Lost World Beach at Cape Aya. “Lost World” - the most inaccessible beach in Balaklava Crimea lost world on the map

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Website editor's note:

"Lost World"- this is the name of the section of the coast behind Cape Aya, when viewed from Laspi Bay, enclosed between the walls of the massif breaking into the sea Arfen-Cher-Burun in the west and cape Aya in the east (the spur of Cape Aya, located above the Lost World, is sometimes called Kokia Kala).
This small section of the coast, less than a kilometer long, is accessible only from the sea, since it is surrounded by quite complex walls from the shore (however, there is still a steep descent option and it is described in this article).
The easiest way to get there from the sea is to swim lightly, swimming around the tip of Cape Aya - swim about 50-100 meters, depending on what point you manage to reach under the wall of the cape. A good wide path towards the cape runs from the territory of the sanatorium "Cape Aya" that is closest to the cape, past the houses, going at an altitude of about 50 meters above the sea and descends to the sea at the very end. Then you can easily walk and climb almost to the very tip of the cape along the sea itself on the stones.
The easiest way to take the cargo is by boat (hiring it, for example, in Laspi Bay), although there is a more exotic option - to sail with backpacks, packing them in sealed bags/packages (backpacks, even with a considerable amount of iron, weigh less than the water they displace, therefore, in sealed packaging they have buoyancy).

Route "Chevalier"
to the peak with the code name “Small Kokiya-Kala” (501 m)
along the North-Western ridge, grade III
Cape Aya, Lost World.
Streltsov S. 1992, 2005

• Geological features predetermine the exceptional fragmentation of the ridge (see route, 2005).
• If you intend to descend to the Lost World, then at point “A” you can leave excess and water for your return.

Take the route seriously: rescuers will not approach the middle of the ridge before 10 hours.

Route details:
The length of the ridge is 600 m
The duration of the climb is 4-5 hours.

From the main gorge, along simple rocks, approach the first steep takeoff with an inclined (at 45 degrees) pine tree on it (80-90 m I level). At the end of the section, take the northern slope of the ridge to the shelf with juniper (photo 2). Here - R 7.

1. From R 7, walking along the shelf 10-15 m along the destroyed rocks III - IV grade. (15-18 m, steepness 70 degrees, 3-4 hooks), climb to the saddle behind the takeoff (R 8). The ridge - a blade 0.4 m wide - is extremely loose. Blocks up to 1 cubic meter fly away. Handling the rope requires very delicate handling. After 25-30 m (II stage), at the point of expansion, the ridge becomes stronger. This is the end of the rope.
2. Further, if you want to go around the takeoff on the right, you will be forced to overcome a short internal corner (up to 8 m) with an overhang (V k.t., two bookmarks 30-50 mm).
3. The next 150 meters go 15-20 m below the edge of the ridge along its southern wall (II stage). Return to the ridge 2 pitches before its junction with the Main ledge. The appearance of huge pine trees is a landmark.
4. From the pines (photo 2) cross the ridge to the upper reaches of the rockfall couloir on the northern slope. The couloir is closed by a pine tree, dia. 0.7 m (steepness 60 degrees, 50 m, II class).
5. From the balcony above the couloir 50-60 m to the saddle of the Main shelf (steepness 60-75 degrees, grade II) - R 9.
6. From the R 9 saddle along a steep slab (75 degrees, II grade) up and further, going left, to a cozy pine grove (90 m). Insurance - bookmarks, ledges, trees.
7. Along a comfortable shelf among the pines (simultaneous movement) - under the upper tower.
8. Spirally, counterclockwise, climb the tower (200 m, I - II stages).

Descent - see route "Freedom".

In 1992, the route was completed without insurance “on a dare” in 28 minutes.

Description and photo - Streltsov S.V.
Photo - Streltsov S.V.

Photo 1. Eastern end of the Lost World.

DESCRIPTION OF THE Descent to the Lost World from the Chevalier and Freedom routes (from the Kokia-Kala massif).

Descent into the Lost World is highly undesirable. Its vertical component (photo 1: R 17 – R 18 – “A”) runs along very rocky rocks. Descending in the rain impossible. For example, in 1980 a mudflow passed through the gorge, moving boulders weighing up to 23 tons. The flow rate was 90 cubic meters per second.

