The Grand Canyon of Crimea photos. Grand Canyon of Crimea: one-day hike with elements of rock climbing

The Grand Canyon of Crimea popular route something akin to a novel by a Russian classic, in which some see just a curious everyday story, while others see a deep philosophical subtext, finding, behind the interweaving of phrases, a second, third, and even fourth meaning. The Grand Canyon of Crimea is a seemingly canonical place, worn almost “to holes” by the feet of a whole stream of tourists, while most of them do not even realize that they see only a small fraction of its breathtaking beauties.

In order to fully enjoy the impressive views of the most famous Crimean gorge, you need a certain physical, and ideally, climbing, preparation, comfortable trekking shoes, and, most importantly, the willingness to spend the whole day traveling along the bottom, shores and capes of the Grand Canyon of Crimea . And only then, convinced of the seriousness of your intentions, he will open all his hidden corners before you.

Grand opening of the Grand Canyon of Crimea

Until the 20s of the last century, this giant crevasse was known only to scientists, and there was not a word about it in guidebooks around the Crimea. He told the world about this unique canyon in his books, and, in fact, gave him the name Professor Puzanov. But the real popularity of the Grand Canyon of Crimea was brought documentary, taken about him in 1925 and today, alas, lost.

After the picture was released, grand canyon Crimea, hitherto unknown route, has become a place of pilgrimage for tourists.

Its length is 3.5 km, the height of the walls is 320 m. Usually the canyon goes upstream. The most popular section is from Postal Oak to the Bath of Youth, which is located approximately in the center of the gorge. What goes beyond its borders usually escapes the sight of organized tourists.

The hard-to-reach Grand Canyon of Crimea, the Bath of Youth, as it were, cuts off from inexperienced tourists. This section of the path almost always passes through the dry bottom of the gorge. Its length of 2 km, trained hikers pass in the summer for 3-4 hours. This low speed is due big amount obstacles that you mainly have to climb around.

During the spring flood and after heavy rains, this area is almost impossible to overcome.

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Grand Canyon of Crimea: route "Great Around the World"

The ring route, when travelers go along the channel of the Grand Canyon of Crimea upstream of the Auzun-Uzen River, and then return along the upper path, admiring the gorge from numerous capes, is called the "Big Around the World".

It starts from the Yew Cascade, which is located a little further downstream than the "classic path" that starts from the Postal Oak (or rather, the remains of a tree where tourists leave notes).

Along this route, there are many interesting objects which are definitely worth paying attention to.

Yew cascade. A waterfall under old yews, which flows to huge stones, overgrown with moss and braided with plants. If you walk from it along the right bank, then on the way you will meet a narrow gap between huge boulders. An old tourist tale says that unfaithful spouses get stuck in it.

Blue Lake. It is an extension of the channel. Its emerald water, but only in early spring. In summer there are many bathers, so it becomes cloudy and turns greenish.

Apple Ford (near the descent of the path leading from the Postal Oak). This is the name of the place opposite the mouth of the first left tributary of the Auzun-Uzen River - Almachuk (translated from Tatar as Apple). In autumn, it brings many wild apples into the mainstream, which fall into its waters from apple trees growing upstream. Here the fruits accumulate, and this gave the place its name.

Source Pania (from "Panagia" - "All Saint"). He was one of the holy springs that were worshiped here in the Middle Ages. Today it is included in the TOP-20 Crimean springs, spewing 370 liters of water every second.

Bath of youth. This is one of the eurosive cauldrons, "drilled" in the bottom of the canyon by stones rotated by a turbulent spring stream. Decorating the Grand Canyon of Crimea, the Bath of Youth or Kara-Gol attracts hordes of tourists who take its name too literally. But it appeared quite recently - in the 60s. The people who plunged into it jumped out of this black lake too fast, because the water temperature here, even in the heat, is about + 9 degrees.

The depth of this “trough”, as the Crimean Tatars simply called the baths, is no more than 5 meters. It is fed by an ever-living spring located 150 m upstream.

