Grand Canyon how to get there by car. The Grand Canyon of Crimea: amazing nearby

Hello friends!

The Grand Canyon of Crimea, whose photos are adorned with tourist sites, souvenirs and printed publications of the peninsula, is a very impressive attraction. A kind of aesthetic picturesque crevice with icy water - a crack on the body of the Crimean mountains.

And to tourists who exclaim "Are you seriously! A collapsed waterfall, underwater caves and holy springs - what's going on with you in Crimea ?! " I answer - you just start your journey along the Crimean paths, and already six months before the vacation you will begin to pack up your backpack and wait for a meeting with them!

Who cares - join and let's go!

On a timescale, the Grand Crimean Canyon is still young. It is only about 2 million years old. After the formation of rocks, which was preceded by a long period - the struggle between the ocean and land, complete submersion under water, geological and other natural processes, rise above the deep sea, a tectonic fault occurred in this part of the peninsula.

After that, the waters of the mountain river and time worked to create the image of the Great Crimean Canyon, creating a kind of natural reserve with a unique microclimate, flora and fauna.

Short story

The first explorer of the amazing crevice, which gave the official name "Grand Canyon", was Professor II Puzanov in 1925, to whom local peasants argued that this place was not good, strange sounds are heard from there at night, just like "shaitans celebrate their weddings ..." ...

But botanists, ethnographers, geographers and other interested societies studied the canyon even before the revolution, this is evidenced by the topographic maps of that time, with the coordinates of the gorge plotted.

Since the 1930s, the canyon has been included in tourist routes, and in 1947 it received the status of a natural monument. Since 1974, the Grand Canyon has been a nature reserve and is under the protection and supervision of forestry officials.

What is the uniqueness of the canyon: description

The Grand Canyon stretches for 3500 m. Winding and winding, its path runs between the massifs of Ai-Petri and Mount Boyka at a depth of 320 meters. The width of the gorge in some places is only 2 to 3.5 m.

For many centuries, the crevice has established its own microclimate. It is always cool and humid here, thanks not only to the high "walls", but also to the plants growing on the slopes and in the gorge itself and the reservoirs located at the bottom.

Here you will find a rich collection of Crimean trees - pine, oak, linden, hornbeam, beech, ash, maple, mountain ash, berry yew and many others. In addition, the canyon is home to unique shrubs and flowers, such as rare species of ferns and orchids.

In addition to the usual inhabitants of the Crimean fauna - hedgehogs, lizards, rodents , here you can meet roe deer and badgers, and brook trout splashing in the cold and transparent water!

Where is the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is located in the Bakhchisarai region, 5 km from the village of Sokolinoe. Our natural landmark perfectly complements the landscape of the main ridge of the Crimean Mountains. And to be more precise, it is the property of the northeastern part of the Ai-Petrinsky massif.

What awaits us on the way

Tourist routes have long been laid along the Grand Canyon. Where necessary, bridges or handrails are installed, steps and paths are laid out, signs, information boards and warning signs are placed.

But, despite this, the path will still not be easy, and in the rainy season it will be completely dangerous, since the rivers are filled with water and even huge and heavy boulders are blown away by a stormy stream, and stone avalanches can break down from the slopes of the canyon.

It is good to go with a guide for the first time, get to know the route, do not miss important moments and hear a detailed and fascinating story.

To understand what the Grand Canyon of Crimea is, it is not necessary to walk along its bottom. There are a calmer and safer excursion - on the right slope. In this case, you will admire the surrounding beauty from observation platforms and continue your journey along comfortable and wide paths.

Great excursion under the majestic walls of the Crimean gorge

So you've decided that you need to explore the bottom of the canyon. What surprises and amazing moments will meet on your way, what to see and where to look without fail.

Start of the excursion

The trail through the beech forest will lead you to the first and famous landmark - the Postal Oak, or rather what is left of it. Unfortunately, the age-old oak, which became the place of secret correspondence of the partisans (the notes were hidden in a hollow), burned down for some unknown reason. But the scorched driftwood that remained from it still serves as a storehouse of letters, now tourist letters.

You can also drop a couple of lines with wishes or parting words for the travelers following you.

Waterfalls, ice baths and ... bungee

Please note that the hiking trail you need will be accompanied by marks on the trees so that you do not get lost.

A little higher is waterfall "Silver streams". Wooden paths lead to it, there is an observation deck and a tourist parking (meadow with benches). This waterfall is beautiful and gentle against the backdrop of gray giant stones and emerald foliage.

