The villages of the Baidar valley. Baidarskaya valley - Crimean Switzerland in the Baidarsky reserve. With an eye on the climate

One of the most beautiful places and lies away from tourist routes, at least away from the paths of beach lovers. This place is known to lovers of hiking and connoisseurs of pristine nature. It is called Baydarskaya Valley.

A bit of history

The name was given to her by the old name of the largest village - Baydar (now it is called Eagle). People have always lived here: archaeological finds claim that the first settlements arose here more than 5 thousand years ago. The old names of the villages - Sakhtik, Savatka, Haito - still cannot explain anything to scientists, because they do not belong to any language known now. Perhaps the Taurians were the first to live here - scientists know their ancient burials. Many left their traces: cave sites of the most ancient people, the remains of ancient settlements of the Scythians, skelsky menhirs, ancient dolmens, roads paved by Roman legionnaires, ancient burial grounds of the Greeks and Goths.

In ancient times, hunting trails passed through the valley, then they were replaced by paved roads, this was the only way from the steppes of Crimea to its southern coast. Until now, the Kalendskaya path has remained, connecting once Chersonese and the same ancient fortress of Kharaks on Cape Ai-Todor.

To see the true beauty of the Baidar Valley, you need to climb the mountains. A sea of ​​greenery and the blue surface of the Chernorechensky reservoir opens up from Sandyk-Kaya Mountain and from Kara-Dag. The forests and meadows of the valley are still full of birds, animals and lush vegetation. The Baidar valley in Crimea is surrounded by mountains, so it has its own microclimate: often clouds cannot cross the mountains, and then they spill onto the land of the valley with rain, which is why everyone always chose this place to live.

What to admire in the Baydarskaya Valley?

Many of the natural beauties of the Baidar Valley can be called natural monuments. Here are amazingly beautiful gorges-canyons, rivers and lakes: the longest - Chernorechensky and the smallest - Uzundzhinsky, Ai-Todorsky and Sukhorechensky; waterfalls "Kozyrek", "Thorn dew" and "Fatma", the Baga River, Mulovskoye Lake and Chernorechenskoye Reservoir.

The historical sights of the Baydarskaya Valley are also interesting:

• Skelsky menhirs- the astronomical structure of the ancients. Such places are called places of Power, they say that they heal;
• Skelskaya cave. Located at the foot of Kara-Dag. Equipped with stairs and illuminated, well-preserved sinter formations can be seen;
• Tash-Koy- an ancient Taurus burial ground;
• Foros church. It was built on the sheer Red Rock in 1892 in honor of the miraculous rescue of the imperial family;

• Roman military road. It led from Chersonese along the pass to the South Bank, paved areas and retaining walls are still preserved;
• Baydar gates. Built on the pass in honor of the opening of the Yalta-Sevastopol highway, which connected the western and southern parts of Crimea;
• The Baidar Valley in Crimea is also known for its spring in the village of Orlin. According to legend, A. Pushkin drank water from it when he traveled along the South Coast.

The new time has brought a new name to the ancient Baydarskaya Valley in Crimea, now it is also called Crimean Switzerland for its wonderful climate and unique nature.

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What to do when you arrive in the Baidarsky Reserve? It is almost impossible to answer this question unambiguously. Although one thing is for sure: there is something for everyone here. Some who climbed into the Crimean Mountains in this place like to just take a break from the bustle of the city, lying in tall grass and watching the birds scurrying back and forth. There are those who climb the mountains for the sake of fascinating panoramic shots. But especially practical and conscious people set off in search of medicinal plants, harvesting for teas, for example, thyme, chicory, yarrow or lemon balm.

Baydarskaya valley. general information

As mentioned above, this area is very famous for its medicinal herbs. Even in ancient times, it received special fame thanks to rich forests and miraculous springs.

Many mistakenly believe that the Baydarskaya Valley, where recreation is magnificent at any time of the year, got its name thanks to kayak boats. Nothing like this! Historians claim that once on the site of the nearby village of Orlinoye there was an ancient Tatar settlement of Baydary, named after one of the local leaders. And more recently, the valley has another name - Crimean Switzerland. And this is not surprising, because, surrounded by mountains, it has a mild comfortable climate and wonderful, one might say, unique nature.