Yohagan-su tributary (missing water), right, flows upstream. In summer it dries up, exposing a steep slope with a suite of smooth-walled baths. It is chosen by canyoning fans who climb up it to get to the right wall of the canyon.

If immediately after the Bath of Youth the Grand Canyon of Crimea is still full of water, then, literally, after a few hundred meters, its channel completely dries up. Nature has prepared natural barriers for travelers here in the form of heaps of huge boulders and smooth-walled baths, narrow corridors where you can hardly stand up with your arms outstretched.

There are only four such restrictions. The largest corridor is the first, 200 m long, the smallest is the last. But even between them, the channel does not expand to more than 6 m.

Having conquered the extreme Grand Canyon of Crimea, the route can be laid in two directions - either continue it, returning to the starting point along the upper trails, or go to Ai-Petri.

Grand Canyon of Crimea: how to get to observation points

Capes from which you can view the Grand Canyon of Crimea from above are located on both sides of it. They are numbered, marked with numbers, although there are also "nominal" ones.

It is not difficult to reach them - numerous paths lead to them, they are marked on the map.

Especially impressive view opens from Watchtower Cape, aka the First, which literally reigns over the canyon.

An excellent observation point is the Fourth Cape, next to which the Cow Grotto (Taur-Koba) blackens. According to the stories of tourists who had to stop here for the night, the wind extracts absolutely incredible sounds from the grotto, turning it into an Aeolian harp, all the rustles here are amplified many times over. It got its name cow because the shepherds hid their cattle here in bad weather.

A breathtaking panorama also opens from Cape Trapis (from the Greek "trapezus" - table), but only in spring and autumn, because in summer it is covered with green thickets.

A hike through the Grand Canyon of Crimea in the summer will take only one day and will be a wonderful family adventure. And those who are ready for more severe tests can try to overcome the canyon in the off-season or become a pioneer of their own climbing route.

The cleft is located next to the Bakhchisarai-Yalta highway. Therefore, the answer to the question: “The Grand Canyon of Crimea, how to get there on your own?” uncomplicated. Between these settlements There are many buses and minibuses.

Regular Shuttle Buses go from Bakhchisarai to the village. Falcon, from there to the entrance to the Grand Canyon 5 km towards Yalta. It is impossible to pass by - a landmark parking lot and an abundance of sightseeing buses.

Crimea, one of the stunning corners of our wonderful planet. Crimean peninsula, just a storehouse of attractions created both by man and by mother herself - nature. Among the most famous sights of Crimea, known throughout the world, are: Livadia Palace, bird home, Artek, Nikitsky Botanical Garden, Kerch bridge and so on. But among the attractions that nature has created, the most popular are the Crimean mountains, waterfalls, caves and canyons. In this article I want to talk in detail about the best and most famous canyons of the Crimean peninsula.

In total, there are about 17 canyons on the Crimean peninsula, practically, all were formed several tens of thousands of years ago, under the influence of mountain rivers. Today, most of canyons, continues its formation and development. Almost all canyons have mountain rivers, water cascades and waterfalls, but most of the mountain rivers have a pronounced seasonal character. Peaks of activity of mountain rivers fall on March - April. IN summer time, in places where spring rivers flow, tourists walk. The beds of many rivers are turning into tourist routes. The activity of the rivers is associated with the melting of snow on the peaks Crimean mountains. It is in the springtime that the architects of the Crimean canyons - the rivers - do their routine work on the construction and erection - new cascades, baths of youth and grinding of mountain stones. Of course, among all the canyons of the Crimean peninsula, the most recognizable and most visited is Grand Canyon of Crimea.