On the way on the cliffs (if you get here in season) surprises await you - attractions. And what about without them in Crimea - pay money!

• To rush from one ridge to another at a height of 70 m at a speed of 10 m / s - please! You will be put on a bungee or, as they say now, a zipline.
• Walking 100 m on a staggering and absolutely "living" suspension bridge - no question! You will be strapped to a rope and pushed in the back.
• Do you dream of feeling like a tough climber - dreams come true! You will be given equipment and will be launched down the slope on a rope!

If you haven't gotten some impressions yet, let's move on.

The holy spring, the bath of youth and the search for apples

On the log bridge across the Yablonevy ford, all the travelers turn up their heads, trying to find the miracle apples in the variegated foliage. But there are no apples over the ford of the same name. Fruit trees grow up the river, and the stream bears fruit and leaves to this place. It will be possible to see wild apples in the water only in autumn.

After Yablochny ford, the trail will lead you to the holy spring of Pania (Panagia). This is a fairly full-flowing and turbulent source on the site of an ancient chapel.

And finally, the final point on the map of the Grand Canyon will be. A deep pit with ice water and a waterfall at the base attracts the bulk of tourists. After all, you can guess that this icy natural reservoir is called "Bath of Youth" for a reason?

If there are no contraindications, feel free to plunge where you will have the opportunity to experience the strength of the life-giving mountain spring.

What's next?

At this point, the Grand Canyon does not end with a blank wall or abyss, just further the route becomes very difficult and unsafe. And ordinary tourists without training or an experienced guide should not go there. The main route will take you from 2 to 4 hours, depending on which walking pace you choose.

Impressions and reviews of visitors

Surely, lovers of a sofa-beach holiday are unlikely to dare to take such a march along a rocky and river gorge on their only week-long vacation. But connoisseurs of hiking and Crimean natural beauty are happy to share their emotions regarding the excursion along the Grand Canyon. Here's what they say:

• amazing place, clean air and breathtaking landscapes;
• good physical activity, new sensations, strong natural energy;
• the best photos, great health and the desire to come back again.

The list of reviews can be continued, but there are also negative aspects. They are associated with some of the difficulties encountered along the way. Firstly, it takes a long time to get there on your own, and secondly, after the rains, a rockfall is possible, and thirdly, there will be no infrastructure along the way, for example, the same shops with snacks or water.

Information for visitors

The Grand Canyon in Crimea is a nature reserve. For visits and excursions, a fee is charged:

• adult ticket - 100 rubles;
• child ticket - 50 rubles.

Extreme entertainment:

• zipline - 500 rubles;
• suspension bridge - 500 rubles;
• descent down the slope with climbing equipment - 500 rubles.

In the summer, visiting the sights from 9.00 to 19.00.

Forbidden! Set up tents, burn fires, pick flowers, plants, litter, drink alcoholic beverages.

How to get there

It is easier to get from Simferopol through Bakhchisarai. On their own from the Bakhchisarai bus station to the village of Sokolinoe (minibuses run regularly), then either walk 5 km on foot, or order a taxi (in the summer, taxi drivers can be on duty on this route waiting for tourists).

By car along the old highway Bakhchisarai-Yalta up to 6 km per s. Falcon. There is paid parking.

Sports tourists can go to the Yusupov trail in the area of ​​the Sokolinoye village and walk 5 km to the canyon along the slope of the Boyka mountain range.

Similarly, from Yalta, you need to keep a course up to 6 km of the Yalta-Bakhchisarai highway. Buses leave from Sevastopol to Sokolinoye every day, but there are only three flights, so it is more convenient to take a ticket to Bakhchisarai, from where flights to Sokolinoye run every 20 minutes.

Good to know

It is imperative to have comfortable shoes and warm clothes, at least a light sports jacket, depending on the season. Even in the heat, the temperature at the bottom of the canyon is about 18-20 degrees.

Don't tempt fate or visit the canyon after heavy rains - you never know where a stone will fall over your head. And also, if you are not prepared, do not "reckless" and do not climb where there are no paths, do not go down and do not climb dangerous slopes.

In general, follow the safety rules and enjoy the Crimean miracle of nature.

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If you are really interested in Crimea and its wild sights, then here are some articles for optional reading:

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From the article you will learn everything about the Grand Canyon of Crimea: why it is interesting, how long the excursion lasts, what sights are included in the route.

