Grand Canyon of Crimea tourist route on the map. Grand Canyon of Crimea. Stop #3. Pania Source



Crimean peninsula – at these words, many travelers’ hearts begin to beat quickly. And the reason for this is the many natural and man-made beauties with which the area is generous and rich.

Mountain peaks alternate with smooth plateaus, cave cities with monasteries, but everything pales before the majestic canyon! Grand Canyon in Crimea (BBK) - truly a spectacle that needs to be seen at least once in a lifetime. And don’t think that this is a small crevice exaggerated by impressionable tourists - this is a place of power, incredible emotions, beauty and joy.

Where is the Grand Canyon in Crimea?

Between mountain range Boyka and the Ai-Petrinsky Highlands, on the south-eastern side of the village of Sokolinoe and the most beautiful Grand Canyon of Crimea lies. The natural attraction is the deepest on the peninsula and reaches 320 meters, while the narrowest part is only 2 meters, and the length of the chasm is 3.5 km. The Great Crimean Canyon is rich water streams, there are countless streams here, and the Azu-Uzen River runs along the bottom - incessant and stormy, originating from the very upper reaches and “accompanying” travelers along the entire route.

Grand Canyon routes

Travelers are always offered a route starting from the “Three Gudgeons” cafe - it is believed that even a novice tourist will walk the path from here to the “Bath of Youth”. The entrance fee is still charged (about 100 rubles each), but you can go in for free if the collectors have already earned money and left. So, from the foresters’ post, next to the cafe, the trail leads to Sary-Uzen.

The river fills only during heavy rains, so in summer you can literally cross it “without getting your feet wet.” The stone boulders are smooth and safe; you only need good shoes to make walking easy and comfortable. Following the first there will be a second crossing - this is the Kokozka River, which is formed at the confluence of a couple of other rivers. It’s easy to cross Kokozka and admire it at the same time local beauties, bushes and go out onto a well-marked path leading up.

There, where oak and hornbeam forests spread freely. For “wild” travelers there is the opportunity to turn along the river and move along with the riverbed, but this path is a little more difficult.

And along the path, which is well trampled by hundreds of tourists’ feet, it is easy, free and simple to walk. Having risen, travelers will find themselves at a crossroads: the roads are divided, it’s up to you to choose, but if you go to the left, you will definitely come out to the village of Sokolinoe, and to the right there will be the Great Crimean Canyon - we’ll go there. From the fork the road becomes more difficult, so count on your strength.

A little forward and you can already see the landmark itself, you can hear the sound of water and you can photograph a huge gorge with steep slopes covered with trees and bushes. On the left, the Sentinel cliff rises; it is the first to meet all travelers and escort them to the Second, Third and Fourth (Cave) cliffs. But this is all on the left “side”, on the right is the Pine Cliff, which hides behind it the Almanchuk tract with the playful Yabloneva (Almanchuk) river. The name of the Almanchuk tract comes from a grove of wild apple trees that grow here to this day. After walking a little, you can stand on observation deck and enjoy the stunning panoramic views to your heart's content.

And now further! The water can no longer just be heard, but also seen - soon the entire expanse of the Blue Lake, so named because of the bluish reflection of the water playing in the rays of the sun, will open. In general, this is not a lake, but just a backwater, but if it’s the Big Canyon, then let everything be called “large”. The path through the Apple Ford to the confluence with Kokozka is fast, and there is already a floodplain with dogwood bushes, hazel, wild apple trees - a little further the riverbed will lead to the Ai-Petri plateau, but it is better to first have a good rest in a small grotto under an overhanging stone. This is where all the tourists who do not violate the travel rules stop. Rest will be required, as the trail becomes more difficult and narrower, there are steep descents, ascents and zigzag turns.

If the trip takes place in the summer heat, you can walk along the river bed; the stones are covered with a thick soft layer of moss, which bounces pleasantly under your feet. Well, in spring or autumn the stream is always full, so you have to follow the path. When going on a hike along the Crimean canyon, grab a fishing rod - a little further on the river becomes full-flowing and brook trout frolic in it excellently. It’s not difficult to agree with the foresters to catch a couple of pieces, and you will be pleased to bake your catch, of course, with the permission of the guide. If you don't take an umbrella to protect yourself from the heat, pick a huge butterbur leaf - there are plenty of them here. The protection is short-lived, but replaceable, and provides ideal protection from the sun.