Grand Canyon of Crimea

Grand Canyon of Crimea, as the name emphasizes, is, indeed, the largest in the entire Crimean peninsula. The canyon is located on Mount Ai-Petri, from the side of the Bakhchisarai region. You can get to it through Mount Ai-Petri, along the Yalta-Bakhchisaray highway. 5-6 km before the end of the descent, the entrance to the Grand Canyon begins. In fact, there are several entrances. The most famous two: at the bridge over the mountain river Kokozka and 2 km higher, near a small market. There are no big differences between the inputs. A walk along the canyon, on average, lasts 2-3 hours and, practically all the time, passes along the bottom of the canyon, neatly squeezed by rocks, with a height of 100 to 350 meters.

Chernorechensky Canyon

Chernorechensky Canyon located near Balaklava, near the village of Chernorechenskoye and ends at Baydarskaya valley, practically, near the village of Shirokoye or Ozernoye. A walk through the canyon is designed for 3-4 hours, but taking into account the measured pace and small breaks, on average, it can take about 4-5 hours. The route usually starts from the side of Balaklava, but, in principle, you can start from the side of the village of Ozernoye. If you start the hike from the side of Balaklava, then after a walk through the canyon, you will still admire

Arpat Canyon

Arpat Canyon is located in one of the most picturesque corners Crimea - the tract Panagia, near the village New World and Malorechenskoye. The length of the canyon is about 7 km, the average walking time is 2-3 hours. The canyon is known for the Arpatsik waterfall, the Bath of Love - a stone bowl in the shape of a heart, and a large number large and small cascades, with overflows of water. The tourist route is marked, practically at any time of the year, you will meet tourists. Most beautiful time to visit the canyon - March - April.

Canyon Uzundzha

Canyon Uzundzha, by the standards of the Crimea, is quite small, but the walk will be very entertaining, because. at the entrance to the canyon is one of ancient artifacts Crimea - Skelsky menhirs, whose age is about 4-6 thousand years. They were erected, most likely, for pagan cults. An analogue of such a place can be called the English Stonehenge. Skelsky menhirs are located in the village of Rodnikovoe. From Rodnikovo we head to the canyon itself and find ourselves in front of the entrance to one of the most amazing caves Crimea - Skelskaya cave. Unlike most caves, it does not lead down the mountain and not along the mountain, but up, to the height of a 4-story building.

Canyon Kok-Asan

Canyon Kok-Asan, one of the most hidden corners Crimean peninsula. This happened due to its remoteness from sea ​​coast and major sights of the Crimea. The canyon originates in the Belogorsky district, in the village of Povorotnoye. From the village we head towards the New World. Highways there is no. Due to the greater remoteness from civilization, this canyon retained its pristine nature and was not so strongly influenced by man. Like most of the canons in the Crimea, it has a bath of Love, a bath of Youth and Health, several waterfalls and a mountain river. Only all this is in its original state, combined with magnificent air and wild forest.

Belbek Canyon

For lovers mountain recreation or hiking trails, Crimean canyons one of my favorite places. You choose routes according to the level of difficulty and physical abilities and combine mountain walks with visits to castles, palaces, waterfalls, fortresses and caves lost in the mountains, overcoming mountain rivers and impenetrable thickets. The Crimean peninsula is rich in history and over the thousands of years of human presence in these places, it has accumulated a huge baggage for study, research and new discoveries.

When traveling around the Crimea, be sure to find an opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon of Crimea, which is located a few kilometers from the village of Sokolinoe (Bakhchisaray district). Grand Canyon of Crimea unique place created by nature. The canyon was formed about 2 million years ago as a result of a tectonic fault. Then the skilled craftswoman nature took up the matter, and with the help of her tools, water and wind, she created this miracle, which never ceases to amaze the eyes of people to this day.

