Pivdenna Demerdzhi
Southern Demerji - the top of the Demerji Yaila massif in the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains, 1239 meters high. It is composed of limestones and conglomerates, so the rocks here have bizarre shapes: pillars, bastions and huge blocks.
The mountain stands next to Alushta, near the Simferopol-Yalta highway, the nearest village is Luchyste. Kateryna's profile is visible right from the highway, so it's hard to miss. The main attraction here is the Valley of Ghosts on the western slope, a field of weathered stone figures, where the boulders resemble people, animals and mysterious creatures. The largest pillar, the Giant, is about 25 meters high, and in the fog the silhouettes seem to come alive.
It was here that episodes of Soviet comedies were filmed, including the Caucasian Captive, so you may have already seen some of the rocks on the screen. The route to the figures is gentle and accessible without mountaineering training, but the light and weather constantly redraw the landscape.
FAQFrequently asked questions
What kind of mountain is it and how high is it?
Southern Demerji - the top of the Demerji Yaila massif in the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains, 1239 meters high. It is composed of limestones and conglomerates, so the rocks here are bizarre in shape - pillars, bastions and blocks 10-12 meters thick.
How to get here?
The mountain stands next to Alushta, near the Simferopol-Yalta highway, the nearest village is Luchyste. Kateryna's profile is visible directly from the highway, so it is difficult to miss.
What is this Ghost Valley that everyone is talking about?
This is a field of weathered stone figures on the western slope, where the blocks resemble people, animals and all kinds of mysterious creatures. The largest pillar - the Giant - is about 25 meters high. In the fog, the silhouettes seem to come alive and change, hence the name.
Has anything famous been filmed here?
Yes, episodes of Soviet comedies were filmed in the Valley of Ghosts - in particular, the Caucasian captive. So some rocks you may have already seen on the screen without even knowing it.
When is it better to go and is it difficult?
The slopes are covered with beech-hornbeam and pine forests, there is even a relict yew tree. The route to the figures is gentle and accessible without mountaineering training, but the light and weather here constantly redraw the landscape - in the fog, prepare for complete mysticism.
Tours visiting this place
Reports from these routes
Cold, rainy and foggy Demerdzhi tour May 1-3, 2009. Having planned this event back in February, I imagined several times what it would be like, my first hike and life in tents. I…
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