Karadag is a large mountain range in Crimea. The ridge is located on the Black Sea coast in the middle of the Otuzskaya 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 the mountain Karadag and the ridge received the Turkic name, which means “Black Mountain” in translation. The ridge occupies a small area of 20 sq. 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 Razboynichya, Pogranichnaya and Pozzolanovaya bays are especially popular with tourists. The coastline of the ridge stretched from the biological station to the northeastern basin of Koktebel.
From the history of the study of the natural area
The peculiar relief of the ridge first attracted the attention of scientists at the end of the 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.
Systematic scientific study of the area started after the establishment of Soviet power. In the 1920s, the scientist A. Sludsky established that the last time the volcano on Karadag was active was during the Middle Jurassic. Since the 30s of the 20th century, the geological structure of the ridge has been studied by scientists Muratov, Lebedinsky, Kirichenko and many others.
In 1922, Academician A. P. Pavlov was the first to 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 did the authorities recognize Karadag as a natural monument.
Climate of Karadag
Air circulation creates here a kind of air cocktail of mountain-forest and sea air. The atmospheric condition has a good effect on the human body. Relief in the lungs can be felt half an hour after arriving at this place. The climate on the territory of 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, Mount Karadag and nearby areas do not please tourists with warm and constant weather. In winter, the air temperature can fluctuate from +15°C to -25°C. Occasionally, it happens that roses begin to bloom in January. Such fluctuations in temperature 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 backache, dogwood, spring adonis, blueberry, snowdrops and much more.
Summer is hot and dry. By mid-July, all the grass and many trees are burned out, resulting in very frequent fires. Daytime temperatures rarely drop below +38°C.
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 a comfortable + 19 ° С - + 22 ° С. Closer to November, the cold begins.
Nature of Karadag
The living world of Karadag differs even from the diverse nature of the 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 endemics (the rarest species of plants and animals) of Crimea are located on Karadag.
Scientists identify three landscape belts in Karadag:
- 0 - 300 m above sea level - a belt of shrubs and hornbeam-oak steppes.
- 300 - 400 m above sea level - a belt of forests and oak woodlands.
- From 400 m above sea level to the very top - a belt where rock-oak and hornbeam forests grow.
Three micro-landscapes also stand out:
- Beregovoi volcanic complex;
- sedimentary rock complex (most of the territory of the reserve and the mountainKaradag);
- marine microlandscape (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 their antiquity: a large number of species have been growing here since the pre-glacial period.
Vyazemsky Research Station
Mount Karadag in Crimea has such natural features that attract many researchers from all over the world. Thus, the most important scientific institution in the South-Eastern part 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, in wartime 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 ornament of the Crimea, but also its tourist and scientific center.
Ecotourism in Karadag
Ecotourism is not just about outdoor recreation, where a person can relax or have fun. Ecotourism is a serious and responsible event. Ecotourism is more of an integrated program related to nature conservation thanrest. Ecotourism groups have existed in the Karadag Reserve for more than 12 years. The Academy of Sciences of Ukraine approved a special scientific and recreational program called "Ecological Path". Over the years of the "Tropa" operation, a huge number of people from different countries of the world have participated in this program. The length of the "Path" is about 14 km (of which 7 km are the land section, another 7 are the sea route). Anyone can go for a walk along the Ecological Path, both independently and as part of a group.
Ecological trail routes
The following routes are offered to everyone who wants to try himself in ecotourism:
- Koktebel-Karadag-Koktebel (5 hours).
- Resort-Karadag-Resort (5 hours).
- Resort-Karadag-Koktebel (6 hours).
- Koktebel-Karadag-Kurortny (6 hours).
Hiking along the route Koktebel-Karadag shore-Frog Bay. The bay is opened for tourists every year on July 20.
In Kurortny is the headquarters of the reserve "Karadag", which is popularly called "Biostation". On the territory of the Biostation, tourists are invited to watch shows with the participation of dolphins and fur seals, numerous aquariums with local aquatic inhabitants, exhibitions of rare birds and animals, a nature reserve museum and much more.
Route to Karadag
A real natural decoration, known throughout the world, is Mount Karadag in the Crimea. How to get thereto this wonderful place? The fastest, safest and cheapest way to get to the nature reserve is to take a direct train to Feodosia. Buses, fixed-route taxis and private cabs depart from Feodosia towards Karadag. They are sent from Feodosia both to Koktebel and to the reserve.
If you look towards the sea from Koktebel, you can see how Mount Karadag in Crimea rises to the right - a resort place where all lovers of rare and picturesque nature will like it.