The canyon stretches for three and a half kilometers in length, its depth is over 300 meters, the width of the canyon in places reaches only three meters. Being in such narrow corridors, the rocky sheer walls of which rush up to three hundred meters, you experience indescribable sensations. There is silence and twilight around, only a narrow strip of sky serves as a source of light, in such a place you can feel all the unprecedented power of the mountains and understand that a person is just a fine grain of sand. There are four such corridors in the canyon, with a length of 20 to 200 meters. The canyon itself is a giant crack, at the bottom of which there are placers of boulders and boulders, in some places harder rocks, the so-called rapids, come to the surface. As we know, the Crimean Mountains are of sedimentary origin, and consist mainly of limestone. Several rivers flow along the bottom of the canyon. The largest is called Auzun-Uzen, which in several places breaks off with waterfalls, the height of which reaches 3-4 meters. As a result of the fall of water in the canyon, erosion boilers were formed, which are called bathtubs. In total, there are more than 150 such baths, the depth of which reaches three meters, and the width and length are up to ten, on the territory of the canyon. One of the largest baths, where the Auzun-Uzen River reaches its maximum width, was named Blue Lake - one of the most beautiful places Grand Canyon of Crimea.

Another attraction of the Grand Canyon of Crimea is the source of Pania. The source is one of the most powerful in the Crimea. Its average annual debit (water consumption) is more than 350 liters of seconds. Readers who are strong in mathematics have probably already calculated that more than 1200 cubic meters of water flow out per hour. This amount of water is enough for a large village.

So, the shoes are in order, the environmental fee is paid - it's time to go. At the entrance there is a huge poster with a diagram. The trail goes through a valley covered with forest. First stop - Post Oak. Or rather, what is left of it is a huge stump. Near enterprising locals set up a mini-base. There is an opportunity to drink tea with mountain herbs, have a little refreshment and relax in the shade of trees. The next point of the route is the Blue Lake, then passing the Apple ford, we go to one of the picturesque places - the source of Pania. According to legend, a chapel in honor of the Holy Virgin once stood in this place.

in the gorge of the mountains

As you move into the canyon, the vegetation becomes less and less. More and more sheer cliffs are exposed. The Grand Canyon of Crimea appears in all its beauty and leads us to its next attraction. Here is one of the largest baths - the Bath of Youth, into which a waterfall flows. In that great location with beautiful surrounding scenery, it is always quite crowded. The fact is that, according to legend, who bathed here, youth is granted. But, in my opinion, the whole point is in the cold water (the temperature is about +10 degrees). Indeed, quite old people jump out of the bath, which is filled with crystal clear water popping up like young ones. I don’t know about youth, but you will definitely get a lot of adrenaline and impressions for a lifetime. For lovers of mountains and coniferous foxes, the article will be interesting.

A visit to the Grand Canyon of Crimea will not be complete if you do not look at it from above. Climbing up Mount Boyko, tourists have the opportunity to contemplate the vastness of the gorge of the canyon from above. It was here that Professor Puzanov, who was one of the first to explore this canyon, and admiring its beauty and grandeur, gave it its current name.

You can get to the canyon by bus, following to the village. Falcon along the highway - Bakhchisarai. The road passes through a picturesque plateau. For owners of navigators GPS coordinates waypoints: Blue lake: N 44°31'12 , E 33°59'51, Pania spring: N 44°31'20 , E 34°0'12, Bath of youth: N 44°31'31 , E 34°0' 29.

And in conclusion, I suggest you watch a short video about the Grand Canyon of Crimea.

Quite deservedly, the Great Crimean Canyon is called the heart of local mountains. This is an abandoned world of primeval beauty. A monumental depression with rocky boulders, reaching a depth of up to 3 km, rich in amazing baths, waterfalls, delights, surprises even the most seasoned tourists. The unique landscape reserve is under the strictest protection of the state. This means that in the protected areas it is impossible to camp with tents for the night, burn fires, cut down trees, bushes, and pick flowers.

Trekking to the Grand Canyon of Crimea includes some expenses. To visit it, travelers will have to pay a fixed amount, but this is not a hindrance for many thousands of travelers. Any expenses, difficulties are fully compensated by the received vivid emotions.

