The name of the mountains in the Crimea. Mountains of Crimea. Where to relax in the mountains of Crimea. Routes. How to get there. "Uzun-Syrt" - "Long Ridge" or Mount Klementyev

No mountains Crimean peninsula wouldn't be the magical place we all know it to be. It is the mountains that give the Crimean coast that flavor that attracts millions of people to the sunny peninsula.

Mountain Crimea only at first glance seems big. In fact, it is quite compactly located in the south of the peninsula and stretches along the Black Sea coast for 180 kilometers, from Sevastopol to Feodosia, while the width of the mountain range from south to north does not exceed 50 kilometers. The mountains of Crimea occupy only about 20% of the territory of the peninsula. Everything else is a flat steppe, practically no different from the steppes of the south of Ukraine and the Kuban.

Crimean mountain system consists of three parallel ridges - outer (northern), inner and main, separated by picturesque valleys.

The lowest ridge of the Crimean Mountains is the outer, or northern, in fact, representing the foothills. This ridge begins approximately at the latitude of Simferopol. The maximum heights of the outer ridge do not exceed 350 meters. The vegetation here is represented by forest-steppe.

The middle or inner ridge is located south of the outer ridge - approximately at the latitude of Bakhchisaray. The highest point of the inner ridge does not exceed 800 meters. Despite this, in the middle part of the Crimean Mountains there are many unique natural monuments. For example, Mangup-kale.

The highest mountain range of Crimea is the main or southern one. It is here that most of the famous Crimean mountain attractions are located, including such as Ai-Petri, Chatyr-Dag, Demerdzhi. In the western part of the Crimea, the main ridge almost comes close to the sea, and in the center it recedes a little deeper. It is here, in the central part of the South Coast, between Yalta and Alushta, that the highest part of the Crimean Mountains, Babugan-yayla, is located.

Approximately in the same area there are other high regions of the Crimean Mountains: Ai-Petri Yayla, Yalta Yayla, Nikitskaya Yayla, Gurzufskaya Yayla. All these yayla are connected with each other and actually form a single array. A little to the east, above Alushta, there are isolated massifs main ridge Crimean mountains - Chatyr-Dag, Demerdzhi-yaila and Dolgorukovskaya yaila. A little further from them stretches Karabi-yayla - the easternmost and largest in area in the whole of Crimea.

East of Alushta Crimean mountains gradually decrease and approximately in the region of Feodosia they begin to smoothly turn into the steppe.

In some areas of Crimea, mountains elegantly go straight to the seashore. Classical examples of such places are Ayu-Dag, Kastel and Koshka, which have become symbols of the Crimea.

A characteristic feature of all three ridges of the Crimean mountains is that their southern slopes are steep and precipitous, while the northern ones are predominantly gentle.

There are a lot of common misconceptions about the highest mountain of Crimea. For example, many are convinced that the highest peak of the Crimea is Ai-Petri, although this, of course, a wonderful peak, is not even included in the top ten. In fact, the highest mountain in the Crimea is Roman-Kosh - 1545 meters, which is located just north of Gurzuf and Partenit, directly opposite Ayu-Dag.

large and deep rivers there is none in the Crimean mountains, so lovers of serious rafting have nothing to do here. Well, except perhaps in the spring, on the Chernaya River near Sevastopol, you can see lovers of extreme rafting. On summer season many rivers of the Crimea completely dry up.

The fauna of the Crimean mountains is also not very rich. At the same time, there is no need to worry about security in this sense. There are no predatory mammals in the Crimea, although earlier wolves and bears were found on the peninsula. The largest representative of the wild Crimean fauna living in the mountains is a deer. However, wild boars also come across, but it seems to me that the probability of suffering from the fangs of this animal is no greater than the probability of a meteorite falling on the head. Do meteorites often fall on your head? Moreover, wild boars are not found everywhere. In areas near the South Coast, they are definitely not there, but in the vicinity of Belogorsk, the likelihood of meeting with a wild boar is already increasing.

The Crimean mountains, like any mountains, require the utmost care. Cliffs and abysses, rockfalls and failures - all this is also present on the slopes of the mountains of the sunny peninsula. However, the local peaks have already been traveled far and wide by tourists for many years, and therefore, subject to reasonable precautions, the Crimean mountains can be considered relatively safe even for completely inexperienced tourists. In winter, in some areas of the Crimea, there is a danger of avalanches. Avalanche-prone areas include such massifs as Ai-Petri, Babugan-yayla, Chatyr-Dag and Demerdzhi. However, the gathering of large and destructive avalanches in the Crimea is considered a very rare occurrence.

Despite the relatively small area, the Crimean mountains abound natural wonders. There are a lot of all sorts of grottoes, bizarre karst caves, canyons and simply amazing rock formations like Ai-Petrinsky teeth. In addition to interesting natural places, in the mountains of Crimea there is something to see for lovers of history. What is worth alone cave cities Chufut-Kale and Eski-Kermen.

In contrast to the rather monotonous, forested mountains of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, the Crimean mountains are very heterogeneous. Here you and Magic world New World, and alien landscapes volcanic Karadag, and the magnificent rocky landscapes of Foros and much more interesting things ...