The short path to the ford with the river turning around the rock will fly by quickly, but further, a little to the right, a real miracle awaits - the Pania spring. The abundance of the source is amazing, as always cold water in him. Get your cameras ready, we're about to shoot the most beautiful places kingdoms of stone pits and baths, including the famous Bath of Youth. This is where the usual route to the Grand Canyon of Crimea ends.

But there are many others. For example, go further, because all the most interesting things open up just behind these cliffs. The path will be difficult, not every traveler will be able to pass. But if you have endurance and endurance, then go ahead! There, where the steep walls almost close together, muffling the sunlight and settling gloom and twilight in the gorge.

It is quiet here, there is no sound of water, only pebbles rustle, gradually crumbling under the careless steps of travelers, and somewhere above there is the rustling of invisible trees. Already now the dry bottom is lined with limestone pebbles; you often come across ledges many meters high and rubble rolled in by stones. Sometimes you need to cross them, this is where minimal climbing skills and helping each other are required. There are rare paths that go around the rubble, but you will have to jump a lot. By the way, you shouldn’t be in a particular hurry; condensation settling on the stones is dangerous for fast movements– you can slip and fall.

Rockfalls also pose a danger to travel - at the bottom there are often huge pieces of limestone rock, crushed by the fall. To date, no one has been hurt, but caution is in order. In addition, traces of destruction from water jets are visible everywhere on the walls: grottoes, niches, ledges. Because of this, the Great Crimean Canyon cannot boast of the evenness of the plumbs, but all the depressions are convenient for travelers, you can lean on them, and it is also interesting to view the temporary layers of the “pie” of plumbs.

In general, there are enough interesting things along the way to last a lifetime of memories, the harsh beauty of the canyon is amazing, at every turn a new view, panorama opens up and it seems that you have found yourself in some other world, have become detached from reality and now there will be an entrance to the kingdom of the gnomes. But the two-kilometer difficult path ends, the walls move apart, become lower, and soon a magnificent basin with a waterless bed of the Kuru-Uzen (Dry River) and incredibly beautiful clearings lined with soft grass opens before your eyes.

Now all that remains is to go to inspect Cape Trapis, go down to the Yohagan-Su valley with its springs and carefully look down from the huge Fifth Cape! The spectacle is definitely not for the faint of heart - a view of the entire gorge from a great height leaves in the memory such a storm of emotions that it is impossible to cope with them right away. Then a calm walk along the path, at first gentle, and then steeply running down, and finally, again the murmur of water, the trunks of centuries-old beeches and the Dzhevizlyk spring, where you can rest before leaving the canyon.

There are plenty of routes along the Great Crimean Canyon, they vary in length and complexity. And there is always the opportunity to choose a lighter version, for example, to go on an adventure with the kids.

Map of the Crimean Canyon

When looking at the map, you should pay attention to the large number of rivers, springs and other sources. Formed as a result of a fracture in the earth's crust, the Grand Canyon of Crimea is indicated on the map as a deep crevice with a length of 3.5 km. The difficulties of crossing the gorge force agencies to offer routes along the upper edge, but if you wish, it is worth looking at the map and taking the risk of creating your own routes. Moreover, there are plenty of turns that allow you to shorten the path and go back to the merge and exit to the cafe.

However, if tourists are not afraid of difficulties, it will open for them new world– these places are accessible to not many travelers and have preserved the almost pristine freshness of natural beauty. It is impossible to see all the beauty of the gorge from above, ledges and dense vegetation interfere, but from below the view enchants and does not let go, the secluded corners of the Great Crimean Canyon are so beautiful.

The tectonic fault has a lot of attractions, both encountered along the way and requiring separate inspection.

Waterfall Silver Streams

The waterfall is only 4.5 kilometers south from the village of Sokolinoe, it’s an hour’s journey, but the time spent on the road will more than pay off! The luxurious waterfall is located at the entrance to the Small Canyon and is the “creation” of the Sary-Uzen River. But, contrary to the name (Yellow River), the waterfall is Silver, not yellow, and delights travelers with its sweet-sounding tints.