Where is on the map

The "Heart of the Crimean Mountains" is located at a distance of three kilometers from the village of Sokolinoye, in the Bakhchisarai district. A huge number of paved trails, roads lead to northern zone Ai-Petri massif, and therefore everyone can get to the holy of holies of Crimea. In fact, the best time to travel is during the dry season, as Big Crimean the canyon during periods of flood is able to absorb uninvited guests, because his heart is stone and does not feel pity.

By the way, in Sokolinoe you can stay for the night or stay there for a few days in one of the guest houses. This will give you the opportunity to visit not only the Grand Canyon, but also other attractions that are located in the area. For example, cave cities(Mangup-Kale and Eski-Kermen), the Bath of Youth, the hunting palace of Prince Yusupov, the cave-grotto "Danilcha-Koba" and much more.

Terrain specifics

The expanses of the canyon arose due to the activity of the river. She honed from year to year, still continues to form limestone. In our time here is deep depression, which has fairly smooth walls, waterfalls and boulders at the bottom.

Due to the specific microclimate since ice age a variety of plants were able to survive here. The still lower temperature and lower humidity in comparison with nearby areas are considered to be the factors that determine the special composition of the plant world.

Depending on the composition of the flora, the Grand Canyon is considered to be very unique territory, where a huge number of endangered and rare plants, among them:

• Crimean orchids, including the surprisingly rare variety of the lady's slipper;
• exceptional species of ferns;
• yew grove, in which ancient relic berry yews grow, reaching up to 1.5 m in girth.

Concerning local fauna, its composition practically does not differ from other territories of the south and the middle part of the state. Particularly noteworthy is the brook trout that lives in local waters, as well as a huge number of amphibian species.

Viewpoints on the gorge

On the territory of the gorge there are tourist viewing platforms. The top of Watchtower Rock is the most famous and popular of them, offering amazing panoramic views of the canyon. At the tract, a wonderful view opens from the Fifth cliff. From such a magnificent viewpoint, the Grand Canyon is perfectly visible almost along its entire length.

Panorama of the canyon from the observation deck

Current tourist routes

Tour starts a tourist route along the Crimean Canyon from the village of Sokolinoye. Somewhere after five kilometers the road turns to the gorge. The trail passes through beech forests to a small colorful clearing, where the Postal Oak is located - the legendary ancient Crimean tree - whose age exceeds 350 years. Oak gained popularity due to the fact that since the second half of the 20th century there has been a tradition in the hollow of an old tree to leave notes with wishes. It is believed that if you sincerely make a wish, it will definitely come true.

But in the first half of the 1980s of the twentieth century, the oak burned down. A completely burnt dry giant every year more and more transforms into dust, despite this, it still rises at the beginning of the Grand Canyon.

First stop - Blue Lake

If you follow the path from the Postal Oak, turning to the right, very soon the Silver Stream Waterfall and the Blue Lake will open before your eyes - these are two incredibly picturesque sights of the Crimean nature.

Incredible waterfall Silver Streams rises at a height of 200 m above the basin. This natural attraction fully justifies this name. In the upper part, a juicy green cap of moss hung over the waterfall, the water falls down over the stones, distributed into streams, sparkling in the sun like silver threads.

Waterfall Silver Strings

A wide erosion basin in the territory of the canyon. It is filled with incredibly clear, clean waters with a gentle bluish color. Even in the hottest time, the water temperature in the lake does not reach above +12 degrees. Whereas bathing in shallow refreshing baths will add strength to travelers for the further journey.

Second stop - Apple Ford

Descending from the Sentinel Cliff, travelers are waiting for another natural wonder Canyon - Apple Ford. Here, upstream along the river, there are a large number of wild apple trees. Starting in the autumn season, their foliage and fruits begin to fall into the water. The current carries them to the ford, which is located opposite the Almachuk delta - a tributary of the Auzun-Uzen, which means "apple" in Russian.

apple ford

Third stop - Source of Pania

The river valley behind the ford is gaining depth. Close to it is the source of Pania. This name is a simplified form of "Panagia" (translated as "All Saint"). On the territory of the Crimean peninsula there are many holy springs that were discovered during the Middle Ages. Obviously, Pania is one of them. This is one of the largest Crimean springs with fresh water. About 1.4 thousand cubic meters. water comes out of it within an hour. Near the spring there is a flooded Pania cave.

