Despite the low height of the Crimean mountains, steep cliffs and slopes attract many climbers, because these mountains are considered quite difficult for rock climbing.
It should also be noted that most of the Crimean mountains are either wildlife preserves or nature reserves. About these fantastically beautiful places, about what mountains exist, and where the highest point of Crimea is located, about their height and much more will be discussed in this article.
Briefly about the geology of Crimea
The very foundation of the Crimean Mountains is composed of rocks of the Triassic and Jurassic periods. These are quartz sandstones and shales, and a little higher - conglomerates (Upper Jurassic sedimentary rocks), clayed sandstones and volcanic rocks. Even higher are the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous deposits, represented mainly by limestones.
The boundary layer between these conglomerates and limestones is the water-repellent layer, through which water seeping through the karst formations flows into the valleys.
The Crimean bulge (anticlinorium), under the influence of underground forces lasting millions of years, was divided into 3 ridges, which are steps. It is easier to imagine it in the form of 3 waves running from north to south, with an increase in their height from the first to the last (from the Outer to the Main ridge).
The highest mountains of Crimea, and indeed the entire island, are the results of centuries of hibernation of the surface of a piece of land under the sea water. A long time ago, the peninsula rested at the bottom of the sea, where it accumulated a huge amount of sedimentary rocks, composed mainly of marls, limestones, shale and sandstones (these rocks are observed underfoot). Using scientific terminology, we can say that the surface of the Main Ridge of the peninsula is a Mediterranean karst.
Height of Crimean mountains
The highest mountains of Crimea are not so high.
In the lists of the highest peaks of Crimea, first of all, there are the mountains of the Babugan-yayly massif.
Their heights are up to 1, 5 thousand kilometers above sea level. These are Roman-Kosh, Boynus-Tepe, Uchurum-Kaya, Zeytin-Kosh and many others. And the Gurzuf plateau is also quite high. The city of Demir-Kapu rises above it. The Y alta Yayla at the junction with the Gurzufskaya is higher than in the west. This is confirmed by the height of the peak of Kemal-Egerek, which is 1,529 meters. The massif stretches for 180 kilometers from the northeast to the southwest of the peninsula.
Mountains of Crimea include a huge variety of small ranges. Many of them do not exceed 3-4 kilometers in length.
More often these ridges stretch in the meridional direction, some of which are spurs of plateaus. But there are also majestic mountain ranges among them,for example Sinap-Dag. It has three peaks with a height of more than 1300 meters. And the most beautiful are the Kizil-Kaya and Balanyn Kayasy mountains, adjacent to the Y alta plateau.
The highest point of Crimea
Above sea level, Mount Roman-Kosh rises to a height of 1545 meters. Of course, these are not the majestic Alps and not the mighty Everest, but many also aspire to visit this highest mountain of Crimea.
Roman-Kosh is located on the aforementioned Babugan-yayla. One of the Crimean natural reserves is located here, and Roman-Kosh is its integral part. It is known that the name of the mountain is translated as "supreme peace" and is of Indo-Aryan origin.
The highest point of Crimea has numerous caves. According to legend, pirates and robbers hid in them with stolen treasures. Therefore, in those days, this mountain was called "Robber". It is known that later khans and governors hid from enemies in the caves and kept jewelry and gold in them.
Despite all these amazing legends about riches, not a single gold coin was found in the caves of Roman-Kosh.
A little about the Crimean Reserve
The highest point of Crimea belongs to the territory of the famous Crimean reserve and is located not far from the Arbor of the Winds (a stone colonnade on top of a falcon rock).
Due to the fact that the soil consists of water-soluble limestone, rock s alt and gypsum, underground karst caves often form here.
The grass cover in summer and autumn is quitescarce. When descending from the top, you can find melted snow among limestone fragments, which creates excellent conditions for the rapid growth of yarrow, oregano, elecampane, etc. Of the animals here, you can see deer or roe deer on the slopes of the mountains.
The ten highest mountains of Crimea
Below are the highest points of the peninsula in ascending order.
1. Quail Mountain (1320 m).
2. Kush-Kaya (1338 m).
3. Northern Demerdzhi (1360 m).
4. Cherkez-Kosh (1395 m).
5. Angar-Burun (1453 m).
6. Eklizi-Burun (1527 m).
7. Kemal-Egerek (1529 m).
8. Zeytin-Kosh (1537 m).
9. Demir Kapu (1540 m).
10. Roman-Kosh (1545 m).
Slightly lower mountains: Chernaya, Tai-Koba, South Demerdzhi, Ai-Petri, etc.
Conclusion
Mountain territories of Crimea have a surprisingly favorable and salubrious climate. And the highest point of Crimea is no exception. Summer here, as well as on the entire peninsula, is pleasant, not sultry, calm, autumn is warm and long, winter is rather little snowy and mild. And the onset of spring directly depends on the warming of the sea.
In any case, these amazingly beautiful places attract the attention of many travelers: both lovers of a relaxing beach holiday and romantics who want to see the indescribable beauty of the mountainous area.