Visually, the entire flow of water resembles strings with which the wind “plays”. In winter, the streams freeze and the waterfall turns into “Crystal” - the icicles hang in the most bizarre way, forming an intricate pattern and slowly ringing with the blowing wind. The shape itself is very unusual: countless streams of water burst out from under the cap of moss, and behind the stream a black entrance to the grotto opens. Add to this a hornbeam forest interspersed with beech, rowan, centuries-old oaks and a complete feeling is created fabulous place, which is what this waterfall is!

Bath of youth

The Grand Canyon of Crimea gives youth not only to the soul, but also to the body. The famous Bath of Youth is believed to restore the joy of life even to people of the older generation. It is this legend that attracts many travelers to swim in the font, wanting to plunge into the water, the temperature of which rarely exceeds 9-10 degrees. Thought-provoking pleasure. The depth of the bath is 5 meters, so you can even dive, but few people dare to undertake such an undertaking, but you can always try!

Post oak

The Post Oak is another attraction that the Grand Crimean Canyon offers. Once upon a time, partisans used the opportunity to put a letter in a hollow oak tree for delivery. And for a long time the tree delighted travelers with beautiful letters, where people wrote about their dreams and achievements and shared joyful emotions. In fact, writing a letter and leaving it at the Postal Oak was the same as sending a message to Santa Claus. But in 1982 the tree was burned, and today only the skeleton of a mighty oak tree remains at the fork.

But this should not upset travelers; the Grand Canyon of Crimea is replete with wonders and remarkable places:

1. Blue Lake– this is the place where love declarations acquire indestructible power;

2. On Yablonev Ford, look who will give you a hand - this often turns out to be the very person you have been waiting for all your life;

3. Source Pania always fulfills your deepest desires.

As you can see, here in the canyon nature takes on the fulfillment of your most secret dreams, and therefore you should prepare thoroughly for the excursion.

Excursion to the Grand Canyon

A trip to the Grand Canyon of Crimea is an excursion that gives you the opportunity to get acquainted with one of the most remarkable places peninsula. As a rule, the route includes: an overview of the South Coast, a trip to the Bakhchisarai region, a walk along the canyon and lunch in a cafe. The duration of the adventure depends on the length of the route and takes from 8 hours. You will have to walk 2-3.5 km through different terrain, so you should take care of comfortable shoes, clothes, replacement socks and a swimsuit. At the end of the trip, tourists will enjoy barbecue, wine, juices, pilaf, and Tatar manti in the Three Peskarya cafe.

How to get there?

When going to the Grand Canyon of Crimea, think about how to get there:

1. By public transport from Yalta, Sevastopol or Simferopol there are regular buses from bus stations along the route to Bakhchisarai. There are also minibus taxis. You need to drive to the village of Sokolinoe, then walk three kilometers in a southerly direction and you will see the entrance to the gorge.

Bus schedule Simferopol-Bakhchisarai

Bus schedule Sevastopol-Bakhchisarai

Bus schedule Yalta-Bakhchisarai

2. From Sokolinoe you can also follow the Yusupov trail; it will lead right to the beginning of the route into the canyon.

If you go by car to the Grand Canyon of Crimea, here’s how to get there by car:

1. Drive along the Yalta highway to Bakhchisarai;

2. Turn to the Ai-Petri pass;

3. Before reaching the pass, there will be the village of Sokolinoe, where you can leave your vehicle in the parking lot.

How to get from Simferopol to the Grand Canyon

From Sevastopol

From Yalta

Attraction coordinates: N 44.3140 E 34.10. And remember that the Grand Canyon in Crimea is a territory where not all areas are open to the public, it is forbidden to pick flowers, eat fruits and cut down trees. You can get a fine for lighting a fire, as well as for an unauthorized overnight stay. It is best to travel in the dry season and under no circumstances swim in the stone “baths” with black water. It's really black and contagious due to rotting algae, don't risk it!

Crimea, one of the stunning corners of our wonderful planet. The Crimean peninsula is simply a treasure trove of attractions created both by man and by mother nature herself. Among the most famous sights of Crimea, known throughout the world, we can highlight: Livadia Palace, bird home, Artek, Nikitsky Botanical Garden, Kerch Bridge and so on. But among the attractions that nature has created, the most popular are the Crimean Mountains, waterfalls, caves and canyons. In this article I want to talk in detail about the best and most famous canyons Crimean peninsula.