Source of Pania

Fourth stop - Bath of youth

The tour ends with the Bath of Youth - a well-known landmark of the Crimean Grand Canyon. Throughout the Auzun-Uzen, this boiler is the deepest (up to 5 meters). A waterfall falls from a height into the basin. This is the legendary "youth bath" of the Crimea. Such a “bath” is filled with clear cool water that never heats up above 11 degrees even in hot weather. If you swim in such a basin, you can cheer up and harden. Traditionally, many travelers plunge into it.

bath of youth

Excursion cost (status as of 2018)

As mentioned above, the Grand Canyon - protected area and yet there is an entry fee. For adults, the ticket price is 100 rubles. The general condition of the route is excellent. Along the paths there are steps, railings, during the entire route, tourists can use maps, follow the signs.

But if you do not want to spend time wandering along the trails, we advise you to overcome this route in the company of an experienced guide who will tell you a lot of interesting things along the way. In general, many places in Crimea keep their secrets, legends are made about them, signs and beliefs are passed from mouth to mouth. A good travel guide will tell you about what natural phenomena caused the formation of this gorge. We recommend using the services of a local guide:

How to get (get) by car to the canyon from Sevastopol, Simferopol, Bakhchisaray

The property can be reached using public transport- by bus "Bakhchisaray - Yalta" or "Bakhchisaray - Sevastopol" to the stop "Great Crimean Canyon", and then walk about 5 km on foot or hitchhike to Sokolinoye.

Information for those who want to get to the Great Crimean Canyon by car. Are you good with the map? You can get to the object from Bakhchisarai - highway H-06. If you are coming from Sevastopol, then you do not reach Bakhchisaray, but turn right.

Information for tourists

• GPS coordinates: 44.528127, 34.019346.
• canyon address: RF, Crimean Peninsula, Bakhchisarai district, Sokolinoye village.

If we talk about the Crimean Grand Canyon, we can safely say that it will not be possible to find a more incredible and picturesque place on the territory of the peninsula.

From such objects as the source of Pania, the "Bath" of Youth, Deep lake, the canyon was able to gain wide popularity outside the Crimea. And here everyone will find a good reason to visit it. important to someone unique flora, local beauties, for some it is an extreme pastime, and for someone comes here to find out to check the veracity of the terrible Tatar legends. In any case, everyone will find exactly what they need here. Despite the fact that the reasons for visiting differ, the common ones are unique, vivid emotions, impressions that remain for a long time. And in conclusion, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a video about such a delightful place.

Video

In detail, the thread of the route is as follows: CAFE "GRAND CANYON" - BATH OF YOUTH - BLUE LAKE - WATCH CAPE - TUAR-KOBA CAFE - CAFE "GRAND CANYON"

grand canyon Crimea(BKK) is a narrow gorge between mountain range Boyka and the Ai-Petrinsky highland, located southeast of the village Falcon Bakhchisaray district (photo below). BPC is the most deep canyon Ukraine - his maximum depth 320 meters with a width in the narrowest part of about 2 meters. The canyon stretches for 3.5 kilometers from the southwest (mouth) to the northeast (upper reaches).

A river flows along the bottom of the canyon. Auzun-Uzen. It originates in the upper reaches of the canyon, at the confluence of the rivers Kuru-Uzen And Yohagan-su. Strictly speaking, Yohogan-su not a river, but a dry river, which is filled with water only after heavy rains have passed in the mountains. In front of the confluence of these rivers, dividing them, rises one of the largest rock formations of the canyon - Cape Trapis.

