All about the Valley of Ghosts in Crimea

The Valley of Ghosts is a unique natural monument, which is located at the foot of the Demerdzhi massif. In the evenings, the mountain slopes of the reserve are covered by a truly fabulous light performance: the sun's rays solemnly adorn the rocks with bright orange highlights, and then, when the sun is hiding behind the horizon, reddish hues appear and, finally, the entire upper part of the mountain is covered with bright purple tones.

Mystical surroundings give this picture rocky ghosts-idols, many scattered on the mountain slopes. Hundreds of sculptures of unusual shapes, similar to people and animals, seem to come to life and, moving in the vibrating air, create a living fairy-tale picture. Stone towers, pillars, bastions and pyramids cast their trembling shadows, moving as the stars glide across the horizon.

Organically complement this picturesque picture by a miracle, curved trees, similar to Japanese bonsai, that have established themselves on harsh rocks. Fascinating phantasmagoria!

The Valley of Ghosts is a picturesque and mysterious territory in Crimea, famous for the rich clusters of rocky outcrops of the most bizarre forms on the southern ridge of the Demerdzhi massif, which is near Alushta. A rare place where the phenomenon of the famous Broken (mountain) ghost is sometimes observed - a shadow, large or small, surrounded by colorful rings ("gloria").

Often, due to the movement of cloud layers and changes in their density, the ghost mystically moves and comes to life. Bright colored rings around a mysterious shadow appear due to the reflection of sunlight from the clouds and are caused by its diffraction. A significant increase in shadow size is a well-known optical illusion.

This phenomenon can be observed in conditions of intense mountain fog or cloud cover, sometimes even from an airplane. The phenomenon gained its fame thanks to Johann Zilberschlag, who observed it in 1780 at Brocken Peak, in the Harz mountains (Germany). Since 1981, a federal natural-geological monument-museum with an area of ​​20 hectares has been organized in the valley.

Demerdzhi ("Blacksmith Mountain"), at the foot of which lies a valley, includes two main peaks called South (1239 m) and North (1356 m). In ancient times, the mountain was called Funa ("smoking"). In its western part there is a fortress of the same name, erected in the Middle Ages, next to which lies a tourist route to a valley that amazes tourists with its fantastic landscape.

The specificity of Demerdzhi is that it consists not only of limestone, but also has a variety of pebble and other inclusions of more durable rocks, captured by limestone, like cement. Water seeping from the surface into rock depth and reacting with carbon dioxide contained in the soil becomes an acidic environment that corrodes the rock. Under the influence of such water and weathering, limestone collapses, leaving bizarre forms of the hardest rocks in the form of fingers, mushrooms, covers, etc.

Unusual rock sculptures in the form of human figures, outlines of fantastic animals and other strange creatures, masterfully created by nature, amaze with their scope and magnificence, give room for unusual fantasies. Moreover, depending on the time of day and the characteristics of lighting, mysterious images seem to come to life, begin to move and change, causing astonished observers to wondrous associations. So, even from the Simferopol – Alushta highway, the natural “sculpture” clearly resembles the majestic profile of Catherine II.

This peculiar, natural theater, like a kaleidoscope of "ghosts", is constantly changing, living, moving, due to unstable weather conditions in the valley. The second version of such an intense “life” of the valley says that tourists who decide to stay here overnight experience hallucinations in the morning. Indeed, in scientific circles it is claimed that a number of representatives of the richest local flora in the early morning hours secrete substances that can cause hallucinations.

All kinds of natural weathering reliefs are abundantly represented here, such as niches, cornices, mushrooms, pillars, bastion and other contours. There are hundreds of petrified ghosts in the valley. Most of the pillars of the valley are similar to the huge fossil belemnites called the “damn fingers”. Amazing rocky forms of the Valley are the result of the impact on the rocks of constant natural influences, and sometimes even earthquakes.

In volume, this blocky chaos is more than 4 million m³. Pebbles and boulders of local natural conglomerates are of considerable interest to scientists, since the age of these oldest rocks reaches 1.1 billion years.

By the way, one of the most significant earthquakes happened here in 1894. A fallen off huge stone block, scattered into 25-meter pieces, covered the village houses. Fortunately, few people died, but the village was immediately transferred to another place. So the village of Luchistoe appeared (from where the main path to the Valley of Ghosts originates). Rock chaos settled on the site of the former settlement.

If you want to not just visit this theater of nature, give yourself the whole excursion day, and you will see how the valley lives and changes. This metamorphosis is not a legend, but one of the reasons why the valley got its name. The local flora, numbering more than 430 species, is extremely interesting. Among them, the rarest specimens: Crimean lamb, yew berry, sainfoin, pyracantha and many others.

Following the Valley of Ghosts from various regions of the Crimea, the idea of ​​stopping in the village of Luchistom will perhaps be a success. Firstly, you can devote an entire day to cognitive excursions; secondly, take a break from the long road. There are no hotels in this place, but it is quite possible to get an overnight stay by renting a house in one of the houses. This service is popular here, and from the territory of some buildings an excellent panorama of the mountain itself opens.

In Radiant there is a Demerdzhi House (guest house) located on the edge of the village. For housing, quite decent rooms in separate cottages are arranged, equipped with all the necessary household equipment for living. There is heating, and some rooms have kitchenettes with refrigerators and microwaves. “Mountain Antavia” is a small hotel complex with simple rooms and everything you need to relax in them. The complex has a collective kitchen, terraces, balconies and an elegant garden.

A free fitness room is equipped and operates for visitors, and a playground for children is equipped. For hiking in the Valley and rocky mountain paths, simple sneakers are just fine. But if hiking in the mountains is an infrequent event in your life, then you can use tracking shoes that will save your feet from injuries. Headdress and tourist clothes will be useful.

