Nature reserves and national parks are the wealth of Crimea. Protected places in Crimea

Many people, when they hear the word “Crimea,” imagine only the sea and the beach, but this is only a small part of the peninsula. Its main wealth is nature. It is unique, and therefore most of the territory of Crimea has long become nature reserves, nature reserves and national parks. The southern coast, the mountainous Crimea and the steppe are, in essence, three different Crimea, but all together they make up an amazing land, mysterious and beautiful in all seasons.

Reserve at Cape Kazantip

The cape is located on the northern coast of the peninsula and is washed by the Sea of Azov. The place is unique not only because of its nature, but also because of its relief and the structure of the cape. The cape itself is an ancient calcareous reef with rugged shores, which continue to be eroded by the sea and winds, and its surface is covered by virgin steppe. Cold and windy in winter, in spring it is covered with bright stars of amazing beauty of Schrenk and Scythian tulips. It was from these Crimean steppes that the flower spread throughout the world, and if Dutch tulips are the pinnacle of evolution, then Crimean tulips can be called the ancestors.

The fauna of the Kazantip Nature Reserve is famous for its large number of waterfowl and valuable fish, and the seemingly lifeless cliffs are home to a very beautiful and rare butterfly - the marigold.

Opuksky Nature Reserve

On the southern part of the Kerch Peninsula is located no less famous nature reserve– Opuksky, which got its name from the name of the mountain. Mount Opuk is surrounded by tectonic faults, and this seems to divide the entire territory into isolated areas where their own natural complexes, which have no analogues in Crimea.

The primeval steppe, as it was thousands of years ago, has now retained its endemics, among them Crimean saffron, Schrenk tulips, Mithridates katran and the endless sea of feather grass.

The fauna of the reserve is rich in all kinds of animals: mammals - the well-known hares and foxes and rare Mediterranean pipistrelle and great horseshoe bats, fish - Black Sea salmon and Azov and bottlenose dolphins, birds, of which there are 200 species, and among them the rarest rose-colored starling, skelter and black-headed bunting , and reptiles - yellowbellies and steppe vipers.

But the largest “pearl” of the reserve is considered. Amazing view opens up before travelers: a narrow spit, on one side there is a bright blue sea, and on the other - a bright pink lake! It acquired its amazing pink color due to dunaliella algae, and its silt in its medicinal qualities is almost the same as the mud of Lake Saki.

Karadag Reserve

Of all the reserves and parks of Crimea, it is the most famous. The thing is that Kara-Dag is an extinct volcano, and on its slopes you can still see frozen lava flows, mineral veins and even a channel through which molten lava flowed millions of years ago. This is, in fact, a geological book of the Earth, because here you can find rock crystal and agates, amethysts and opals, a huge number of different minerals.

Among all the reserves and national parks There is no other place in Crimea where the rarest plants, not found anywhere else, would be collected on one territory: Poyarkova’s hawthorn and Koktebel tulip, Transchel’s anthemis, which grows only on volcanic rocks, and Biberstein’s geranium, also called Crimean edelweiss, relict Pallas sainfoin and limodorum underdeveloped - a rare orchid, relict juniper and pistachio, which are already more than one thousand years old.

The fauna is no less rich: hundreds of various types crustaceans and mollusks, arachnids and butterflies, many birds, reptiles and mammals: the squirrel, a permanent resident of the Crimean forests, and the rare stone marten, hedgehogs and wild boars, brown hares and roe deer, foxes and rock lizards.

The water area has become home to 80 traditional Black Sea species of fish and dolphins: the bottlenose dolphin, the owner of these places, the butterfly dolphin and the Azov dolphin, which looks into the Black Sea from the Azov Sea.

People in Crimea love legends, and every famous place has its own. But sometimes they turn out to be very similar to the truth, in any case, no one has yet proven the opposite. One such legend is associated with the Kara-Dag monster. It is known that the underwater part of the Kara-Dag has many caves, but even the most experienced divers go down there rarely. According to legend, it is in one of them that a monster lives. Stories about it have come down from ancient times, when the Greeks and Byzantines, who settled on the Crimean shores, saw a huge gray snake with an eerie toothed mouth that easily overtook them sailing ships. The monster was seen by both the Turks and the Russian admiral Ushakov, who even reported this to the emperor. And of the facts confirmed in our time, there are only two, when fishermen pulled out a dead dolphin in their nets with traces of a bite that could have been inflicted by a huge animal.

Kara-Dag was also called the Holy Mountain for its ability to heal the sick. Scientists explain this by the fact that geomagnetic energy accumulates in this place, which has a positive effect on all living things.

You can only get to Kara-Dag on a guided tour, and then only in the area accessible to tourists; most of the reserve, due to its uniqueness, is absolutely closed to the public.

Crimean Nature Reserve

Of all the reserves and national parks of Crimea, this is the most extensive. It covers 44 thousand hectares, and here you can see almost the entire nature of the peninsula: flat and mountain streams, passes and gorges, mountains and hills, forests and waterfalls.

The central part of the reserve is the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains, the slopes of the internal mountains and the valleys between them. This also includes the Gurzuf and Yalta yailas, Chatyr-Dag and Babugan-yailas, and the most high mountains− Roman-Kosh, Black and Big Scarecrow. Among all the reserves and national parks of Crimea, there are the most mountain springs and rivers, lakes and waterfalls, some of them dry up in the summer, but there are also those that are full of water all year round.

