Amazing South: the most famous waterfalls on the Crimean coast

Waterfalls are unique natural objects that amaze and delight with their irrepressible power and beauty. At all times, mankind has been attracted by powerful endless water flows, inspiring and becoming part of folk customs, myths and legends. The play of splashes and light against the backdrop of steep cliffs is fascinating.

In Crimea, picturesque waterfalls are concentrated mainly on the southern slope of the Main Range of the peninsula's mountain massif. In total, there are more than 100 waterfalls and cascades on the Crimean coast, most of which are seasonal. Each waterfall has its own unique history. Intent will introduce some of them in the regular column "Amazing South".

Uchan-Su Waterfall - the pearl of the Crimean peninsula

"Cremasto Nero", "Outky", "Yalta" - the most famous waterfall in Crimea, Uchan-Su, which is the highest in Ukraine, has such a variety of names. For a long time it was believed that the height of the waterfall was 98.5 meters. But recent measurements show that Uchan-Su is 116 meters high. This true miracle of nature is located among majestic rocks and centuries-old pines at an altitude of about 390 meters above sea level, 7-8 km from Yalta, on the river of the same name on the southern side of Mount Ai-Petri.

The Uchan-Su waterfall. PHOTO: snap.com.ua

Uchan-Su has long been shrouded in legends. According to one of them, there used to be not a single drop of water in this place. The appearance of the waterfall was facilitated by the abduction of one of the most beautiful girls in the area, Zeinab, by the spirit of the mountains. The beauty was so cheerful and light that she was nicknamed Uchan. The mountain spirit, the owner of the Crimean Mountains, heard the beautiful girl singing and was enchanted by her beauty. He kidnapped her and took her far away into the mountains. At the same time, in the village where Zeinab was from, a drought began, caused by the demon of the sea, and people suffered from a lack of water.

The girl missed her family and asked the spirit of the mountains to let her go. The spirit eventually granted her request, first turning the Zeinab into a river. Water streams flowed rapidly from the mountain peaks and carried life into the arid valley. However, an obstacle appeared on the river's path - a rock. It was put there by an evil demon of the sea who wanted to stop the water flow. But the river, rushing down from a height, overcame all obstacles. Wherever its waters flowed, life was restored. People called the river and the waterfall that emerged from its flows Uchan-Su. This name is translated from Crimean Tatar as "flying water".

When falling, Uchan-Su creates two cascades. At the foot of the first one there is a statue of an eagle, which hides water intake structures. Thanks to them, water flows through the Mogabinsk reservoir to Yalta. At the foot of the other cascade, powerful water jets crash against the rocks without any obstacles.

There is a belief that the waters of this waterfall help locals predict the weather. So, if the water is clean and clear, and the sky is cloudy at the time, it will not be an obstacle to a mountain walk. But if the water is muddy, with clay impurities, and turbulent, this is the first sign of bad weather.

Near the Uchan-Su waterfall, there is an observation deck that offers an unforgettable view not only of the waterfall but also of the entire Yalta Mountain and Forest Nature Reserve.

Uchan-Su is at its fullest during the snowmelt, but even in the midst of June showers, the sound of its raging streams can be heard even hundreds of kilometers away. With the onset of intense heat, it begins to dry up, but in the fall the waterfall is filled with rainwater again and takes on its usual appearance. It is better to visit Uchan-Su in spring and autumn, when it becomes full and can be seen even from Yalta. On frosty days, the waterfall's jets freeze, turning into ice depths resembling giant stalactites. At this time, Uchan-Su attracts the attention of climbers, first of all. Thus, in the 80s of the XX century, the frozen waterfall was first conquered by the legendary climber and traveler Yuri Lyshaev, nicknamed "Fantik".

Another indisputable advantage of the area where the famous Yalta waterfall is located is the unique tall pine forest that surrounds Uchan-Su. The forest consists mainly of Pallas pine. This forest, which stretches on the southern slope of Mount Ai-Petri, is famous for its ability to purify the air and create a unique microclimate. That is why a vacation near the waterfall turns into not only a leisure time full of vivid impressions, but also healing. In 1947, the Uchan-Su waterfall received the status of a protected area, and since 1973 it has been declared part of the territory of the Yalta State Mountain and Forest Reserve.