The release of water from the Kokiya tract occurs suddenly, without warning. If it is still necessary, then:

1. From the edge of the plumb line (III), move obliquely in a western direction to a hanging scree 80-90 m long.
2. Along the scree down to a subvertical ledge H = 20-25 m, R 17.
3. Having rappelled down to the side of the living stones until it is leveled, traverse the slope along it to the east, towards the gorge.
   Of the two huge pines (20-30 m to “E” from the point of rappelling), the farthest one is yours. This is R 18. Don't go to hell!
4. From R 18 down to the ivy washcloth - 2 rappels of 40 m each. Under the washcloth there is a separate convenient block - the finish.
5. Move carefully along the riverbed: all the blocks are alive.
6. Don't forget to reserve water (0.5 l/person) for descent.

The duration of the descent for a double team is 1-1.5 hours from R III to R “A”.

Geologist of the 1st category.
Photo - Streltsov S.V.
Route design - Makeev O.N.

Route "Freedom"
To the peak with the code name “Small Kokiya-Kala” (501 m)
along the Southern ridge of the II stage
Cape Aya, Lost World.
Streltsov S., Streltsov M. 1992

The route was passed before the grandiose landslide (July 1997), when the interval “B” - R 1, was less rocky.

Route details:
The length of the ridge is 500-600 m.
The duration of the climb is 4 hours.

It is useful to read the description of the 2005 route.

1. R B - R 1 (photo 1). A risky climb along live scree and sheep's foreheads to the second group of trees 50-60 m above the base of the ridge.
2. From R 1 up the internal fireplace corner 0.2-0.3 m wide, about 10-12 m. Steepness 85 0 III - IV class.
3. Further along the monotonous ridge with an abundance of living blocks - 300 m to the Main shelf (steepness 45-60 degrees)
4. From R 13 to the vertical closure of the R 14 edge - 100-130 m of good climbing along a cascade of vertical shelves. Slope 70 degrees III class. There are enough trees for insurance.
5. From R 14, the vertical closure goes to the left with access to a gentle blocky pile (steepness of 35 degrees), which leads under a steep (90 degrees) short (4 m) internal corner IV - V room. The corner is climbing.
6. Above the corner on rocks II - III grade. to the Pre-summit ridge - 50 m. Traverse of the Northern slope of the ridge to the summit tower -60-70 m I - II stage. Climbing the tower in a counterclockwise spiral - 20 m II grade.
7. The exit from the top is through the saddle to the plateau (photo 2). When climbing to the plateau - rocks I grade. - 50 m.

In general, the route is emotionally poor, excluding the view from the top.

Description compiled by Streltsov S.V.
Photo - Streltsov S.V.
Route design - Makeev O.N.

Route to the top of Kokiya-Kala (557 m)
along the Southwestern ridge. II degree
Cape Aya, The Lost World.
Streltsov S. 1986

Photo 2.

Route details:
This the longest route in Crimea: elevation difference - 500 m, length - 800 m.
The duration of the ascent, depending on the composition of the group and the weather, is from 3 to 7 hours.
Take water at the rate of 2.5-3 l/person.
Descent - 1.5-2 hours. It is preferable to go down to the Kazan-Dere tract; you can go to the village of Goncharnoye to the Sevastopol-Yalta highway.

This route is the best vantage point in the area. Great photos guaranteed.

1. From the body of the landslide (point R “B”, photo 1) climb along the diagonal shelf to the dissected rocks (R 10), leading to the saddle of the ridge under the gendarme. Along simple rocks (steepness 45 degrees, 80-90 m grade I - II) reach the saddle. Insurance - through the trees.
2. Having crossed the saddle, place R 11 on the site at an internal angle on the northern side of the ridge. From R 11 along a vertical chimney (12 m, width 0.3 m) with a wedged block, climb the ridge again. There is a comfortable balcony here. Fireplace III class
3. From the balcony - along a diagonal shelf, traversing the steep South Wall with a climb - to R 12. (25-40 m, steepness 70 degrees, II - III level). R 12 - on the balcony behind the shameless woman.
4. From R 12 up 10-12 m II class. to the "gardens"

   ATTENTION! From the section R 10 - R 12 everything stones fall on the tent city at the bottom of the wall. Be sure to warn vacationers the previous evening and the morning of the ascent. With the right attitude, they move to safety on the cape.

