Red Cave Kizil-Koba in the Crimea

The valley of Kizil-Koba ("Red Cave" in translation from Turkic) is located on the territory of the Crimean peninsula, in the Simferopol district, near the village of Angara. The area was named after the main attraction, which is so beloved by tourists - a cave system with a length of more than 25 km.

General information in figures

The area of the now studied territory is 64 thousand square meters. M volume of 270 thousand cubic meters. Meters. The height difference at this object can reach up to a mark of 275 m, while the length of individual halls reaches 80 meters.

The highest of them (145 m) is called the Blue Capella Hall. Also, the Cave of Kizil-Koba is remarkable for the fact that it houses the largest stalactite in Europe, 8 meters long. Its approximate age is 8 thousand years.

The cave complex forms a complex and difficult to navigate labyrinth of six conventional floors, but for tourist (not extreme) sorties a route of only 500 meters is reserved for those who are not allowed without an escort of the guide. The temperature regime at these altitudes varies between 8-9 ° C. What is especially important, excursions are held all year round, although in winter the road to the complex is complicated due to icing of the slopes.

The Red Cave (Kizil-Koba)

This complex is a natural formation, which appeared due to corroding Kizilkobinka (underground river) rocks. It is not difficult to guess that the name of this object was obtained due to its color. The rock that forms Kizil-Koba, calcium bicarbonate, under the action of water, transforms into a travertine (calcareous tuff) of a reddish hue.

As it was said before, the vaults of the cave are uneven in height, so in some transitions one has to bend down to the ground. However, there are also very high rooms (for example, the Blue Capel Hall), where you can wander with your head held high.

Kizil-Koba is inhabited by bats, which can often be found sleeping on the vaults of the cave. They are accustomed to the noise created by people, but do not wake them up specially or shoot with a bright flash, as the reaction of frightened animals is unpredictable.

Cave from the inside

Atmosphere to the cave complex is set by the lighting, adjusted along the entire route. It varies in intensity in such a way as to create whimsical shadows and simultaneously cover obstacles on the way. These, however, a little: inside the Kizil-Koba is equipped with paths and handrails for safety (only an excursion route).

The cave will be appreciated by fans of speleology, because inside it is located not only the stalactite, recognized as the largest in Europe, but also many other tiny filaments of very bizarre forms.

In addition, inside you can often see the reservoirs formed by the underground river Kizilkobinka, otherwise called Su-Uchkhan. It emerges outside the waterfall, tearing off the edge of the tuff area, visible on the way to the complex. The water in this river is so clean that sometimes in the cave it can be seen only by the characteristic glare on the surface and walls around.

Earlier (about 2,5 thousand years ago), the Kizil-Koba was inhabited by ancient tribes, but scientists still can not confine them to any culture: some call them Kizil-Cobans, the second - Tauris, and the third - Cimmerians, Once capturing the Crimean steppe and the northern Black Sea coast. However, no matter how archaeologists try to find something reminiscent of rock art, to make more precise conclusions, while their attempts are unsuccessful.

A tourist route

The excursion program includes visiting only four caves from the whole underground network: Dark, Windy, Pigeon and Chamomile.

The journey starts from the lower entrance to the Kizil-Koba through the gallery of the 2nd floor, from which the path is running, equipped with handrails. To the right of it there is a manhole in the archaeological ring of the third floor, and in front of the path there is a passage to the underground reservoirs of the 1st floor. It is followed by the gallery Griboyedov, previously rich in cascades and stalactites, from which today there is nothing left but foundations. In this territory there are two entrances, ensuring free air circulation, because here it is always cool and easy to breathe.

Also in the gallery is a well leading to the floor below, and baths formed by an underground river. If you go back a bit, you can get to the far part of the complex through an artificial tunnel. He will bring visitors to the Indian Hall, whose walls are made of travertine of a particularly bright color, followed by Chinese (remarkable for natural formations resembling the roofs of Buddhist pagodas) and Academic. The last one has an area of 300 square meters. M. With the exception of the size, it does not represent a special interest: it only tourists waiting for the streams of the New River, flowing down the block of slabs between the 1 st and 2 nd floors. On this route ends, and we have only to return back.

However, not so long ago Kizil-Koba (Crimea) opened its doors for fans of extreme rest. Now it became possible to order a guided tour with dives in the aqualung, for which you only need the ability to swim and dive. This route covers 4 kilometers, and takes about 4 hours in duration. However, it is worth its money and time, because before the visitors new beauties of the underworld open, not accessible to everyone.

Visiting rules

If you decide to visit the Red Cave, you should first familiarize yourself with the rules that the guide also says:

1. Before going to Kizil-Koba it is required to put on warm clothes, which it is not a pity to stain (best of all), as the temperature inside does not rise above 13 ° C.
2. To avoid injury, the visitor should monitor the height of the vaults, look under the feet and follow the instructions of the conductor.
3. Any shooting is allowed and included in the ticket price.
4. It is forbidden to touch the electrical equipment and the cracks inside the caves.
5. If necessary, it is allowed to use only electric lights, fire lighting prohibited.
6. You can not go beyond the equipped route, otherwise the visitor will be fined.
7. It is forbidden to litter, paint on walls and inflict any other harm to the aesthetic appearance of Kizil-Koba.

The path to the caves

Kizil-Koba, photo of which can be seen in the article, is located on the territory of the camping "Fairy Valley". The car should be left in the parking lot and continue the path either on foot or on a train for an additional fee (only in summer, in winter this type of inland transport is unavailable and travel by car is permitted).

Further on, there is a rather long road along the slope in the thick of various vegetation along the Su-Uchkhan river to the fork (on the right - the approach to the waterfall, on the left - the cave) and turn left, where you need to go a couple of hundred meters, then climb the bridge and climb up the steep Steps to the ticket office, followed by the entrance to the Kizil-Koba.

Fairy Valley

Camping (Kizil-Koba has such a camp), called "Fairy Valley", works all year round and is a fenced territory around the Red Cave, equipped for rest and living in gazebos with a fireplace.

Here you can buy food and drinks, visit the tiny zoo, ride the attractions, get souvenirs and just sit in a cafe with a mug of herbal tea. In the "Fairy Valley" operates an internal transport, shortening the time to the Red Cave. Outwardly it resembles a children's locomotive.

Cave of Kizil-Koba: how to get

You can get to the Red Cave both on public and private transport. From Yalta and Alushta to the village of Perevalnoye (Angara), where Kizil-Koba extends, trolleybuses No. 52 and 55 run along the Simferopol route. True, they only reach the turn to the cave complex, after which tourists will have to walk about 3 km long.

From the capital of Crimea, the path is much shorter and starts from the railway station. From here depart trolleybuses and a fixed-route taxi. You need to go to the stop "Stadium" (landmark - gas station), there is a pointer "Red Cave". In case of confusion, the road can be suggested by any local resident.

By car it is necessary to move along the route of the trolleybus, using the route Alushta - Simferopol. The path will take less than an hour, and its length will be only 25 km.