In total there are about 17 canyons on the Crimean peninsula, practically all were formed several tens of thousands of years ago, under the influence mountain rivers. Today, most of the canyons continue their formation and development. Almost all canyons have mountain streams, water cascades and waterfalls, but most mountain rivers have a pronounced seasonal nature. Peak activity of mountain rivers occurs in March - April. IN summer time, tourists walk in places where spring rivers flow. The beds of many rivers are turning into tourist routes. River activity is associated with melting snow on the peaks Crimean mountains. It is in spring that the architects of the Crimean canyons - the rivers - do their routine work of construction and construction - new cascades, baths of youth and grinding mountain stones. Of course, among all the canyons of the Crimean peninsula, the most recognizable and most visited is Grand Canyon of Crimea.

Grand Canyon of Crimea


Grand Canyon of Crimea, as the name emphasizes, is truly the largest on the entire Crimean peninsula. The canyon is located on Mount Ai-Petri, from the Bakhchisaray district. You can get to it through Mount Ai-Petri, along the Yalta - Bakhchisarai highway. 5-6 km before the end of the descent, the entrance to the Grand Canyon begins. There are actually several entrances. The two most famous are: at the bridge over the mountain river Kokozka and 2 km higher, near a small market. There are no big differences between the inputs. A walk through the canyon, on average, lasts 2-3 hours and, practically the entire time, passes along the bottom of the canyon, exactly sandwiched by rocks, with a height of 100 to 350 meters.


Chernorechensky Canyon


Chernorechensky Canyon located near Balaklava, near the village of Chernorechenskoye and ends in Baydar Valley, practically, near the village of Shirokoe or Ozernoye. A walk through the canyon is designed to last 3-4 hours, but taking into account the measured pace and small breaks, on average it can take about 4-5 hours. The route usually starts from the side of Balaklava, but, in principle, you can also start from the village of Ozernoye. If you start the hike from Balaklava, then after a walk along the canyon you will still admire


Arpat Canyon


Arpat Canyon is located in one of the most picturesque corners of Crimea - the Panagia tract, not far from the villages of Novy Svet and Malorechenskoye. The length of the canyon is about 7 km, the average walking time is 2-3 hours. The canyon is famous for the Arpatsik waterfall, the Bath of Love - a stone bowl in the shape of a heart, and a large number of large and small cascades with overflowing water. The tourist route is marked, almost at any time of the year, you will meet tourists. The most beautiful time to visit the canyon is March - April.


Uzundzha Canyon


Uzundzha Canyon, by the standards of Crimea, is quite small, but the walk will be very entertaining, because... at the entrance to the canyon there is one of ancient artifacts Crimea - Skel menhirs, whose age is about 4-6 thousand years. They were most likely erected for pagan cults. An analogue of such a place can be called the English Stonehenge. Skel menhirs are located in the village of Rodnikovoe. From Rodnikovovo we head into the canyon itself and find ourselves in front of the entrance to one of the most amazing caves in Crimea - Skelskaya Cave. Unlike most caves, it does not lead down the mountain or along the mountain, but up, to the height of a 4-story building.


Canyon Kok-Asan


Canyon Kok-Asan, one of the most hidden corners of the Crimean peninsula. This happened due to its remoteness from the sea coast and major attractions of Crimea. The canyon originates in the Belogorsky district, in the village of Povorotnoye. From the village we head towards the New World. Highways there is no. Due to its greater distance from civilization, this canyon has retained its pristine nature and has not been so heavily influenced by humans. Like most canons in Crimea, it has a bath of Love, a bath of Youth and Health, several waterfalls and a mountain river. Only all this is in pristine condition, combined with magnificent air and wild forest.


Belbek Canyon



For lovers mountain holiday or walking routes, canyons of Crimea, one of my favorite places. You choose routes according to the level of difficulty and physical capabilities and combine mountain walks with visits to castles, palaces, waterfalls, fortresses and caves lost in the mountains, overcoming mountain rivers and impassable thickets. The Crimean peninsula is rich in history and over thousands of years of human presence in these places, it has accumulated a huge amount of baggage for study, research and new discoveries.

