Amazing and impressive creations of nature are the canyons of the Crimea. River valleys, deeply cut into the rock mass, characterize the centuries-old history of the development of the planet's surface. Often, gorges form unique landscapes with grandiose rocky slopes, steep cliffs, waterfalls, natural baths and dense forests. Tourists are offered an excellent opportunity to make an unforgettable journey through the river valleys surrounded by the rocky majestic walls of the mountain ranges. Most of the canyons are located in protected areas. It is forbidden to pick flowers, cut trees, pitch tents and light fires. The diverse flora of Taurida is expressed in an impressive riot of colors.
Grand canyon
It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the Crimean peninsula. This amazingly picturesque place is a unique nature reserve. Its original landscape was shaped by water and wind. The majestic sheer rock formations are overgrown with dense relict forests.
At the bottom of the gorge, there are crystal clear springs and fast rivers with numerous rapids and karst baths flow. Many streams turn into sonorous waterfalls. The height of the cliffs reaches about two hundred meters. Massive stone walls stretch for a distance of 3.5 km. Due to the depth and narrows in the canyon, a special microclimate is formed, due to which, even on the hottest days, it is cool and damp here.
The territory is home to many types of trees, shrubs and flowers.
It is recommended to visit the reserve as part of an organized excursion. Independent tourists can reach this exotic natural formation by public transport. The accessible part of the canyon is located in the Bakhchisarai region, five kilometers from the village of Sokolinoye, where regular buses arrive from Sevastopol and Simferopol.
Chernorechensky canyon
Not far from Sevastopol and Balaklava, the Chernorechensky canyon stretches for 12 kilometers. The mountainous area is cut in zigzags by a deep gorge squeezed by sheer cliffs. Vertical stone walls up to 200 meters high literally hang over the stream of aquamarine waters of the Chernaya River. Along both of its banks, hiking trails are laid through woodlands.
Most of the trails end with rubble and waterfalls. Various trees with lush crowns grow on the slopes of the gorge. Juniper thickets alternate with oak, pine and yew groves. The walk will give the vacationers an indelible impression. Here you can find a considerable number of viewing platforms that are great for panoramic photography, photo shoots and selfies.
Bare rocks, huge boulders, a curved river bed and endless forests stretching beyond the horizon create mesmerizing landscapes. You can get there by bus from Sevastopol and Simferopol. You need to get to the village of Shirokoe or Chernorechye. Before the beginning of the gorge, you have to cover a rather long distance on foot.
Arpat canyon
It is one of the natural pearls of the Crimea. It was formed by the mountain river Arpat several thousand years ago. The bare slopes of the gorge are not very rich in flora and are covered with sparse vegetation, which looks like a very rare forest. The river flows along cascading stone rapids, among which it bends its course intricately.
Its emerald crystal clear waters fill the rocky baths. Some of the natural pools are suitable for plunge and swim. The water temperature in them does not rise above 12-15 degrees. The most popular is the so-called Love Bath, which is a depression resembling a stylized heart. The Arpat canyon repeatedly changes its width throughout its length.
It narrows, then expands, thereby creating a unique bizarre landscape of the area. The easiest way to get to the picturesque rock formation is along the Alushta-Sudak highway. You need to get to the village of Zelenogorye, behind which this fabulous tract will be located.
Uzundzha
Located in the western part of the mountainous Crimea. Its length reaches more than 7 kilometers. The majestic cliffs, whose maximum height is about 500 meters, rise above the small stream of the river. Its bed is covered with stones with perfectly polished surfaces and runs through cascades of waterfalls. The slopes of the mountain formations are covered with dense deciduous forests and juniper groves.
During the walk, tourists are given the opportunity to climb stones, overcome rocky terraces and wade through turbulent streams. Mountain swimmers can plunge into a variety of natural baths. The closest large city to a deep geological fault is Sevastopol. To get to Uzundzh, take a bus to the village of Rodnikovskoe. All excursion hikes into the depths of the canyon begin from here.
Kuchuk-Karasu (Kok-Asan)
It is rightfully considered the pearl of the eastern Crimea. It is famous for its waterfalls, numerous cascades and natural baths washed by a mountain river. The mountain stream makes its way between high sheer cliffs. The remoteness of Kok-Asan from the main, massively visited attractions of the peninsula played a positive role. Therefore, a tour of the gorge is still the most environmentally friendly route.
There is always a peaceful atmosphere here. Observation platforms provide an opportunity to enjoy the pristine beauty of this unique place. The silence of the forest is broken by the sounds of the ringing drops of the emerald waters of the spring falling on the rocky rapids. The slopes of the gorge are covered with dense forest thickets. Comfortable shoes are required for the walk, as the trail runs over large and small stones. Travelers usually start the route from the village of Zelenogorye (between Alushta and Sudak).
Belbek canyon
Among the breathtaking places of the peninsula, the Belbek Canyon deserves attention. This is an amazing result of the activity of a full-flowing and turbulent river, which for many centuries gradually washed out a five-kilometer wide rocky passage in the ridge. For a long time, this area has attracted many tribes who inhabited this territory about 40 thousand years ago.
The protected natural monument will not leave anyone indifferent. Beautiful landscapes, majestic boulders, diverse flora and fauna, as well as clean air - all this awaits lovers of active recreation. Sheer limestone walls, like fortress walls, rush upwards for more than 200 meters. They resemble puff pastries in shape.
The slopes of the gorge are covered with thickets of trees and bushes. Among them you can find oak, yew, wild rose, dogwood and other deciduous vegetation. You can get there by public transport from Sevastopol or Bakhchisarai. The settlement Tankovoye acts as a reference point.
Uch-Kosh
Uch-Kosh is a deep and long gorge, along the bottom of which the Bala River flows. This picturesque corner occupies a part of the territory of the state reserve. You can get to the starting point of the route from the village of Vasilyevka, located in the vicinity of Yalta. The height of the stone ledges reaches over 100 meters. Spreading pine trees grow on the slopes of the rocks. The canyon expands and contracts in places.
The variety of landscapes is amazing. The tourist trail winds among the coniferous trees. The river forms waterfalls, cascades and pools filled with emerald clear water.The banks are covered with a carpet of various colors. Travelers can find themselves in a chamber space and then go out into the open space of the valley. Uch-Kosh is surrounded on three sides by three majestic mountain ranges. Large and small stones have bizarre shapes reminiscent of sculptural compositions.
Baysu
Baysu canyon is located in the frame of the eastern part of the Karabi-Yaila mountain range. The nearest settlement from the natural attraction of the republic is the village of Krasnosyolovka (Belogorsk district). Baisu is a deep crevice, the length of which is three kilometers.
Most of the year there is a drought in Baysu. During spring floods and melting snows, the canyon turns into a stormy water stream with beautiful cascades of waterfalls. The grandiose stone walls soar up to 1000 meters. Tourists can spend about three hours on the passage of the gorge.
Biyuk-Uzenbash
One of the little-known sights of the Republic of Crimea is Biyuk-Uzenbash. This place surprisingly combines diminutiveness and grandeur. The canyon is less than one kilometer long. The mountain stream of water passes through a narrow channel with steep banks overgrown with trees. During floods, the river shows its stormy temper, breaking through rocky barriers.
Walking along a convenient path, travelers will meet high steep cliffs, stormy streams of emerald waters of the river, heaps of stone blocks and powerful waterfalls. Biyuk-Uzenbash is located between the villages of Schastlivoe and Polyrechye. It is recommended to follow the road leading from Bakhchisarai to Yalta through the famous Ai-Petri mountain.
