Climbing Mount

Cycling and Mountain Biking in Crimea

Crimea can be a mountain biker’s dream come through. A large number of roads make the mountains easily accessible, and trails and dirt roads crisscross the peninsula suitable for biking.

Since bikers deal with many of the same issues as hikers, read the article about hiking in Crimea for information on water, climate, transportation, and regulations that may apply to you.

The main starting points for cyclists are Simferopol, Bakhchisaray, Sevastopol, and Feodosiya — all connected to other major Ukrainian cities (Lviv, Kiev, Kharkov, Donetsk) by train. South Shore towns like Yalta, Alushta, and Sudak are not accessible by train, so bikers rarely start there unless they are traveling as a large group and get a van to carry their bikes to their starting point. Read about transporting bikes on Ukrainian trains.

All Crimean automobile roads are suitable for road cycling, however, some are best avoided during the tourist season. For example, traffic is quite heavy on highway M18 from Sevastopol to Yalta, Alushta, and Simferopol during summer months, and moderate at other times of year. The views of the sea and mountains are beautiful. Between Foros and Alupka (25 km) there is an older highway that runs parallel to the M18 higher up the slope with very little traffic, but there are more ups and downs and in places damage from landslides (the road is no longer maintained). In one location west of Parkovoe there is a sudden half-meter drop-off in the road—an unpleasant surprise if you’re cruising down the road at 30 km/hr.

A beautiful route that is unfortunately closed to the public is the paved road from Yalta to Alushta over the highest part of the Crimean mountains through the Crimean Nature Reserve. It is 77 km long and rises to 1448 m at Nikitskyy pass, making it the highest paved road in Ukraine. Ride at your own risk, as there is a minor chance of being caught and fined, or made to turn around. Supposedly the forest patrollers watch the section between Besedka Vetrov and Chuchelskyy pass and go home after 6:00 p.m.

Southeastern Crimea also has tons of roads fit for cycling. The Kerch Peninsula is almost completely flat, but there are many roads and relatively little traffic. As strong winds can be an issue, check wind direction before finalizing the direction of travel. West of Feodosiya begin the Crimean Mountains with their great and varied scenery. In the eastern section of the mountains there are numerous paved roads up these long valleys to remote small towns and villages, as well as endless kilometers of dirt and rocky roads suitable for mountain biking.

NICE ROADS FOR CYCLING by yourself.

Bakhchisaray to Yalta (86 km), Beautiful ride with few cars through foothills and mountains with a strenuous 1000 m climb up switchbacks (over 12 km) to the stunning Ay-Petri plateau, then a steep descent into Yalta with switchbacks and more traffic. Descend into Yalta either early morning or late in the day when people are returning from Ay-Petri to Yalta and there is no oncoming traffic.

Orlinoe to Golubinka (25 km), Kholmovka to Shturmovoe (25 km), Bakhchisaray to Aromat through Schastlivoe (50 km), and Skalistoe to Nauchnyy (14 km)

These roads all run through the foothills (up to 500 m in elevation) southwest of Simferopol and have great views, varied scenery, and light automobile traffic. These routes can easily be connected to make a loop or set of loops.

Crimea’s terrain is hilly and mountainous and covered with trails and dirt roads. Grades range from flat to very steep. Once during a ride I met a Ukrainian guy from Donetsk who had marked on his topographical map all the places he had ridden; the map was literally covered in ink. He traveled alone and took a sleeping bag with him just in case night caught him on the road.

I won’t list routes here because there are hundreds of them. Any trail or dirt road can be biked if it’s not fenced off! The high-detail topographical maps show most of these trails. The easier rides, of course, are in the hills below about 500 m. Most of the “extreme” routes are above this altitude.

A good idea is to pick a destination, say, Bakhchisaray, buy topographical maps when you get there, and begin exploring areas you find interesting. Or, you can take the maps to the local Mountain Rescue Service post and get their advice on the routes you have chosen (if you speak at least some Russian/Ukrainian). See the “lodgings” section on our hiking page for tips on finding a place to stay.

Guided tours

Kirill Yasko, an experienced mountain guide living in Kyiv. He speaks English, German, Russian, and Ukrainian and has led a large number of hiking groups in the mountains of Ukraine, including several groups of foreigners. Each trek is 7 days long. Participants will need to arrange travel to Simferopol themselves (train is most convenient), where they will be picked up at the train station and taken into the mountains. In the trek itineraries below, each day’s hiking mileage is indicated in parentheses.