To get to Uchan-Su, you need to drive along the Yalta-Bakhchisarai highway to the stop, which is named after the waterfall: "Uchan-Su Waterfall".

Dzhur-Dzhur Waterfall - a meeting place for souls in love

Near the village of Generalskoye, located not far from the city of Alushta, in the valley of the Ulu-Uzen River, the rocky Khapkhal Gorge has been formed over the years. Its slopes are covered with forests, which include a variety of deciduous trees and centuries-old oaks and pines. Flowing through the mountainous terrain, the river creates unusual cascades and stormy rapids, waterfalls and deep pits. One of these extraordinary creations of nature is the Dzhur-Dzhur waterfall, which is rightfully considered the most abundant on the Crimean coast. The waterfall rises about 470 meters above sea level and has a total height of 15 meters.

Dzhur Dzhur waterfall. PHOTO: uk.wikipedia.org

Unlike other waterfalls, which are filled mainly by rain and meltwater, Dzhur Dzhur never dries up and always remains full. This is because it is located in the middle reaches of the highland river East Ulu-Uzen and receives its power from it. This ensures a steady flow of water that reaches 270 liters per second.

The name of the river Ulu-Uzen is a later Tatar variation. When the Greeks were on the Crimean peninsula, it was called Megapotamo, meaning "great stream". Finding the beginning of the river is not an easy task. However, it is known that the main channel originated from springs at the foot of the southern slope of the Tyrke mountain range. In its upper reaches, the Ulu-Uzen has created a deep, impassable, but very picturesque gorge in the mountains over time. The bedrock in these places is made up of soft and porous limestone deposits, so the river has made its way through quite easily.

The Dzhur-Dzhur impresses with its power and splendor at any time of the year, which attracts tourists. That's why it got its name from the Crimean Tatars, which means "ever murmuring" in the local dialect.

As always, there are legends associated with the appearance of this unique natural phenomenon. According to one of the legendary stories, in ancient times, in a small village near the Great Chatyrdag Gorge, there lived a master stone-cutter named Dzhur-Dzhur. He was in love with a beautiful girl from his village. To show his love, Dzhur-Dzhur wanted to do something majestic that could become a symbol of his feelings. He decided to carve a waterfall on the rocks of the gorge so that his beloved could admire this beauty and remember him.

For many months, the craftsman worked tirelessly day and night, carving and shaping the waterfall from the rock. Finally, after much hard work, the work was completed. However, his beloved Jur-Jura did not appreciate his efforts, and the master's feelings remained inseparable. The lonely and confused stonecutter looked at the creation of his hands, which he had made with such diligence, and tears began to flow from his eyes. Gradually, they began to turn into jets of water, which marked the beginning of the Dzhur-Dzhur waterfall. Since then, the water has continued to fall from the rock as a symbol of the tears and sadness of the great master stonemason. And the ancient sad story adds mystery and mystical beauty to this place, attracting more and more tourists and lovers of legends.

There is another fascinating legend associated with the Dzhur-dzhur waterfall. It tells how it became a meeting place for the souls of lovers. Ancient locals believed that the crystal water of the waterfall had special magical properties and could help souls in love find each other in this or the next worlds. It is said that if a couple in love goes under the jets of the Dzhur-Dzhur waterfall and ablates with its waters, their relationship will become strong and unbreakable. That is why a trip to the waterfall is a ritual for many lovers, symbolizing strong feelings and a desire to be together forever.

Yauzlar waterfalls - the setting of the Crimean pearl

The Yauzlar waterfalls (upper and lower) are located on the Yauzlar River, the left tributary of the Uchan-Su River, above the famous Yalta waterfall of the same name on the slope of the Ai-Petri mountain range. The height of the waterfalls is about six meters. The name Yauzlar is translated from the Crimean Tatar as "mouth, lips, mouth".