There are a lot of sights in the valley: historical monuments, ancient buildings and places of worship. Water meadows, waterfalls, rocky mountains, canyons, lakes, mountain rivers and juniper groves, yew and beech forests, thickets of hazelnuts and dogwood are a truly magnificent sight.

The flora and fauna of the Baydarskaya valley are represented by more than 50 species of plants and 40 species of animals listed in the Red Book. Wild boars, hares, roe deer and foxes live here en masse, eagles and falcons soar above the sky, fish splash in the reservoirs, ducks swim, and domestic horses, cows, goats and sheep calmly roam in the meadows next to wild animals.

What are Crimea?

As a matter of fact, nothing special. Many will say that the Baydarsky Gate is another convenient Crimean Mountains have many identical ones.

However, not everything is so simple in historical terms. Here, for example, a stone portico once served as an important stronghold. And it was built in the middle of the 19th century.

Now this is only one of the but during the war, in 1941, in this place a detachment of border guards held back the fascist army for more than a day, preventing it from getting close to Sevastopol.

Now from this place you can see a picturesque panorama. The dense forest, the blue sea, the church on the rock, the wonderful Baidarskaya Valley, Sevastopol, which can be seen below, and the boundless firmament delight the eye of any, even the most sophisticated traveler.

Foros Church

The villages of the Baidar Valley look great against the backdrop of a unique temple built high in the mountains. Moreover, from any corner the view opens up magnificent, and if you want to take a picture for memory, without rising high, you definitely won’t have to look for the right angle for a long time. The exquisite Church of the Resurrection of Christ above Foros seems to be specially posing on the Red Rock at a distance of almost half a kilometer above sea level.

It was built back in 1892 by the tea tycoon Kuznetsov as a ransom, because at that time only the royal family was engaged in growing and selling tea. The temple was erected in memory of the accident in 1888, when the train of the royal family was tragically wrecked.

Originally a magnificent two-tiered church with nine domes, a patterned porch with a bell tower directed upwards, gilded crosses, columns with carved capitals, marble window sills and panels, represented all the beauty of the Russian style. Inside the church there was a carved oak iconostasis and walls painted with Byzantine ornaments.

Unfortunately, in 1924 the church was closed, and all its property was taken away. Only after the restoration in 1990 did the church gossip again. She began to look especially beautiful at night, illuminated by spotlights, against the background of the starry sky.

Brave? Prove it! The famous Devil's Staircase of the Baidar Gate

The devil's staircase, or Shaitan-Merdveden, is a former reliable and convenient mountain pass in the Crimean mountains. It connects the foothills and the South Bank. The stairs were used until the last century, and to this day, on the flat bends of limestone, paired ruts, knocked out by wagons, have been preserved. Indeed, the Baydar Valley is fraught with a lot of surprises.

How did this steep mountain slope get such an unusual name? Experts say that the devil's staircase got its name because of the limestone outcrops in the form of huge slabs that still resemble steps. This name was given not only to the stone staircase itself, but also to the entire pass, one and a half meters wide, which is located at a level of more than 500 m. Rocks and blocks of limestone, steep-walled valleys, crepes of the road, the remains of side walls and stone marches are scattered everywhere along the pass.

The path up the Devil's Stairs is very winding and steep. The length of all marches is approximately 250 meters, and the slope in some places is 30 degrees. The loops of the stairs weave around the stone blockage at the bottom of the gorge, shelves and cornices of the mountains.

Only three turns of the path have survived to this day. In vain, many consider such a corner of the peninsula as the Baidarskaya Valley to be flat and safe. Crimea, or rather, its southernmost part, often becomes a venue for rallies of climbers and rock climbers. This can actually be dangerous.