Canyons of Crimea on the map

Tourists who come to the Crimean peninsula to explore its natural attractions always leave time to visit the Grand Canyon of Crimea. Locals they lovingly call it the eighth wonder of the world, since the nature of this reserve is truly extremely beautiful and unusual.

The Grand Canyon is the most visited of all the canyons in Crimea. One need only say that the cost of excursions for visitors is comparable to visiting the famous Livadia Palace or Nikitsky Botanical Garden.

Travel companies and excursion kiosks open in almost all major cities Crimean peninsula, create bus excursions with a visit to the Grand Canyon. For those who travel around Crimea by personal vehicle, there are several options , how to get to the Grand Canyon by car.

Geographical position

Historians and local historians say that the Grand Canyon of Crimea in ancient times was part of the ocean floor. Today this natural landmark has several main geographical landmarks:

  1. Geographically, the reserve belongs to the Ai-Petrinsky mountain range;
  2. The canyon starts from the village of Sokolinoe, Bakhchisaray district (distance from the village - 3 km);
  3. The Auzun-Uzen River flows along the bottom of the canyon.

As a result of centuries-old exposure to water on rocks and the movement of tectonic rocks, the walls of the gorge sank to a depth of 32 m, forming a slope of 75-90 0. The bottom of the canyon is a heap stone blocks and boulders, numerous rapids and waterfalls. This place is considered the largest canyon in the Crimea peninsula. The first researcher to descend to the bottom of the canyon was Doctor of Historical Sciences - Professor I.I. Puzanov.

Excursion program

The first thing that strikes tourists who come to the Grand Canyon of Crimea on an excursion is:

  • The splendor of nature is unusual for these places;
  • Scenic trails on the plateau and along the rubble of boulders;
  • Numerous waterfalls and springs with drinking water;
  • Cool and fresh air.

When signing up for a tour, be sure to check what the last point will be walking route. It is advisable that hiking trail continued beyond the Baths of Youth and reached the narrowest point of the gorge.

Experienced guides lead the group along the most interesting impassable stone paths, so that tourists get the full experience. Having overcome the stone blockages and dangerous areas, you will be able to approach a picturesque mountain spring - a spring flowing out of the mountain along a stone chute.

How to get to the canyon?

If you are vacationing in Yalta or its suburbs, and decide to drive to the Grand Canyon of Crimea by car, you should choose the route leading towards Bakhchisarai. Along it, having reached the Ai-Petri pass, you will need to overcome the path along a descending mountain serpentine road.

Along the route you can see the sign “Grand Canyon” and turn along it. Visiting this natural attraction is difficult because there are no regular buses or minibuses. Therefore, you can only get to the Grand Canyon by personal car or by registering for a tour in advance.

If you came to the canyon by car and decided to spend time using the services of a private guide, remember that these people, as a rule, do not have a license to conduct excursions, and in the event of an unusual situation they will not bear any responsibility!

If you are driving from the direction of Sevastopol, follow the following route:

  1. Along the Sevastopol highway you get to Bakhchisarai;
  2. Then use the navigator or map to select the route leading towards the Ai-Petri pass;
  3. When passing the village of Sokolinoe, be extremely careful; 3 kilometers from it along the road you will see the “entrance gate to the Grand Canyon.” This will be the end point of your route.

Near the entrance to nature reserve There is a guarded parking lot. The car will have to be left there, since the movement of tourists in the canyon is only allowed on foot.

If you decide to get to the canyon by minibus or regular bus, you will have to get off near the village of Sokolinoe. Further passage of bus transport is prohibited. Many tourists make the trek on foot to the entrance to the canyon, but at the stop in Sokolin there are always many motorists and taxi drivers offering to take you to the reserve for a nominal fee.

Without exaggeration, we can say that the entire Crimean peninsula is one large natural reserve, every corner of which must not only be visited, but also experienced in its beauty and mood. The Grand Canyon was no exception. Just looking at it takes your breath away and you just want to silently look around and listen to the breath of nature.

This huge fault in the Crimean mountains stretches for many kilometers. The canyon is located in the south of the peninsula, not far from Yalta and Alupka. It is located on the northern slope of the main ridge of the Crimean Mountains, in the Bakhchisarai region and runs between the two massifs Ai-Petrinsky and Boyka.