The Grand Canyon occupies a special place among the natural monuments of the Crimean Peninsula. A huge majestic gorge is located about four kilometers from the village of Sokolinoe - on the northern slope of the Main ridge of the Crimean Mountains. The height of the canyon bed ranges from 500 to 600 m above sea level. The mighty cliffs of the gorge rise 300-350 m above the sea.

The depth of the Grand Canyon of Crimea is also impressive - it reaches 320 meters. The gorge is about 3,500 meters long.

What is the Grand Canyon in Crimea famous for?

The Grand Canyon has been around for millennia. It was washed by the waters of the mountain river Auzun-Uzen, which still flows between the Ay-Petri yayla and the Boyka mountain range. The flora in these places is diverse. The rocky slopes are overgrown with Crimean pines. In the lowlands, trees form dense thickets. Here you can find birch, hornbeam, ash, beech, etc. There are also relict yew trees in the gorge. There are also rare species of ferns, relict butcher and saxifrage - one of the endemic species of Crimea. Evergreen ivy is found almost everywhere.

The Grand Canyon in Crimea is famous for its picturesque waterfalls, rapids and monumental stone chaos formed by masses of marble-like limestone. For thousands of years, the waters of a mountain river have been moving boulders downstream. It was they who "drilled" in the softer limestone bed of the gorges of the baths and hollows.

The Grand Canyon of Crimea - how to get there

• Independent tourists. As a rule, those who are poisoned on a hiking trip to the canyon are ready for difficulties and know that public transport is tight at this point in Crimea. The easiest way to get to the Grand Canyon is to take a taxi in the village of Sokolinom. The locals have been driving for a long time and, most likely, they will figure you out from afar and offer you a lift to the beginning of the route. The only thing to do is to get to Sokolinoye itself;
• Independent travelers with a car. It is easy to get to Sokolinoye by car from (a little closer) and (a little further). Then climb up to Ai-Petri, following the signs. There is only one road, so there should be no discrepancies. The second option is, on the contrary, to go down from the Ai-Petri plateau. A little below the middle of the path you will find the sign "Grand Canyon";
• Group tourists (with a guided tour). The most optimal option. You will be brought and taken away with comfort, and during the walk you will be told and shown everything.

The Grand Canyon is an attraction that is difficult to access by public transport. But it's worth a visit. Therefore, ordering an organized excursion seems to us the most profitable solution.

Where to stay in the Grand Canyon area

For those on their own, we have an even better idea than a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Especially Sevastopol residents and guests of the hero-city will like it. In the village of Sokolinom there are two camp sites where you can have a great weekend. So to speak, at the foot of Ai-Petri, half an hour's drive from the reserve.

We like both, which one is better - choose for yourself.

#1. Kutler Manor

Landscapes of the Belbek Valley (Kutler Estate)

A family-run guest house in the Belbek Valley, where at different times the poppies bloom, then the alpine herbs. At the Kutler Manor, rooms are decorated in a chalet style, with air conditioning, panoramic breakfast terraces, a sauna and a well-groomed area.

# 2. Fisherman's Farm chalet

A new hostel with nice cozy rooms, which few people know about. In addition to standard amenities (bathroom, air conditioning, wi-fi), there are microwave ovens and electric kettles. On the territory there is a well-kept garden and mountain views.

Grand Canyon - full itinerary

The excursion route along the Grand Canyon begins behind the village of Sokolinoye. After about 5 km, the trail leaves to the gorge. It leads through a beech forest to a small picturesque meadow where the Pochtovaya Oak stands - one of the most famous trees - about 350 years old. The oak is famous for the fact that since the middle of the last century there has been a tradition to leave notes with wishes in the hollow of a century-old tree. If you make a wish from your heart, it will certainly come true.

In the early 80s. 20th century oak burned down. The dry, burnt-out giant gradually turns into dust, but still continues to stand at the entrance to the Grand Canyon.

Stop # 1. Blue Lake

Silver Streams waterfall

If you go from the Post Oak along the path to the right, then soon you will see Blue Lake and Silver jets waterfall- two amazingly beautiful . Blue Lake is the widest erosional basin in the gorge. It is filled with unusually clear and transparent water with a delicate blue tint. The water temperature in the lake does not rise above 12 degrees, even during the summer heat season. Swimming in a shallow cool bath gives tourists the strength for their further journey.

The picturesque Silver Stream waterfall is located two meters above the basin. It fully lives up to its name. From above, a green cap of moss hangs over it, and water falls down over the stones, splitting into streams, shimmering in the sun, like threads of silver.

