Karadag

Karadag

Mountain 📍 Crimea

Kara-Dag is an extinct volcano in eastern Crimea near Feodosia, the only surviving ancient volcano in eastern Europe. Eruptions roared here 120-160 million years ago, so now he is definitely not in a hurry. The highest point is Mount Svyat (576 m), and the massif itself stretches for about 22 km from Koktebel to Kurortny.

Mandatory views - the rock of the Golden Gate just in the sea, the rock of Ivan the Robber and the profile of Voloshyn, which the mountains seem to have drawn on the slope themselves. Stones have a separate story: more than 100 minerals, among them carnelian, agate, jasper and chalcedony, which is why Kara-Dag is called an open-air mineral museum.

This is the Karadaz reserve, created in 1979 on the basis of a biostation dating back to 1857. You won't be able to walk freely everywhere, focus on the official eco-routes, and you can't carry stones as a memorial - only look around.

FAQFrequently asked questions

What is Cara-Dag?

This is an extinct volcano in eastern Crimea near Feodosia - the only surviving ancient volcano in eastern Europe. Eruptions roared here 120-160 million years ago, so now it is definitely not in a hurry.

What is the highest point here?

Hora Svyat - 576 meters. Not Hoverla, of course, but the massif stretches for about 22 km from Koktebel to Kurortny, so you will have time to wander.

What must be seen?

The Golden Gate rock is just in the sea, the Ivan the Robber rock and the profile of Voloshyn, which the mountains seem to have drawn on the slope themselves. A separate story - stones: more than 100 minerals, including carnelian, agate, jasper and chalcedony.

Here is a reserve - can you just come?

The Karadaz reserve was created in 1979 on the basis of a biostation founded in 1857 by the doctor Terentiy Vyazemskyi. This is a protected area, so you won't be able to walk freely everywhere - focus on the official eco-routes.

What do stone hunters come here for?

Kara-Dag is called an open-air mineral museum. Picking up carnelian pockets as a souvenir will not work - you cannot take stones out of the reserve, but looking at its various colors is a holy deed.

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