Nearest locality to the big canyon - the village of Sokolinoe, which is located 5 km from it.

Baths of the Grand Canyon of Crimea

Description

  • To date it length is 3.5 km;
  • depth on average 320 m, but in some places reaches 600 meters;
  • width just as the depth ranges from 3 to 187 meters, sometimes narrowing and sometimes expanding throughout.

The river adds beauty to the canyon Auzun-Uzen flowing along its bottom. It is thanks to the water that has worked to create the landscape for many millennia that there are many rapids, waterfalls, boilers and baths. There are more than 150 of them here. There are many more attractions on the peninsula, and one of them is the Jur Jur waterfall, but this information will help you understand how to get to it by car.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the reserve:

By car

If you drive from Yalta or its suburbs, then it is best to choose the highway leading to Bakhchisarai. At the Ai-Petri pass you will have to overcome mountain serpentine. There is a "Grand Canyon" sign on the route leading to the right place.

If you move from Simferopol, you need to choose the Sevastopol highway and follow it to Bakhchisarai, then turn onto the road that leads to the Ai-Petri pass, you need to pass the village of Sokolinoe, 3 km from it, there will be the “entrance gate to the Grand Canyon”.

On the video - how to get there by car:

Near the entrance to the reserve there is a guarded parking lot, where you need to leave your car and continue on foot. It will also be interesting to know where the Marsian Lake is located, and how you can get there by car and on foot

Public transport

All public transport goes only to the village of Sokolinoe, since buses and minibus taxis prohibited, so you will have to walk to your destination or use the services of a private cab. There will definitely not be any problems with this, since in Sokolin there are always enough people willing to take tourists to the famous Crimean landmark, for a small fee.

Excursion tour

The most profitable and in a convenient way visit a nature reserve will purchase sightseeing tour. Today in everyone resort town many shops offer a wide range excursion programs, including a visit to the Great Crimean Canyon. In addition, in our age of electronic technology, excursion tours can also be purchased via the Internet. It is also worth learning more about what kind of excursions there are from Yevpatoria to Yalta.

On the video - how to get to the Grand Canyon of Crimea:

This excursion includes not only a hike through the most beautiful and largest canyon of Crimea, with a visit to its natural attractions such as:

  • Blue Lakes;
  • Pania Spring;
  • Apple Ford;
  • Yew Falls;
  • The bath of youth and the Silver Streams waterfall, but also lunch in a cafe of Tatar cuisine. Every traveler will be interested to learn about how to get to the Taigan safari park in Crimea, as well as see photos.

To the starting point of the excursion tourists are transported on buses that follow very scenic roads However, all buses stop at the parking lot and exploring the canyon must be done on foot. Experienced guides lead groups along the most interesting impassable stone paths that will not leave anyone indifferent; you will have to walk a lot along rocky paths, so comfortable shoes are a must.

Video: walking tour:

In addition to the stunning nature and views, there are many places in the canyon where you can swim, so be sure to take swimsuits with you.

No matter how difficult it is to get to the Great Crimean Canyon, it is a must-visit. This unique place, where rare species of plants and animals are found, in addition, it is simply very beautiful here. Everyone knows that the nature of the Crimean peninsula is unique and its natural attractions are in no way inferior to architectural ones. Any tourist will also be interested to know about this wonderful place, How New World, as well as what beaches there are.

Grand Canyon of Crimea: among the enchanting natural beauties

The Grand Canyon of Crimea is not only the most beautiful and fascinating place, but also in many ways a rather mysterious and enigmatic corner, surrounded by many legends and tales. When you see this gigantic rock formation, like a giant scar stretching for kilometers in the body of the Crimean Mountains, you involuntarily take your breath away and there is a feeling of respectful awe before its silent, calm grandeur.

All the beauty of this place, as well as the feelings and emotions that it generates when contemplating, is difficult to describe in words. On the one hand, it is quite multifaceted, nature has done its best in this, enriching its flora and aesthetic world, but on the other hand, the breathtaking spectacle simply leaves one’s mouth numb. It is completely different from the gloomy, dark crevices that appear in the imagination when you hear the word “canyon”. On the contrary, it is filled with unimaginable colors, charm, the spirit of ancient legends, as if hovering in space, and life seething literally under every stone.