Valley of the Ghosts, a hike through some of the most mysterious mountains of Crimea.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Perevalnoe village. Ascent to Chatyr-Dag Plateau. Visit equipped caves — Marble Cave and Emine-Bair-Hosar.

Day 2 Climb Mt. Eklizi-Burun. Descent to Kutuzov Lake.

Day 3 Angarskyy Pass, Funa fortress.

Day 4 Ascent to South Demerdzhi through Valley of the Ghosts.

Day 5 Dzhurla and Dzhur-Dzhur waterfalls. Haphal Gorge.

Day 6 Tyrke plateau. Karabi plateau.

Day 7 Descent to Black Sea at Rybachye village. Return to Simferopol.

Cave Towns, a hike through the ancient cave settlements of Crimea’s hilly inland with a descent to the coast.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Bahchisaray. Tour of Bahchisaray Palace and Uspensky Monastery. Chufut-Kale cave town. Camp by Beshik-Tau Mt. (10 km)

Day 2 Tepe-Kermen cave town. Visit Kyz-Kermen ruins. Descent into the Kacha River valley. Kachi-Kalyon Monastery. Camp by the river. (14 km)

Day 3 Hike through Crimean oak forest to the Chelter-Koba Monastery. Belbek River crossing. Syuiren Fortress. (16 km)

Day 4 Climb to Mangup-Kale plateau. Mangup cave town, capital of the Feodoro princedom. Camp next to the ruins of the city walls. (12 km)

Day 5 Descent to Adim-Chokrak Valley. Shuldan cave monastery. Eski-Kermen cave town. (12 km)

Day 6 Descent to the coast near Inkerman. Kalamita tower. Arrival in Balaklava. Camp by the sea cost next to the Golden Beach. (15 km)

Day 7 Chembalo fortress. Tour of underground submarine factory. Transfer to Sevastopol. (5 km)

Canyons of Crimea, a classic hike through Crimea’s picturesque canyons and mountains.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Sevastopol. City overview. Transfer to Morozovka village. Camp by the Black River. (5 km)

Day 2 River crossing. Chernorechenskiy Canyon. Hike upstream through the canyon floor. Camp in the canyon. (6 km)

Day 3 Leaving the canyon. Baidar valley crossing. Visit Skelska Cave. (16 km)

Day 4 Ascent to Uzundzha canyon. Hike through beech forest to the Te?house camp. (15 km)

Day 5 Descent to Silver Waterfall. Camp by the entrance to Crimea’s Grand Canyon. (12 km)

Day 6 Hike through the Grand Canyon. Tthe Bath of Youth. Climb to the northern edge of Ay-Petri Plateau. (15 km)

Day 7 Ay-Petri Plateau crossing. Descent to the Uchan-Su waterfall through Taraktash Gorge. Transfer to Yalta. Return to Simferopol. (12 km)

Above the Sea, a hike along the rim of Crimea’s highest mountains with the Black Sea ever in view below.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Angarskiy Pass. Climb upper plateau of Chatyrdag. Rest at the top of Eklizi-Burun Mt. Descent to Saurgan Meadow. (5 km)

Day 2 Cross the Safun-Uzen River valley. Ascent to Babugan Plateau. Camp next to forbidden deer-forest. (10 km)

Day 3 Hike along edge of Babugan Plateau. Roman-Kosh Mt. (highest in Crimea at 1545 m). Gurzuf Pass and Arbour of the Winds. Camp at treeline. (12 km)

Day 4 Hike along plateau above Yalta. Taraktash Gorge. (12 km)

Day 5 Ascent to the Ay-Petri Mt. Visit oriental bazaar. Tour of Three Eye Cave. Descent to Besh-Tekne Hollow. (12 km)

Day 6 Walk through the Guerrilla Forest. Climb old Roman road to Shaytan-Merdven Pass. (15 km)

Day 7 Hiking along Foros mountain ridge. Tour of Foros church. Baidarskiy Pass. Descent to Laspi Bay. Rest at the seashore. Transfer to Sevastopol. (40 km)

Crimea Mountain Bike Tour, see the Cave Towns and South Shore of Crimea. This is a non-technical mountain bike tour around some of southwest Crimea’s most interesting sights.