The mountains of this largest of all the reserves and national parks of Crimea are made of the most ancient rocks of the Jurassic period: limestone, sandstone, slate, so this part of Crimea is replete with gorges and caves, grottoes and karst wells.

Among all the reserves and national parks of Crimea, almost half of all species of flora and fauna of the peninsula are concentrated in this one. The vegetation on the slopes of the mountains is located in belts: up to 450 meters you can see rocky and fluffy oak, Crimean pine or Pallas, higher up grow beech and hornbeam, pine and ash, euonymus, dogwood and rowan, and already from 1100 meters the yayls begin, as they are called in the Crimea alpine meadows. And these are very special places - such a lush kingdom of flowers in spring cannot be found anywhere else! Bright yellow adonis and lilac crocuses, amazingly colored irises and violets, adonis and Crimean edelweiss cover the ground in huge carpets, and the purest mountain air is filled with the smell of thyme, lemongrass and oregano.

To say that there are many animals in this Crimean reserve is to say nothing:

160 species of birds, including owl and pheasant, nightingale, starling and woodpeckers, rare black vulture and griffon vulture, buzzard and hawk, and even the endangered black stork, which was once exterminated in the Crimea, but now there is hope that they will again nest in the Crimean forests;
many large ungulates: red deer and roe deer, mouflon and wild boar; the most numerous hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, weasels and hares, mice different types and shrews.

That is why this place is considered the largest nature reserve and national park in Crimea. And all this despite the fact that thousands of hectares burned during the Great Patriotic War protected forests and practically all large animals were exterminated.

What nature reserves national parks, are there still reserves in Crimea? There are many of them, and they are all different, but it is the magnificent combination of sea and mountains, meadows, forests and steppes that create the amazing landscape and climate of Crimea, which not a single person has ever resisted.

The peninsula has always been a popular destination for health and wellness due to its natural factors. The nature of Crimea is unique and needs vigilant protection and preservation. To save rare species Numerous reserves have been created for birds, animals and insects.

Yalta Mountain Forest Nature Reserve

From Gurzuf to Foros, a 40-kilometer strip stretches the territory of the Yalta Mountain Forest Reserve. It is valuable because 66% of the vascular plants that are found in the entire Mountain Crimea grow here: pistachio obtufolia, Siberian Sobolevskaya, tall juniper, Crimean cistus. The protected area is also rich in endemic species.
The fauna is represented by rare species of animals. The imperial eagle, badgers, mouflons, Crimean lizards and geckos, and European roe deer feel at ease in the protected area. Rare insects living in the reserve are listed in the Red Book and are of interest to scientists.
An important part of the environmental complex is the Trekhglazka cave, the battlements of Mount Ai-Petri, and the Devil's Staircase pass.

Nature Crimean peninsula unique. Trees, herbs and flowers grow here that are not found anywhere else in the world. To preserve the floristic fund in Crimea, 6 natural reserves were created, on the territory of which only scientific works and tourist routes have been laid out. Any economic activity prohibited in protected areas.

The Opuksky Nature Reserve is the youngest of all similar territories in Crimea. It is closed to visitors, and scientists can carry out the necessary research only after receiving special permission. Here, not only a piece of land is protected, but also the surrounding water area.
Only one trail is designated for tourists to reduce the risk of trampling valuable grasses and disturbing the rest of nesting birds.

Crimean Nature Reserve

The largest protected area in Crimea is almost a hundred years old. It was created in 1923 on the site of the “Royal Hunting Reserve”. The area of the reserve occupies more than 33 hectares in the center of the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains. It is here that, due to the abundance of precipitation and lush vegetation, many small and large rivers of the peninsula originate - Derekoyka, Marta, Ulu-Uzen, Alma. The famous underground spring Savlukh-Su, whose waters have a healing effect due to the presence of natural silver ions in them, also descends from the local peaks.
Of particular value are the pine, beech and hornbeam forests that densely cover most of the reserve. It is thanks to them that a favorable environmental situation is maintained.
The protected area is home to more than a thousand species of animals, many of which are rare and need protection and careful treatment.

"Swan Islands"

The “Swan Islands” zone, limited from economic activity, is part of the Crimean Nature Reserve, which is of interest to ornithologists around the world. Its area is 9 and a half hectares. More than 250 species of birds choose this nesting site. Flamingos, several species of ducks, herons, and waders live here. The reserve protects several species of fish and large marine mammals.
Swan Islands are the main migration point for many birds.

Nature Reserve "Cape Martyan"

On Cape Martyan in the eastern part of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden there is a reserve of the same name - the smallest in Crimea. His main task- preserve the area where Mediterranean plants live. A relict forest grows here, in which there are more than 500 species of representatives of the Mediterranean flora. The uniqueness of the protected area is that it is here that a sufficient amount of small-fruited strawberry has been preserved, which has long been listed in the International Red Book.

Karadag Nature Reserve

The Kara-Dag Nature Reserve extends in the eastern part of the peninsula near Feodosia. Valuable minerals were found on its area - more than a hundred varieties of minerals were extracted by scientists from the soils of the area.
The flora and fauna of the Karadag Reserve is diverse. More than 1,000 flora representatives grow here, 29 of which are listed as rare species in the Red Book and are in danger of complete extinction. The list also includes 18 species of animals. The reserve's rivers serve as spawning grounds for several species of fish.