Where is the canyon located in Crimea?

It is located at the southern tip of the Crimean Mountains, in the Bakhchisarai region. It lies between two mountain ranges - Ai-Petri and Boyka, at approximately equal distances, 5 km from the village of Sokolinoe.

Gorge on the map of Crimea

What is a landmark?

Of course, the Great Crimean Canyon cannot be compared with the fault of the same name in the American state of Arizona, but its parameters are also impressive. It stretches 3.5 km in length, has an average depth of 320 m, but in some places reaches 600 m,
with a width ranging from 3 to 187 m, sometimes narrowing and sometimes widening throughout. The Auzun-Uzen River flows along the bottom, fed by many streams and springs, turning into beautiful, sonorous waterfalls, cascading from small height. The mouth of the river is replete with depressions or cauldrons filled with water, forming small but rather deep lakes, called “baths”.

Nature of the Great Crimean Canyon

Due to its depth and narrow spaces, where the sun’s rays rarely penetrate, a unique microclimate is formed in the canyon, making it cool and damp on the hottest days. The air temperature rarely exceeds +18 degrees, and the water temperature remains at +11, so it is not possible to soak in one of the famous “baths”. Vegetable world in the confined space of a giant fault is very rich and varied.

The Grand Canyon of Crimea is represented by hundreds of species of trees, shrubs and flowers, many of them are endemic and have survived to this day only due to the peculiarities of the formation itself. Particularly noteworthy in this regard are orchids; most of their species (about 70%) grow only here, as well as relict plants, such as yews, hyoid brooms, saxifrage, etc., are not found anywhere else on the peninsula.

Routes and excursions to the Grand Canyon

The excursion, introducing its unforgettable beauty, takes place in two directions - along the fault, along its right edge, and along the bottom. Both options are good in their own way, and in both cases you will get wonderful photos, but they are very different from each other. The route along the upper “side” is not so picturesque, but it is completely safe –
You can walk along it at any time of the year and also on your own. Along the way, stunning views of forested mountain slopes and shady valleys open up, but the main impressions still lie deep below - where you can only look from dizzying heights, standing on a ledge.

The route along the bottom is more interesting, truly exciting and picturesque, but it is extremely difficult, and sometimes poses considerable danger - during rainy periods, for example, a natural attraction turns into a death trap. As a result, you should avoid such a trip at least until mid-July, and going on it yourself involves a huge risk - the map will not let you get lost, but ignorance of the area can lead to undesirable consequences. It is better to go here on a tour or with an experienced guide, have rock climbing skills and good, comfortable shoes.

How to get there (get there)?

You can use public transport, take the “Bakhchisaray – Yalta” bus, get to the “Grand Canyon of Crimea” stop and walk another 5 km or hitch a ride. Often, tourists also ask, wanting to visit the Grand Canyon of Crimea, how to get there by car, which indicates a desire to look into it on their own. It is best to focus on the route from Bakhchisarai, from where you need to drive along the T0117 highway 32 km in a southerly direction to Sokolinoe village and then another 3-5 km to the southeast.

Are you better at navigating with a map? Look at it to see how you can get to the desired object:

Note to tourists

  • Address: pos. Sokolinoe, Bakhchisarai district, Crimea, Russia.
  • GPS coordinates: 44.528127, 34.019346.

Speaking about the Grand Canyon, one thing is for sure - you won’t find a more amazing and beautiful place in Crimea! Thanks to such objects as the Blue Lake, the Bath of Youth or the Pania Spring, it has become widely known far beyond the peninsula. But here everyone finds a reason to visit it. Some are attracted by extreme sports, others by the inimitable beauty and rare species of flora, and others come even attracted by the terrible Tatar legends. One way or another, everyone finds here what they came for, what they were looking for, and even though everyone has different reasons for visiting, what remains common are bright, unforgettable impressions and delight that remain for a long time, if not for a lifetime, then for many years. Watch the video about this enchanting place in conclusion.

About Crimea

Everything about holidays in Crimea: hotels, boarding houses, tips, reviews, photos, cities and towns

Grand Canyon of Crimea

Among the natural attractions of Crimea, the Grand Canyon occupies a very special place. This large canyon was formed about 1.5 - 2 million years ago, at the site of a huge tectonic fault.

