Waterfall Uchan-Su in the Crimea: description and location

The Crimean peninsula is an interesting place not only in terms of recreation on the seashore, since it may interest tourists in a host of other attractions. Among the existing diversity, waterfalls should be highlighted, one of which is Wuchang-Su.

The peninsula, in addition to the sea, also attracts tourists with a large number of waterfalls, of which there are about two hundred. The largest and high-water is considered to be Uchan-Su. This natural landmark is on the way to the rise of Mount Ai-Petri, and the height of the giant is close to a hundred-meter mark, which is twice the size of the Niagara Falls.

The length of the river of the same name, from which it originates, is 7 kilometers. A feature of Wuchang-Su is the ability of water streams hitting the rock to form a beautiful cloud of mist in the air, in the sunlight it turns into an incredibly beautiful multi-colored placer shimmering like precious stones. Small drops are spread far beyond the waterfall, contributing to the natural wetting of vegetation.

In the summer, like most waterfalls in the Crimea, Uchan-Soo dries up, so among the locals it is called "water" in a humorous form. And in winter, the waterfall is transformed and becomes no less attractive than in spring, because its streams will become an incredibly beautiful icy canvas, from which silver drops or streams sometimes break through. In the light of its size and location, it is conventionally divided into two cascades.

The first high stream descends from a cliff of a mountain bed to a ledge, at the next stage a small structure built by a man is located. It performs the function of a water intake station. As an ornament on the ledge towers a statue of an eagle, made of plaster.

There is an observation deck on the mountain, in addition, there are mountains and forests of the Yalta reserve near the waterfall. Such an arrangement dictates the observance of certain rules. Thus, tourists are forbidden to make a fire, smoke, litter, spoil the environment. Entry for visitors in the daytime will be paid, but in the evening the territory is not guarded, and the approach to the waterfall remains open for those who want it, so a walk to the sights can be made in the evening hours.

Nearby and at the entrance to Uchan-Su there are souvenir shops, and the restaurant of the same name is also located nearby. As the water streams fall from a great height, frequent fogs and drizzle can be observed in this part of the reserve. Such features require holidaymakers to comply with all personal security measures. Tourists are offered excursions to the waterfall under the guidance of experienced guides who will tell tourists coming here interesting facts about the peninsula, the waterfall and local attractions.

Uchan-Soo got to the list of official historical sites and sights of Crimea only at the end of the 20th century. The translation of such an unusual name from the Crimean Tatar literally sounds like “flying water”. However, in the history of this place there are also the names “flowing water” or “hanging water”, the meaning of which follows from the size and power of the waterfall.During the USSR Uchan-Su called Yalta waterfall. The sight is obliged to the name to the nationalities inhabiting this place.

Storozhili and locals note that over time, the power of the waterfall is waning. However, it still remains the largest. According to some historians, 10–15 years after the unification of these places into a conservation area, the height of the waterfall was several times greater, but the destruction of the forest had a very negative effect on its size.

Almost every unique place is gradually overgrown with legends, this trend and waterfall has not passed. Thus, according to local residents who once inhabited this area, in the rock formation near the river bed there is an old iron ring, and the river itself had a convenient pier, then the sea level was much higher. This ring was used for mooring ships, but numerous searches for the mysterious ring did not give any results. Therefore, the legend still remains a legend.

The next legend associated with the waterfall is the tale of a beautiful young girl who was stolen by an evil spirit and kept in this area. The brave girl decided to definitely return to the people, so she rushed down from a high cliff, then the good spirits of the forest came to help her and turned her into a river. Thus, she managed to return to her home, as well as save all sentient beings from the drought, which promised to send them an evil spirit.

The emergence of various myths did not bypass the statue, which is located between the two parts of the waterfall. According to legend, if you get to the sculpture of a bird and tie a ribbon on one of its wings, the person will surely fulfill his most intimate desire. However, such an event is quite risky, since it is likely to fall from a height. But this fact does not interfere with the brave travelers to decorate the wings of the eagle with their ribbons.

The waterfall is located near Yalta on the south side of Ai-Petri. The distance from the city is 6 kilometers, which allows you to easily get to the places by car or by any other convenient method. How to get to the reserve, can tell every local resident. In addition to a personal vehicle, you can get to the waterfall by public transport, which departs from Yalta from the city bus station. The terminus at route number 30 is a waterfall, so vacationers do not need to make any transfers.

And also to Uchan-Soo there is a footpath, it starts from the house of A.P. Chekhov, passes through a reserved scenic area. The trail to the waterfall is called Taraktashskoy. You can also get from the city to the “Sanatorium Uzbekistan” bus stop, and then continue the mini-journey along the highway. To the waterfall will walk about 4 kilometers. You can drive up to the sights on any public bus that will go to Sevastopol, Gaspra, Foros or Alupka.

The easiest option would be to drive on your own car. To do this, you need to go to the South Coast Highway, which frames the city along the upper border towards the Sanatorium Uzbekistan. Turning to the waterfall will be on the right side, it will be quite difficult to drive through, because the entrance to the sights has a sign. On the map, this turn will be the same for the entrance to Ai-Petri.

It is this index in the winter period that may contain information that the “Driveway is closed”, but this concerns the road to the mountain itself. Parking for cars is located near the restaurant of the same name with a waterfall, about 300 meters to the sights you will need to walk. An alternative to personal vehicles will be local taxi services.

Waterfall visits are directly related to seasonality.Most of the tourists come to the peninsula in the summer, when the prevailing weather conditions on the ground will be heat and lack of precipitation. Such features lead to the natural drying up of the rivers, from which all world waterfalls are formed. To see all the beauty and power of water attractions, It is recommended to visit this place in spring or autumn.

With the arrival of spring heat, the rivers are filled by melting snow, and in the fall, water bodies become full-flowing due to natural precipitation. Locals recommend planning a trip to the reserve from November to May. During this period, Uchan-Su reaches the peak of its power, in the light of which the roar of water falling from a great height will be heard for many kilometers.

Planning a small trip to the sights, in one trip you will be able to visit several interesting places on the peninsula. So, a little further from Uchan-Su, you can walk along the famous Stangeevskoy trail. The length of this route will be just over two kilometers. Such a walk will take guests to the observation deck in the reserve, equipped with a bench. On this plateau you can relax, breathe fresh air and admire the landscapes opening from a height.

If you go even further, you can go to the river, from which a waterfall is formed. In this place he will appear at his best. For the safety and comfort of tourists in the nature reserve there are signs everywhere, so getting lost will be extremely difficult. For visitors also exists separate passage to the eagle statuelocated by the waterfall. Since the staircase to it is in a condition unsuitable for exploitation, a small path has been trodden from the Stangeevsk Trail, which will lead to a pedestal covered with myths and legends.

In summer, when the waterfall is shallowing, tourists have the opportunity to admire the flora of the Yalta reserve. The mountain slopes of this area are covered with forest, where you can find centuries-old relict cultures. The air in the conservation area, due to the content of coniferous phytoncids, will be extremely useful. That is why there are many “paths of health” nearby. Walking in this area can lead tourists to a private zoo and the Glade of Fairy Tales. To do this, move from the restaurant to the reserve.

In the next video you can take a look at the Uchan-Su waterfall in all its glory.