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RussiaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
One of the most fascinating tourist attractions that Koktebel is famous for is paragliding and hang gliding. It is believed that here are ideal conditions for "straddling" air flows on a soft or hard wing, and this is especially famous for Mount Klementieva or Uzun-Syrt. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to be a glider pilot, because this entertainment is available to everyone with experienced instructors, of course, for a fee. You can buy a ready-made excursion with delivery to the mountain from Koktebel, Ordzhonikidze, Feodosia and other resorts with hang gliding or paragliding, or you can get here yourself and arrange a flight on the spot. By the way, you can visit the mountain not only to fly in tandem with the instructor, but also just for the sake of the magnificent views opening from here, and to see how beautifully others soar. And also, on the mountain there is one of the most famous viewing platforms in Crimea – Starfall of Memories.
Mount Klementiev is actually called Uzun-Syrt. It received its unofficial name in memory of a military test pilot who died on the mountain on September 11, 1924 during the II All-Union Glider Tests (VPI) in an accident of a glider of his own design. It is unique in that it stretches for as much as 7 kilometers in a narrow strip 300-600 meters wide and up to 130 meters high, and encircles the plateau of the Barakol valley in an arc. Due to this, air flows are formed on the southern slope of the mountain, ideal for hang gliding or paragliding. And also strictly through the mountain passes the Golden Axis or the middle of the planet – the 45th parallel.
The discovery of the amazing properties of the air flows of Mount Uzun-Syrt is associated with the name of the poet and artist Maxim Voloshin, thanks to whom Koktebel gained great popularity and impetus for development at the beginning of the last century. It happened during an ordinary hike up the mountain together with test pilot K. Arceulov, grandson of Aivazovsky. During the walk, Arceulov talked about new trends in aviation – gliders that allow you to soar on rising air currents. Impressed by the landscapes he saw during the walk, Voloshin read his poems and enthusiastically tossed his hat towards the wind. At some point, the poet's hat was picked up by a stream of rising air, and it rose into the air like a glider.
Legend or fiction, we do not know, but the fact is that it was on November 1, 1923 that the first All-Union glider tests were held here, and this date is considered the official date of the appearance of gliding in the USSR. Today there is a flying club "Para-Crimea", an airfield of light-engine aviation, a paragliding club, as well as private amateurs and professionals fly here.
🕐 Working hours
Around the clock, visit during the day in clear sunny weather. Flights are operated only in summer.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price
Visiting the mountain is free, flights with an instructor from 3000 rubles.
🚶 How to get there
Uzun-Syrt or Klementeva Mountain is located about 10 kilometers from Koktebel and 20 kilometers from Feodosia (Mount Klementeva or Uzun-Syrt on the map). Urban transport does not go here.
If you just want to look at the mountain and the views opening from it, take a walk along the ridge and visit the observation deck of the Starfall of Memories, then it's best to go here by your own transport. A good asphalt road leads right up the mountain to the observation Starfall of Memories, and on the way to it you can make several stops at the starting points of flights.
Here you can make a one-day hike directly from Koktebel. It's not difficult, there are no steep ascents and descents, but you will have to walk about 10 kilometers in one direction, and the same amount back.
If you want to experience the pleasure of soaring, you can come here by car yourself and arrange a flight on the spot. In good weather, there are always a lot of enthusiasts and professionals who can offer you a flight for a small amount, but, of course, without any insurance and guarantees. The price of flights is negotiable, in our experience, for a flight in tandem lasting 10 minutes, they asked from 3000 rubles. If you want everything to be organized from and to, you can buy ready-made excursions with a transfer from the hotel to the starting point.
💥 We remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights of Koktebel with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at online booking options on these proven search and price comparison sites: