 1000 meters with a height difference of 250 meters.
On site 2350 there are: an observation deck, ski lifts and ski slopes. Hiking trails run from the site.
Next to the upper station of the Black Pyramid cable car at an altitude of 2360 meters from sea level is the start of the dynamic megazipline attraction. Megazipline in the winter season is available to guests by ski passes (you need to buy a separate ticket for the megazipline at the ticket office at the start), and in the summer - for everyone. In addition, there are days during the winter season when groups of guests are recruited using walking tickets for the megazipline. Learn more about the megasipline...
The sixth stage of the route (the last)
From the site 2350 to the peak of the Black Pyramid itself, at an altitude of 2375 meters above sea level, you should climb on foot.
The journey time to the start of the walking route on all the lifts listed above in this article takes about an hour.
The hiking route to the top of the Black Pyramid from the mark of 2300 meters is available only with a climbing insurance and a helmet, which can be purchased here-on the spot. The cost is 500 rubles; for children from 10 to 14 years-400 rubles, the ascent is only accompanied by adults.
The length of the ascent to the top is 400 meters, the time of the route is 40-50 minutes. The ascent is supervised by instructors who equip the guests at the start, and I also tell them how to move along the laid safety cables. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended.
You can also walk to the start of the hiking route to the Black Pyramid Peak (to the upper station of the Black Pyramid cable car) from Glade 960 along tourist trails-routes (free of charge).
However, since the way up runs along very difficult (black) and long (from 2500 meters) hiking routes, with a height difference of 700 meters, then, perhaps, for most, this option of climbing the peak of the Black Pyramid will become very tedious and will take a lot of time, and for some it is completely inaccessible. Learn more about all hiking routes in the resort of Krasnaya Polyana...
Practical information
The Black Pyramid Peak is available in the summer season.
The height of "Glade 2200" is available all year round.
The K-1, K-2 and K-3 cable cars operate all year round.
The K-4 and K-5 lifts are available only by ski passes in the winter season, and in the summer-for all guests with walking tickets.
Attention! Lifts, trails, routes and entertainment (one or another, or all) may be closed due to weather conditions. We recommend that you check the information before visiting the official website of the Krasnaya Polyana resort.
The cost of ski passes and walking tickets and their variations vary from season to season.
Ski passes and walking tickets to the Krasnaya Polyana mountain resort can be purchased at the ticket offices or terminals of the lower station at Polyana 540, at Polyana 960, as well as online in advance on the website. !!! Prices for walking tickets and ski passes on the website are usually lower than when purchased at ticket offices or terminals.
All information about the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana, including the beginning and end of the seasons; entertainment, routes, rolling roads and trails; current ski passes and walking tickets, as well as their variations, the exact conditions for using tickets and their cost, we recommend checking on the official website of the resort.
Website of the mountain resort Krasnaya Polyana: krasnayapolyanaresort.
The nearest airport to the resort of Krasnaya Polyana and, accordingly, to all the ski resorts of Esto-Sadok (Krasnaya Polyana) is located in the city of Sochi (Adler), 43 kilometers from Estosadka. Flights to Sochi (Adler) →
The fastest and most convenient way to get from Sochi airport to the resort of Krasnaya Polyana (Esto-Sadok) is by taxi. You can order a taxi / transfer in advance, even from home. At any time of the day, at the airport, a driver will be waiting for you with a sign where your first and last name will be written. To order a taxi is enough to inform your flight details.
If you arrive by car, you can leave it near the lower station of the cable cars of the Krasnaya Polyana resort (Polyana 540). There are also parking spaces on the territory of Polyana 960 (parking is paid).
More information about how to get to all the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana (Esto-Sadok), including the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana, can be found here →
All possible year-round accommodation facilities (hotels, apartments, chalets) in the Krasnaya Polyana resort are located in two places: on the lower level - "Polyana 540" and on the second level of the resort - "Polyana 960".
All accommodation facilities in Esto-Sadok, including at the Krasnaya Polyana resort (Polyana 540 and Polyana 960), can be viewed and booked here