Day 1 Arrival in Simferopol. Transfer to Crimean Observatory. Lunch. Briefing, safety equipment. Uphill and downhill training. Bike trip in vicinity of observatory. Dinner. Tour of observatory and telescope viewing. Camp. (8km)

Day 2 Breakfast. Trip across Sel-Buhra to Tepe-Kermen cave town. Visit Kyz-Kermen cave town. Set up camp. Dinner. (18km)

Day 3 Breakfast. Transfer to Bakhchisaray. Tour of Bahchisaray Palace and Uspenskiy Monastery. Journey to the Kacha River valley and Tash-Air — an ancient campground with rock paintings (4000 B.C.). Set up camp. Dinner. (25 km)

Day 4 Breakfast. Journey to the Belbek valley. Lunch. Ride to Khodzhi-Sala village. Rest at lake. Climb to Mangup-Kale plateau. Visit the capital of Feodoro princedom — Mangup cave town. Set up camp near the ruins of the city walls. Dinner. (35 km)

Day 5 Breakfast. Passage to Ternovka village. Cave monastery Shuldan and Cholter-Marmara lookout. Passage to Black River. Visit 16th century fortress. Lunch. Black River Canyon. Swimming in lake. Set up camp near the river. Dinner. (35 km)

Day 6 Breakfast. Passage to Morozovka village. Lunch. Journey to Cape Aya. Descent to the Black Sea. Set up camp by the shore. Dinner. (30 km)

Day 7 Breakfast. Pass above Golden Beach to Chembalo fortress. Descent into Balaklava. Lunch. Transfer to Sevastopol. End of tour. (6km)

All tours cost around 220 Euros apart from the last one, which costs around 290 Euros with rental of bike and around 250 Euros without.

Payment is at the end of each tour. Prices are indicated in each trek description below. You will see that they are very reasonable, as they include all meals, transfers, and guide services. For the bike tour, a car escort is also included in the cost. Prices can change depending on changes made to itineraries and any additional services or activities participants choose to add to the tour.

All hikes are intended for normal people in good condition without special training. Average walking time per day is 6 hours. Participants live in tents and are expected to bring all necessary gear with them. However, equipment rental can be arranged if given prior notice. Meals are cooked on a fire. Food for three meals a day is included in the cost of each tour. Tour members carry their own belongings, carry water, and are expected to help gather firewood and tend the fire. Conveniences such as toilets and showers will be nonexistent. When you order a tour Kirill will take into account your preferences for routes, food, and service. You may go alone, with family (including children), or with friends. You can also take pets along. The usual group size is 6 to 15 people.

Mountain climbing in Ukraine

In the Crimean peninsula, referred to as the Crimea, is a beautiful place in the summer months, the climate and the amount of sunny days makes this a perfect place for the climbers and nature lovers in general.

The Crimean peninsula occupies an area of around 26,000 sq.km.The nearest international airport is Kiev but a closer international airport is located in Simferopol. There are 30 curative lakes, 120 thermal medical springs, 10,000 historical and cultural monuments in the peninsula.

The Crimea (Krim) attracts mountain bikers, tourists, rock-climbers etc. 3 main ridges are found in the mountains of Crimea. The main one reaches a height of 1545 meters above sea level, the Internal, represented by separate rocky massifs which heights are ranging from 500 to 600 meters above the sea level, and the External with insignificant heights. The Southern coast is known for its mild climate. That is a narrow ground strip between the Main ridge and the Black sea.

There are at least 11 nice climbing sites with fully equipped routes grading from climbing grades 4 to 9a. The most popular sites are situated in the area of Great Yalta, from the Foros to Krasnokamenka. It is therefore convenient to stay in one of hotels in the city of Yalta and do one-day climbings at the various sites. Most of routes are about the climbing grade of 7a. The climate in Crimea allows climbing from April through October months.

Nikita (5 km. from Yalta) is one of the most popular mountain climbing site in Crimea. Thanks to Andrey Vedenmeyer who were the world champion in 1995 for his efforts making the routes in this site. There are about 80 routes grading from 5a to 9a (according to the American grades; 5.9 – 5.14). The majority of the routes are overhanging. Height of the site is 12-25 m. As it is a gorge, one can climb opposite cliffs all the day long. Some of the routes were made by climbers from France. Very often one can meet here World famous climbers in this site.

