Lake Ritsa

რიწა

A stunning alpine lake set amid forested mountains at around 950 meters elevation, famed for its turquoise waters. It is Abkhazia's premier natural attraction, surrounded by dramatic peaks and dotted with Soviet-era dachas including Stalin's holiday retreat.

Things to do

• Lakeside promenade walk — Stroll the shoreline path to admire the shifting turquoise and emerald colors of the water against the surrounding forested peaks.
• Visit Stalin's Dacha — Tour the modestly furnished green wooden holiday house where Stalin stayed, preserved with original interiors above the lake's southern shore.
• Rent a catamaran or rowboat — Pedal or paddle out onto the calm alpine water for the best views of the encircling mountains.
• Stop at the Blue Lake (Goluboe Ozero) — Pause on the drive up to see this tiny, intensely blue spring-fed lake known for its vivid year-round color.
• Milk Waterfall and Male Tears — Photograph the frothy Milk Waterfall and the trickling Male Tears cascades along the road approaching Ritsa.
• Yupshara Canyon drive — Travel through the narrow Yupshara (Stone Bags) gorge where sheer cliffs close in above the rushing river.
• Gega Waterfall detour — Take a rough side track to the powerful 70-meter Gega Waterfall bursting straight from the rock face.

Food to try

• Apkhazura — Spiced minced meat patties wrapped in caul fat and grilled, a signature Abkhaz dish often sold at lakeside cafes.
• Grilled trout — Fresh mountain trout barbecued over coals is a staple of the roadside eateries around the lake.
• Mamaliga with cheese — A thick cornmeal porridge served with salty suluguni cheese and adjika, the classic Abkhaz mountain comfort food.
• Adjika — Try the fiery red pepper and garlic paste that accompanies nearly every dish and is sold at stalls along the route.
• Honey and churchkhela — Buy local mountain honey and string-dipped grape-and-walnut churchkhela from vendors near the parking areas.
• Abkhaz wine — Sample regional semi-sweet wines like Lykhny or homemade varieties offered at cafes overlooking the water.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring your passport and expect checks — Reaching Ritsa requires crossing into Abkhazia and paying a national park entry fee, so carry documents and cash.
• Respect Abkhaz hospitality toasts — If invited to eat or drink, be prepared for elaborate toasts led by a tamada, and accept graciously as refusing can offend.
• Pay the relict park fee in advance — The Ritsa Relict National Park charges an entry fee collected at a checkpoint on the access road, usually in rubles.
• Dress warm even in summer — At around 950 meters the lake stays cool and weather shifts quickly, so bring a jacket regardless of the season.

Nearby

• Lake Mzy — 9 km
• Gega Waterfall — 10 km
• Gagra — 31 km
• Pitsunda — 39 km