13:42 18-12-2025
Explore the New Athos Cave: underground train, vast halls and lakes
Discover New Athos Cave in Abkhazia: ride an underground train to Anakopia and Apsny halls, see crystal lakes, and learn how to visit, hours, access and tips.
New Athos is renowned for its monasteries and sea views. Yet one of the town’s most compelling sights hides underground: the New Athos Cave, a vast natural cavern where visitors arrive on an actual train—yes, straight into the mountain.
The cave was discovered in 1961, when a local resident, Givi Smyr, noticed a curious crack in the rock and became the first to peer inside. It opened to tourists only in 1975. In the years between, builders created a convenient entrance and laid a railway so people could reach the depths with ease.
Right past the entrance is a station. From here, visitors board an electric train that runs for about three minutes and stops deep inside the cave. There are three stations in total: Entrance Gate, Anakopia, and Apsny. The ride is brief but memorable—how often do you take a train underground?
The cave is enormous—its volume feels like an entire city. Inside, it stays cool at around 14°C, with humidity close to 100%. There are many chambers, each with its own character.
Makhadzhirs Hall is the largest, as tall as a multi‑story building and as wide as a football field. Concerts are sometimes held here, and it’s easy to see why: sound travels beautifully.
Anakopia Hall is the deepest, lying 135 meters below ground. It’s quiet and calm there.
Apsny Hall is home to two striking underground lakes—Anatolia and Blue—where the water looks clear and bright as glass.
The cave sits at the foot of Iver Mountain in the town of New Athos. You can get there by minibus and hop off at the Rakushka stop; from there, it’s about a kilometer on foot. If you’re driving, there’s free parking nearby.
Guided tours last about an hour and a half. In summer, the cave is open daily; in winter, on specific days. It’s best to check the schedule on the official website before you go.
New Athos Cave is more than a scenic stop. It’s a reminder of how astonishing nature can be: for millions of years, water and stone carved out these halls before anyone ever looked inside. Later, people found a way to share it without spoiling the wonder—adding a train and lights with a careful hand.
Even if you’re not planning a trip to Abkhazia, the very fact that such a place exists is inspiring. The extraordinary isn’t always perched high in the mountains; sometimes, it lies deep underground.