Nikita is situated nearby Yalta and the fabulous Nikitsky botanical gardens and it is near to the highway, so it is easy to access.

Red Stone (village Krasnokamenka). It takes 20-25 minutes by car to the east of Yalta to reach the climbing site. The nearest villages are Gurzuf and the cliff is situated in the village Krasnokamenka. There are about 100 routes grading from 5a-8c. Often these routes have prolonged problems. It is best to use a 60 meters rope on this site. Shops are rather well equipped and you can buy for every day utilities and food there. There is also a small street market here. Many world famous climbers make a trial in this site as well. The site has a nice scenic aspect as there is a lake at the east side of this rock. It is only 50 minutes walking from the Black sea to the site.

Simeyiz .This is a small resort village in about 15 km. from the city Yalta. There are 2 crags available for rock climbing here.

Koshka (Cat). The mountain limits the area of the village. There are bbout 30 routes grading from 5a-8a. Route height range from 13-27 meters. You will find slab at the beginning, overhangs (niches, cornices) in the above sections. Lots of juniper trees are found at the foot. A 4-pitch route with crux up to 6c+ leading on the top.

Krylo Lebedya (Swan’s wing). 5 minutes on foot from Koshka and you will find more than 30 routes grading from 6a-8a. Route height range from 20-30 meters. The cliff is on the beach. As there are three sectors differently directed, it is possible to climb almost all the day long.

Parus (near vill. Foros). The climbing site Parus is situated to the about 2 km west from Foros, which is around 50 km from Yalta, 15 minutes walking up from the highway going from Sevastopol to Yalta. The cliff looks like a “sail in the ocean of stones”. There are about 30 routes grading from 6b-7c. Near to Chelebi, that is a big wall site. There are some multi-pitch routes (4 pitches) leading to the top (crux up to grade 6c+). This is the real “place of the power”.

Bakhchisarai. There are about 100 bolted rock climbing routes grading from 5A up to 7C in 5 different sectors. And there are up to 20 routes in each sector within 15-25 minutes walking distance between them. Route height is ranging from 8 to 23 m. Lime rocks here are quite young, often overhanging, and resemble much of indoor climbing walls.

Because of the overhangs it is possible to climb even if it rains. The rocks here are not sharp, so it allows holding hands in good condition for other sites.

It is hot here in summer even in the shade at noon. That is why one climbs here in the morning or afternoon. Near to the site there are several shops, a small street market and cafes. One can taste here Tatars and Uzbek cuisine in one of the restaurants. Bakhchisarai is a town well known for its sightseeing: Khans’ Palace, Cave monastery and Cave town. So there is a chance to combine the climbing with some sightseeing as well.

Uarch-Kaya. This is a site, situated between Foros and Simeiz at about 2 km from the highway between Yalta and Sevastopol. The site is near the old road between Yalta and Sevastopol. The location is about 45 km. from Yalta. Uarch-Kaya is a site for rock climbing and multi-pitch climbing. All the routes are well equipped grading from 6a to 8c+. The total number of routes are more than 50.

Sudak. This site is situated in town of Sudak, just opposite the famous Genoese fortress. One can try about 15 routes grading from 6b to 7c. It is a very small site, actually just a crag. Because of rather dry climate in South-East part of Crimea in summer in the Sudak is very hot. Best time for climbing is from September to June.

The Southern coast of Crimean peninsula from cape Aiya, situated near the city called Sevastopol to moutain Ai-Petri raising behind the city of Yalta offers opportunities for multi-pitch climbing. There are also sites found between the cities Alushta and Yalta, and between the cities Simferopol and Alushta and near the city Sudak. Most of routes are not well equipped, so for the ascent one should bring all the gear needed for mountain climbing, such as friends, stoppers, wall nuts, and occationally some skyhooks and so on. There can be found some fully equipped multi-pitch routes with crux grading from 5a to 7b. They imply the use of quickdraws only. All the multi-pitch routes are in limestone.

Sites to visit would be Chelebi, Foros, Uarch-Kaya, Marcheka (El-Cap of Crimea), Shan-Kaya, Ai-Petri, Paragilmen, Angarka, and Sokol (Falcon).