5. From R 12 to R 13 - “vegetable gardens” 400 m. If you press close to the ridge, you will get excellent photos.
6. From R 13, move diagonally to the left and up to a huge dry pine tree, dia. 0.8 m at the base of a steep takeoff - R 14 100 m, II class. (photo 2)
7. From the pine (R 14) strictly along the ridge 9-10 m vertically upward to the feather on the edge. This is the "key"! Under the pen there is a wedge. A loop is thrown onto the feather (III - IV kt.). In the rain, due to the moss, passage is difficult. Further along the right side of the ridge - 35 m (steepness 60-75 degrees, grade II - III). to the balcony R 15.
8. From R 15 to R 16 - ridge route I - II grade. Difficulties are avoided on the left from R 15 to R 16 - 90 m.
9. From R 16 to the top there are “vegetable gardens”. 70 m, I room

Description compiled by Streltsov S.V.
Photo - Streltsov S.V.
Route design - Makeev O.N., Streltsov S.V.

Between Balaklava and Laspi on Cape Aya there is a deserted piece of paradise called the “Lost World” or “Island” beach. This is the territory of the Cape Aya State Nature Reserve; the places here are difficult to access and therefore practically deserted. The most desperate people come here, those who know how to be content with little, understand beauty and crave solitude. The landscapes here are impressive, the air is healing, time seems to have stopped, you are alone in the vastness of the Universe. A real lost world.

User Photos:

This is interesting:
The beach itself is sandy, and the rocks are composed of marble-like limestones of the Upper Jurassic period.

There are 56 species of relict plants here. The most famous is the Stankevich pine. It is easy to recognize by its bright honey bark, shimmering in pink shades in the sun.

Representatives of the fauna include leopard snakes, nimble lizards, cicadas, motley-winged butterflies, and myriads of bugs. The most common birds are peregrine falcons, buzzards, vultures and vultures.

In the water near the rocks they lead active life crabs (sometimes of quite impressive size), brine, mussels.

A little history

Because of the steep cliffs that come close to the sea, these places have never been inhabited by people. It was always quiet and uncrowded here. In the 19th century, part of Cape Aya was adapted by sailors of the Imperial Black Sea Fleet for shooting ship guns; traces of cannonball strikes are still found on the rocks.

During the Cold War, military exercises of the Soviet Union took place here. Near coastline carried out the first tests submarines, Soviet border guards scurried about.

This untouched corner of nature was taken under state protection; in 1982, the Cape Aya landscape reserve was organized here. This is an object of republican significance, protected by the Sevastopol Experimental Forestry and Hunting Estate. Making fires, economic activities, and crab fishing are prohibited here.

Attention:
Civilization ends in Balaklava Bay. There is also a small cafe on the golden beach and that’s all. Further, there are no cafes, toilets, showers, pharmacies, discos, or water sources. The only spring Ayazma is located at an altitude of 700 meters at sea level. Therefore, think a hundred times whether you need such a vacation!

Video review of the beach - filming from the sea

Harsh Reality - The Lost World Today

Every year it becomes more and more difficult to get to Lost World Beach. The rocks are inaccessible from land; from Balaklava you can only walk along the path to Cape Aya; you can only go around the rock by sea. The option of sailing from Balaklava by yawl is very expensive, and not all ship owners agree. The last place where it is allowed to pitch tents is Kabelshchikov Beach. Next is the cordon, only walking is allowed. The foresters are adamant, it is not possible to negotiate with them about barbecue fires and tents; they only allow you to walk with a small backpack, and perhaps a camera.

From personal experience:

In July 2016, my friend and I explored the coast along Balaklava Bay. Wonderful place, very few people. We took a skiff to Golden Beach. We walked along the path to the Fig stone. We talked with the old-timers and scouted out the situation. There really weren’t many people; the foresters warned us when we met that overnight stays in tents were prohibited.