Stop # 2. Apple ford

Yablonevy ford - one of the stages of the excursion along the canyon

After descending from Sentinel Cliff, tourists will find another of the natural beauties of the Canyon - Apple ford. Here, upstream of the river, wild apple trees grow in large numbers. With the arrival of autumn, their fruits and foliage fall into the water. The current brings them to the ford opposite the mouth of the Almachuk - a tributary of the Auzun-Uzen, the name of which is translated into Russian - "apple".

Stop # 3. Pania Spring

Pania Spring (Grand Canyon)

Beyond the ford, the river valley becomes deeper and deeper. The Pania spring is located not far from it. Its name is a simplified form of the word "Panagia" ("All-Holy"). In Crimea, there are many holy sources discovered in the Middle Ages. Most likely, Pania also refers to them. It is one of the largest fresh water sources on the peninsula. Up to 1400 m3 of water comes out of it in an hour. There is a flooded cave of the same name near the spring.

Stop # 4. Youth bath

The end point of the route is the "bath of youth"

The excursion ends at the Bath of Youth - one of the main attractions of the Grand Canyon of Crimea. This is the deepest cauldron (5 m) along the Auzun-Uzen stream. A waterfall falls into the basin from above. This is the most famous "youth bath" on the Crimean peninsula. It is filled with cold, transparent water that does not warm up above 11 degrees even in forty-degree heat. Swimming in the hollow hardens and invigorates. By tradition, most tourists plunge into it.

Grand Canyon Observation Decks

Panorama of the canyon from the observation deck

There are several viewing platforms in the gorge. The most popular of these is the summit of Sentinel Cliff, which offers a magnificent panorama of the canyon. A good view of the tract opens also from the Fifth cliff. From this observation deck, the Grand Canyon is perfectly visible for almost its entire length.

What to take with you on the excursion

The walk along the Grand Canyon takes about 2.5-3 hours. The difficulty of the route is below average. However, it can be equated with hiking in the mountains. You have to go through the forest, jump over ravines, rivers, overcome obstacles. So note that for an excursion to the Grand Canyon of Crimea, you need to wear comfortable shoes. Girls climbing the forest bumps in open sandals, sometimes even in heels, cause not only a smile, but also sympathy. Take care of yourself!

And don't forget to bring a liter bottle of water per person. The excursion is long, there will be nowhere to buy on the route.

Route map that will accompany you on your way

Ticket prices for the Grand Canyon 2019

The Grand Canyon is a nature reserve, but there is a fee to enter. The ticket price for adults is 100 rubles. The condition of the route is excellent. There are handrails and steps along the trails, along the way you will see signs and maps.

You won't be able to get lost, don't even hope.

Grand Canyon on the map of Crimea

You can estimate the location of the Grand Canyon in Crimea on the map. Finding, from her mentally getting to the gorge will be easier.

And where is it. : how to get there,: how to get there. , - Where to stay.

Photo tour of the Grand Canyon. Enjoy nature, forest, clear water in the springs and, of course, the bath of youth!

Of course, everyone who goes on vacation to the Crimea hopes to see something interesting and unforgettable there. Fortunately, the nature of the peninsula is rich in beautiful and fascinating sights. Along with the sea, caves and mountain slopes, the canyons of the Crimea can make an indelible impression. These are unique objects of wildlife, the history of which goes back thousands of years. Today we will get acquainted with the three most famous Crimean canyons.

Grand canyon

For tourists who have visited here, the gorge overgrown with forest, with boulders of rocks, clean springs and deep baths, remains one of their favorite places for life. Coming here, people are immersed in an atmosphere of peace and quiet. Nature fascinates with its beauty and inspires philosophical reflections. Here you want to be silent and calmly look around, and there is something eternal in this silence.

It was formed on the site of a giant split of the Ai-Petrinsky mountain range, when Mount Boyka separated from it. The edges of the slopes were practically not crumbled, and the shape of the canyon looks like a partially split log. The depth of the Grand Canyon at different points is 250-300 meters. At the same time, its width in some places allows two people holding hands to touch opposite walls. It is thanks to this steepness, narrowness, coolness on hot July days, semi-darkness, silence and the feeling of the complete rule of nature that people come here again and again. Assessing the scale of this beauty, you can realize the insignificance of our everyday problems and be inspired to conquer new heights.