Mountain ranges of Crimea - unique creation nature, the heritage of the peninsula and its main wealth. Walking on the peaks will be an excellent option for spending a summer vacation.

The Crimean peninsula is a paradise for tourists who prefer active mountain life to passive spending time on the beach. Peaks and plateaus, rocks, ridges attract lovers of mountaineering and walks in places unspoiled by human activity. The Crimean mountains are located in three ridges - External, Internal and Main.

Mountain Crimea

The main ridge of the Crimean Mountains separates the northern part of the peninsula from the southern. Its length is more than 100 kilometers, and the highest point is Mount Roman-Kosh - it rises to 1545 meters above sea level.
The tops of the Main Ridge do not grow. More precisely, they rise by 3-4 m per year, but due to the natural influence of precipitation and winds, the process does not develop and is completely invisible.
The outcast mountains that had slid down a long time ago formed new massifs. The most famous of them are Mount Cat, Paragilmen, Ai-Nikola. Chaos have “grown” on their steep slopes, some of which have even been awarded the title of attraction.

Mount Bakatash

On the way from Sudak to Simferopol, you can see the amazing Bakatash peak. It is located near the village Dachnoe. The name "Bakatash", which in translation from the Crimean Tatar means "Frog", she received for her resemblance to an amphibian. Such a bizarre shape was given to it by the forces of nature - due to the constant centuries-old weathering, the rocks changed their shape.
The mountain is notable for the fact that at some distance from it the array ceases to resemble a toad, its outlines are more like girlish forms.

Panea Rock

Simeiz has its own mountain attraction. This is the rock of Panea - amazing creation nature, connecting with the Black Sea. She rises 70 meters above him.
Archaeological excavations that were carried out on the rock proved that a monastery with a temple was located here for a very long time, and dwellings for parishioners were also built. Elements of items made of Taurian ceramics were found, which gives grounds to assert that it was the Taurians who previously lived on Panea.
From the top of the cliff offers a wonderful view of the sea surface. You can get here along the northern and northeastern slopes.

Mount Ayu-Dag

There are legends about the Bear Mountain, next to Partenit. This is one of the most famous sights of the whole Crimea. Scientists have proven that it is a volcano, the lava of which could not come out and froze, forming a magma dome. Laccolith is shaped like a huge bear that decided to get drunk on the waters of the Black Sea. Its "body" is covered with dense vegetation, and an incredibly beautiful panorama of small bays opens from the top.
Today Ayu-Dag is a landscape reserve, a monument Crimean nature.

Date Rock

Date Rock got its name because of the proximity of the two peaks, which are located side by side. One of the above is called Kuracha-Kai - a rock-boy. The other one is smaller, it is called Deki-Kuracha - rock-girl. They have been standing side by side for many centuries, as if they met on purpose here, away from prying eyes, in the bosom of picturesque nature.
Another less romantic name for the rock is Camel.
The mountain ranges of Crimea are a unique creation of nature, the heritage of the peninsula and its main wealth.

The mountains on the Crimean peninsula are quite different. Some of them are picturesque, and some are very high and dangerous. In all cases, each of them has its own unique zest.

Mountains of Crimea and today do not cease to be explored by scientists. However, it has long been known that they were formed by three ridges, stretching in parallel in the direction from the northeast to the southwest. Between them there are two vast picturesque valleys.

The article presents more details about some of the most remarkable mountains of Crimea: photos, names, descriptions, interesting facts, etc.

General information about Crimea

Two quite important natural factors for tourism coexist here: clean and warm sea, unique and picturesque mountains. The second is suitable for romantic hiking and rock climbing, as well as for various winter sports. Alone mountainous areas have the status of nature reserves, along which a variety of tourist routes for climbers are laid. Other mountains are interesting for lovers of antiquity, as they have the remains of the ruins of ancient fortifications, and some are simply picturesque and equipped with convenient viewing platforms.

In any case, almost all peaks open great view on the coast and the sea.

Characteristics of the mountain system

The entire mountain system occupies the south and southeast of the peninsula, and it is called the Crimean Mountains. Formed a system, as noted above, three mountain ranges. They stretch from Feodosia (Cape of St. Elijah) to Balaklava (Cape Aya). The length is 160 kilometers, the width is about 50 km. The inner ridge has a height of 750 meters. It is represented by several cuestas, which smoothly rise to 350 meters. The highest point of the mountains is located on the main ridge stretching along the southern coast of Crimea. This mountain of the Southern Crimea is called Roman-Kosh. It rises to a height of 1545 meters and is located on Babugan-yayla (the highest massif of the Crimean mountains).

In general, there are many mountains in Crimea. Even for the whole vacation it is impossible to see them all. There is a big plus, which is a feature of these places - no matter where the seaside resort is located, there is always a picturesque hill or mountain on the Crimean coast, where you can take a walk or go on an excursion.

A little about the origin of the Crimean mountains

If the mountains of Crimea are considered in geological terms, then it can be noted that the Main Ridge is an elevated block with several faults on the north side. A similar structure was formed in the Early Cretaceous, after other synclinal (sunken) troughs closed in the southern part of the peninsula and the Crimean surface rose. All this gave the landscape today's shape. The mountains are mainly composed of sedimentary rocks aged 180-200 million years. And they are distributed rather unevenly. At the very bottom are quartzite sandstones and shales, crumpled into folds, and further above are conglomerates, igneous rocks and layers of clays and sandstones. Upper Jurassic limestones, conglomerates, clay and sandstones are observed above.