A waterfall on the Yauzlar River. PHOTO: o-go-go.com

The Yauzlar is a low-water river, but it creates many rapids and waterfalls along its course, most spectacular during the rainy season and spring snowmelt. There are 12 waterfalls in total, but the most famous of them are the Yauzlar. They are created by two cascades - the upper and lower. The upper waterfall, which carved a deep gorge with its water, does not dry out even in summer and retains its appearance all year round. The Lower Yauzlar has a particularly expressive appearance. The water here has carved a deep well into the rock, where, during low water, you can see recesses in the lumen of the water jets. At the bottom of these niches lie kernel stones that rotate during high water and drill deeper and deeper into the pit. The main channel of the Yauzlar is formed by two sources - left and right storm ravines, separated by the eastern part of the Gorpano-Stalony ridge. Below, the river receives the right tributary Shapka-Uzen.

To get to the Yauzlar waterfalls, from the Fairy Tale Glade bus stop, walk past the zoo. A little higher on the right, you will find a path marked "Botkin Trail". It leads up to a large platform, then the path continues across a small bridge. Then, through a pine forest, head to the beginning of the Botkin Trail, marked with a corresponding stone sign. Along the way, you will meet the Ai-Dimitriy stream, then the trail leads to the Bufilya-Dere gorge, next to which there will be the Lower Yauzlar waterfall. From the bridge over the river, you have to climb about 100 meters to the Upper Yauzlar.

Silver streams - a musical waterfall

The Silver Streams Waterfall in Crimea is located on the Sary-Uzen River, near the village of Sokolino and the Grand Canyon. Around it is a centuries-old beech forest.

The Silver Streams waterfall. PHOTO: trips.com.ua

The waterfall got its name due to its appearance in the form of a huge shining musical instrument, from which jets of crystal water slowly flow down, resembling silver strings. Looking at the waterfall, one gets the impression that someone is actually playing it, and the magical melody of this musical instrument is heard by all the inhabitants of the forest. A huge overhanging cap of green moss makes the Silver Streams original, thanks to which the waterfall becomes visible to travelers from afar.

Like most waterfalls in Crimea, the Silver Jets are highly dependent on the time of year and the amount of precipitation. In the spring or after heavy rains, the waterfall is usually strong and violent. The situation changes in dry, hot summer weather. At this time, water flows down from the waterfall in a couple of thin streams. In the cold season, the water flowing down the rounded cap of green moss enters the cavity of the spacious grotto. In winter, the water freezes and turns into icicles, and the waterfall is called "Crystal".

To get to the waterfall, you should follow the highway from Bakhchisarai or Yalta (through the Ai-Petrinskaya Yayla) in the direction of the village of Sokolino. Before reaching the village of Sokolinoe from the side of Ai-Petri, you will see signs for the "Grand Canyon of Crimea". You can park your car in a specially equipped parking lot near the Grand Canyon, then follow the signs on foot. Public transportation from Bakhchisarai or Yalta can be reached by bus, which runs to the village of Sokolinoe or to the Grand Canyon stop. A well-maintained trail through a picturesque beech forest leads from the parking lot at the Grand Canyon to the waterfall. The hike takes a little time - it's about 200 meters from the main trail to the waterfall. The waterfall itself is located just upstream from the lake, which is also very attractive.

Su-Uchhan waterfall is the most mysterious

Su-Uchkhan waterfall is considered one of the most mysterious places in Crimea. It is located near the village of Perevalne. It was formed on the Kizilkobynka River, which flows in the depths of the Dolgorukivska gully. By the way, this river is involved in the birth of not only the waterfall, but also the famous Red Cave (Kizil-Koba). The Kizyl-Koba crosses the entire cave and comes to the surface, rapidly descending the slope of the Bazar-Oba mountain. In addition, there are tectonic fault intersections deep underground in this area, which inspires some people to believe in the supernatural power of these extraordinary places. Every year, on the day of the Holy Epiphany, a large number of believers come here to wash themselves in the waters of the waterfall and receive healing energy.

Su-Uchhan waterfall. PHOTO: o-go-go.com

Translated from Crimean Tatar, Su-Uchkhan means "falling water". The waterfall also has two less common names - Subotkhan and Sutyshkan. It is the largest of a series of water cascades on the Kyzylkobynka River. Its height reaches 25 meters. Su-Uchkhan looks like one powerful wide jet of water, around which thinner trickles fall. At the point where the water falls to the ground, there is a large stone overgrown with moss. It forms a kind of grotto, the water in which remains unchanged. Instead, Su-Uchhan itself dries up in summer and freezes in winter. This is due to the fact that the waterfall is fed by mountain springs, which weaken in summer and freeze in winter.