Crimean reserves

The value of many corners of Crimea was noticed in ancient times. True, they were guarded mainly for hunting and recreation by the nobility.

Therefore, when the first Soviet reserve (the current Crimean Nature Reserve) was created in 1923, it was based on the hunting grounds of the Romanovs - the imperial family and grand dukes, protected since 1870 (for the first time in history Russian Empire), as well as a hunting reserve of the Yusupov princes and other Russian aristocrats. Nikitsky Botanical Garden and Climbing Wall Nikitskaya Cleft Much earlier, during the time Crimean Khanate, aristocrats and merchants considered the construction of gardens and flower beds, irrigated by cleverly arranged fountains, a sign of nobility and wealth. The improvement of mountain springs had the richest traditions in Crimea. Many mighty old trees and bizarre rocks about which legends were formed were considered sacred. Therefore, the restriction of economic use and even the inviolability of many natural objects in Crimea has centuries-old, and maybe even thousand-year-old traditions

Now the natural reserve fund is being formed according to world standards, covering different levels from a remarkable tree, rock or spring to vast areas with diverse landscapes. The total area of land and coastal waters of various categories of protected areas is about 5% of the peninsula's area. In individual valuable biological diversity In the regions of Crimea, the percentage of protected landscapes is much higher; on average in the Mountainous Crimea it is about 10%.

The protection regime and tourism opportunities depend on the level of the protected area, so let’s briefly talk about this. The highest category includes state reserves. The lands, subsoil and water spaces within their borders are excluded from the economy forever and are transferred to specially created departments. They lead scientific research and develop tourist and excursion work, primarily for environmental education. However, if you visit a water show with dolphins and seals at the Karadag biological station, you will see that education can be both fun and interesting! The reserve preserves typical or unique natural complexes in their natural form, without interfering with the course of centuries-old processes, but only by studying them.

Crimean Nature Reserve

Alushta, st. Partizanskaya, 42

Administration opening hours 8 – 17, closed. Sat, Sun

Driving along the Romanovskoye Highway (trout farm, the monastery of Kosma and Damian, the Savlukh-Su spring, the Gazebo of the Winds). Museum of Nature, Dendrozoo.

Crimean Nature Reserve and the Kosmo-Damianovsky Monastery, the Crimean Nature Reserve, after reorganization in 1928, occupies 33,397 hectares in the central part of the Main Crimean Ridge. The protected area is home to more than 1,200 species of plants (almost half of the total flora of Crimea), and over 200 species of vertebrate animals (half of those found in Crimea). Of particular value are oak, beech and hornbeam forests, which play an important water and soil protection role. The forests are home to Crimean red deer, Crimean roe deer, mouflon, black vulture, griffon vulture and other rare animals. The reserve has great scientific, cultural and educational significance. On the periphery of the protected area, several recreational areas and ecological trails have been created, where tourists in organized groups, without damaging nature, get acquainted with its riches. On Chatyrdag, the most beautiful “Marble” cave is equipped for public visits. In Alushta, under the management of the Crimean Nature Reserve, a Museum of Nature and a dendrozoo have been created, where you can get acquainted with natural resources mountain forests.

Cosmo-Damianovsky Monastery

It is located 18 km from Alushta, in the depths of the Crimean Nature Reserve (to visit you must take permission from the administration of the reserve in Alushta) near the healing spring Savlukh-su. The spring became extremely popular after the Chernobyl accident, as its waters remove radionuclides. By ancient legend, associated with many other places in the Byzantine Empire, two brothers Cosmas (Kozma) and Damian healed the sick for free at the spring, who later died at the hands of an envious man. Their memorial day is celebrated on July 1/14. On this day you can go to the monastery without a pass to the protected area.

In 1856 was founded monastery, but in 1899 for the debauchery of the monks, the Holy Synod abolished it. They arranged it here convent, the main occupation of the nuns was crafts, so they successfully survived both the NEP and collectivization, forming an agricultural artel, which ceased to exist only during the Great Patriotic War. Now the monastery has been reopened, popular with both pilgrims and tourists. Monastic buildings and ancient crafts are being restored, and mass production of Savlukh-su mineral water has been established.

The branch of the Crimean Nature Reserve off the north-western coast of Crimea - Lebyazhye Islands - is of international importance; they are included in the Ramsard Convention on the Protection of Wetlands. Here is one of the largest concentrations of waterfowl in Eastern Europe: more than 230 species, of which 18 species are listed in the Red Book. Every year, up to 5 thousand swans flock from the south to molt, and the colony of laughing coeds numbers more than 30 thousand individuals. During the summer season, seagulls destroy almost 2 million gophers and up to 8 million mice - pests of fields.

Yalta Mountain Forest Reserve

Yalta, Massandra, Doloss highway. 8 -18, no lane and out.

Pedestrian routes (Koreizskaya, Jewish, Botkinskaya, Shtangeevskaya trails), Uchan-Su roadblock, Trekhglazka cave

Museum of Nature +73654 23 28 91

The Yalta Nature Reserve was created relatively recently, in 1973, but it unites dozens of remarkable natural objects, some of which have been declared protected areas since 1947. The total area of the reserve is now 14.5 thousand hectares from Foros and Baydarsky Pass in the west to Nikitskaya Yayla in the east, which is about 53 km in length. The northern border in some places coincides with the edge of the yayla, but on the Ai-Petrinskaya and Yalta yayla it also extends onto the plateau to protect remarkable plant objects and caves. In the south, the boundaries of the reserve are connected with the history of development of the coast; in the pristine areas of the coast near Foros, Sanatorny and Beregovoy, natural complexes of coastal rocks are already protected.