Tract Demerdzhi (from Turkic - "blacksmith"). On this occasion, there is a hypothesis that the mountain conceals some reserves of iron ore deposits that form the basis of the mountain body. For this reason, forges were arranged along the trade routes running from Alushta.

The Greeks, who settled here in antiquity, adhering to a different point of view, called Mount Funa - "smoking". The name was promoted by a special natural phenomenon: moistened, airy sea masses, towering above the mountain, cooled, and then descended into dense foggy masses on the mountain slopes, giving the impression of some smoke.

The compassionate Maria, the daughter of the village head, came to the master in order to convince him to spare the people. But the blacksmith killed the girl. Such an action by the owner of the forge shocked nature, and the mountain began to erupt, swallowing the bowels, and with them the forge. The apprentices turned into fossilized figures, and a cruel blacksmith froze on top of Demerdzhi. So, two images have preserved centuries - the rock “Giant” (25 m high, 5 m in diameter) and “Catherine’s Head”.

According to other keepers of ancient local legends, the name of the fossil “The Head of Catherine”, clearly visible at the top of the southern part of the mountain, was assigned by Prince Tauride (Potemkin). At the end of the Russian-Turkish battle on the way home, driving near the mountain range, the prince saw this natural sculpture. Struck by the outward resemblance of the outlines of the rock with the face of the empress, and, apparently, impressed by the glorious victories, the brightest gave the rock the name of Catherine II. How reliable is this tradition is now difficult to establish, but the mountain still call “Ekaterin Mountain” or gently - “Katyusha”.

Nowadays, this natural sculpture weakly resembles the profile of the famous Russian ruler. The reason for this was the powerful tremors of 1927, partially destroying the rock. From afar, in the contours of “Catherine’s Head” human features are quite guessed, but at close range it is more like a sphinx.Curious events connect the Valley of Ghosts with the shooting of the comedy "Prisoner of the Caucasus", since some episodes of this film were shot right here in the Crimea. At least three famous places are present in excursion programs.

• A block of stone on which Natalya Varley performed a song about polar bears.
• An ancient walnut tree, now called the "Nikulin Nut", growing right by the path running to the valley. The tree is about 6 centuries old. It was on its branches that Nikulin's "Dunce" character hid and threw nuts at Shurik. It is clear that in order to capture the episode with the fall, a tree branch was prepared in advance, but it accidentally broke in another place and, falling, the famous artist broke his arm.
• In the direction of travel, the trail goes to the observation deck, which is near the top of the mountain. It offers wonderful views that, with careful study, can be seen in the legendary comedy film Gaidai.

Along the eastern slope of the mountain, a path to the fortification of the XIV century, called Funa, winds. Built in Byzantine times, the fortress guarded a trade route that passed through the southern coast of the peninsula. It is understood that it was along the trajectory of this eastern trail that the famous Silk Road ran, at the crossroads of which thirsty burglars thirsted for profit. A typical excursion route along the mountain infrequently includes a visit to Funa, usually it is limited to the southern part of the mountain and climbing to Katyusha.

When the majestic and mysterious Chatyr-Dag is covered with a tempting foggy curtain, and above the southern slope of the legendary “Forge”, the sky turns blue, on a blurred peculiar canvas you can see a huge shadow - “Broken ghost” wandering around the Crimea.

Not far from the tract, the Great Chaos generously scattered its wonderful stones, created by a series of powerful avalanches (1894, 1968, 1982). Huge, with a three-story house, rock formations formed into chaotic, bizarre clusters. It is noteworthy that the age of the reddish, oval-shaped stones and pebbles included in these formations is more than one billion years.

And finally, about the local flora. The valley is truly a paradise for scientists. The local plant world has more than 430 species, many of them are endemic, growing only on Crimean land. Meadow, steppe and mountain plants prevail in the tract, combined with picturesque forest islands. Wonderful colors in the local landscapes are made by plants that look very similar to Japanese bonsai.

The twisted trees, with their knotted roots, most miraculously clinging to the rocks, leave a unique and romantic impression of a dancing forest. Among the beech and hornbeam species growing here, one can see red-stemmed pines with shortened dark green needles.

You can get to the place both from Alushta, and directly from Yalta or Simferopol. The final stop will be the village of Radiant. You can book an excursion, or you can go on your own - the route is relatively easy, it is quite possible for a person of an average level of training. Nevertheless, with a knowledgeable guide, such a trip will become more informative and safe. There are three ways to get to the reserve.

• By personal car (optional in jeeps - the road is good) using a navigator aimed at Radiant. Upon arrival in the village, having parked the transport near the equestrian club, then we move on foot. It will be useful to study the price tag for car rental - the Crimean price list starts from two thousand rubles. A car is issued at the airport. From Alushta to the final destination go 15 km, from Simferopol and Yalta - 40 and 50 km.
• Excursion order from Alushta. Such excursions are sold almost anywhere in the Crimea, however, Alushta service will be more diverse in this sense. The route “Mysteries of the Ghost Valley”, a tour lasting up to 6 hours is very convenient. Although on the spot you can find more economical options in groups.
• City vehicles. To Radiant from Alushta trolleybus depot by bus number 107. Trolleybus No. 51 - from Simferopol, and from Yalta - No. 52. From the village you will need to walk on asphalt (the object is about 40 minutes walk) towards the western part of the South Mountain. At its foot, climb the path uphill. Trees and rocks along the path are specially marked with signs.

See how to get to the ghost valley in Crimea in the next video.