Озеро Рица

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Level 16 Local Expert

It's just an incredibly beautiful place 😍 the only thing that spoils the view is the catamarans 😡 there are just so many of them 🫣 Entry to the Ricinsky Park for tourists in their own car is paid from the age of 14 and adults 700 rubles, up to 14 years 200 rubles, there is a paid parking 200 rubles near the lake. The road is good, you can easily get there by yourself. The scenery along the way is also amazing 😍 I want to add to the review, I went here out of season 😍 April 26, it's a completely different matter 🙈 there are few tourists, and you can see all the beauty of this place, it's divine 😍 every season has its own highlight

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уля счастливая

Level 7 Local Expert

The nature of the lake is very beautiful But the attitude of the locals is disrespectful to the visitor. When the checkpoint arrived, one of us said in a boorish tone: don't drive through, they left the car in the middle of the road and didn't even let us park 🙈 We paid 700 rubles for each adult, a child under four years old for free, and 200 rubles after four. Another opened the back door of our minivan and counted the children. The car was put on a toll because I read reviews that the car can be scratched , the parking price is 200₽ It 's good that we arrived there early in the morning . Toilets near the road 30₽, Near the lake there is a cafe of 20₽. Catamaran 500₽ per person for 30 minutes. There were a lot of people leaving , and we saw an accident with a police car . The locals are running around endlessly.

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Виктория Кочубей

Level 4 Local Expert

It's beautiful, but there's a man standing by the lake who says there's free parking downstairs, so you need to take a car down. When we parked, a man came up to us and said that parking was 500 rubles or we needed to eat at a certain cafe for 1,500 and show him the receipt, then it was free. It was our first time and we fell for this trick.

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Анастасия Олеговна

Level 10 Local Expert

The attraction of Abkhazia is Lake Ritsa, located in the Yupsharsky district.  The impressions of the trip to the lake, walking near it and the way back are very positive. The lake is located on the territory of the Ricin State Reserve of Abkhazia. The fare to the reserve is paid - about 700 rubles per person. We traveled along the serpentine leading to the lake on a large tour bus. We were very lucky with the weather during the trip, it was dry, hot and sunny. Because if it rains here for at least a couple of days, the level of the mountain river rises and the road is washed away, mudslides can also descend from the mountains (their tracks are visible from afar - they uproot trees and open up the soil). Also, there are occasional boulders of incredible size on the roads, which rolled down from the mountains and stopped - this can happen in dry, warm weather at any time - driving along this road, in my opinion, is a bit dangerous, you don't know what awaits you. But let's not talk about it. On the way, we observed various landscapes - incredibly beautiful wild impenetrable thickets of forests, the bubbling mountain rivers Bzyb, Gega and Yupshara, as well as the towering ranges of the Caucasus Mountains - you need to tilt your head back to see the tops of these mountains. It makes you shudder - it's a very powerful and beautiful nature. The road also passes through rocky and mountainous rocks - tunnels are made in them. We climbed the mountains along the serpentine gradually and calmly, the road takes about 1.5 hours in one direction - the pressure did not rise and the ears did not hurt. The lake is located at a level of about 1 thousand meters above sea level. The playground and observation decks near the lake did not seem to be the first freshness, the concrete bridge begins to shake when cars pass over it.  There are a lot of intrusive Abkhazians here - you need to be careful and observant, keep an eye on everyone - in front of us, a man unsolicitedly put a papakha (hat of the Caucasian peoples) on the tourists' heads, ostensibly for a photo, and then demanded money. Gypsy women distributed red threads, ostensibly for free, but by tying it on their wrist, they manage to guess their hand and demand money for the service rendered. A tourist who does not know the rules of the country and is not prepared for such events will, of course, be shocked later, but he will be hooked. The lake has beautiful nature. Abkhazia is a wonderful country in terms of natural beauty, but there is not enough care and human hands to maintain the order of the infrastructure and neatness. We didn't go boating - we were afraid to get carried away and check the time. There are millions of boats here. Half an hour of rental costs 500 rubles. This is a reasonable price, but it seems that it is impossible to do anything in half an hour. We walked around the lake from all available sides - everywhere there is the same picture - peeling paint on the crossbeams. There are simple summer cafes here - plastic chairs and tables under umbrellas, chefs cook kebabs, sell ice cream. Even jewelry, magnets and other souvenirs can be bought here. It was an amazing trip!!! I really want to show all my friends and relatives this place, these mountains and rivers))) Stories and photos do not convey all the naturalness and grandeur of these places) I will definitely come again

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Кристи

Level 8 Local Expert

07/01/25 we visited Lake Ritsa, this is not the first time we have been here.But today the impression of this beautiful nature reserve was spoiled, the child wanted to once again swim on a catamaran on the lake and were very surprised by the price-500 rubles per person for 30 minutes, the child was upset, but this time they refused it.And they were surprised by the fences, which had not been in the gorge before..everything is fenced off and the observation deck is closed for a beautiful view.

