Monument of nature Karaul-Oba in Crimea: description and location

The Crimea peninsula, in addition to the sea and the coast, is interesting for natural mountain monuments. Such attractions include Karaul-Oba, which is of interest for its external features, centuries-old history and location.

The Crimean peninsula is remarkable not only for the sea coast and flora, but also for interesting places, one of which is the village of Novy Svet. Karaul Oba became the “visiting card” of this resort town mountain, which offers stunning views of the kilometers around. In addition, the monument of nature itself is interesting in the light of its size, shape and history. The mountain range is located in a natural bay, which stands out for its unique climatic features.

A great place to visit has become and "Ladder of Tauris".

The name of the array received from the Crimean Tatars, Karaul-Oba in translation from the local dialect means “watchful summit”. Such a name was chosen not by chance, because the monument of nature towers over the village more than 300 meters. At the dawn of its appearance, the mountain range was a coral reef located under the water. Of the remarkable features of this area, it is worth noting the location near the massif of the settlement of the Taurus.

Somewhat later, at the western foot of the "watch-top" was erected Bospor Fortress. This hill was a strategically important object for all nationalities that lived in the bay, because it allowed to view the terrain from its peaks, and also served as a reliable defense.

He survived an array and turbulent times in history when this area of ​​Crimea suffered from ready raids, which practically laid siege to him. In 576, the peninsula was conquered by Byzantium, and in the XIII century the village, located near Karaul-Oba, became a Mongol ulus. One hundred years later, the current New World was settled by Armenians. In the XV century, the coral reef began to play an important military role for the Tatars, who from a height could see the approaching enemy. In 1478, the Crimean Khanate became a vassal of Turkey.

The history of the formation of the Crimean winemaking is also inextricably linked with the New World and a large mountain range. The best Crimean sparkling wines were kept in the famous Grotto of Chaliapin, located in the cave of the massif, in the second part of the cave during the times of the Russian Empire, parties and wine tasting were held.

A cavity that performed several functions formed naturally in the rock. And the name in honor of Fyodor Shalyapin was due to the fact that the artist himself allegedly performed in the grotto. The famous trail, which bends around the rock, was created specifically for hiking, as well as exploring the prince's possessions for the emperor Nicholas II himself.

Today Karaul-Oba is a natural protected object, it originates from the Royal Beach, striking with its stone bends. Some parts of the mountain have rather unusual names. So, over the water rises a rock, called "Mushroom", on its top a dried up tree was preserved, which is called the "Giant Slingshot". Further, the outlines of the array develop into Cape Chicken, which has some visual resemblance to the dog's muzzle.You can also find a comparison of the hill with a diving dolphin or the head of a dormant dragon.

The famous “Staircase of the Taurians” complements the quaintness of the forms of the massif, as well as the popular tourist route, which intersects the Golitsyn trail, and leads to the world-famous wine cellars, carved right into the rock. This is another milestone in the history of the natural monument.

According to archaeologists, the stairs are already more than two and a half thousand years old, it was also carved into the rock, it contains two tiers, and sometimes it does not exceed half a meter in width. South of Karaul-Oba goes into a plateau-like massif, which is also no less interesting in terms of its size, location and shape.

Today, the monument of nature is part of the botanical reserve "New World". For a more accurate determination of the location of the array, we can say that Karaul-Oba is a natural divide between Kutlak and Blue Bay. From the village the mountain is at a distance of two kilometers.

To visit this attraction from the sea, you need to go to the Royal Beach to the west of Cape Kapchik. From the village of Novy Svet, the easiest way to get to the hill is to follow the tourist route along the Golitsyn trail as part of the excursion group, or walk along the sea on your own.

You can get to the entrance to the trail from the end of Golitsyn street or walk near the entrance to the local sanatorium "Zapovednaya grove". Getting to New World on your own vehicle, it is recommended to leave the car in the parking lot near the beach, near the sparkling wine factory, and then proceed to the reserve on foot. There are also special parking spaces at the end of Golitsyn street. An alternative to walking from the side of the New World will be approach to the mountain from the village of Merry. To do this, you will need to move along the coastline to the east.

