Khosta: Relict Forest and Hiking Trails

• The Yew and Boxwood Grove is a subtropical part of the Caucasian Nature Reserve and differs significantly from its mountainous areas.
• The grove is a relict forest; its ecosystem has survived since the pre-glacial period. It has been part of the nature reserve since 1931.
• The Great Ring is 5 km long. The Small Ring is listed as 1.6 km long, while another source gives its length as about 1.5 km. The “Into the Depths of Time” trail is 800 m long.
• The main entrance on the Khosta side is on Samshitovaya Street. There is a ticket office and an information center with an exhibition.

The grove has a distinctive place within the Caucasian Nature Reserve: it is the subtropical part and differs significantly from the mountainous areas. Its area is clearly stated as 300 hectares. This makes it possible to understand the grove as a distinct natural environment, rather than simply equating it with the reserve’s mountainous areas.

The dates also refer to different things. The year 1931 marks when the grove became part of the nature reserve; the pre-glacial period refers to the survival of its ecosystem. Together, these details offer a brief insight into the natural history of the relict forest. If you are considering Khosta for its hiking trails, you will find a specific nature-related point of interest here that is distinct from general tour planning.

The three trails can initially be distinguished by length. At 5 km, the Great Ring is the longest of the routes listed. The Small Ring is much shorter: its length is given as both 1.6 km and about 1.5 km. It is considered the easiest trail and is suitable for a short, easy walk. If you are looking for a short route, this description is more useful for choosing than simply comparing the numbers.

At 800 m, the “Into the Depths of Time” trail is the shortest of the three routes listed. However, its route is described differently from that of the Small Ring: it branches off from the Great Ring and leads to the “Devil’s Gate” canyon. The 800 m refers to the trail itself; it should not be confused with the total length of a hike that also includes a section of the Great Ring.

This gives you different points of reference to choose from: the longest listed route, the Small Ring, described as the easiest trail, or a shorter trail with a specifically named destination. The details help distinguish the routes by distance and course without treating them as interchangeable loops.

The main entrance to the grove on the Khosta side is on Samshitovaya Street. There is a ticket office and an information center with an exhibition. Check that these facilities are currently operating before your visit.

A bus route connects Khosta railway station with the village of Kalinovoye Ozero and the village of Vorontsovka. If you plan to use this connection, check the latest information before traveling. This keeps the specific route through the grove and the local bus connection as two separate points to plan for.

Discover more destinations: Lermontovo, Novomikhaylovskiy, Malyy Utrish, Zarechie, Myskhako, Alekseevskaya, Novo and Ilyich.

How long are the three hiking trails?

The Great Ring is 5 km long, while the Small Ring is listed as 1.6 km long and elsewhere as about 1.5 km. The “Into the Depths of Time” trail is 800 m long.

What makes the Yew and Boxwood Grove special?

It is a 300-hectare subtropical part of the Caucasian Nature Reserve and a relict forest whose ecosystem has survived since the pre-glacial period.

Where is the main entrance?

The main entrance on the Khosta side is on Samshitovaya Street. There is a ticket office and an information center with an exhibition; check that they are currently operating before your visit.

Which places does the bus route connect?

The bus route connects Khosta railway station with Kalinovoye Ozero and Vorontsovka. Check the latest information if you plan to use the connection.

To the main travel overview: Krasnodar Region.