Geologically, the Crimean Mountains are part of the Alpine folded region of Europe.

The most famous mountains

The following mountains of Crimea are of particular interest to tourists:

• Ak-Kaya (valley of the river Biyuk-Karasu near the village of Belaya).
• Bakatash (village Dachnoe).
• Taraktash (between the village of Kamenka and Sudak).
• Angarsk pass (according to other Angar-Bogaz).
• Dating Rock (between the settlements of Zelenogorie and Privetnoye).
• Baydarsky Gate Pass (in Foros).
• Ai-George (in the Sun Valley).
• Cape Plaka (village Utes).
• Rock Diva and Cat-mountain (near Simeiz).
• Valley of ghosts (near Alushta).
• Paragilmen (near the village of Stary Mayak).
• Rock Red Stone (in Gurzuf).
• Ayu-Dag (or Bear Mountain in the Crimea - the most famous in the whole world).
• Roman-kosh (opposite Ayu-Dag mountain).
• Ai-Petri (Alupka-Koreiz).
• Sokol (between the settlements of Novy Svet and Sudak).
• Demerdzhi (near Alushta).
• Kara-Dag (near the village of Koktebel).
• Meganom (Sudak-Sunny Valley).

All these mountains, massifs and rocks have their own history. Below are the most unique, striking and famous of them.

The highest mountain of Crimea

This peak is part of the huge Babugan-yayla massif, which is part of the Crimean Reserve. This is Roman-Kosh. Some geologists are of the opinion that this mountain is a volcano, but not fully formed.

Its name is translated among the inhabitants of the peninsula in different ways. According to one version, it has Indo-Aryan roots and its meaning is “upper halt”. Another version is much simpler - in translation from the language of the Crimean Tatars, it means "forest pasture".

Climbing today Peak of Roman-Kosh- a rather complicated matter. And this is due to the fact that it is located in the Crimean nature reserve. Unaccompanied tourists are not allowed to enter it. Only official bus and car tours with a huntsman are allowed here. Otherwise, foresters can send back and issue an administrative fine in Alushta.

It should be noted that stunning landscapes open in all directions from the height of Roman-Kosh.

North and South Demerdzhi

Mount Demerdzhi (Crimea) is a large mountain range located near Alushta. It has two peaks: North (height 1356 m), South (1239 meters). The difference in height is almost 100 meters, but the one below is more popular.

South Demerdzhi is composed of limestones exposed to rains and winds for thousands of years. Thanks to this, the rocks located at the top and at the foot acquired the most incredible outlines and shapes, reminiscent of people and animals.

From the Crimean Tatar language, the name is translated as "blacksmith", but even earlier the mountain was called Funa, which means "smoking" in translation. The first name remained at the fortress built at the foot. Also near Demerdzhi was located the village of Radiant, which until the middle of the 20th century bore the name of the same name with the mountain. After a massive collapse, this locality has been moved away from the array.

South Demerdzhi attracts with its Ghost Valley, views of Chatyr-Dag, Moonlight meadow etc.

Legend of Demerdzhi

A very touching legend tells that nomads once conquered the fortress of Funa. They set up a forge on the mountain, in which local village men were forced to work. And the blacksmith with a black beard supervised all the work.

Once, a girl named Maria decided to intercede for the men and asked that the workers be released. The chief blacksmith agreed on the condition that she marry him. When the girl refused, the angry blacksmith killed her, and at that moment the mountain shook, turning everyone who was on it into stone statues.

In Crimea, this is one of the most beautiful mountains ranks fifth in height (1234 meters). It is known to almost every tourist who has visited this peninsula. It is at an altitude of 1234 meters that tourists find themselves disembarking from the cable car. The construction of this crossing was started in 1967 and lasted 20 years. It should be noted that Miskhor-Ai-Petri is a cable car that has one of the longest unsupported spans in Europe.

Ai-Petri in translation means "Saint Peter". This name is associated with a legend about a young man and his girlfriend. Young man name was Peter. Their parents were against their marriage, and the young people, having climbed the mountain, decided to die together by falling from a height. However, there was no platform suitable for both of them, so the young man had to jump first. At that moment, his girlfriend cried out in fright, “Saint Peter!”, after which she changed her mind about settling scores with her life.

An obligatory point for tourists to visit is the observation deck on the Zubts. These rocks have been a natural monument since 1947, and from its observation deck the entire southern coast of the peninsula is overlooked.

There are 3 caves on Ai-Petri: Yalta, Trekhglazka and Geophysical. It should be noted that in them the air temperature never rises above +12 degrees.

Ayu-Dag, covered with legends

Bear Mountain in the Crimea (see photo in the article) is familiar to many with its bizarre appearance, and the fact that at one of its mighty sides it sheltered the famous Artek camp in the resort of Gurzuf.

This huge hill is located between Partenit and Gurzuf. It is perfectly visible from many places on the Crimean coast, its appearance is easily recognizable in all photos.