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Level 14 Local Expert

Lake Ritsa is a very beautiful place! Be sure to take catamarans to enjoy this beauty better.

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diadream2014

Level 10 Local Expert

It can be called another wonder of the world! Snacks, wine, catamarans with a view of the green expanse among the mountains. What else is needed for happiness? Despite the remoteness, the place has been hyped for a long time. There is enough audience and fun in any weather. Join us!

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Дарья Милкина

Level 15 Local Expert

I am writing exclusively about the natural attraction, and not about the farce that is around. The lake is incredibly beautiful, at any time of the year But Ritsa in the fall is a delight for the eyes! You just want to be here, sit and watch the riot of colors, the creeping fog and the water surface. The very place for which I am returning to Abkhazia again.

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Петя Петрович

Level 3 Local Expert

All the beauty of nature is being ruined by extortionists in the park itself. Not only is the entrance to the park 700 rubles per person, but also in the park itself you will be charged 200 rubles for parking a car and there are paid toilets everywhere.

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Анастасия КоКо

Level 9 Local Expert

The view is beautiful, and to be honest, it's scary to get there. In some places, you can see that a mountain may collapse. That's why it was still an extreme experience for me. But the view is magical. This is the only place in Abkhazia that we really liked.

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ℙℒǞႸĘℜ ტ₦∑

Level 13 Local Expert

Lake Ritsa is one of those places that everyone who comes to Abkhazia should definitely see. Located high in the mountains, it impresses with its beauty and grandeur. The first impression is the stunning nature around the lake. Dense forests, picturesque cliffs, and clean mountain air create an atmosphere of calm and tranquility. The water in the lake is transparent and has an amazing turquoise-green hue, changing depending on the lighting. The surrounding infrastructure is well developed: there are convenient paths for walking, observation decks, cafes and souvenir shops. Here you can spend the whole day enjoying the views and relaxing from the hustle and bustle of the city. A trip to the lake by car or bus is particularly enjoyable, because the road itself is part of the journey. The mountain scenery, rivers and waterfalls along the way make the trip unforgettable. Lake Ritsa is an ideal place to relax, where you can recharge the energy of nature and enjoy the beauties of the Caucasus. I definitely recommend visiting this magical place!

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Алиса

Level 10 Local Expert

The Ritz is an indescribable experience. I recommend it to everyone. The road to the lake itself is simply beautiful, the power of the mountains is beautiful in any weather (last time it was raining, the river was soaring, a sight) Of course, there are a lot of people in the season. There are still few tourists in April and May, but the weather here is already excellent. And for those who are bolder, and not on a low suspension :) I advise you to climb the mountain road above the lake and look at it from above.

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Мария С.

Level 20 Local Expert

It is a very beautiful place with picturesque landscapes. The only disadvantage that greatly spoils the rest here is the annoying touts at every turn. So now you also have to pay money for the entrance to Lake Ritsa, and not small ones at that

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Ольга Лукоянова

Level 10 Local Expert

It's a beautiful place. Lake Ritsa is located in the mountains, the water is clear, blue all around the mountain, the sky. We rode catamarans. Super everything is very cool

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Анастасия Савельева

Level 13 Local Expert

It's a very beautiful place

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Sergei. K

Level 3 Local Expert

08/25/2025 Hello everyone, today we set off from Sochi by car to Abkhazia, drove through the border, everything is fine, went to Lake Ritsa along the way, abandoned houses, dirt, garbage on the road, cows, horses, horsemen (the locals are driving for them there are no traffic regulations at all), the traffic police stop us))) (Traffic police) asks for insurance, I didn't have it in the end, not being afraid that he takes a bribe of 1000 rubles, okay, we eat, then we went to the mountains, nature class.. We arrive at the lake and there I tried to park where the buses are parked, and then a traffic police officer runs to me)) You've crossed a solid line, let's go over the solid line and get your rights back! I'm upset (how much I'm saving 5 thousand rubles in return!!! To get him fired!!! People are not kind!!!

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Наталья Усикова

Level 10 Local Expert

The most beautiful place! And although we got to it on an icy road (January, after all), what we saw was amazing. The restaurant opposite the observation deck, made of dark glass, was oh so disappointing. Shish kebab like a jackboot (made from all kinds of meat)We went hungry, I don't recommend this place to anyone, well, for admiring nature.

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Валерия В.

Level 13 Local Expert

Lake Ritsa (Bolshaya Ritsa) is a mountain lake of glacial—tectonic origin in Abkhazia, Location: the lake is located at an altitude of 950 m above sea level in the basin of the Bzyb River, in a deep wooded gorge of the Lashipse and Yupshary rivers, east of the Gagra range. Formation: The lake was formed approximately 250 years ago when part of the Pshegishkhva Mountain collapsed into the Lashipse River (Lashpsy) and dammed

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Misha

Level 12 Local Expert

Ritsa is love at first sight. And what kind of barbecue is there on the right side of the lake! Juicy, fragrant, only from the fire — eat and do not believe that it can be so delicious against the background of such beauty. And the locals are just gold! They smile, joke, feed, and tell you that you are not a tourist, but an old acquaintance.

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Роман Аркадьевич

Level 17 Local Expert

A picturesque place! Although we were in Sochi in the spring, there was snow here in the mountains. We would have liked to be here in the summer, but, as always, as God gave, so we went. Of course, the place is interesting, and it may seem boring, but this is only because you are not looking closely and are not in the "here and now" state. It often happens that because of the fuss and restless thoughts you do not see the beautiful.

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Инкогнито 3009

Level 21 Local Expert

A very beautiful lake with emerald water. It is surrounded by majestic mountains. We were vacationing in Sochi and decided to see the famous lake! There is one....legend .... that a long time ago, on the site of the lake, there was a clearing with beautiful meadows, where the girl Ritsa, and her siblings, hunted in the neighboring forests. The friendly family enjoyed life - they danced and sang by the river flowing through the valley. One day, the brothers did not return from hunting for a long time, the girl went out on the road to meet them, and there she was abducted by robbers, stolen and taken along the road. The cries for help were heard by the brothers returning from hunting. Then Pshegishkha threw his blade at the robbers, but missed, he landed in the mouth of the river, blocking it. Water began to accumulate in this place, forming a lake. The beautiful Ritsa, escaping from the hands of bandits, fell into the cold water, the brothers tried to save her, but it was unsuccessful. The brothers, having despaired of grief, became mountains that stand to this day.

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Гелечка

Level 4 Local Expert

It's beautiful, the nature is magnificent around, but the whole impression is spoiled by gypsies who cram some threads for 2k, take them away, otherwise when you brush them off, you're afraid they'll curse you. They spoil the impression, because they were the first people we met upon arrival.🤦♀️

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olga k.

Level 10 Local Expert

It's a great place!!! The constantly rising prices and imposed services are frustrating ... The entrance to the park is 700 rubles. (age, starting from 12 years old). Up to 11 years old 200 rubles . This is as of August 2024.

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Анастасия

Level 30 Local Expert

What a beauty here, I advise you to ride a catamaran for only 500 rubles per person for 30 minutes.

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Андрей Карпов

Level 4 Local Expert

The lake is good, but the police are taking bribes, 08/07/25 - they took me to their room on the first observation deck and asked me to put money under the folder (I parked my car under the sign next to the rest of the abhaz jeeps). Then the second low guy came up and started pushing too, but the issue was already resolved.

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Сергей Анатольевичь

Level 7 Local Expert

The road is serpentine, like in a fairy tale, the lake is wonderful, traffic police do not bother, khachapuri is cheap and delicious!

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Людмила Хиля

Level 30 Local Expert

Горное озеро находится в Республике Абхазия . Посещаемое живописное место , много кафетериев , где можно попробовать национальную кухню . Покататься на озере , взяв на прокат катамаран .

Нина

Level 9 Local Expert

It's a very beautiful place I've always wanted to come here, unfortunately the catamarans weren't working early in the morning, I'll definitely take a ride next time.

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Marina

Level 28 Local Expert

The most picturesque place at any time of the year

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Наталия С.

Level 6 Local Expert

I have special impressions and memories of this place for the rest of my life! In this incredibly beautiful place on an observation deck 700 meters above sea level, my beloved made me an offer.

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Марк Плеханов

Level 6 Local Expert

A fabulous place with a unique view and nature! Be sure to take a catamaran and enjoy a ride!

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Ирина Есина

Level 8 Local Expert

Lake Ritsa is the pearl of little Abkhazia. The splendor of the views, the clean air, the mesmerizing mountains, well, what else do you need for happiness? Although there are a lot of tourists, it's still a must-visit. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

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Наталия Кузовлева

Level 15 Local Expert

This is a review about Lake Ritsa. The search engine doesn't give you a specific location for some reason. But that's not the point. Lake Ritsa is a wonderful place. As in the song "I stare at you like into a lake, until I feel dizzy..."

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