Wonderful, deserted (at least we climbed into places where there was only sea, sun, rocks and pink pine trees). Places for initiates, points of power, a real paradise! We spent the night on the beach under the large Crimean stars, climbed up the rocks to the spring, brewed coffee quietly on camping gas, ate cookies, apples and brewed oatmeal in the morning.

We buried our backpacks in a secluded place, took a camera, one and a half liters of water, a handful of apples, and hit the road. The trails are well read, observation decks equipped with poles, small groups on each beach. We swam everywhere, everywhere had its own tricks and highlights. On the nudist beach they dived naked and supported naturists.

By lunchtime we reached the tip of the cape, left our camera and clothes, snacked on apples, and swam the last part of the way. There were about seven people on the Lost World, the sand there is truly wonderful, the panorama of the surrounding rocks is amazing. After swimming and enjoying ourselves, we decided that we had now seen everything in Crimea! We set off on the way back. We returned to Fig in the evening, tired, but happy and satisfied!

How to get to Lost World Beach

If, despite everything, you decide to visit the Lost World, then you can get there like this:

From Sevastopol, drive 5 km, take a bus to Bolaklava.

Find a skiff on the embankment and talk to the owner about the cost of the trip. The journey by sea takes about an hour. Don't forget to arrange a return time and enjoy the peace and quiet!

Couldn't you come to an agreement with the skiff? Go for a walk. Having gone around the Chembalo fortress, you will see a wide trodden path along the coast. Walk safely along it, and swim if you wish. The main beaches are marked. You won't be able to get lost. The last section will have to be overcome by swimming. Fresh impressions for you!

Lost World Beach is the most remote place from civilization in the southwest Crimean peninsula. The mysterious name itself suggests that the harmony of nature untouched by man reigns here. However, for brave visitors, the beach offers stunning scenery. It occupies only 1 kilometer of gently sloping coastline and is famous for its crystal clear sea water. “The Lost World” borders Batiliman and Laspi Bay, on the other side are the beaches “Fig” and “Far Fig”. The borders are steep slopes going into the sea. The mountains surrounding the beach are popular among climbers - these are Kokia-Kala, Kush-Kaya and Samnalykh-Burun.

Why visit this place

“The Lost World” attracts true lovers of isolation from noisy city beaches and excursion programs. Silence, peace and harmony with nature reign here. This is a place for lovers of wild, untouched nature. Here the most beautiful view to Cape Ai-ya protruding from the sea. The beach area is surrounded by rocks, which makes this place absolutely secluded. The rich fauna and landscape of the “Lost World” fascinate with its beauty - underwater grottoes, steep cliffs, landslide boulders, clean air, protected forest, the famous Stankevich pine and azure seascapes. Before the beach there are 12 picturesque grottoes, accessible only by sea transport.

Note to tourists

Many people come by sea to spend the whole day on a beach remote from civilization. The journey from Balaklava to the Lost World takes 1 hour. There are no shops or water supplies on the beach. Therefore, it is important to carefully prepare for the trip - stock up on drinking water, hats and dry rations. The underwater fauna here is very beautiful; those who want to dive should take equipment with them.

It is important for mountaineering lovers to know that the descent is not equipped and is therefore considered quite dangerous. There is a high annual statistics of accidents among climbers here. The descent takes more than five hours.

How to get to Lost World Beach

This is the most remote beach of Balaklava Bay, the tract of which can be reached from the sea or by means of climbing equipment along steep cliffs 560 meters high. The beach received the second name “Island” because it is one of the most difficult to reach for tourists; not everyone can get here.

Along with the best coasts of Spain and France, Russia also has its own Riviera, decorated with extremely picturesque landscapes. It includes the Black Sea coast at the point of access to the Baydarskaya, Ai-Petrinskaya and Yalta yayls. A tiny fragment of the beautiful Crimean Riviera is the place “The Lost World”.

This original name refers to a small beach, which is considered perhaps the most inaccessible on the entire Crimean coast. Here, 3.5 km from the entrance to Balaklava Bay, the rocks, falling steeply into the sea, retreated a little, forming a fantastically beautiful place.