In the very deep place The depth of the canyon exceeds 320 m, and it itself stretches for 3.5 km. Perfect place trekking and hiking. But you shouldn’t go to the canyon alone or on your own; it’s better to go as part of a tourist group or take a tour from a specialized agency.

The Grand Canyon of Crimea is one of many similar places in the world. There are stunning mountains, gorges and canyons, for example in Iceland. Norway is incredibly rich in such natural attractions. And if you want to get closer, there are plenty mountain routes There are different levels of difficulty in Georgia. Look interesting routes You can go to the mountains on the page of the tourist club www.marshrut-club.com.

The Grand Canyon of Crimea was formed over millions of years. Today it is a deep channel, sometimes wider, sometimes narrower. Along the riverbed there are about 150 erosion cauldrons with waterfalls, the so-called baths. Some are very tiny, and some reach a depth of about 2.5 m and a length of up to 10 m. The Blue Lake - this is the largest cauldron, the bath of youth - is also a similar formation.

Feeds the canyon great amount streams, springs, mountain rivers that come out of the gorge and flow into the Azun-Uzen River. This is a clean, cold river. Throughout its entire length, even in the baths, the water temperature does not exceed 11 degrees.

When can you go to the Grand Canyon?

It is safe enough to be in the canyon only from the second half of summer to the beginning of autumn. During this period, when it rarely rains, the canyon is drained. And routes for trekking and hiking become available.

During the rainy season, the canyon is dangerous. Not only is there a mountain stream with mud and stones rushing along the riverbed. Because of the rains, the slopes of the canyon become less stable and rock falls occur more often. By the way, even during the dry season, due to the danger of falling stones, you should not go close to the slopes.

Keep in mind that the canyon has developed its own microclimate. It's always a few degrees cooler here than outside. And at the same time, quite humid.

How to get to the Grand Canyon of Crimea

The Grand Canyon begins 5 km away. from the village of Sokoliny. If you are going on a hike on your own, you will have to take a taxi from Sokolinoe or walk; there is no public transport to the canyon. You can get to the village of Sokolinoe by bus from Simferopol, Sevastopol and Bakhchisarai.

If you are going on a hike with a tourist group, such a tour usually includes a transfer to the canyon.

If you are traveling by car, you need to go through Ai-Petri. On the way to the plateau, about halfway along the path there will be a sign “Grand Canyon”.

What to take on a hike

The minimum duration of a walk through the Grand Canyon is 2.5-3 hours. Therefore, be sure to take enough water with you and, if necessary, a light snack.

Comfortable shoes are a must. The route itself is not too difficult, but you will need to jump somewhere, cross streams, puddles, and stones.

There is an entrance fee to the Grand Canyon because it is a nature reserve. So, you need to take money with you. In the 2017 season admission ticket costs 100 rubles.

How to get there

The Grand Canyon of Crimea can be reached both from Yalta and from Bakhchisarai.

1. From Bakhchisarai

Bakhchisaray is located on the highway between Simferopol and Sevastopol. Getting there by public transport is not difficult - buses and trains run frequently.

On your own

From Bakhchisarai you need to get to Sokolinoe. Buses depart from the Bakhchisarai bus station every hour. The last one is around 6 pm. A taxi from Sokolinoe to Bakhchisarai will cost 800 rubles. Then you can walk along the highway (about 5 km), or take a taxi (300 rubles).

You can also take a walk along the Yusupov trail, which runs from Sokolinoe through a picturesque forest along the slope of Mount Boyko. It is also about 5 km to the canyon.

By car

From Bakhchisaray along the old Yalta-Bakhchisaray highway, you need to get to 6 km of the highway, a little further than Sokolinoe.

2. From Yalta

On your own

There is no public transport from Yalta towards the Grand Canyon. But you can try to catch a ride to the canyon near the turn to Ai-Petri to the ski lift.

Road Yalta-Bakhchisarai

By car

You need to take the Bakhchisarai highway - the turn to it will be near the Uzbekistan sanatorium. Drive along it through the pass up to 6 km of the Yalta-Bakhchisarai highway. This road has not been repaired for a long time, plus a serpentine road. If you are an inexperienced driver, then this trip may take you more than 2 hours.

 

It might be useful to read: