Mountain Range Chatyr-Dag

Among the popular objects of the mountainous Crimea is a special place Chatyr-Dag - a secluded mountain range of the main ridge of the Crimean Mountains, located in the southern part of the peninsula. The special sightseeing attraction of this place is due to the insignificant distance from Simferopol and the presence of many caves, the possibility of exploring which attracts numerous speleologists to these lands.

The name of this mountain is translated as "tent-mountain", and if, going to the foot of Chatyr-Dag, carefully look at the outlines, you can really see the resemblance to the huge tent stretched in the middle of the Crimean open spaces. In good weather Chatyr-Dag is visible not only from any point of the peninsula, but also from the sea, therefore this mountain range has long been one of the main geographical reference points of the Crimea.

 One of the ways to climb the lower plateau of Chatyr-Dag is to take a pedestrian route along the so-called Red Path, which starts from the Sosnovka camp site on the Simferopol-Alushta highway.

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Devil's Gate

Along with the Swallow's Nest and Bear Mountain, this rock is most often found on various souvenir photographs, postcards, magnets in the Crimea, as well as in articles and on the covers of magazines telling about the Crimea.

One of the favorite places of tourists is a natural object created by an ancient volcano, and then "modified" tectonic forces, sea waves and wind.

In ancient times, the rock was called completely different - the Devil's Gate (or Shaitan-Kapu). It was believed that here is the entrance to the Underworld.

Just next to the Golden Gate are several parasitic volcanoes, dikes and lava outcrops, so it's hard to imagine exactly what was happening in these places at that time.

Lava and the sea wereboiling, the rocks were spliting, went under the water and rose from it.

That's exactly what turned out to be an amazing arch rock at 85 meters from the shore. Right below the line the depth of the sea is as much as 15 meters - the rock literally stands over a dip in the ground. Apparently, not just so in ancient times it was considered a gateway to the Underworld.

Why are the gates golden?

First, at dawn, they really look golden. Also, the rock becomes "golden" and again during the day - about 13-14 hours. At this time in the summer the sun is in such a position that the falling rays of the sun change the color of the rock to the one close to the golden one. It is beautiful at sunset. The fact is that the rock is completely covered with yellow lichens, which play in sunlight.

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Valley of the Phallus

The Valley of Ghosts is a cluster of rocks on the western slope of the mountain of the southern ridge of the Demerdzhi mountain range in the Crimea.

Forms of rocks are caused by weathering of Upper Jurassic rocky conglomerates. With their forms, stone figures resemble the mysterious figures of people, animals, mysterious creatures, objects and, depending on the time of day and illumination, their images change, giving the observers the ground for fantasy.

Often this valley is also called the Valley of the Phallus for the unambiguous appearance of many stone pillars here.

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Mount Stone Ring

On the right at the entrance to the village of Solnechnaya Dolina, Mount Delikli-Kaya is visible clearly. The ascent to it is best to begin in the place where the road becomes one-sided. The path crosses the river, the old orchard and leads to the foot of the cliff. Rounding the rock on the right side of the gorge, you will see the Stone Ring.

According to legend, the good spirits have fulfilled the request of a girl who, unlike others, did not demand anything for herself, but she asked the residents for the source of water from the mountain. And the spirits fulfilled her request: the mountain opened up, forming a ring, and through it water flowed into the village. Years have passed. Streams of water now run through this gorge to the village only after the rain.

By the way, at the foot of the Delikli-Kaya rock in the depths of the mountain pass the tunnels of the wine cellar of the "Solnechnaya Dolina" state farm. Here, the "Sun Valley" and "Black Doctor" wines have won the world market.

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