Visiting the canyon

The main disadvantage of the canyon during the holiday season is the overabundance of visitors. Sightseeing buses come here in a constant stream from everyone. Therefore, from 11 to 15 o'clock along the stream, along the only path, there is a continuous two-way line of people. This oversaturation makes it difficult to enjoy true natural beauty.

Organized visits usually follow a short route - to the Bath of Youth and back. But the main beauty begins further. The trail there is more difficult, but worth it. Therefore, having walked 100 meters above the Bath of Youth, you can find yourself alone with nature. Here you will find transparent pools with warm water heated by the sun, overgrown with euonymus and yew banks, and that very silence. A little more up - and the canyon itself will open to you. Seeing him, you will definitely look at the Crimea in a new way.

How to get to the Grand Canyon?

Although this place is popular with tourists, the path to it can cause some problems. It is rather difficult to come to the Grand Canyon of Crimea without your own transport. An excursion is the most comfortable way to visit this attraction. Its disadvantage is that you will have little free time to explore the natural beauty on your own. But you will not worry that you will safely return to the right place. For those who nevertheless decided not to be led by the exclamations: "The Grand Canyon of Crimea: an excursion", coming from all sides of the beach, and to get there on their own, we will inform you of the route. First you need to get to the village of Sokolinoye. From it, along the Bakhchisarai-Yalta highway, you need to walk / drive 5 kilometers towards Yalta. The entrance to the canyon will be close to the track.

For those who travel by car, there are no problems. You can at any time (within the schedule of visits, of course) come to the canyon and slowly explore all the interesting places. It is unrealistic to get lost in the canyon, since the trails here are trampled more than noticeably. By the way, many tourists, entering the gorge, put on helmets in order to protect themselves from falling stones. The stones themselves rarely fall, but when crowds of tourists pass the summit, the likelihood of injury increases. If you are traveling to the Grand Canyon of Crimea by car, it is better to put something in the trunk to protect your head.

Chernorechensky canyon

Speaking about the canyons of the Crimea, one cannot fail to mention the Chernorechensky canyon. In the area of ​​Inkerman flows into In this place is located Its water surface covers an area of ​​six square kilometers. This is the largest reservoir in Crimea, which supplies the whole of Sevastopol with clean water.

Below the reservoir, Crimea begins. Its second name is the Small Canyon. Its length is as much as 16 kilometers. Stormy foamy water here alternates with calm backwaters, rapids, waterfalls and ledges turn into floods, in which there are even islands. It is always humid and cool under the canopy of trees, and the rocks are hot in the sun. River spray from time to time shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. Beautiful place! There are baths in the canyon, the water in which is even warmer than in the Grand Canyon. Only now it flows with pressure, so it is dangerous to swim in some places. On the banks of the river, you can find many mushrooms, campfire sites for tourists and benches for rest.

Closer to the village of Morozovka, a wide and deep trench with a strong stream of water begins. Passing through it, tourists are belayed with a rope. Walking along the canyon, you can see huge boulders cutting through the water, large beech trees, old junipers, ferns, euonymus and other interesting plants. The fast mountain river gives the impression that we are somewhere in the Carpathians, and not in the Crimea.

The Small Canyon of Crimea includes many ascents and descents, so it is difficult for inexperienced tourists here. It is advisable to walk along it with guides, since there are a lot of different paths, roads and sheer cliffs. At the beginning of September in the Chernorechensky canyon it will hardly be possible to meet tourists.

How to get to the Chernorechensky canyon

The lower part of the canyon can be reached from the village of Chernorechye (1 km). On the way, you can go to see the Chorgun tower. The middle part can be reached from the villages of Morozovka (2 km) and Rodnoe (5 km). To the upper one - from the road between the villages of Shirokoe and Peredovoe (0.5 km).

Kuchuk-Karasu canyon

5 kilometers south of the Simferopol-Feodosia road, right behind the village of Povorotnoye, the Kuchuk-Karasu river formed a canyon. It is distinguished by an abundance of waterfalls. Emerald waterfalls, "erosion cauldrons" and stone baths - this is what the canyon is famous for.

For three kilometers of the river, there are five waterfalls. Each of them has its own characteristics. The first waterfall forms the bath of youth, or, as it is also called, the Diana's Font. The water temperature here does not rise above 10 degrees. Bathing in the hot tub allows you to tone the body and harden.

The second waterfall was named "Gorge". There is another cold water bath here. By the way, they are located everywhere here. From here you can see the waterfall of love. It consists of two small streams, which, after the waterfall, combine into one powerful stream.