Unique natural monument - Uzundzhi Canyon

The most beautiful place in the western Crimea, is a deep winding gorge with a river of the same name at the bottom. Nearly kilometer peaks hang over the canyon. The river takes its source on Mount Ai-Petri at an altitude of more than 750 m. It flows through the Uzudzha basin, then abruptly changes direction, runs along the Skelskaya basin and flows into the river. The length of the river is only 11 km.

If you are lucky enough to find yourself in such a stunning place as the Baidarskaya Valley, Crimea will never cease to amaze you for a minute. Take the opportunity and take a walk through the canyon. The journey will take place along a picturesque narrow mountain road, starting from the Skelskaya cave. Then the path will pass along a dirt path in the forest, and finally come out to the walls of an old dilapidated fortress.

By the way, it should be noted that Uzundzhi is the largest freshwater spring in Crimea.

What you didn't know for sure

Many, even very experienced travelers are surprised when they find out that the Baydar Valley, or rather, its gates, is also a real gate to the southern Crimea. Going here on an excursion, you should be prepared for the fact that the panorama opening through the arch of the gate will actually make a stunning impression on you.

The Skelskaya cave was discovered in 1904 by the teacher F. Kirillov. To date, it has been established that it consists of several halls, the length of the largest is 80 m, the height is 25 m, and the width in some places reaches 18 m.

In 2003, a chapel was built on the Laspinsky Pass in honor of the second millennium from the Nativity of Christ, which is worth a visit.

Wonders of the Skelskaya Cave

The Skelskaya cave, consisting mainly of stalactites, is located in the southwest of Crimea. Its age is several million years. First of all, it is distinguished by its impressive size and the preservation of calcite formations. Note that the cave is divided into halls, each of the rooms has its own characteristics. For example, the Fireplace Hall actually resembles the construction of the same name, the Knights' Hall is considered the most beautiful and largest. You should also visit the Ghost Hall and the Dolphin Hall.

The highlights of the cave are a seven-meter stalagmite called "Knight with a spear", fabulous drips in the form of a waterfall, dragon skulls with eyes and fangs, a figure of a phoenix bird and others.

The walls of the cave are decorated with bath niches, drip curtains and ribs. This stone miracle has not yet been fully explored, but the length of the known part is about 670 meters. It is impossible not to mention that since 1964 this place has been a natural monument.

Skelsky menhirs

If you are going to explore such a stunning corner of the Crimea as the Baydarskaya Valley, the map will definitely come in handy. Why? The thing is that far from all places are organized excursions, but there really is something to see here. Here, for example, why not go to the Skelsky menhirs?

Note that in general, menhirs should be understood as the once created obelisks and steles. Skelsky menhirs are the first known example of architecture. There are two monolithic blocks in the form of obelisks, placed vertically. They stand at the entrance to the village of Rodnikovskoye. The first menhir is about three meters high and weighs about six tons, while the second is only one and a half meters high. He is more stocky and massive.

Historians note the cult affiliation of these monuments and claim that their age is 4-5 thousand years.

Waterfall Visor

The Kozyrek waterfall is located not far from the Mulovskoye Lake tourist camp. Unfortunately, his historical name has not survived to this day. Although there are legends about a girl who died here and about a mighty wolf who saved the village from enemies.

And with a visor, it is compared because of the rocky ledge hanging over the grotto, from which fast and cool water runs down even in the summer months.

The Baidarskaya valley is more like a hollow stretching between the mountains for 16 km, its bottom is flat, and sometimes it is up to 8 km wide. From the mountains surrounding the valley, many rivers flow down into the Black River. Here is the largest freshwater reservoir in Sevastopol - the Chernorechenskoye reservoir. Primitive man inhabited this territory more than five thousand years ago, which is confirmed by Skelsky menhirs - vertical stone blocks near the village of Rodnikovskoye

Our journey began spontaneously, we were just going to go fishing at Toropovy Dachi, a favorite vacation spot for many Sevastopol residents. After lunch, the question arose of how to go back to Simferopol, on the same road through Sevastopol, or lay a new route .. It was decided to go through the Baidar Valley, the map showed that there was a road there, and it leads just to Bakhchisaray.

