Mount Echki-Dag in the village of Kurortnoye in the Crimea

Echki-Dag mountain range located in the eastern part of the Crimean Mountains, near the Black Sea coast near the village of Kurortnoye in greater Feodosia. Part of the surrounding area in this area is closed to the public area of the reserve, but this section is open to hiking trails.

Translated from Crimean Tatar, Echki-Dag means "Goat Mountain". This is the generalized name of three mountain peaks stretching for 3 km between Shchebetovka and Sunny Valley. The northern peak is called Kokush-Kaya, is a rocky triangular peak. The eastern peak of Echki-Dag was overgrown with Forest. And in the South is the peak of Chal-Kaya-the highest point of the ridge, rising 670 m above sea level. m. from the peaks there are spectacular views of the surrounding area: the village of Kurortny, Kara-Dag, Cape Meganom, etc. are perfectly visible.

The whole mountain range was in ancient times the bottom of the sea and consists of calcareous deposits, like a layer cake. The entire surface of the mountains is cut by numerous ravines and gullies, piles of stones and caves. One of the most famous caves is the ear Earth karst fault. According to legend, it has no bottom and leads to the center of the Earth. But speleologists who have explored the cave claim that its depth is 132 m. It is very narrow and winding. And descent into it without special equipment and training is prohibited.

Another attraction is the intricately curved Pine "hang glider Wing", which has a natural growth, nicknamed The "Royal Throne". Also on the slopes there are several sources (Springs).

The flora and fauna of these places is very scarce, but unique. Basically, the vegetation is represented by fluffy Oak, Hawthorn, Dogwood, Mountain Ash. Local species of wild orchids grow on the northern slopes. And on the southern slopes you can still find the Koktebel Tulip, which is not found anywhere else on Earth.

This territory has been inhabited by people since ancient times, as evidenced by numerous finds of archaeologists. Dozens of unique Mesolithic and Neolithic sites, as well as Bronze Age settlements, have been discovered and explored. In total, only in this area there are more than 150 archaeological sites of different eras. At the foot of Echi-Dag, Fox Bay is comfortably located – a popular recreation area and a beach of "savages" and "nudists".

Echki-Dag can be reached by any road or sea transport from Feodosia, Koktebel or Sudak, walking from Kurortnoye settlement. But to storm the area will have to walk. Several hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty have been developed for visitors, which will appeal to both beginners and experienced tourists and climbers storming rocky peaks.

In any case, you should put on comfortable sports shoes and wear long pants, because the mountain slopes are overgrown with thorny shrubs and plants that can cut the skin. At the foot of the mountain, you should stock up on water in the spring and provisions. It should be noted that the minimum tour time is about 7 hours. It is better to go on the road in a group with an instructor, so as not to lose your way.