A little further you can admire the graceful trickle of the Pigtail waterfall. In the rainy season and melting snows, it turns into a huge braid. The last waterfall has no name, but it is over 10 meters high. It consists of alternating slopes, sinks and waterfalls that follow one another without intervals. As a result, powerful streams of water fall in zigzags, which makes an incredible impression.

Conclusion

Today we have reviewed the main and most interesting canyons of Crimea. In general, there are many more canyons on the peninsula, less fascinating, but also quite interesting. Walking along them allows you to escape from the monotonous beach holiday and see the Crimea from the other side. We recommend that you visit the canyons of Crimea, which charge with incredible energy of age-old forests and ancient majestic mountains.

Today I want to tell you about one incredibly beautiful place that I have been able to visit more than once!

Here, even on an exhausting hot day, coolness reigns. the sun is unable to break through the numerous green forest thickets and 300-meter cliffs. And the air is saturated with an overabundance of oxygen from an incredible amount of all kinds of trees and ferns. In the very same lowland flows a rather turbulent rivulet with crystal clear mountain water.

And the name of all this beauty, - "Grand Canyon"... This is a unique place that I want to take you to!

"Canyons" are called deep gorges with steep rocky slopes, which in turn are cut through by turbulent mountain rivers. This rather complicated process takes nature many millions of years to create the Canyon.

Of course, another one received world fame "Grand Canyon" located in the USA, Colorado. Probably everyone has heard of him. The height of its cliffs reaches an incredible 2 kilometers. But there are many others. Not a small number of famous canyons can be found in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and each of them will be something no less unique!

Crimean Grand Canyon certainly much smaller and not as popular as the Grand Canyon in the USA, but nevertheless it seemed very interesting to me!

The Crimean canyon is a deep crevice about 3.5 kilometers long and over 300 meters deep, moreover, its cliffs are absolutely sheer in places. Sometimes the width does not exceed 3 meters.

Getting acquainted with the geological history of the earth, you can find ancient limestone rocks from the Jurassic period at the base of the Canyon, which testify to the solid age of the cut stones. The canyon began to emerge more than 140 million years ago. At this moment, the Crimean peninsula was at the bottom of the ancient Tethys ocean.

After numerous natural disasters, significant tectonic changes took place, leading to the uplift of the earth. The Ai-Petrinskoe plateau began to crack and crevasses formed, separating its plateau from the mountain Massif Boyka, subsequently mountain rivers flowed along the gorge and gradually washed out and dissolved the fragile rock - this is how the Crimean Grand Canyon began to emerge about 2 million years ago.

The canyon was often bypassed. He seemed to be in the shadows, and eluded the eyes of scientists and inquisitive travelers. Only local residents knew about him. The priority was Mount Ai-Petri. The canyon is especially famous thanks to numerous expeditions and explorations in the 1930s.

Then the ecologists who explored these unique lands came to the urgent need to preserve them. So in 1947 the Grand Canyon of Crimea became a natural monument, and since 1974 the territory of the canyon (more than 300 hectares) has been declared a Nature Reserve.

Visiting the canyon is currently paid and regulated. Environmentalists have developed special routes.

On the territory of the reserve, it is forbidden to cause damage in every possible way, namely to set up camps and tents, burn fires, pick flowers and harm trees, and it is also forbidden to fish.

There are several ways to get to the Grand Canyon. I tried the first two of them.

First and easiest, - buy a tour. In different parts of the Crimea, their cost is different. It is called that "Grand Canyon of Crimea"... You will be taken back and forth by bus. This is a huge plus of the bus tour! But there are also disadvantages, you will walk in a group of 30-40 people, and if suddenly you want to listen to the guide's story, and then take a picture of everything you see, without rushing, then you will not succeed. The groups walk one after another at an agreed interval, and the guides do not have time for a leisurely walk in the summer season. Yes, and besides, these 40 people, just like you, will flicker before your eyes. If you are a travel photographer like me, then I advise you to immediately abandon this option. You will not feel all the beauty of the canyon.

Second option, - by car. There is a small free parking near the canyon, where you can safely leave your car. This option will be ideal if you rent a car or come with your own. On the spot, you can take a local experienced guide who has already climbed the Canyon up and down and knows absolutely everything about it. Then you pay for his services (it cost me 1,000 rubles in 2014) + the cost of entering the territory of the reserve and walk as much as you want, while staying where you want! You can even leave the route and explore the Canyon not only along the eco-path, which is generally great! I think the best option!