The main value of the reserve is the relict coniferous mountain forests of Crimean pine. There are also forests of beech, mixed forests, and below - of downy oak. The flora as a whole includes 1,363 species of vascular plants, 183 species of mosses and 154 species of lichens. Among the rare plants, the most famous are small-fruited strawberry, tall juniper, blunt-leaved pistachio, and yew. The reserve has preserved dozens of luxurious and very ancient (up to a thousand years old) plants of these species. The faunal diversity of the reserve is impressive: 37 species of mammals, 150 species of birds, 16 species of reptiles. Badgers, many species of bats feel great here, among birds the largest species are very rare in Europe - the black vulture and the griffon vulture; among reptiles, the Crimean gecko, the yellow-bellied snake, and the leopard snake are very unique and attractive.

Walking along the mountain trails of the Yalta Nature Reserve Since the 2004 season, the reserve management has offered tourists a multi-day route that combines all the famous trails (Shtangeevskaya, Botkinskaya, Kalendskaya) and all the famous viewpoints. In total, paid visits are provided for 18 objects of the reserve; the price for visiting each is usually 6-10 hryvnia. If you are not going on a multi-day trip, then you need to pay right on the spot. Where the trails begin, there are always signs and documents with a fee (with stamps) are posted. In general, they don’t require you to pay any fee “to repair the Failure so that it doesn’t fail so much,” but garbage removal and improvement of trails that are located on landslide slopes, as well as fire-fighting measures, require serious expenses.

Doctors of pre-revolutionary times were somehow able to use their own funds to organize the first health paths from ancient mountain paths. However, their houses, in the words of M. Zhvanetsky, stood out in those days with “wealth and lights.” Sergei Petrovich Botkin (1832 - 1889) was the first to draw attention to the importance of the Crimean climate in the treatment of patients, especially pulmonary patients. He believed that mountain walks train the body, strengthen the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and increase metabolism. He also attached great importance to the emotional impact of nature on humans. The most beautiful path, which has a surprisingly smooth and gradual climb up the mountain, was named Botkinskaya in memory of the outstanding Russian doctor and still bears this name.

“You need to walk evenly, and under no circumstances take the climbs, as they say, in one breath. After the first ten minutes of the journey, you need to do the first self-test: count your heart rate. Suppose that if someone has a normal pulse of 68-70 beats per minute (more often in women), then during a stop it can be 120-140 beats. If your pulse returns to normal within 1-3 minutes (the sooner the better), it means your heart is not working badly, you can move on. The breathing rate should not exceed 18 times per minute. In case of severe weakness, dizziness or interruptions in the functioning of the heart, you should immediately stop the hike and return back after rest” - these recommendations must be followed in order to experience the healing and health-improving properties of the Botkin Trail.

Nature Reserve "Cape Martyan" Yalta, Nikita, Nikitsky Botanical Garden

May-September, without lane and out.

From the east, the Cape Martyan nature reserve adjoins Nikitsky Garden with evergreen forest from tree-like juniper and small-fruited strawberry. In the center of the reserve, a small House of Creativity of the Academy of Sciences, now a Phytocenter, was built. The water area of the reserve preserves the marine biocenoses of the South Coast in their natural form. It is significant that, unlike most of the coast, where there are artificial beaches with concrete structures that are constantly being destroyed, and in terms of the purity of the water, they do not shine, the shores near Cape Martyan are distinguished by the cleanliness and balance of beach sediments. Small beaches have long been considered especially valuable among naturists in many countries. However, the audience here is purely select - from the world of science and art.

Walking routes around ecological trail on the territory of the reserve must be ordered through the directorate of the Nikitsky Garden. An ancient path runs above the reserve to Ai-Danil, where the estate of H. Steven has been preserved.

Karadag Nature Reserve

With. Resort, Biostation.

May-September, 8 - 17, without lane. and out.

736562 26 212, 26 290, 26 288

The Karadag Reserve is famous for its geological and mineralogical attractions: bizarre rocks, veins of gems and other rare minerals. Karadag is also interesting for its unique animals and flora, whimsically combining views of deserts, subtropics, steppes and forests. The main center for Karadag is the village of Kurotnoye. The administration of the Karadag Nature Reserve and the Biological Station of the Institute of Biology of the South Seas of the Academy of Sciences are located here. Performances with dolphins and Navy SEALs. There is a wonderful pebble beach. And in the beautiful old park there are rare plants, as well as exhibitions of reptiles and fish.

From the Biostation and from the village of Koktebel you can walk for a fee along a large ecological trail or take a sea excursion. The rocks here make up a whole fairy tale: the King and Queen march to the Throne; one of the vents of the volcano - the Devil's fireplace faces the sea and is cluttered with hardened lava; The devil's finger threatens the sky with a sharp multi-meter claw. But the most famous, of course, is the rock Shaitan-kapu (Devil's Gate), better known as the Golden Gate.

Kazantip Nature Reserve

Leninsky district, the nearest settlement is the village of Mysovoe

the office is located in Shchelkino, building 33 (there are no streets in Shchelkino), apt. 12,

phone +736557 222-50 or 221-56.

Kazantip preserves unique steppe communities of plants and animals, as well as the best coastal habitats of valuable commercial fish Sea of Azov. This reserve was created recently and is still in its infancy,

Opuk Nature Reserve

Leninsky district, Black Sea coast, nearest settlement. Yakovenkovo

The management of the Opuksky Reserve is located on the central street of Kerch - st. Kirova 31a. phone +736561 4 05 01.

The best time to visit is May, the time of mass flowering of wild tulips.

Just like Kazantip Reserve, the reserve near Mount Opuk in the south of the Kerch Peninsula is only taking its first steps. Cape Opuk. Kerch Peninsula. Cape Opuk is a unique landscape complex - something like a fragment of the Crimean Mountains. The mountain range, visible from afar, is distinguished by its unique vegetation and microclimate. The massif is composed of limestones (as some researchers claim, reef stones); several grottoes open in the cliffs. The top, like all Crimean mountains, is flat, the slopes abound with ledges, cliffs, and crevices. And this is unusually good for nesting birds. In total, 43 species of birds are found here. In addition to the unusually beautiful and rare pink starling, these are the laughing gull, cormorant, shrike, rock pigeon, owl, shelduck, and peregrine falcon.

Rare for these places, springs with excellent water and excellent beaches create ideal conditions for relaxation. But before it was military zone, and now a nature reserve. So, it’s as if the students – geologists, ecologists, biologists, soil scientists, historians – are not resting here, but are just blissfully enjoying educational practices. However, to do this, their managers must obtain permission from the environmental department in Simferopol. Opposite the cape in the sea there are several rock-islands made of gray spongy but dense Kerch limestone - Ship Rocks, Elken-kaya.

On the territory of Crimea there are 196 natural reserve objects of various categories with a total area of 220 thousand hectares, which is 8.3% of the total area of Crimea. In the world, or more precisely in countries with a high environmental culture, 10% is considered optimal. In the most valuable regions, for example, on the southern coast of Crimea, specially protected natural complexes can occupy about 20%, and even over 50% of the territory. A significant part of reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural monuments and protected areas are available for excursions, scientific and academic work, student practices and expeditions, as well as for international environmental programs and projects. The restrictions relate mainly to construction, economic activities, and the extraction of mineral and biological resources.

State reserves, natural monuments and other entry-level categories are declared protected, without taking them away from land users. In this case, forestry enterprises are required to provide the reserve regime, agriculture, health resorts, military units (this also happens). Wildlife sanctuaries are formed for the time necessary to restore the numbers of species listed in the International Red Book or the Red Data Book. This means that let's say other types, for example, medicinal plants you can collect for personal use freely. But for protected rare species you will face a serious fine. Individual components of nature may be protected, such as in botanical reserves New World, Kubolach, Arabatsky; but there are also landscape reserves: Ayu-Dag, the Grand Canyon of Crimea, Cape Aya, where everything is protected, including minerals and insects.

Natural monuments are small areas or individual natural objects. There, either the natural complex as a whole or individual components are preserved. The Belbek Canyon, Mangup-Kale, Karaul-Oba are complex. Geological natural monuments - Red Caves and Demerdzhi. There are also botanical monuments - giant trees, long-lived trees, for example the famous airplane pine on Ai-Petri, several 1000-year-old berry yews.

The term “reserve tract” appeared relatively recently. The word “tract” usually brings to mind a dark, remote ravine, a wild gorge, or, conversely, a piece of paradise among the monotonous steppe. The main thing is that the tract is a natural complex, standing out sharply among its surroundings, isolated.

Natural complexes of artificial origin can also be protected areas. Our parks and monuments of landscape gardening art are famous throughout the world. And they were created by the labor and talent of people from generally recognized world schools - French, English, German, Italian, and in recent years also Japanese. Russian estate culture through hands and souls ordinary people made our family this miracle of capricious green aliens. The Nikitsky State Botanical Garden, due to the uniqueness of its green collection, has also been declared a protected area with all its branches. Most of the protected landscapes of Crimea are available for excursions and even independent visits.

Crimean nature is rich and diverse, but already for a long time exists under strong pressure from humans. However, there are many species that do not live anywhere except Taurida. There are even more of those that have resort significance (they improve the health of the air, are a source of active substances), decorate the landscape and make it picturesque. Crimea's nature reserves, national parks and specially protected areas are designed to protect the land and water of the peninsula and preserve them for the future. We'll talk about them today.

Reserved mountains above the resort capital

The Yalta Mountain Forest Reserve appeared in 1973. Before that, there was a hunting ground in its place, which was then transferred to the forestry department. The protective regime was intended to preserve both the resort region and protect the geology, the rocks themselves and the mountain peaks of Crimea.

The reserve stretches along the coast for 40 km, into the depths of the peninsula - 23 km. It contains such famous objects as, and crenellations. Part of the adjacent water area is also protected. The area of the reserve is now about 14.5 thousand hectares; in 2018 it received federal status.

It is difficult to even list what plants and animals inhabit it. Here grow fluffy and rocky oaks, pistachio, strawberry, peonies, orchids, sunflowers and a dangerous tree (its South African relatives were nicknamed even more original - “wait a little”). 65% of the plant species diversity is present here, and the rare peregrine falcon and imperial eagle also live here, there are red deer, mouflons, foxes, quite a few lizards, etc.