This mountain is interesting for both natural and man-made sights. You can meet here such minerals as pyrite, tourmaline, vesuvian and amethyst. Grandstands on Moscow's Red Square are lined with gabbro-diabase from these places. There are also crystals of lead shine, which appears as a result of volcanic processes.

Geologists suggest that this massif is located directly above a major fault in the earth's crust. Transverse deep cracks testify to this.

Pistachios, strawberries and other rare plants grow in the forests covering the mountain, the age of which can be up to several hundred years. Crocuses, snowdrops, orchids and wild gladioli bloom here in spring and summer. "Bear's nose" is the only place where the Crimean forest cabbage grows. Diverse and animal world in these places (16 species are listed in the Red Book).

The archeology of Bear Mountain is also rich. The remains of Tauri settlements, Christian and pagan temples were found on it, among which there are buildings decorated with statues of Zeus and others. Greek gods. Here you can see both the fortress walls and the burial place of Christians. The descendants of the Scythians, Alans and Byzantines lived in these places. The massif was densely populated until the 15th century, but later people no longer settled here. Scientists explain this by the earthquake that occurred here, blocking the flow to these places drinking water.

Some interesting facts about Crimea

1. A hundred years ago, the peninsula was called Tauris. And as part of the Russian Empire, Crimea was called the Taurida province.
2. Archaeologists in the Crimean mountains, in the Kiik-Koba cave, discovered traces of a Neanderthal site.
3. Due to the presence of diverse climatic zones, the peninsula has many endemic species of plants and animals. In Crimea, there are 240 species of such plants in total.
4. The peninsula is famous for the longest on the planet trolleybus route. The trolleybus runs between Simferopol and Yalta, and the length of this route is 86 km.
5. There is a solar-powered power plant in Crimea, which, according to 2014 data, is the most powerful. It was built in the village of Perovo by the Austrians in 2011.
6. The films “Farewell of the Slav” and “Treasure Island” were filmed in Malorechensky, and the legendary “Prisoner of the Caucasus” was filmed in the vicinity of Demerdzhi.

Rest in the mountains of Crimea

Crimean mountains. Ridges of the Crimean mountains

Rest in the mountains of Crimea is one of the most popular types active rest on the peninsula.

The Crimean peninsula combines many varieties of landscape. That is why it is interesting for a huge number of tourists and travelers who seek to know the charm of the Crimean nature, its unique beauty created by the sea and the Crimean mountains, beaches and bays, historical monuments of architecture.

The mountains of Crimea are three mountain ranges - the Main Ridge, the Outer Ridge, and the Inner Ridge.

The main ridge stretches from Feodosia to Balaklava, its length is 110 km.

The inner ridge does not exceed 750 m in height. It is represented by hills with limestone layers, where in ancient times ancient people built their camps, and today we observe the remains cave cities- Chufut-Kale, Kachi-Kalyon, etc.

outer ridge- This is a plain and plateau, vineyards and plantations.

And all three ridges converge in the Sevastopol region.

We will introduce you to the most popular mountain ranges, their peaks, and exciting routes.

Mount Roman-Kosh - the highest mountain in Crimea

The maximum height of the Crimean mountains is 1545 m, and the highest peak is Mount Roman-Kosh. However, earlier it was believed that the highest peak of the Crimean mountains is the top of Demerdzhi. But many years of study, research and calculations were in favor of Mount Roman-Kosh - the highest mountain of Crimea.

This peak is not far from Gurzuf, on the Babugan Plateau. The easiest ascent to the mountain is from the village of Partizanovka. The ascent path is easy, but long - about 6 hours.

Up to 1000 m above sea level, there will be only forests and mountain slopes around. Then, glades appear, to replace them - meadows, and soon Mount Ayu-Dag will become visible in the distance. Rising even higher, a view of the Pavilion of winds on Shagankay.

Right there, along the path - a sharp rise takes the tourist to Babugan-yayla, or a plateau. An unremarkable plateau, except for a few peaks rising above the plateau.

Among them, it seems that Roman-Kosh rises on a par with the others. AND its main landmark is the cross, installed at the highest point.

Of course, this climb is absolutely not like climbing Everest =) (just kidding), and there is no feeling that you are standing on the edge of the earth, with a feeling of victory over yourself. However, being here is interesting fact from the annals of outdoor activities in the Crimea.

And the stunning views from the plateau are the real reward for a long climb and fatigue.

What to take with you to the top of Roman-Kosh

• 1) ascending is always accompanied by a decrease in air temperature. You need to take warm clothes with you.
• 2) Due to the duration of the route, which is a whole day, we recommend wearing only comfortable sports shoes.
• 3) Small banknotes of money will be useful for foresters and rangers.
• 4) Eggplant with drinking water and dry rations.
• 5) you need to work out the route in advance, or take a guide with you.

Rise start early in the morning so that the descent from the mountain was not in the dark.

How to get to Roman-Kosh

It is easier to get to Roman-Kosh from the village of Partizanskoye, turn from the South Coast Highway towards the mountains, from the sea.

From the village of Partizanskoye we choose the road that will lead to barrier with the inscription "Reserve". We're going up the road.

If you start the ascent from Krasnokamenka, then at first we keep the path to an abandoned quarry, then - past a pine forest. And then - on the red marks up. Here it is better to go accompanied knowledgeable people, or work out the route in advance, on your own.