You can walk from the village of Perevalne to the Su-Uchkhan waterfall. The journey takes about 25-30 minutes. However, it is better to make your first trip along this route with a guide or as part of an excursion program in order not to get lost.

Kobalar Waterfall (Visor) - a waterfall with food

One of the most beautiful waterfalls on the Crimean peninsula, the Kobalar Waterfall, is located on the Kobalar-Su stream, three kilometers from the village of Peredovoye.

Kobalar Waterfall (Visor). PHOTO: snap.com.ua

On its way to the Baidar Valley, the stream flows through the Kobalar Dere Valley, which is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Falling from a height of about 14 meters, the water stream falls into a crystal clear lake at the foot of the cliff, forming a water curtain. Because of the peculiar protrusion of the waterfall, tourists gave this place the name - Visor. The original name of the Kobalar waterfall in Turkic means "cave ravine".

Kobalar belongs to the so-called ephemeral waterfalls. This type of water flows is characterized by its temporality and short-lived nature. You can observe this waterfall only in winter and spring. It appears exclusively as a result of intense rains and melting snow coming down from the snowy peaks. In the warm and hot season, the Kobalar-Su stream loses its volume, which turns the water curtain of the waterfall first into a stream that loses its strength, and then completely runs out and disappears.

The location of Kobalaru is also of historical value. Above the waterfall in the rocks of the gully, as a result of archaeological excavations, scientists discovered the Fatma Koba and Shan Koba sites, which are among the 30 sites of ancient people of the Mesolithic era found on the Crimean peninsula.

From the Visor, you can walk to several other beautiful waterfalls located upstream on the tributaries of the stream.

From time immemorial and almost until the 18th century, many snails could be found in the vicinity of the waterfall, which served as food for the locals. Near the waterfall, snails were cooked over a fire and soups were made. Thanks to this food, people had the opportunity to escape from hunger. The stalls of the markets in Yalta, Balaklava, and Sevastopol were filled with these mollusks.

Kobalar can be reached by a hiking trail leading from the village of Perevalne. In its vicinity, there are places equipped for recreation, where you can not only enjoy the beautiful view, but also have a picnic in nature.

Golovkinsky Waterfall is the closest to Alushta

Golovkinsky Waterfall is located in the south of Crimea. It includes the Upper Waterfall and a cascade of waterfalls in the Yaman-Dere Gorge at an altitude of 550 meters. The water streams flowing into each other have an average water fall height of 4-5 meters. The largest of the cascade of waterfalls, 12 meters high, was named after the former rector of Novorossiysk University (now I. I. Mechnikov Odesa National University), the famous Crimean hydrogeologist M. O. Holovkinsky, who discovered and first described it.

Golovkinsky's waterfall. PHOTO: www.tkg.org.ua

Yaman-Dere is a rocky, inaccessible gorge of the Uzen-Bash River with steep wooded slopes on the northern side of the Babugan-Yayla mountain range. The name means "evil, bad gorge" in Turkic. Here, in the upper reaches of the Uzen-Bash mountain river, there is a spectacular cascade of waterfalls. The streams descending from the cliffs of Babugan merge together in the Yaman-Dere Gorge and discharge their waters down the stone staircase, which consists of eight natural terraces. Golovkinsky Waterfall is located 200 meters below this cascading system. It has a relatively small volume. The average annual water flow is 176 liters per second. In late summer, there is usually not much water in it. However, in spring, the waterfall appears in its full glory - white, turbulent foamy water streams harmoniously stand out against the dark green background of rocks abundantly covered with moss.

Golovkinsky Waterfall is located on the territory of the reserve and is patrolled by guards. You can walk or drive up to the beginning of the trail leading to the gorge with waterfalls by forest roads from the villages of Izobilne or Vynohradne or from the city of Alushta.

Юлія Сичова