First described the Crimean geologist Professor I.I. Puzanov in 1925. After that, many expeditions worked here. Scientists have established that the canyon was formed approximately 1.5-2 million years ago as a result of a tectonic fault in the earth's crust in the region of the northern slopes of the Ai-Petri massif. This is evidenced, in particular, by the almost sheer rocks of the upper part of the sides of the canyon, corresponding to each other in shape (photo below).

Over the course of millennia, the depth of the canyon gradually increased due to the fact that the river flowing along the bottom of the canyon dissolved and washed out the underlying rock. The grandiose work of the river can be judged by the abundance of blocks and boulders of marble-like limestone at the bottom of the canyon, a large number of rapids, waterfalls and depressions in the form of erosion pots of various sizes, which are usually called "baths" (photo below).

The recesses in the bottom of the gorge were formed as a result of drilling of the rock with boulders, which, during the period of rapid water flow, rotate on the bottom of the river. In total, there are more than 150 baths and baths in the BKK. The largest bath is called bath of youth. Its length reaches 5 meters, and its width and depth are about 3.5 meters (photo below).

For ordinary tourists bath of youth is final destination acquaintance with the canyon. Despite the fact that the temperature of the water in this bath does not rise above 11 degrees even in summer, many people swim here, after which they cheerfully go back to the track in the same way that they climbed to bath of youth. The length of the route from the track to Baths of youth and back about 3 km. Sports tourists usually pass the canyon to the end, after which they climb Boyka massif or on the Ai-Petrinsky plateau.

After such a general acquaintance with the canyon, we will consider the route of our short trip, starting on the Bakhchisarai-Yalta highway near the Grand Canyon cafe, to which from the village Falcon about 5 kilometers of asphalt road. grand canyon is a landscape reserve, so visiting it is paid.

From the very beginning to Baths of youth the route is well marked with yellow circles on trees and rocks. Literally after 5 minutes walk from the cafe, the road, and then a wide path, will lead us to the bridge over the river Kokkozka, the beginning of which is located nearby - at the confluence of the river flowing through the canyon Auzun-Uzen(Estuary river) and descending from the waterfall Silver jets rivers Sary-Uzen (yellow river).

Behind the bridge is waiting for us groomed trail, at the beginning of which steps were even made of fixed logs (photo below). In about 25 minutes we will walk from the bridge to the clearing where the famous post oak, whose large hollow served as a mailbox for tourists (they left notes with wishes, stories, suggestions, etc.). Now the oak is gone, but the clearing is an important landmark on the way to the canyon. In particular, this clearing goes Yusupov trail, coming from the Yusupov Palace in the village of Sokolino.

From the glade where I was post oak, two paths leave: one wide to the right is the continuation of the route along grand canyon and the second hardly noticeable (especially in autumn under a layer of fallen leaves) - to the upper edge of the canyon, which looks like capes hanging over a gorge. On the right side of the canyon (always oriented from the headwaters to the mouth), five capes hang over the canyon, which are numbered from the mouth to the headwaters: First(aka " watchdog«), Second etc.

To climb the headlands of the canyon, we will use not that narrow and poorly visible path that begins in the clearing where the oak was, but a wide path that begins 50 meters behind blue lake, which takes about 10 minutes to walk from the meadow.

Walking along the marked path 10 minutes from the clearing post oak, we will see a pointer pointing to the right, which says " ". Let's go down to the water and admire a small but very transparent lake (photo below), as well as a noisy stream the purest water running along the bottom of the canyon into this lake:

We will go around the lake, after which we will climb the main path and continue along it. After 50 meters from the lake we will see a sign with a warning that it is forbidden to set up tents in the canyon. A well-marked wide path leads up from this shield, leading to the upper edge of the canyon. Only from there you can see the canyon in all its glory and take interesting pictures. But we will climb to the upper edge of the canyon on the way back, but for now we will go to the famous bath of youth.

A few minutes walk along the trail from blue lake we'll go down to the riverbed again Auzun-Uzen where the stream flows into it Almanchuk (apple tree). The name of the stream gave the name to it all picturesque place – apple ford. From apple ford up the left side of the canyon there is a trail leading to the Ai-Petri Yayla, and from opposite side hangs over the canyon first cape, called watchdog.

Further, the trail reproduces a complex trajectory and takes us through a crossing of stones and logs to a small peninsula, washed by streams from two sides: on the left - by the river Auzun-Uzen, and on the other hand, a stream from the source Pania. Karst source Pania- one of the largest in the Crimea. Its average annual productivity is about 1300 m 3 per hour. This is enough to meet the needs of a small town.

After walking up the canyon for about half a kilometer, we will reach Baths of youth. There are many legends explaining this name, but the main idea is obvious - after swimming in cool water, a person gains vigor, as if he were a few years younger.

Higher Baths of youth we will not go this time, but for those who want to go Big canyon to the end, it should be borne in mind that the remaining 2 kilometers are much more difficult than the distance traveled. The difficulty of passing this section of the Grand Canyon lies in the fact that on the way there are rocky steps, the height of which reaches 3-4 meters, and the steepness is 70-80 degrees (photo below). To overcome such obstacles, one has to use the trunks of fallen trees or recall previously acquired climbing skills.

Even with favorable weather conditions to go from Baths of youth It will take about 2 hours to reach the end of the canyon. If there were heavy showers in the mountains or intensive snow melting, movement along the canyon becomes dangerous.

However, let's start moving down from Baths of youth along the same path that brought us here. After apple ford we will be watching carefully so as not to miss the beginning of the trail leading to the capes of the starboard side of the canyon. It was said above that this trail starts at a shield with a ban on setting up tents, and the shield itself is 50 meters higher Golubogo lake.

The trail to the headlands of the canyon is well trodden and easy to read. All the time you need to stick to the main path, ignoring the secondary ones. There is only one place where the path can be lost. This place is about 40 minutes walk from the Blue Lake. Direct landmarks: 1) a small tree with three fused trunks felled across the path; 2) then after 40 meters there is a fire pit on the right, and on the left is the trunk of a young tree tied with white polyethylene. Immediately after the fire, you need to smoothly turn to the right, up. After 20 meters the path will again become clearly visible and will smoothly go up.

At the top, the trail will first take us to the area First cape(photo below), on which a narrow, not very noticeable path branches off. To go here from blue lake takes a little over an hour.

Taking pictures, or just admiring the panorama with First cape, you need to return to the main path and continue moving to Second and subsequent capes. Along the way, we will come across either trails to viewing places, or the viewing platforms themselves. A picture of the narrowest section of the canyon was taken from one of the viewpoints (photo below).

When we come to to the fourth cape, on viewing platform the path will split in two: the main path will continue along the top, and a branching narrow rocky path will go down steeply. It will lead us to a wide rocky shelf, along which a lower almost horizontal path has been laid. Above this path is the entrance to the cave. Tuar—Koba (cow cave), which is also called cow grotto(photo below). In this grotto, cattle used to wait out the bad weather, but now it serves as a shelter for tourists.

If, having descended to the ledge, we continue to move along the lower path, then very soon we will reach Fifth cape. The upper path also descends here, which, with further movement to the upper reaches of the canyon, turns into a dirt road.

On this acquaintance with the capes grand canyon can be considered finished and start descending down the same paths - first to blue lake , then to the clearing where I was Mail oak, and finally to the confluence of the rivers Auzun-Uzen And Sary-Uzen. At the same time, in the lower part of the canyon in autumn, sometimes brightly colored young beeches and a chocolate-colored carpet of fallen leaves cannot leave anyone indifferent:

Our little trip access to the highway to the cafe " grand canyon“where you can leave by your own car or passing transport, which can be problematic. If there is no vehicle, you need to go down to the village of Sokolinoe (5 kilometers), from where it is much easier to leave.