Karadag is a large mountain range in the territory of Crimea. The ridge is located on the Black Sea coast in the middle of the Otuz Valley and the Koktebel Basin. Mount Karadag, whose height is 577 m, got its name due to the fact that all the peaks of the ridge of the same name consist of dark gray volcanic fossils. It is because of the dark tones of the peaks that Karadag Mountain and the ridge received the Turkic name, which means "Black Mountain". The ridge occupies a small area of 20 square meters. km It is divided into four parts: the Magnetic Range and three mountain ranges Kok-Kaya, Khoba-Tepe and Karagach. The coastline at the foot of Karadag is indented with bays, among which the most popular among tourists are the Razboinichya, Pogranichnaya and Pozzolanova bays. The coastline of the ridge stretched from the biostation to the northeast basin of Koktebel.
From the history of the study of the natural zone
The peculiar relief of the ridge first attracted the attention of scientists back in the late 19th century, when Academician Prozorovsky established that Karadag is of volcanic origin. In the period from 1885 to 1897, academician Lagorio carefully studied the area and compiled a geological map of Karadag, studied local volcanic rocks and conducted a thorough chemical analysis of these rocks.
A systematic scientific study of the area began after the establishment of Soviet power. In the 20s, the scientist A. Sludsky established that the volcano on Karadag last acted during the Middle Jurassic era. Since the 30s of the 20th century, the geological structure of the ridge was studied by scientists Muratov, Lebedinsky, Kirichenko and many others.
In 1922, Academician A.P. Pavlov first put forward the idea of protecting Karadag and creating a national park on its territory. However, Pavlov’s idea was not successful. Only in 1963, the authorities recognized Karadag a natural monument.
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Climate of Karadag
Air circulation creates here a peculiar air cocktail from mountain-forest and sea air. The atmospheric state has a good effect on the human body. Relief in the lungs can be felt half an hour after arrival at this place. The climate on the ridge is not the same: the coastal strip with a temperate continental climate differs from the mainland, where the climate is dry and moderately hot.
In winter, Karadag mountain and the surrounding areas do not please tourists with warm and constant weather. In winter, air temperature can range from + 15 ° C to –25 ° C. Occasionally, roses begin to bloom in January. Such temperature fluctuations occur due to the fact that moist air, from which it is warm, leaves under the influence of cold Arctic air brought by northeast winds.
In spring, Mount Karadag, a photo of which must be taken in the spring, is covered with various colors: saffron, Crimean lumbago, dogwood, spring adonis, scilla, snowdrops and much more.
Summer is hot and dry. By mid-July, all grass and many trees burn out, resulting in fires that very often break out. The air temperature rarely drops below + 38 ° C during the day.
September day is not much different from hot summer days. However, with the onset of the evening, things change for the better: the temperature drops to comfortable + 19 ° - + 22 ° . Closer to November, the colds begin.
The nature of Karadag
The living world of Karadag differs even from the diverse nature of Crimea. On the territory of Karadag you can find very rare species of plants and animals that are no longer on the planet. So, according to biologists, about a third of the endemic (rare species of plants and animals) of the Crimea are located in Karadag.
Scientists distinguish three landscape belts in Karadag:
- 0 - 300 m above sea level - a belt of shrubs and meadows-oak steppes.
- 300 - 400 m above sea level - a belt of forests and oak light forests.
- From 400 m above sea level to the very top there is a belt where rocky oak and hornbeam forests grow.
Three micro-landscapes are also distinguished:
- Volcanic complex Beregovoi;
- sedimentary rock complex (most of the reserve and Mount Karadag);
- marine micro-landscape (the entire water area of the reserve).
The territory of the nature reserve is considered a major center of biodiversity. In total, 2400 species of higher flowering plants are represented on the Crimean peninsula, of which about 1170 species grow in Karadag. The entire flora of the reserve consists of 2782 species. Many plants are listed in the world Red Book. All species growing in Karadag are of great scientific value not only for their rarity, but also for antiquity: a large number of species have been growing here since the pre-Ice Age.
Vyazemsky Research Station
Mount Karadag in Crimea has such natural features that attract many researchers from all over the world. So, the most important scientific institution in the South-East of the Crimean peninsula is the Karadag Scientific Station named after T.I. Vyazemsky. The station got its name in honor of the scientist Terenty Ivanovich Vyazemsky, who in 1914, under wartime conditions and the deepest crisis in the Russian Empire, headed the scientific station and fruitfully led it until 1927. After the opening of the scientific station, Mount Karadag became not only an adornment of the Crimea, but also its tourist and scientific center.
Ecotourism in Karadag
Ecotourism means not just outdoor recreation, where a person can relax or have fun. Ecotourism is a serious and responsible event. Ecotourism - rather, a comprehensive program related to the protection of nature, rather than with relaxation. For more than 12 years, ecotourism groups have existed in the Karadag reserve . The Academy of Sciences of Ukraine has approved a special health-improving program called the Ecological Path. Over the years of the “Trail”, a huge number of people from around the world participated in this program. The length of the “Trail” is about 14 km (of which 7 km is a land section, another 7 is a sea route). Anyone can go on a walk along the Ecological Path either independently or as part of a group.
Ecological Trail Routes
The following routes are offered to everyone who wants to try ecotourism:
- Koktebel – Karadag – Koktebel (5 hours).
- Kurortny – Karadag – Kurortny (5 hours).
- Resort – Karadag – Koktebel (6 hours).
- Koktebel – Karadag – Kurortny (6 hours).
Hiking along the route Koktebel –Karadag shore –Frog frog. The bay is opened for tourists every year on July 20.
In Kurortny the headquarters of the Karadag reserve is located, which is popularly called the “Biostation”. On the territory of the “Biostation”, tourists are invited to watch shows with dolphins and fur seals, numerous aquariums with local water inhabitants, exhibitions of rare birds and animals, a nature reserve museum and much more.
Route to Karadag
The real natural decoration known to the whole world is Karadag Mountain in Crimea. How to get to this wonderful place? The fastest, safest and cheapest way to get to the nature reserve will be a direct train ride to Feodosia. From Feodosia towards Karadag buses, fixed-route taxis and private cabs depart. They are sent from Feodosia both to Koktebel and to the reserve.
If you look from the Koktebel towards the sea, you can see how Karadag Mountain rises in the Crimea on the right - a resort place where all lovers of rare and picturesque nature will like it.