The city of Sudak is located on the shore of the bay, which ends in the east with Cape Alchak. Citizens and vacationers often go to the cape to admire the surroundings, have a picnic or take a short trip to the interesting and mysterious places of Cape Alchak-Kaya.
Sights of Sudak
Sudak is a city with a long history, so tourists have something to see.
At the entrance to the city, the Genoese fortress, built in the 14th century by Italians on the site of the ancient city of Sugdeya, known from ancient Russian chronicles, attracts attention.
The nearby village of Novy Svet attracts not only with the cleanest beaches, but also with the world-famous Novy Svet champagne factory, which was founded by Prince Lev Golitsyn in the 19th century. Excursion to the production facilities and tasting are very popular with tourists. In the village, the house-museum of L. Golitsyn has been preserved, where visitors are also allowed and where the wine museum is located. It is interesting to walk along the sea along the steep Golitsyn path, which leads to the grotto where champagne bottles used to be kept and where, according to legend, the great Chaliapin sang.
Bays and springs with a springwater, the remains of ancient towers and fortresses, stairs and defensive structures - all this makes Sudak attractive for tourists.
Cape Alchak is another interesting attraction of Sudak.
Mysterious name
In the Crimean Tatar Alchak-Kaya means "low rock", the height of the cape is actually small and is 152 m.
Natural Features
Cape Alchak (Sudak) is a coral deposit that rose from the depths of the ancient Tethys Ocean about 10 million years ago, when the Crimean ridge was formed.
On the chips of stone blocks, you can still find prints of ancient shells, sea urchins and mollusks. If you look closely, then in the mountain formations, branches of prehistoric coral and skeletons of fish are clearly distinguishable. The limestone over the centuries has marbled, hardened and turned from the seabed into an open-air geological museum.
A walk along Cape Alchak will be of interest to those who are fond of minerals. Once there was a legend that real gold can be mined on the mountain. However, in fact, ignorant people mistook grains of golden pyrite for gold streaks. Even 20 years ago, it was easy to collect a handful of golden crystals in half an hour.
There are Icelandic spar, marble-like calcite and other minerals on Alchak-Kaya. In the 1950s, these stones were mined on an industrial scale.
Cape Alchak belongs to the protected areas of the Crimea, where amazing vegetation has been preserved, unusual for these places. Despiteto the proximity of the sea, the plants here are predominantly steppe. Thickets of wild rose, barberry and hawthorn alternate with pistachio and juniper bushes. Occasionally there are luxurious oaks and Crimean pines. Steep slopes are decorated with creeping wild roses and caper shoots, which in spring surprise with unusually beautiful snow-white flowers.
The main thing is not to go astray
It will take only 2 hours to bypass Cape Alchak in a circle and return back. What can you see during this time, walking along the 800 m long ecological trail?
There is a small beach at the foot of the cape, and if you swim, the road will seem less tiring.
A huge oak tree grows near the beginning of the path, even the old-timers do not know exactly how old it is.
Slightly above the path is a grotto called the Aeolian harp. It can be clearly seen from afar, because it is a huge through rock, similar to a ring. A steep path leads to an amazing natural structure. If you overcome it, you can listen to the music of the Crimean wind. The Aeolian harp was formed due to weathering. The best photos on Cape Alchak are taken in the grotto, because framed by frozen corals, like in a frame, a beautiful view of the Sudak Bay and further, to the New World, Cape Kapchik, mountains Bolvan, Koba-Kai and Fortress, Sokol rock. On clear days you can even see Y alta.
After admiring, it's worth moving on.
Soon a comfortable path leads to the Devil's Bridge. Socalled the boardwalk bridge thrown over the landslides and cliffs. Walk on it carefully.
The path begins to wind under heavy overhanging rocks along the coastline. A pile of boulders sometimes looks frightening, it seems that just about - and the stones will collapse into the sea, dragging the careless traveler with them.
Numerous paths lead down from the path to small bays, where it is good to swim and catch fish and crabs, which are very abundant here. In clear water, the fish are visible from afar, you don’t even have to leave the path. The most spacious is Kapsel Bay.
If you're lucky, and the Suuk-Su River is full of water, you can see how the fresh river flows into the s alty sea. In 1914, a raging river caused a terrible disaster, destroying houses and carrying people into the sea.
At the top of Mount Alchak, you can find a cave-adit where marble-like calcite was mined. Here, archaeologists discovered a site of ancient people from the Bronze Age and a treasure from the time of the Bosporan Kingdom.
The ecological path leads to the eastern side of the mountain, the beach behind Cape Alchak is excellent and therefore it has long been chosen by tourists who set up tents there every summer. The beach is small - only half a kilometer long, but cozy and clean.
It should be noted that the path is not accidentally laid along the sea. Alchak has 3 peaks, of which only the northern one is safe for an unprepared tourist. There are no paved and marked roads to the southern and central peaks. The places there are wild, there are often rockfalls, many crevices and faults, the slopes are steep and dangerous.
What's the best way to get there?
Arriving in Sudak, you must definitely visit Cape Alchak. Every resident of Sudak knows how to get there and will be happy to show you the way.
After walking along the main resort street of the city, Cypress Alley, and going out onto the embankment, you need to turn left and reach the end. The walk will take 20-30 minutes.
The embankment ends with a boat station, beyond which the Aeolian harp is visible on the mountainside. This is the beginning of the trail. The trail leads along the sea, then descending to the beaches, then rising higher.
In some places the road along Cape Alchak has been cleared for the convenience of travelers, steps, railings and footbridges have been made, there are benches for rest.
Entrance to the ecological territory is free.
You can go along the ecological path, starting your journey from the village of Solnechnaya Dolina.
Warning to tourists
Carried away by a walk, do not forget about the time. Although from the top of the cape at night a stunning panorama of Sudak opens up, shining with many lights against the background of the dark blue sea, not everyone will be able to go down in the dark. At night, when the path is poorly visible, various troubles lie in wait for travelers: you can fall into the cracks between the stones, twist your leg on a slippery path, or go astray. Another danger at Cape Alchak is stones falling off the slopes into the deep sea, crumbling soil, as well as unexpected rockfalls.
Every summer rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations bring lost tourists out of Alchak-Kaya.
The right gear for an adventure
Going to Cape Alchak, we must remember thatthe Crimean mountains, low and seemingly safe, still do not forgive mistakes and neglect. And in order for the adventure to leave only positive memories, you need to properly prepare:
- Shoes. In no case should you wear flip-flops - they easily slide along the slopes. Heels or rag slippers do not fit. Sneakers are the best shoes for the mountains.
- Be sure to need a hat.
- If the day is sunny, stock up on sunscreen and sunglasses.
- You must take at least 1 liter of clean water per person with you.
- For an evening walk you will need a powerful flashlight.
To a suitably equipped tourist, the road will seem easy and will be remembered as a pleasant and interesting walk.