Turning off the Sevastopol-Yalta highway, we found ourselves on a narrow path that led up into the mountains in a serpentine

The nature is amazing and untouched, the views are simply breathtaking. There are almost no cars, and very few settlements. We go further, the first village through which we passed was the village of Shirokoe (in the photo below the main street). I was simply amazed at how godforsaken this place is, dilapidated houses, old mud huts, rickety electric poles. Nature here takes precedence over people, everything blooms and turns green against the backdrop of total devastation and poverty. Later it turned out that in comparison with the villages that are deeper, Shirokoye is just a metropolis, but more on that later.

We go further in order to get closer to the Chernorechensky reservoir, which supplies water to the entire Sevastopol. The reservoir is the largest in the Crimea. The construction of the first stage was completed in 1956. The 28 m high dam allowed collecting 33.2 million cubic meters of river water. Water was received not only by the Sevastopol water utility, but also by the Chernorechensk irrigation system. In 1977 - 1984 the dam was extended to a maximum height of 36 m, with a total reservoir capacity of 64.2 million m3.

It is almost impossible to drive up to the dam, everything is blocked for safety reasons. Special attention was paid to safety several years ago, when Sevastopol was deprived of water for three days due to pollution. Managed to take a few pictures.

When the reservoir overflows, excess water goes here:

Reservoir outlet channel:

Lots of tourists, most on foot, some on bikes:

Unfortunately, we did not manage to get closer, there is barbed wire and barriers everywhere.

We stopped by the road and took a few pictures of this beautiful reservoir, located in the heart of the Baidar Valley:

Herds of cows, horses and sheep graze peacefully here. The view of the entire valley opens up from the track, which plunged me into delight. Breathed freely and easily, crystal clear air gives a feeling of freedom and expanse. The smell of fresh grass made me remember my childhood when I helped my grandfather in the hayfield :)

After enjoying the air of the Baydar valley, we go further, and we get to the village of Peredovoye

There is a fork in the center of the village, one road goes up, another to the left, and the third to the right. The GPS stubbornly tells us to go up, but we did not trust him, because the dirt road leads up, while the other two are asphalt. First we turned right, and got to a dead end:

We turned around and drove along the road that led to the right, after driving 5 kilometers we realized that we were going the wrong way again

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We ended up in a village with a funny name Novobobrovka Baga :)

Life in the villages Baidarskaya valley flows slowly and smoothly, no one is in a hurry, because there is nowhere to hurry. The bus passes here twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Local residents move mainly on the old bikes "Ukraine". Here is a dilapidated building of the former state farm, and a tractor against its background, also dilapidated, but it seems to be in working condition. Most likely this is the only thing left of the once prosperous economy.

We turned around again and drove back, deciding to still listen to the GPS. This is the road that led up, where we initially decided not to go

Gradually, she became narrower and narrower, from all sides trees approached closer and closer to her, I remembered the horror movie “Wrong Turn”)

Having stopped, we went out to take a picture of the forest, and suddenly a Mercedes S600 with headlights on swept past us at high speed, catching stones and clay on the bottom. It was the only car on our way, that people on this car forgot here can only guess. We were driving an off-road vehicle, and in some places we scooped up earth. The only option that came to mind: hiding from someone. Therefore, I did not dare to take a picture of them, but I took a picture of the forest :)

In the end, we crossed the pass and left from there. It turned out that we were driving along the MAIN !!! road, look at the sign:

Bakhchisaray met us with a thunderstorm, the rain poured so that the road ahead could be seen only a few tens of meters away. Then the rain ended as suddenly as it began. I had only positive impressions from this route, it was very interesting to get to know Crimea from the other side, the way few people know and saw it. Someday I will definitely repeat this trip!

The Sevastopol region borders on the Bakhchisarai region, and it is this area that is famous for its chic natural beauties. One of them is the Baidarskaya valley.