The third option the most difficult in terms of logistics is to get to the village of Sokolinoe by yourself, and from there you will be as lucky. By taxi or hitchhiking to the beginning of the canyon. It is also possible to walk by hiking trails, such as the Yusupov trail.

Now about the Canyon. On the way to the canyon, the road changes dramatically, and rocks appear. This rock is called Kullu-Kaya... If you see it, then you are on the right track.

Then the road gets narrower, begins to wind from side to side, it felt like I got lost, but after a while I arrived and left the car in the parking lot. By the way, shuttle buses to Yalta used to go along this narrow mountain path. I wonder in what condition people got there?

Found an intelligent guide. Having paid for his services + the cost of admission for adults 120 rubles, we went down slowly.

And immediately the first murmur, this noisy river on our way is called Kokkoska.

We went upstream along the Kokkozka River, to its sources, rivers Auzun-Uzen, Sary-Uzen and Kuru-Uzen... It is thanks to them and their strong current that this Canyon was formed.

Walking the path, we passed the old one first Beech forest, then we met on the way Yew berry listed in the Red Book. Even ate a little not quite ripe Dogwood.

Then the guide suggested turning off the trail. He said there is a more interesting road! We have not given up.

So we quickly went down to the very bottom of the gorge. Here you can clearly see the canyon bed, with the river in the center, and all the vegetation on the sides of it. The river began to murmur even stronger, and here it was already rolling over rather large pebbles, depressions and rapids.

At the height of summer, the river dries up and becomes not so full-flowing. The ideal time to visit the canyon is spring or late autumn.

We soon found ourselves at Blue lake, it is not clear why the lake was called blue, the water was more green with an emerald tint. Over time, the rather deep trays were naturally washed out. We decided to take a dip. The water temperature is very refreshing, not higher than +11 degrees.

This is how the river, every year, becoming either a full-flowing spring, or a shallow one in the summer heat, gradually washes away everything that comes its way. And stones, and grains of sand, and even fallen trees.

The water is crystal clear! We saw a tiny mountain trout that lived here. I wanted to photograph her, but she swam away very quickly.

Those feelings when you are in the canyon, it is difficult to convey them in words. It's like an adventure! As soon as you go down the well-trodden eco-paths, you start to be amazed at the beauty and appreciate nature more, I found myself in a different world. The feeling from the constant ups and downs is amazing!

Our small group. A guide is walking ahead.

Here nature creates and decides how and what should look like. The vegetation here is lagging behind in its development by at least a month. The guide said that river crossings change from year to year. Many stones are washed away, trees fall. Perhaps the photographs I took today will never be taken again. This is the uniqueness of the canyons!

After a while we got up again.

Traveling along the canyon gorge did not make me bored, time flies by here!

Soon we came to a small hollow to the largest underground karst spring in Crimea, - Pania... The name comes from the Greek "Panagia" (παναγία), which in translation means "Virgin"... The water flows well here all year round. The average annual water flow is 350 liters per second. Having drunk a little tasty live water, we moved on.

In the gaps between the dense crowns of trees, the gorge narrows and sheer cliffs are visible!

The stones began to come across slippery and it was decided to go barefoot. It's safer and much more convenient this way!

Then the bottom relief radically changed its appearance. Now we walked along the sides of the canyon channel, sometimes stepping from a small pebble to a huge boulder, or even walking along a large polished stone slab with small bizarre depressions washed out by a turbulent river.

The final excursion point we had was "Bath of Youth" (Lake Kara-Gol)... Over time, this natural bath deepened to a substantial 5 meters and acquired the shape of a bowl. The water here is very cold, one might say icy. According to legend, it is believed that after swimming in it, any person regains their strength and becomes younger.

This chance should not be missed! The guide defiantly dived "fish" from a fairly high ledge first. I told him that he was great. But he did not follow him.

We all dived together one by one from a safer distance.

While everyone was diving into the icy water, I slightly arranged a photo session for Nastya.

We walked this route slowly in about 2.5 hours.

Per "Bath of Youth" the more extreme difficult part of the route begins, which takes about 4 hours more. Perhaps in the near future I will go through it, and then I will tell you.

Below you can see a few photos "Grand Canyon", made by me in a larger resolution of 2500px.