In addition to the official checkpoint in the reserve, there is a mass of paths that you can get to the array without paying for the entrance. So, vacationers can come from the western side of the Novosevsky beach on the very edge of the settlement or through Veselovskaya bay.

In the New World shuttle buses ply from Sudak and other cities of the peninsula. The road to the village passes through mountain serpentine, so during the trip you will also be able to admire the unique sea and mountain landscapes.

The main tourist route of the reserve passes through the mountain range, so for every vacationer there will definitely be a lot of interesting and exciting places in the process of visiting the sights. In addition to the famous juniper grove, from the cliff will be able to admire the breathtaking sea views. For vacationers available visit the very top of the mountain, however, the road up will not pass through all tourist routes in the reserve.

The Golitsyn trail goes around the mountain and ends in Veselovskaya bay. If you follow it to the specified end, then you can visit another attraction of the Crimea - the fortress Kutlak, the construction of which was engaged in the I century BC.

As for the mountain itself, the route at its foot is considered to be easily passable, however, comfortable shoes and the availability of drinking water will be mandatory. Children and older people may need help in overcoming certain areas where the climbs will have a vertical tilt.

It is worth noting that the trail in some places can confuse travelers visiting the site for the first time. therefore experienced guides offer guided walks. Accompanied by a competent employee of the reserve, you will be able to avoid many unpleasant moments during the walk, in addition, during the tour you can learn a lot about the sights and legends associated with them.

The most popular routes in the reserve are two options, both marked on the map, located near the entrance. Each of them is assigned a sequence number.

• Route number 1. A walk planned in this way is considered more difficult compared to the second route. It involves the passage through the "Paradise Valley", as well as the ascent to the top of Karaul-Oba. Tourists will surely pass near the “Tavrov Stairs” and “Cosmos Peak”.
• Route number 2. As in the first variant, tourists will have corresponding signs all along the way, setting the direction of movement along the reserve. According to most tourists, it is on the second route that the tourists enjoy the most beautiful views and landscapes, since it contains several viewing platforms. The path will lie through the "Bonsai over the Tsar's Beach", as well as the "Valley of Hell", "Refrigerator". The last place is a crevice in a mountain range into which a person is able to crawl.

As a rule, both options for walking along the mountain range provide an overview of all the available attractions. Walking along the reserve, travelers will see the so-called rhinoceros. It consists of two steep cliffs that provide similarity with the animal. "Valley of Hell" will be the very first place that tourists will visit on the trail if they move from the village of Merry. The place is located between the rocks and the peak Karaul-Oba. Not far away there will be a cleft with a cool grotto.

"The peak of Cosmos" has a height of 245 meters, it is located between two valleys. This place is appreciated due to the excellent viewing platform from which it will be possible to see the entire eastern part of the peninsula. "Paradise Valley" in the reserve is located between the peak and the immediate summit of the mountain range.

In the stone labyrinths of Karaul-Oba one should visit a place called "Adam's Lodge." It is a passage between the rocks that will hang over the heads of travelers. When considering the mountains in this area, it can be noted that their relief resembles fancy inscriptions on the surface.

The “Tavrov Staircase” is considered the most famous and sought-after attraction of the trail. According to the legends, the same-named nationality that once inhabited the bay was involved in its construction. In those days, she led to the sanctuary located on the mountain. The second version indicates that it was built in the time of Prince Golitsyn. Today, the steps are in a dilapidated state, so tourists should stick to the special cable, stretched along the stairs.

Have "Peak of the Cosmos" there are several picturesque rocks, in the outlines of which you can find some similarities with the figures of animals.

Tourists will be able to see three picturesque stone blocks, standing right in the water. They are called "Three Monks". Also during the tour in the eastern part of the valley you can visit the “Tavrov Cave”. It is believed that this nation once lived in it, today tourists often stay in it. Another interesting stone is called “The Rock of the Axis”, a lonely pine grows on it.

Video review of the mountain "Guard-both" and its surroundings is provided below.