March to the East

The group gathers at the Simferopol railway station around 10 am. We distribute food and equipment and then go to the Angarsk Pass (height 752m). The walking part of the route begins here. Having passed under the cliffs of the Elkh-Kaya ridge, we will find ourselves on the Funa pass with an excellent view of the sea and the Alushta valley. For a short break, you can go to the nearby MAN cave (unequipped). Then we will continue traversing the southern slope of the Northern Demerdzhi plateau along the path with the promising name Gray Hair Trail. Overnight in the valley of the Dzhurla stream, where nostalgic birch trees and sharp rocks coexist in a wonderful way.    

In the morning we will go on a radial hike (i.e. without backpacks) to the top of South Demerdzhi. From here you can see a gorgeous view of the Valley of Ghosts (the filming location for "Prisoner of the Caucasus") and the neighboring plateaus - Chatyr-Dag and Babugan. Bizarre stone figures on top of Demerdzhi are an excellent backdrop for a themed photo shoot “Conquering the Top of the World” :)
Having finished with the ghosts, we return to Dzhurla, pick up our backpacks and continue the traverse of Northern Demerdzhi. In a couple of hours, the trail will dive into a dense beech forest to meet Dzhur-Dzhur - the deepest waterfall in Crimea. We will spend the night 5 minutes from the waterfall, so we will have the opportunity to wait until dusk and test the power of the falling water for ourselves:)

If you go around the waterfall and go upstream, you will find yourself in the Khapkhal gorge. Of course, the paths here are not the most convenient, and the climb is quite steep, but the forest is simply mesmerizing with its wildness. The river flows in numerous cascades, huge beech trees lie side by side after winter hurricanes and sharp rocks continue to stretch and stretch upward. But as soon as you crawl onto the plateau, the world changes radically - there are vast meadows, a wide dirt road and, if you do not pay attention to the abyss behind you, you might think that you are in an ordinary rural hayfield. 

We cross Tyrke Yayla, take pictures against the backdrop of jagged cliffs on one edge and peer into the impenetrable darkness of the partisan forests of Burulchi on the other. We continue the partisan theme by camping for the night in the eastern Su-At parking lot.  

The Karabi plateau is one of the largest in Crimea. To estimate its size and the unusualness of the lunar landscape, let's climb to the top of Takya Tepe. With some effort of imagination, the numerous sinkholes in Karabi can actually pass for lunar craters. But you can admire the sea from the top of this limestone plateau without any effort :) We go down a little lower and walk along the impressive cliffs of the southern edge of the Karabi plateau. We set up camp at the "mouth" of the huge Chigenitra gorge.

Further our road to the East passes through the Big Gate pass. This is the first of four passes that we have to go through today. Then there will be the Small Gate and Kalliston-Bogaz passes. Maneuvering among small peaks we will gradually descend lower and lower, moving away from the black bulk of Karabi. Our home for tonight will be a clearing near the pass Alakat-Bogaz. A little lower in the forest there is a powerful spring, and right from the clearing there is a panoramic view of Karasubazar Gorge.     

We will reach the place where we will spend the night, the Upper Kok-Asan parking lot, in less than half a day. Here we will have lunch and, having hidden our backpacks lightly, we will set off for a radial exit along one of two canyons - Kuchuk-Karasu or Panagia. We have a choice: Kuchuk-Karasu is shady, secluded and uncrowded, and Panagia (Arpatian waterfalls), on the contrary, is open to the sun and attracts more people. In any case, you will have to overcome many obstacles, jump on rocks, and swim in stone baths (if desired, of course).  

A relatively easy day - without any significant changes in altitude. We walk along a wide path in the forest on the southern slope of Main ridges. From the viewing platforms on Mount Sori and at the Maski Pass we contemplate narrow valleys rolling down to the seashore.  

Not far from our camp, the Orta-Syrt ridge begins. This is one of my favorite places in Crimea. Narrow ridge Orta-Syrta is picturesque in itself and is an excellent viewing platform. There are no trees blocking the view. Here there is the sea (ahead), deep valleys and high mountains (to the right and left). We go lower and lower, constantly changing angles, perspectives open up - the camera works continuously. And at the end of the ridge there is a small sunny waterfall so similar to a shower that only a few can resist and refrain from bathing :) Then everything is simple - we cross the highway, pass the village of Veseloye and stop for the night in Kutlak Bay right on the beach.      

It was not for nothing that Cape Karaul-Oba was made a protected area - such beauty must be protected. The path goes around cozy coves, climbs between the bizarre warm rocks, staggers from side to side, intoxicated by the thick aroma of juniper. They say that there is an unusual energy here, and that thousands of years ago there was a mysterious settlement here brands Yes, the ancients knew where to settle. After a short rest, we can continue our journey through Tsarsky Beach, Chaliapin’s Grotto, Golitsyn’s trail or directly jump out to the New World. Almost inevitable is repeated swimming in the sea and no less repeated photographing against the background. 

Our journey to the East ends on the New World embankment. From the New World it is easy to get to Sudak (20 minutes by minibus), from where buses go to Simferopol several times an hour (an hour and a half drive). When purchasing return tickets, please note that you will get to the Simferopol railway station no earlier than 18:00. You don’t have to rush to leave Crimea, but stay for a couple of days on the coast. Go to the Genoese fortress in Sudak, sunbathe on the beach, and just breathe in a juniper-sea air cocktail.