Roman-Kosh coordinates: 44° 36′ 46″ N, 34° 14′ 32″ E

Mount Ai-Petri in Crimea

In the first place in popularity in the Crimea - the famous mountain Ai-Petri.

It is a natural adornment of the southern coast, gives rise to many rivers that feed the Crimea with water. Filled with spring waters, they rush through gorges and stone blockages, irrigating everything in their path, and then turn into beautiful and enchanting waterfalls of various sizes and beauty.

The decoration of Mount Ai-Petri are Ai-Petri teeth, which represent four sheer peaks 12-15 meters high, and take off a few peaks in the neighborhood. Just these stone pillars unusual appearance and are the mountain peak of Ai-Petri.

Going to Ai-Petri, you are expected horse riding, camel riding, mountain biking, and even paragliding. The plateau offers a gorgeous panorama, no matter which way you look.

The real mesmerizing spectacle will be panorama of the southern coast of Crimea. In good and clear weather you can see Gaspra, Foros, Blue Bay, Alupka and other villages along the coast. But more spectacular from these heights is considered watching the sunrise!

Mount Ai-Petri is very unique. This the windiest point of Crimea, and the maximum wind speed is registered here 50 km/h. The climate is extremely contrasting! The fluctuations in temperature just roll over! In January, it fluctuates from + 11 to -20, in February - from +11 to -26, in August - from +27 to -2. The highest and hottest air temperature recorded is +32, And if we talk about snow, snow here adorns the slopes of mountains and peaks until mid-March, although flowers are already blooming near the sea coast, buds are starting to bloom).

Ai-Petri in winter is a great opportunity to go skiing.

Here you can rent skis, you can rent a house and, in general, spend wonderful holiday in winter.

How to get to Mount Ai-Petri

You can climb the mountain either by highway from Yalta, or by cable car from Miskhor.

Following by car, along the highway from Yalta you will admire beautiful landscapes, worry about sharp turns and difficult places. But this path will give a lot beautiful photos, videos and breathtaking emotions and impressions. By car to Ai-Petri - an exciting journey!

The cable car will slowly lift you from Miskhor right on the plateau.

You will follow from the bottom up, and with bated breath you will admire the views ... Advice - try to arrive in Miskhor as early as possible, otherwise, the queue for the cable car can ruin all your plans.

Mount Ayu-Dag. Bear Mountain. Excursions and hikes.

Mount Ayu-Dag several generations of Soviet times are associated with a children's camp "Artek". And she is a kind of symbol of the Crimea and an unforgettable summer holiday for children near the Crimean coast. More than half a century has passed (1947), how the mountain was given the status of a natural monument. And all this time it attracts many tourists, researchers and simply admirers of the Crimean beauties.

The height of the mountain is small, and according to the world system, it rises above sea level by only 577 m. However, it is included in the list of relatively high mountains of Crimea, has its own beauty and history, and creates a unique landscape. The mountain really resembles the body of a huge bear, located by the sea at a watering hole...

Interesting excursions and routes to the Bear Mountain will tell many stories and epics. They say that in the ancient ancient times when on the territory of the Crimea intersected trade routes, and were located shopping centers, the mountain was named Criumetopon, which translates as "Lamb's forehead." And many years later, local residents in this creation of nature saw more of a bear than a ram. Since then, the mountain has been called Ayu-Dag.

Going on a hike along any route to Ayu-Dag, you will see many paths and clearings, stone cliffs and a dense green forest. It only seems from a distance that Ayu-Dag is overgrown with shrubs. In fact, the "bear skin" is nothing but a forest - dense and shady. Bear Mountain has a special flora and fauna, where, in addition to trees of various species and shrubs, an evergreen strawberry tree grows....

..... and a very rare species of fern-edge fern.

Mount Ayu-Dag is natural museum mineralogy. 18 minerals found in its thickness - true pride mineralogists. Paving stones on Red Square is a hard rock volcanic origin brought from the Crimea.

A huge, attractive mountain, it also has an impressive area of ​​\u200b\u200bterritory. The total area covered by the mountain is 5.4 ha- make her extraordinarily gorgeous in her surroundings sea ​​waves, after all the mountain juts forward for a good 2.5 km with all its colossus in the sea, creating a cape, with an unusual edging of the coast. And for sailors, Ayu-Dag serves as an excellent landmark and a kind of beacon.

And it doesn't matter how you admire the mountain - from the Simferopol-Yalta highway, or from a boat on a boat trip. Or maybe you'll go to the highest mountain peak Crimea, from which you can see the unique landscape of the Ayu-Dag mountain between the sea and the sky.

Excursion to Ayu-Dag.

Mount Ayu-Dag is a mass of impressions and emotions that will remain from the sights of history and archeology, geological sights and the chic lush nature of the subtropical zone with representatives of the Mediterranean nature.

A walk with a very diverse landscape is ahead: forest roads, glades and a loose path along a steep rocky slope. You will have a long climb several hundred meters up, and only at the highest point of the trail will the flat top of the Bear Mountain open.

The path starts in the village of Partenit, from the territory of the former sanatorium "Crimea" from its upper gate.

Behind the gates is an asphalt road, along which you have to walk for about twenty minutes. After passing this distance, there will be a side road to the left, very soon it will turn into a dirt road, and we can say that the ascent has begun. Very soon you will see a huge rocky wall with climbing trees, and after 5-7 minutes - a clearing and a scree of local soils, including stones of a greenish-gray color are gabbrodiabase.

The dirt road we were walking on turns into a path - this is trail named after N.N. Raevsky, once the owner of Partenit. It is worth paying attention to how the path polished by the shoes of tourists shines in the rays of the sun, rising up.

From all sides, a panorama of layers opens up, cut into the slopes of the mountain, these layers either lie down or break off.

And the higher you go up, the more the curtain opens on the panorama - you can already see parks and sanatorium buildings of health resorts, Aivazovsky's boarding house, Cape Plaka and the boundless sea.

The Partenitskaya valley is beautiful in a miniature image, and everything around - unrealistically delights and captures - the Crimea and its mountains are so beautiful and amazing!

Travel Tips:

• 1) A pass to the protected area of ​​the Ayu-Dag mountain can be taken at the address: Alushta, per. Factory, 10.
• 2) Medium-heavy path, so only comfortable sports shoes.
• 3) Eggplant with water
• 4) Glasses, a cap, a light jacket - according to the weather.

Mount Koshka in Crimea

A natural decoration and a worthy representative of the list of Crimean mountains is Mount Cat. The best view of the mountain is from the side of the village Simeiz, which is 15 km from Yalta.

Interestingly, the general view of the mountain is really resembles a giant cat frozen in a "low" start position before jumping. But the name Cat has completely different roots: the name of the mountain in Tatar "Kosh-Kaya", which means - steam rock. But the consonant name with the Russian word "cat" is firmly entrenched behind the mountain.

Mount Cat rises above sea level to a height of 250 meters and is of great interest to tourists. In ancient times, they lived on it brands, and she was sacred place Archaeological excavations speak of this. On the mountain there are remains of fortress walls with a total length of about 100 m, and they are credited with dates of construction - the second half of the 1st millennium BC ... And today "Koshka" is a picturesque place, represented by a mix of stone chaos and relic trees, 10 species of which replenish the lists of valuable species from Red Book - Crimean pine, high juniper, strawberry tree, rockrose. Fumana grows here - a unique and interesting creeping plant with yellow flowers, which has a habitat among all CIS countries only on Mount Koshka.

You can walk to Mount Cats on your own, you can go with guides. The path to the top is a narrow path through bushes and stone ledges, which serve as a support when lifting. It is better to organize a walk in dry time, without rains and heavy fogs, because only in this case the trail is safe and accessible.

The body of the Cat - pointed peaks and natural stone turrets, and only The “back” of the beast is a flat plateau. On the sides of the mountain is very steep, and gradually collapses.

Limestone deposits are susceptible to weathering, and the road that goes around the rock is periodically cleared of debris and minor landslides.

Needless to say, the beauty around is indescribable, and therefore, every year numerous crowds of tourists and travelers admire the mountains and rocks of Crimea.

Where to relax in the mountains of Crimea

The mountains of Crimea are not only the southern coast of the peninsula. Bakhchisarai mountain range, mountain range Chatyr-Dag, - bright representatives of the Crimean mountains with their own history, excavations, and each mountain - with its secrets and legends. The mountains of the Eastern Crimea are no less beautiful. tent camps, cottage settlements in the Crimean mountains, recreation centers in the mountains and on the plateau, and simply tourist routes to the Crimean mountains.

In our article, we talked about the most famous and popular mountains and peaks. They indicated their names, routes and how best to get to a particular mountain. And if the feeling of a “winner” does not leave you, and the desire to become a discoverer of one of the peaks of the Crimean mountains, go to the mountains without hesitation. Once, having climbed the Crimean mountains, you will fall in love with them forever. Checked!