Crimea attracts not only beach lovers. The peninsula is no less popular among tourists who require active recreation, fans of hiking and hard-to-reach places. For such guests, the most attractive are the Crimean mountains with their unusual forests, crevices, rocks, etc. A visit to the so-called Grand Canyon is also in demand. Although it is inferior to its American counterpart in size, it is also very picturesque and difficult to access. One of its attractions is the Bath of Youth. In Crimea, they seriously advise tourists to swim in it to gain strength and vigor.

Where is the source in Crimea?

It is a state landscape reserve. The use of natural resources is very limited here, and tourists are allowed only by prior agreement. The closest thing to the Bath of Youth is in the Bakhchisarai region.

Bath of youth on the map of Crimea

A true source of vigor

The bath of youth is a small lake, washed over many centuries by water in a layer of limestone. There are quite a lot of such lakes in Crimea, they are traditionally called baths. The attraction in the Grand Canyon is famous for the fact that everyone who dares to swim in it really gains vigor and mobility right before our eyes. This becomes evident from the truly youthful agility with which the bather jumps out of the lake. The secret of magical rejuvenation is simple - the water temperature here, even in summer, does not rise above + 9 ... + 11 degrees.

The same age as the dinosaurs

It took entire geological periods to create a rejuvenating reservoir in the area. For a long time, the territory of Crimea was under sea water, as a result of which layers of limestone appeared here. Then geological processes lifted the peninsula out of the water and made cracks in it.
(the consequences of the movement of the plates of the earth's crust). After that, the water continued.

Limestone is not very resistant to erosion. Consequently, the photos of the intricately cut Crimean rocks attract attention. In the Grand Canyon, there are also areas that look like intricate stalactites. But in some places harder rocks appeared under the layer of limestone. There were waterfalls. For thousands of years, falling water washed out depressions there - and such mini-lakes arose, including the Bath of Youth.

Previously, the lake was called Kara-Gol (Black Lake, by the way, its namesake), but now the name Bath of Youth is used more often. The first, back in the early twentieth century, an unusual reservoir was investigated by I.V. Rukhlov and I.I. Puzanov. Scientists also paid attention to the low temperature of the local water. It is explained by the fact that the lake is fed by mountain springs. The water in them is very cold, and in the shade of the rocks of the canyon, it does not have time to heat up at all.

A walk to the Bath of Youth is not an easy test

Since the Bath of Youth in Crimea is located in a protected natural area,
access to it is limited. The administration of the reserve has developed tourist routes, which include a visit to the "rejuvenating" sight. Prices may vary depending on the season and the composition of the group.

During the hike, it is strictly forbidden to light a fire, frighten animals and birds, and pick flowers. It is not allowed to spend the night on the territory of the reserve. But swimming in the rejuvenating spring is allowed for all interested tourists. To get to the Baths of Youth in Crimea, some physical preparation is required initially. Walking along the Grand Canyon is not at all easy, you need to climb boulders, sometimes quite large. You also need to dress accordingly, shoes, comfortable and not slippery, are of particular importance.

The hike requires caution - there is a risk of falling on the head of a stone, collapsed by nature or carelessly walking in front. A visit to the canyon is also permissible only in dry weather - excursions are held exclusively in summer. In case of rain, it can turn into a very stormy stream.
(water rises sharply in its many springs, and it flows from the rocks), as a result, it will not be possible to reach the Kara-Gol lake without risking life. Locals compare what is happening in the canyon during a downpour to the wedding of a shaitan.

However, the reviews of those who have already managed to make such a trip clearly indicate that the impressions received were worth the effort. Many tourists come back here many times and try new routes, in which the Bath of Youth is one of the essential components of a successful hiking trip.

How to get (drive) to the attraction?

The Grand Canyon is one of those places for which the question of how to get there is very relevant. The bath of youth in Crimea is unattainable for ordinary modern transport. You can only get to the outskirts of the village of Sokolinoye. It is not difficult to do this from where direct buses run - the journey time will be about 2 hours.

The fastest way to get here by public transport will take 1 hour. From the village itself you need to walk in the southeast direction for about 5 km, then turn left, then follow the paths of tourists to the lake itself - about 2 km. A map and the help of a competent guide will also not be superfluous here.

Tourist notes

• Address: Bakhchisarai district, Grand Canyon of Crimea, Russia.
• Coordinates: 44 ° 31′32 ″ N (44.525559), 34 ° 0′28 ″ E (34.007805).

Ecological hiking is very popular in Crimea. The bath of youth, and the entire Grand Canyon, annually attracts those who love untouched nature and wish to keep their strength and vigor for a long time! We also offer a short video about this unique natural sight of Crimea. Happy viewing!