Geography of the place

The Lost World area is considered the most remote in a series of “pearls” of the Sevastopol group of beaches. This wonderful place is fenced off from civilization by a mountain group: Samnalykh-Burun, Kush-Kaya and Kokia-Kala. Among the almost vertical walls formed by them, by some miracle, a kilometer-long gap was formed, on which there are two small beaches covered with coarse sand.

Mountain walls go east from them in the direction of the Batiliman tract. To the west is a two-kilometer rock wall reaching the Ayazma tract. Nearby is Cape Aya with its closed protected area. IN old times A road was built through this cape to the beaches, along which, although with certain difficulties, it was possible to walk to the “Lost World”. These difficulties have formed a special contingent of people vacationing there: athletes, experienced tourists and thrill-seekers.

Modern conditions of the Lost World beach

Currently, thanks to the development of private business, regular transportation to the beaches by skiffs has been established. This has led to more vacationers coming here. Water private cabs stop in Balaklava, where collected a large number of motor boats different levels of comfort, which can quickly get to the desired location. Having delivered vacationers to the “Lost World”, the boat turns back and returns for its clients at the specified time.

During the season, the number of people relaxing on the beach reaches maximum levels. People who have come here for several days set up their tents on a relatively small flat area. They are joined daily by vacationers who arrive for a few hours to swim in clear water, away from the noisy bustle of the city. On weekends there are a little more of them, and on weekdays the number of vacationers decreases somewhat.

However, the entire area around The Lost World is so impressive that visiting it overshadows some of the challenges. The steep cliffs going into the sea, from which huge stones the size of houses once fell into the water, are simply amazing in their grandeur.

And all this is surrounded by a gentle sea with crystal clear water, in which fish swim right off the shore. Truly, it was not for nothing that the ancient Greeks populated these very places in their myths with Cyclopes and other monsters. Only they in those distant times could cope with the wild mountain elements of this amazing region.

“The Lost World” is a small but very picturesque section of the coast, located in the southwestern part of Crimea, in close proximity to the protected Cape Aya.

It is separated from the sea by a vertical rocky wall about 560 meters high, which makes it almost impregnable for an unprepared tourist and is how the beach got its name. This beach is located 3.5 km from the mouth of Balaklava Bay.

It is the last “pearl” in a series of so-called “beaches of Sevastopol” group. But unlike the nearby Balaklava ones, this one is covered with good coarse-grained sand, and not small and sharp-edged pebbles.

Locals they say that these rocks were used by Admiral Nakhimov himself to target guns and readily point out the characteristic round potholes from the cannonballs. On the other side, the tract borders Batiliman and Laspi Bay.

Once upon a time it was possible, having overcome a risky path through a boarding house, a nature reserve, mountains and the sea, to get to the “Lost World” from this side, but now most of the walking path is on private property and is guarded by stern guards.

For climbers, the descent from the mountains surrounding the “Lost World” – Kokia-Kala, Kush-Kaya, Samnalykh-Burun – takes more than five hours. But for tourists who decide to get here in comfort by sea, the journey will take only one hour. On the embankment of Balaklava there are dozens of yawls, whose captains will readily take a company of any size and with any cargo to the beach of the Lost World.

The beaches of the tract, contrary to the name of this place, are not at all as wild and deserted as many expect - seekers of solitude on the seashore will definitely be disappointed. What immediately catches your eye is the mass of tents that occupy the lion’s share of the free, flat space in front of the rocks, although there are not many of them that can fit here – no more than five or six. But there is no crowd, since above the beaches there is a forest in which you can find as many parking areas as you need, the main thing is that you are not too lazy to go up and down to the beach.

There are only two beaches in the tract. The first one, the one over which the forest hangs, has a length of about a hundred meters, it is wide, near the water it consists of medium-sized pebbles, and a little further it crumbles into dark hot sand. The second beach is much smaller and more modest than the first and therefore less crowded, although tents are set up there too. It is located on the left - to get to it, you need to jump over the stone chaos for about 50 meters.

Along the way there will be a spring that works only until July; in other months you need to take all the necessary fresh water with you.

The sea near the “Lost World” is very lively; schools of dolphins can often be seen in the waves, and boats, boats and yachts are constantly swaying opposite the shore. The water is always clear, but it can be much colder than in Sevastopol - this depends on currents, which sometimes bring deep, unheated layers to the surface.