Karadag Nature Reserve and Golden Gate

The Karadag Nature Reserve is located between the popular resorts of Koktebel and the village of Kurortnoye (cm. on the map). His independent visit on the ground is prohibited, because this is a protected area.

It is most convenient to visit the reserve from Koktebel or the village of Kurortnoye, but it is also possible from Feodosia, Ordzhonikidze or Sudak. Also, people come here with pleasure from more remote resorts of the Crimea. There are several ways to visit it: pedestrian, marine and mixed (the so-called "Marine"). Walking tours are available all year round, although they may be canceled due to weather conditions. Marine and mixed only in summer high tourist season.

We will tell you in detail about each of the options so that you can choose the most suitable one for yourself:

• Sea excursion

  A sea excursion is the easiest entertainment option to get acquainted with the beauties of the reserve from the outside without walking around it. The bad thing about this option is that you won't actually visit the reserve; but the good thing is that you can look at the Golden Gate from the water and even swim through the arch. This option is perfect for you if you do not like to walk or have small children with you.

  The boat trip takes place on different boats, may include simply sailing by boat along the coast of Karadag to the Golden Gate, as well as additionally disembarking and swimming on the beach Quiet bay or in the village of Kurortnoye, so there is a choice from this. Boats start from the beaches of Koktebel and the village of Kurortnoye in high season quite often, especially from Koktebel. But during the storm warning, excursions are canceled. Cost from 1000 rubles.

  

• Karadag Nature Reserve Walking Tour

  If you are not very interested in boating along the coast, then you can take a walk around the reserve, and in our opinion it is much more exciting. You will walk through the territory with a group accompanied by a tour guide from among the employees of the reserve, along the way you will get acquainted with its wildlife and landscape, learn how it was formed, and, of course, you will see all the iconic points, including the Golden Gate, but only from the land from the viewing platform at altitude.

  Excursions depart from the Biostation – this is the office or headquarters of the reserve, located in the village of Kurortnoye (biostation on the map). The Karadag Museum and the dolphinarium are also located here. You can get to it by bus from Feodosia and Koktebel, and from the center of the village of Kurortnoye on foot. From Feodosia to here from the final stop of local transport (see transport in Feodosia, and destination on the map) bus No.101 Feodosia-Biostation departs approximately every 20 minutes, goes through Koktebel and ends up at the very entrance to the biostation. It costs from 30 rubles. You can arrange a taxi for 600 rubles one way per car.

  

  But, as we have already written above, you can't just come and go on an excursion. To do this, groups of about 10-30 people are formed at a certain time, it is better to clarify it in advance and make an appointment by phone +7-36562-26-287 or E-mail karadag.reserve@mail.ru and it is better to do this at least the previous day before the planned visit, especially in high season. When recording, you will need to inform about the selected excursion program, there are only two of them. By the specified time you need to arrive / come to the Biostation, pay entrance tickets, wait for the formation of the group, and on your way.

  And here are the programs of excursions around the reserve that you can choose:

  • Ecological trail "Big Karadag"

    This is the main and most complete program, we advise you to choose it. You have to go from the Biostation in the village of Kurortnoye through the entire reserve to Koktebel. The length of the route is 7 kilometers, in time it takes 4 hours. Even children can pass it, and the elderly also go. Along the way, short stops are made, during which the guide brings information, everything is very interesting and exciting. The walk ends on the other side of the reserve, from where you can go down to Koktebel, or return along the trail back to the village of Kurortnoye.

    The cost of the "Big Karadag" is 600 rubles for adults, 400 for children 7-13 years old, up to 7 years old - free of charge. In bad weather, rain, wind, heat over +30℃ the tour is not held. You need to take drinking water, a hat, comfortable shoes with you.

  • Ecological trail of T.I. Vyazemsky

    This is an easier route without access to the mountains, which is suitable for the elderly. The length is 1.5 km., 45 minutes. Starts and ends at the biostation. The cost is 200 rubles for adults / 100 rubles for children (7-13 years old), up to 7 years old - free of charge. Groups are also formed at a certain time, and it is necessary to coordinate the visit by phone in advance.

• Mixed excursion "Marine"

  "Marine" is a combination of a boat trip to the Golden Gate and a walking route through the reserve. In fact, here a boat ride replaces a bus or taxi from Koktebel to the Biostation in one direction, and then back to Koktebel you return on foot through the reserve along the "Big Karadag" route, as described above. You can buy such excursions at the pier or from distributors on the embankment.