The Crimean Mountains in the south stretch in three parallel ridges from Sevastopol to Feodosia for 150 kilometers. Their southern slopes are almost sheer, while the northern slopes gently merge into inter-ridge depressions or plains.
Two low ridges (Outer and Inner) in the north make up the Crimean foothills, cut into separate massifs by picturesque river valleys. In the western part there are one and a half dozen famous cave cities and monasteries, many of which are depicted in fairy tales and action films, and in the east - the Ak-kaya massif ( white rock) with a typical chalk prairie has become just a classic of Soviet westerns.
The abundance of grottoes and rocky sheds in the limestone cliffs of the Foothills, as well as a favorable microclimate determined their decisive role in the culture of the ancient Stone Age.
In the most severe climatic epoch, when almost all of Europe was covered with glacial armor, the valleys of the Foothills became a refuge for animals of all climatic zones of Europe, from the tundra to the tropics. As the glacier melted, the tribes of ancient people who survived in the Crimea (as well as in the Northern Adriatic and on the Cote d'Azur) eventually repopulated Europe. Probably, that is why for the majority of Europeans the landscapes of the foothills of the Crimea are perceived as comfortable, pleasant, native at the genetic level.
During the early Iron Age, the caves of the Foothills (for example, the Serpent's Grotto southwest of Simferopol) became the ancestral sanctuaries of the Taurians, where they sacrificed the captured Hellenes to their goddess the Virgin. With the adoption of Christianity, and then Islam, grottoes and caves became sacred places these religions, and the same places had only small differences in legends.
The heights of the Inner Ridge in the west reach 583 m above sea level - the Mangup massif, and in the east Ak-Kai has a mark of only 343 m, but its vertical cliff makes a grandiose impression. In the vicinity of Bakhchisaray, the Inner Ridge consists of two steps of cuests, among which there are also separate arrays like Mangup or. It can be said that it was the local landscapes and especially the cave cities that created a special memorable image of the mountainous Crimea.
To the east, near the town Old Crimea The inner ridge loses its cuesta character and consists of several cone-shaped massifs of impressive height. They are no longer composed of limestone. Mount Kubalach between Bogatovka and Stary Krym is the record holder of the Inner Ridge with a mark of 766 m. Officially, it is botanical, high altitude and the change of several plant belts determine the richness of plant species and belts on the slopes of the mountain. In addition, Kubalach is also interesting for the most ancient geological rocks in the Crimea. Closer to Stary Krym there is a powerful completion of the Inner Ridge - the Maly and Bolshoi Agarmysh massifs, also exceeding 700 meters, but Bolshoy Agarmish is almost destroyed by stone mining.
The outer ridge only enlivens the relief from the north of the highway - (and a little further to the east) with separate arrays from 140 to 362 meters high with dark green spots of pine forests, mostly artificial. It is interesting only for those who have a rest on the West coast (Uchkuevka, Peschanoy, Nikolaevka) to ride a horse or mountain bike or paragliding and taste other "sublime" delights. Perhaps, only the Pozharsky reserve of medicinal herbs adjoining it, as well as the deltadrome and hippodrome near Kolchugino, can be considered the merits of the Outer Ridge.
At all the best part for tourism are the valleys and massifs between the Inner Ridge of the Foothills and the Main Ridge. In ancient times, due to private raids of the steppe nomads, all transport connection between settlements was carried out in this strip, now almost deserted, not affected by asphalt civilization.
The main ridge, or Yayla (in Crimean Tatar - summer pastures) rises as an almost continuous barrier, the height of which right near the coast in the western part (at Cape Aya or at Bear Mountain) is more than 500 meters, and in the central part, already moved away from coast for several kilometers exceeds a thousand meters. The ridge hides from the cold winds at its southern steep cliff a narrow strip of land - the famous Southern Coast of Crimea (). Above Yayla, a hilly plateau, individual hills and peaks rise. Six of them exceed 1500 meters, most of is located on the Babugan-yayla plateau, including Roman-kosh, highest point Crimea - 1545 m, as well as the most spectacular peak, with the richest view - Eklizi-burun (Church Cape) on Chatyr-Dag, with a mark of 1527 m. For all these peaks, the best starting point is Alushta.
Much falls on the Main Ridge more precipitation, so that the luxurious greenery of alpine meadows and the soft lines of the hills take us to the center of Europe, moreover, romantic, medieval. The absence of asphalt and power lines allows filmmakers from many countries to shoot adventure films here.
Several birch groves, preserved from the Ice Age, will remind you of Russia. The most famous of them is located near the weather station on Ai-Petri, it is also the most popular among tourists and the most accessible (by minibus from the Yalta bus station).
At the southern foot of the Main Range, the beaches are good not only clear water, but also the opportunity to engage in (or admire) rock climbing on vertical or even negative rock walls hundreds of meters high. And the orientation of the beaches to the sun is almost everywhere to the south. The sun's rays reflected from the sea are focused by the rocks, which also protect the bays from the wind. You can always find "pans" for sunbathing even in the "February windows" - periods of warming characteristic of the Crimea, or extend the velvet season until the end of November.
There are charms in the game of changing the altitude zone. After the snowy expanses of Ai-Petri, in just 15 minutes you find yourself in the gentle Miskhor. Splashing in the outdoor heated pool sea ​​water, admiring the luxurious flowers and winter (there are many of them in the Crimea!) Butterflies.
Yayla is divided by the Alushta valley into western and eastern massifs. The western yailas - Baidarskaya, Ai-Petrinskaya, Yalta, Nikitskaya, Gurzufskoye Saddle and Babugan are separated from each other by small depressions, and their upper parts have a small variation in height.
Yayly east of Alushta is separated by vast valleys and has a "two-story" structure. The lower plateau of Chatyr-Dag has elevations of about 1000-1100 meters, and the Upper one - 1400-1500 m. about 1000 m. Orta-syrt adjoins Yaila Karabi (the highest point of Kara-tau 1209 m) from the north-west with heights of about 900 meters.
From Alushta to Sudak, Yaila is cut through by spacious valleys, not so protected from the winter cold, but with huge pleasant beaches - this is the South-Eastern Coast of Crimea (SECC). The bizarre rocky capes and small islands in front of them serve as wonderful scenery for films about sea adventures, pirates and treasures. By the way, divers raise real treasures from the bottom regularly.
In the Sudak region, the peaks of the mountains are already cone-shaped, the plateaus are replaced by mountain ranges, the most interesting of which are Echki-Dag with wonderful forests, springs, lakes and bright red slopes. Fox Bay by the sea, as well as the ancient volcanic massif of Kara-Dag.
The yayles are mainly composed of limestone and are riddled with thousands of large karst cavities. These are multi-tiered (up to 6 floors) caves, vertical wells and mines, frightening failures with crystal clear lakes, never-melting snowfields and glaciers, wonderful decorations made of crystals and calcite deposits and incredibly majestic vaults tens of meters high.