Hiking trips for tourists are constantly held in the Yalta Nature Reserve - it owns the most famous tourist sites. There are standard routes with guides and guides. Unauthorized visit and especially causing harm environment is fraught with trouble.

Guarding an ancient volcano

Some natural protected areas of Crimea trace their history back to hunting or research centers of pre-revolutionary times. This is how the Karadag Nature Reserve began - its pedigree starts from the scientific station named after. Vyazemsky, which appeared in 1914. Academician Pavlov insisted on taking the area under protection. The reserve itself was created only in 1979. It is positioned not so much as a security institution, but as a research institution.

Its perimeter is Karadag itself and the surrounding area (that is, the massif of the ancient volcano), coastal waters. The natural diversity is amazing - 2,500 varieties of plants and 5,300 representatives of the animal kingdom, among them dozens of endemics, as well as inhabitants of the Red Books. In the sea off the local shores, 45 species of vegetation and 900 living creatures of various sizes were recorded.

Kara-Dag is one of the most visited natural corners of Crimea. Since it is now a scientific institution (volcanologists, marine biologists, geologists and representatives of many other natural sciences work here), the security is somewhat weakened - many reviews say this, but this does not mean that you can cut down trees or hunt here - it’s all the same illegal.

The protected namesake of the peninsula

In some wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of Crimea, fate is like a detective story. The Crimean Reserve began in 1913 as a royal hunting estate. For the crowned marksman, rare animals were brought there and exhibited for inspection until they multiplied enough to become game. The revolution stopped the abuse of nature and in 1923 created a perimeter where it was necessary to restore and introduce endangered specimens.

Military destruction is understandable, but the transformation of the reserve into a hunting reserve in 1957 is worth attention. Now only the shooters were not the crown bearers, but the communists and “democrats” elected by voting. The protected status was restored only in 1991. Nowadays it is also a national park of Crimea.

The reserve owns the high-altitude leaders of the mountainous Crimea, including. There are more than 1,200 representatives of the flora, and more than 8,000 species of fauna (the exact details have not yet been clarified). These lands are especially beautiful in the spring, when the primroses bloom.

The national park has recreational areas for organized recreation, and excursions are regularly held. They get in here and often get away with it, but those caught are heavily fined. There is a Museum of Nature on the park management territory (). The reserve staff conducts active lecture work.

Bird kingdom of the Crimean peninsula

Swan Islands are a chain of low patches of land in , formed as a result of the erosion of a sand spit. They are unsuitable for farming, therefore, for more than a century they have served as a reliable haven for waterfowl and migratory birds.

The name is arbitrary - swans do not nest here, although they remain during the molting period and often stop during migration. In addition, pelicans, flamingos and other birds live here or pass through.

Bird wealth was the reason for the creation of a specially protected area. They began to protect the nature of the islands in 1947; in 1949 they became a branch of the Crimean nature reserve. Since 1971, Lebyazhye has been an ornithological complex, and in 1991, with the restoration of its former status, they again came under its subordination. Since 2018, it has been an independent reserve.

Visiting the attraction is only permitted if accompanied by a ranger on a boat. Many birds here have already realized that they are not touched here, that is, they are almost tame. It’s not difficult to take pictures with them, almost hugging them. Near the islands you can often see dolphins - they are also protected here.

National park under double protection

The Opuksky reserve is one of the youngest in Crimea, created in 1998. But it is rich - in addition to the mountains and the legendary coastal Rock-ships, the Koyash healing salt lake and steppes with tulips, it owns an ancient Greek city. Yes, the area has not yet been explored, but there is still more to come.

The reserve was lucky with its security. The Opuk military training ground is located nearby. Shooting on it is limited, but the security regime is maintained. So, illegal travelers can be escorted out of here not only by forest rangers, but also by stern “little green men.”

In addition to the beauty of the Kerch steppe, the reserve protects the unique geological structure of the cape, picturesque sea cliffs and a complex system of underwater tunnels off the coast (partially inhabited). Its existence also contributes to the preservation of the system and its healing sludge.

Excursions to the reserve are especially popular in the spring time when the wild ones bloom. Mixed routes (by land and water) are also popular, allowing you to explore both the steppe and the beautiful coasts of the cape. By agreement, they often dive near the coastline to inspect underwater tunnels.

Map of Crimean reserves and sanctuaries

Nature reserves and national parks of Crimea are a unique chance to preserve peninsular nature. Its beauty is a good bait for tourists, but the visitors themselves can be a threat to it. In conclusion - a video on the topic, enjoy watching!

If you look at the map of the Crimean Peninsula, you will immediately notice large area reserved and protected areas. Indeed, the nature of Crimea is too valuable an asset to allow human intervention. Thus, the mountainous Crimea almost completely entered the protected area; almost the entire Main Ridge is protected. Unique landscapes, forests, groves, and water areas are protected by law in order to preserve their original appearance and save fragile biocenoses that cannot tolerate the economic activities of modern society.

At present, unfortunately, even the status of a nature reserve or wildlife sanctuary in Crimea does not always save us from the menacingly approaching front of reckless buildings.

object diagram reserved Crimea:

Reserves of Crimea

There are only six nature reserves in Crimea, but their total area is impressive - 63,783 hectares. The largest of them - Crimean Natural - covers 44,175 hectares of protected area. It stretches from south to north from Massandra and Nikita to the northeastern border of Chatyr-Dag and from west to east from Zagorskoye to Izobilnenskoye reservoir. Its main treasures are the highest plateaus in the mountains of Crimea - Babugan-yayla, Gurzufskaya and Nikitskaya yayla, as well as the entire enormous mountain-forest area to the north of them.