People who saw this miracle cannot talk about how beautiful the valley is, which has a bizarre landscape. What are the views here, panoramas of both yayla, Chernorechensky reservoirs and the Chernaya River itself. And, of course, the Baydar Valley appeared on the map of Crimea a long time ago, because the Roman road passed here, the rocky cliffs abound with caves, grottoes, and there are plenty of interesting things for every taste.

Where is the Baidarskaya Valley in Crimea?

To find an attraction, you just need to see the peninsula: the Baydar Valley on the map is indicated by a winding line connecting Bakhchisarai and Balaklava district. The conditional border runs along Foros and Laspi Bay.

Crimean Switzerland

Scientists attribute the formation of the basin to the era of melting of the last glaciers. Representing the catchment basin of the Chernaya River, the valley is strewn with winding spurs that create a unique landscape. It is because of these features of the relief that the area is called Crimean Switzerland. Comfortable and incredibly attractive, the valley attracted settlers, immigrants from different countries, conquerors and merchants.

The Roman rulers paved the way here, using it not only to ferry trade caravans, but also to move warriors. The latest archaeological excavations confirm that the Baidar Valley near Sevastopol hides many secrets: rare remains and ruins of temples, numerous structures, houses, coins and fragments of kitchen utensils, harness, other household equipment and tools were found here.

The left evidence of antiquity defines the name: from the Turkic Baidary means "navigable" - that is how the village of Orlinoe and the Black River were called in the very first version. By the way, these two objects are the most accurate landmarks to find the Baidar Valley on the map. Since 1991, the object has been included in the list of protected reserves.

The height of the tract ranges from 300-400 meters above sea level, this is a fertile region, replete with villages, towns and other small settlements. Ethnic flavor emanates from the names themselves: Baga, Uzunja, Satkhik - many villages provide an excellent and convenient option for recreation, in almost every house you can rent an inexpensive bed or room. Affordable prices, an abundance of products, wonderful places for recreation and a lot of attractions - you should definitely visit the Baidar Valley and stay here for at least a week in order to fully experience all the flavor, get to know the beauties and enjoy the view.

And if you have long wanted to get to the Alps, the Baidars are much closer and are in no way inferior to Switzerland! The same mountains, unique nature, majestic formidable snow peaks and fat dense green meadows. The only thing missing is a yodel, but this is easy to put up with, especially since the locals sing just as well. Many viewing platforms invite you to picnics, beautiful ponds for swimming, ponds and rivers for fishing, and you can even see a variety of wildlife - there is a forest hunting area in the basin, where excursions are held.

The local plants, several dozen of which are listed in the Red Book, fill the air with irreplaceable useful phytonicides, which is why people with diseases of the upper respiratory tract go to Baydary. The seaside-steppe climate only complements all the pleasures of the valley, but there are no particularly dense forests, which is what Crimean Switzerland is good for, deciduous trees cover only the slopes of the mountains.

How to get there?

If you are planning an informative and interesting vacation, then you should visit the Devil's Stairs, the Skelt Cave, and canyons. And that means going to the Baidar Valley. On the map, it is indicated by the coordinates: N 44.466645 E ​​33.796931. You can get from Sevastopol by trolleybus No. 2, 12, 17 or by bus from the Central Department Store No. 79, reaching the stop "5 km", then transferring to the minibus to the Baydar Gates. By car, go to the village of Goncharnoye, then turn to Tylovoe. And it is enough for the inhabitants of the resort health resorts of the South Coast to pass through the Baydar gates. A saddle will open between the Chelbi and Chkhu-Bair yayls, which give magnificent views of the entire Foros, and the road with stairs to the valley starts almost from the bus stop itself.

The chic Baydarskaya Valley has an official address: Orlinoe village, Sevastopol. Therefore, the area can be easily found on any map. But it is better to go here for a short excursion with a guide. Many caves, grottoes, rocky spurs, the valley itself deserve attention and here you can even get a little lost. But even if this happened, the Baydarskaya Valley is clearly marked on the map of Crimea, there are plenty of villages nearby and it will not be difficult to get to any of them. And the journey will be not only informative, but also full of adventures.