Even in the mountains, the nature of Crimea remains friendly to humans, leaving among hundreds of its dangerous trials, accessible only to desperate and experienced adventurers, a few, as if specially invented, convenient and pleasant places that even the disabled or the elderly can enjoy. And, of course, Mountainous Crimea is especially good for children, with whom he just plays, giving education through adventure. Geology, botany, zoology, geography, history can be learned easily, excitingly and visually, just at every step.
Almost everything is possible in Crimea all year round classic views mountain tourism, as well as a significant part of extreme entertainment.
At the same time, nature itself provides an opportunity for learning, methodically, psychologically and physiologically effective distribution of loads and skills from simple to complex.

All Crimean researchers note that the Crimean Mountains form three parallel ridges, oriented from northeast to southwest, separated by two longitudinal valleys. All three ridges have the same character of the slopes: from the north they are gentle, and from the south they are steep. If we take into account the age of the rocks, then the beginning of the first ridge should be considered, since the same rocks that make up the first ridge predominate here. The outer ridge stretches to the city of Stary Krym, the height of the ridge ranges from 149 m to 350 m. The inner ridge originates near Sevastopol (Sapun Gora) and also ends near the city of Stary Krym, the height is from 490 m to 750 m. The main ridge is in the west begins near Balaklava and ends with Mount Agarmysh, near the town of Stary Krym. The top surface of the main ridge is a wavy plateau and is called yayla.

Plate-like massifs are stretched in a chain from the southwest to the northeast of the Main Ridge in the following order: Baydar Yayla, located at an altitude of up to 739 m above sea level; (up to 1320 m), Yalta yaila (up to 1406 m), Nikitskaya yaila (up to 1470 m), Gurzufskaya yaila (up to 1540 m) and Babugan-yaila (with the highest point of Crimea mountain Roman-Kosh- 1545 m). All these yayls are interconnected and form a closed top of the western chain of the Main Ridge. In contrast to them, the yayls, located to the east, are fragmented massifs, separated from each other by deep mountain passes or passes (bogazes). The Kebit pass separates the Babugan-yayla massif and Chatyr-Dag located to the east (height - up to 1527 m above sea level). Behind the next, Angarsk pass, there are massifs Demerdzhi-yayla (the highest point - 1356 m) and Dolgorukovskaya (Subatkan) yayla (up to 1000 m). Even further, also beyond the pass, at an altitude of up to 1259 m, the most extensive Karabi-yayla stretches. In the eastern part of the Crimean Mountains, small ridges and short ridges with separate peaks and peaks, including those of volcanic origin, such as the Kara-Dag massif, formed instead of yayla.

The main ridge is the most ancient part of Crimea, with total area at 1565 km². All yayls cover an area of ​​34.6 thousand hectares. The southern slopes of the main ridge steeply break off towards the Black Sea for a long distance, creating sheer walls (of limestone and reef origin) up to 500 m high, widely mastered by climbers. In the clefts and couloirs of the slopes and edges of most yayla there are many passes, many of which are described and categorized in the tourist literature.

The main ridge of the Crimean Mountains is an uplifted block bounded from the north by a series of faults. This structure arose already in the Early Cretaceous, after the residual synclinal troughs of the southern part of the Crimea were closed, and a general uplift of the surface occurred. In the geological history of the Crimean Mountains, two stages can be distinguished: Precambrian-Paleozoic and Mesozoic-Cenozoic (Alpine).

In the early stage of geosynclinal development (Late Triassic - the end of the Middle Jurassic) in the south of Crimea, a geosynclinal trough formed and thick sedimentary and effusive complexes accumulated with the simultaneous formation of folded structures of various orders. In the late Jurassic - early Cretaceous period, separate troughs and uplifts are formed, into which the previously single geosynclinal trough was divided. By the end of this time, a internal structure Crimean Megaanticlinorium. At the end of the Early Cretaceous, in the Late Cretaceous and Paleogene, the Crimean megaanticlinorium was formed as a large single uplift, complicated by individual troughs and faults.

The rise of the Crimean Mountains, first in the form of an island, occurred at the end of the Cretaceous and Eocene. In the middle of the Neogene, the leveled surface of Yayla was formed. Before the Neogene, the mountains spread 20-30 km south of the modern coastline Black Sea. In the Neogene, they acquired the features of a modern asymmetric structure. In the orogenic (molasse) stage (end of the Paleogene - Neogene), the increased uplift of the megaanticlinorium of the Crimean mountains continued and, probably, the lowering of its southern flank began. In the Neogene and Anthropogen, the formation of the modern relief of the mountainous Crimea took place. In the Pliocene, the Inner and Outer foothill ridges received orographic expression, and at the end of the Neogene - Anthropogene, differentiated neotectonic movements appear. Erosive activity is activated in the Anthropogen, and the destructive and creative work of the sea contributed to the formation of the coastline. As a result of the complex of these processes, the Crimean Mountains acquired their modern outlines.