Plateau of the reserved Crimea:

Winter Babugan-yayla - Crimean Nature Reserve

The Crimean Nature Reserve includes as a branch the ornithological reserve "Swan Islands", which occupies mainly the protected part of the Karkinitsky Bay and the Lebyazhy Islands itself, of which there are six, and which have become a real haven for many nesting and migratory birds.

The next largest reserve is the Yalta Nature Reserve. It is most familiar to tourists, as it is located in close proximity to the coastal strip of the Southern Coast of Crimea. But its conservation status is in big question, since all the main routes along which tourists get to the mountains run through its forests.

Reserves of Crimea: Yalta Natural

	One of the decorations of the Yalta natural reserve - Mount Ai-Petri

The eastern enclave can be considered an exception Yalta Nature Reserve, guarded quite strictly. But the mountains attract their admirers, especially since the passes are open most of the year. And only during the summer drought, when forest fires break out here and there, do patrols appear on the passes, turning tourists back. Usually the Shaitan-Merdven pass, the Koreiz trail leading to Ai-Petri, and the Gurzuf Saddle pass are closed. However, there are plenty of alternative options to get to the mountains, which is what lovers of active recreation take advantage of.

Passes of the protected Crimea:

Shaitan-Merdven - pass with South Coast to the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains	Gurzuf saddle - pass between the Gurzuf plateau and Babugan-yayla

The remaining reserves of Crimea are much smaller. The third place in this honorable list is occupied by the Karadag Nature Reserve, which occupies an area of 2,855 hectares. It boasts a decent level of protection of its wealth, thanks to which it is slowly recovering from the industrial development of its subsoil in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The unique biota of this place can only be seen as part of an excursion group.

Reserves of Crimea: Karadag natural:

Mountain reserves are part of the protected Crimea:

Mount Ayu-Dag - landscape reserve	Mount Castel - botanical reserve above Alushta

Between Belogorsk and Old Crimea there is the Kubalach tract, which was turned in 1978 into a nature reserve with a total area of 526 hectares. The Kubalach ridge and the mountain of the same name (738 meters) are covered by a dense forest of beech, oak, hornbeam and ash.

To the east of this reserve, on the outskirts of Old Crimea, there is a natural monument “Agarmysh Forest”. A forest, mainly of beech, hornbeam and oak, traditional for the Crimea, covers the slopes of Sycheva Balka between two mountains - Big Agarmysh and Small Agarmysh. In the vastness of the Agarmysh mountain range you can find many caves.

One of the most beautiful nature reserves in Crimea, “New World”, surrounds the village of the same name, located on the shores of picturesque bays and protected by beautiful mountains. The protective status of these beautiful places cannot contain the influx of vacationers, fortunately all the beauties and attractions are accessible and close. And there is something to protect, first of all, a relict juniper grove - the property of the New World reserve.

A real monument to the forces of nature is the Grand Canyon of Crimea, for the preservation of which a landscape reserve was created in 1974 on an area of 300 hectares. Not only the famous canyon, but also surrounding forests, where the springs that feed the waters of the canyon originate. The gorge of incomparable beauty is subject to a real invasion of tourists, and only the inaccessibility of some areas saves it from total littering.

The Khapkhal hydrological reserve includes 250 hectares of continuous deciduous forest covering the slopes of the Khapkhal gorge, through which the Eastern Ulu-Uzen River flows. The main magnet that attracts tourists to the territory of this reserve is the picturesque Dzhur-Dzhur waterfall, the deepest waterfall in Crimea. The rest of the area is rarely visited by vacationers, thanks to which the forest has retained its pristine beauty. This is the greenest of the Crimean reserves.

The Paragilmen botanical reserve is also completely covered with forest. It stretches from the west, where it abuts the slopes of Babugan-yayla, to the east, where the mountain of the same name stands, designated as a separate natural monument. On this mountain you can find endemic and rare plants of Crimea, but visiting it is free.

The small Kanaka reserve (160 hectares) occupies the coast between the Luch resort and the village of Rybachye. In the east of the reserve, in the Kanaka ravine, relict groves of tree-like juniper and blunt pistachio grow, for which this beautiful coastal zone was given this status. You can visit the Kanaka reserve without hindrance; tourists and vacationers are attracted by kilometers of beaches and relative desertedness.

Less than ten kilometers southeast of Cape Kazantip, on the outskirts of the village of Ostanino, there is an ornithological reserve “Ostaninskie (Astana, Oysulskie) plavni. The reed-covered floodplains of the banks of the Samarli River attract nesting and rest after a long flight. large number birds. In a small reserve (50 hectares) pine trees grow, which is unusual for the steppe landscape of the Kerch Peninsula.

Five kilometers northeast of the Ostaninskie plavni, the Kazantip Bay is bordered by Cape Chagany. Between this cape and the salty Chokrak lake lies the Karalar steppe, designated as a landscape reserve for the protection of unique steppe landscapes and steppe biocenosis. Both flora and fauna are very rich here; hunting is prohibited, although visiting is not limited.

On the eastern border of the Karalarsky reserve there is an amazing lake Chokrak with healing mud and waters that are fed from underground hydrogen sulfide springs. To protect the lake from man-made influence, Chokrak and its coast were enclosed within the boundaries of a hydrological reserve.

Two hundred meters from the left bank of the Western Bulganak River, in the place where its flow passes through the village of Vodnoye, a small (21 hectare) landscape reserve “Weeping Rock” was organized in 1989. This is the name given to the outcropping of karst rocks, through the cracks and cracks of which water penetrates, forming a small lake. Weeping Rock is surrounded by a small forest.

Those who visited Cape Tarkhankut were sure to try to get to Dzhangul, or as it is officially called the “Dzhangul Landslide Coast” landscape reserve. Here you can see firsthand how a landslide can destroy the coast. Stone chaos - a pile of stones of different sizes - makes a proper impression on those who came to Tarkhankut for the first time.

Dzhangul is integral part Tarkhankutsky National Park, which is also called “Beautiful Harbor”. In this park, the Bolshoy Kastel ravine and the Atlesh tract with coastal waters are also protected by law. The rocky, layer-cake-like cliffs and grottoes of Atlesh make the right impression. This very beautiful place was chosen by tourists for wild recreation and diving. The most popular vacation spot is the shores of Karadzhinskaya Bay between capes Tarkhankut and Priboyny, Bolshoi and Maly Atlesh on the southern coast of the Tarkhankut Peninsula.

The upper plateau of Chatyr-Daga is allocated as a separate protected area “Yayla Chatyr-Daga”. Despite the fact that this plateau still needs to be conquered, it is especially loved by tourists. No one limits visits, so Chatyr-Dag is one of the most visited plateaus of Crimea. The lower plateau is more reminiscent of Karabi-yayla with its numerous caves and is protected more strictly, as it is part of the Crimean Nature Reserve. Only the Valley of Ghosts with its forest and unique stone weathering forms falls under protected status. However, it is the Valley of Ghosts that is visited most of all, including by excursion groups.

The beautiful Belbek Gorge, for the preservation of unique geological forms, conducive to scientific research, received the status of a natural monument of national importance. A relict yew grove located just to the south is designated as a separate natural monument. The Belbek Canyon is adjacent to such historical monuments as the Suren fortress and the Chelter-Koba cave monastery. The Kachin Canyon Nature Reserve is designed to preserve the outstanding geological features of the gorge and the flora of its slopes. On the territory of the reserve there is a cave monastery Kachi-Kalyon. Visiting the canyon is not limited; its proximity to Bakhchisarai makes it a popular destination on tourist maps.

The longest canyon in Crimea - Chernorechensky - like its aforementioned brothers, has turned from a natural monument into a state reserve, as well as the forests covering its peaks. The pristine beauty of its shores predetermined its inclusion in the ranks of the most valuable nature reserves of Crimea. This canyon on the Chernaya River is visited freely by tourists, except for the section of the river where it leaves the Chernorechensky reservoir, which, being a water reservoir for Sevastopol, is inaccessible to the public and is even surrounded by barbed wire.

The largest cave in Crimea is Kizil-Koba on the western slopes of Dolgorukovskaya Yayla. Both as a miracle of nature and as an object of archaeological research, the Red Cave needs state protection, so since 1963 it has been declared a natural monument. Nowadays its depths can be visited from an exciting excursion. The surrounding forests and the beautiful Su-Uchkhan waterfall received protected site status.

Mangup-Kale, although it has undeniable historical and cultural value, is protected by law in a comprehensive manner - both as an archaeological heritage and as an important natural object. Numerous caves and grottoes, karst formations represent a valuable landscape natural monument that requires careful attention from its many visitors.

Mangup is a complex natural monument that hides cave city
- this is also a reserved Crimea

One of the youngest reserves in Crimea is Sasyksky. Lake Sasyk is the most big lake Crimea, the mud of which is considered medicinal. In order to protect the lake, which also allows many rare steppe plants to grow on its shores, it was declared a landscape reserve in 2012.

On the Bakalskaya Spit, which is washed by the waters of the Karkinitsky Bay, there is a regional landscape park “Bakalskaya Spit”. A vacation spot and a popular tourist site, the spit is a reminder to people how economic activity, in this case sand mining, aggravated by the sea elements, can destroy natural landscapes. The spit is eroding, cutting off the islands from the land. The reserve also includes the salty Bakalskoye Lake.

One of the attractions of Sudak is Cape Alchak-Kaya, a protected area since 1988. There is an ecological fenced path along the rocks, but with proper dexterity you can avoid using it when walking along the coastal rocks. This is a small but very beautiful corner of the protected Crimea.

In addition to the listed objects, which are to one degree or another protected by the state from the influence of the average person, there are still quite a lot of places in Crimea with the status of natural monuments, the list of which includes groves of rare trees, areas of steppe or ravines, grottoes, islands, capes, caves.

Most often, their status serves only as an edification for tourists; many do not even imagine that the site they are visiting is protected. Easily accessible caves and forests are especially affected. The cutting down of trees and careless handling of fire have already led to the destruction of thousands of hectares of protected Crimea. Therefore, nature protection is not only the responsibility of rangers and foresters, but also of the vacationers themselves.

How we will see the reserves and wildlife sanctuaries of Crimea in the future largely depends on us.

olegman37