Cape of Alchak: amazing places of Sudak

The city of Sudak is located on the shore of the bay, whicheast ends with Cape Alchak. Townspeople and vacationers often go to the promontory to admire the surroundings, have a picnic or make 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 XIV century by Italians on the site of the ancient city of Sugdei, known even from the Old Russian chronicles, attracts attention.

The nearby village of Novy Svetattracts not only the cleanest beaches, but also the world famous champagne plant "New World", which was founded by Prince Lev Golitsyn in the XIX century. Excursion to production facilities and tasting is very popular with tourists. In the village there is a house-museum of L. Golitsyn, where visitors are also allowed and where the museum of wine is located. It is interesting to walk along the sea along the precipitous Golitsyno trail, which leads to the grotto where previously bottles with champagne were kept and where, according to legend, the great Chaliapin sang.

Coves and springs with spring water, the remains of ancient towers and fortresses, stairs and defensive structures - all this makes Sudak attractive for tourists.

Cape Alchak is another interesting sight 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 sediment 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 can still be foundprints of ancient shells, sea urchins and mollusks. If you look closely, the branches of the prehistoric coral and the skeletons of fish are clearly distinguishable in mountain formations. Limestone has been marbled, hardened and turned from the seabed into a geological museum in the open air over the centuries.

A walk along the cape of Alchak will be of interest to those whois fond of minerals. Once there was a legend that on the mountain you can get real gold. However, in fact, ignorant people took for gold veins a grain of golden pyrite. Even 20 years ago, it was easy to collect a handful of gold crystals in half an hour.

Iceland spar, marble calcite and other minerals will be found on Alchak-Kaya. In the 1950s, these stones were mined on an industrial scale.

Cape of Alchak belongs to protected areasCrimea, where amazing vegetation, unusual for these places. Despite the proximity of the sea, the plants here are mostly steppe. Thickets of dogrose, barberry and hawthorn alternate with pistachio and juniper bushes. Often there are luxurious oaks and Crimean pines. Decorate steep slopes creeping wild roses and shoots of capers, which in the spring surprise with unusually beautiful snow-white flowers.

The main thing is not to get off the trail!

Only 2 hours will be needed to get around Cape Alchak in a circle and return back. What can you see during this time, walking along a paved ecological path 800 m long?

At the foot of the cape is a small beach, and if you swim, the road will seem less tedious.

Near the beginning of the path grows a huge oak, even old-timers do not know exactly how old he is.

A little above the track there is a grotto under the nameAeolian harp. It is well 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 on Cape Alchak photos are made in the grotto, because in the frame of frozen corals, as in the frame, a beautiful view opens up to the Sudak Bay and further to the Novyi Svet, Cape Kapchik, Mount Bolvan, Koba-Kai and Serfdom, the Sokol Rock. On clear days you can see even Yalta.

Admiring, it is necessary to go further.

Soon, a convenient path leads to the Devil's Bridge. So called the boardwalk, thrown across the landslides and precipice. Go for it carefully.

The track begins to loop under the heavy overhangingrocks along the coastline. A pile of stone blocks sometimes looks frightening, it seems that just about - and the stones will collapse into the sea, capturing the careless traveler for themselves.

Away from the path numerous paths lead tosmall bays, where it is good to swim and fish and crabs, which are very numerous here. In pure water fish are visible from afar, do not even have to go off the trail. The most spacious is the Kapselskaya bay.

If you're lucky, and the Suuk-Su river is full, you canSee how a fresh river flows into the salt sea. In 1914, the raging river caused a terrible disaster, destroying houses and carrying people to sea.

At the top of the mountain Alchak you can find a cave-adit, where marble calcite was extracted. Here, archaeologists have discovered the site of ancient people of the Bronze Age and the treasure of the times of the Bosporus Kingdom.

Ecological path leads to the eastern sidemountains, the beach behind the cape of Alchak is excellent and because it has long been chosen by tourists who establish 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 pavedalong the sea. Alchak has 3 peaks, of which only the northern is safe for the unprepared tourist. To the southern and central peaks there are no paved and marked roads. Places there are wild, often there are rock falls, many crevices and faults, the slopes are steep and dangerous.

How it is more convenient to reach?

Arriving in Sudak, you must visit Cape Alchak. Every inhabitant of Sudak knows how to get there, and with pleasure will tell you the way.

Going along the main resort street of the city, Cypress Alley, and going out onto the embankment, you have to turn left and go to the end. The walk will take 20-30 minutes.

The embankment ends with a boat station, beyond which a harp is visible on the slope of the mountain. This is the beginning of the path. The path leads along the sea, then going down to the beaches, then rising higher.

In some places the road along the cape of Alchak is cleared for the convenience of travelers, steps, rails and walkways are made, benches are available 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 time. Although from the top of the cape at night there is a stunning panorama of Sudak, shining with a lot of lights against the dark blue sea, not everyone will be able to go down in the dark. At night, when the path is poorly discernible, travelers are faced with various troubles: you can break in the cracks between the stones, turn your foot on a slippery path or get off the road. Another danger at Cape Alchak - rocks that are breaking from the slopes to the deep sea, crumbling ground, and also unexpected rockfalls.

Every summer rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations withdraw from Alchak-Kaya lost tourists.

The right equipment for the adventure

Going to Cape Alchak, we must remember thatCrimean mountains, low and seemingly safe, still do not forgive mistakes and disdainful attitude. And for the adventure to leave only positive memories, it is necessary to properly prepare:

1. Footwear. In no case can not put on slippers - they easily slide on the slopes. Do not fit heels or rags. Sneakers - the best shoes for the mountains.
2. Must have a headpiece.
3. If the day is sunny, you need to store sunscreen and dark glasses.
4. You must take at least 1 liter of clean water per person.
5. For the evening walk requires a powerful lantern.

A road that is suitable for an equipped tourist will seem easy and will be remembered as a pleasant and interesting walk.