All about the Bakalskaya spit in the Crimea

In the northwestern part of the Crimean peninsula, there is one of the most beautiful landscape parks of the peninsula called Bakalskaya spit. It is a large outcropping of the sandy shore that goes into the sea. The spit is several kilometers long. This place is a protected area. Spit is currently a protected area.

The Bakalskaya Spit was formed as a result of sand covering the outlet from the bay. It is a natural sandy dam between the bay and the open sea. Over the creation of the sand spit, squall and gale winds have been "working" for more than one millennium. One of the versions says that the name "Bakalskaya spit" comes from the Turkic word "baka" - a frog. Indeed, the shape of the scythe resembles this creature. But it is possible that the name of the spit also has Siberian roots, because there is something similar to the name of the most famous lake in Siberia - Baikal.

The climate in this part of Crimea is moderately continental. Therefore, the summer season is dry and hot. The sunniest months are June, July, August. Average indicators of water temperature during this period are + 20 ° C. Most of the summer days are sunny, so for those who like to soak up the sun, the braid is an excellent choice.

The swimming season here opens in May and ends in the second half of September. At the base, the sand bar is rather wide. Its farthest and narrowest section is no more than 50 meters wide. In shape, the braid resembles a semicircle encircling the bay. In fact, it is a large sandy beach.

The total area of ​​the spit is about 1.5 thousand hectares. This is the spit itself - about 300 hectares, Bakalskoe Lake, whose area is 810 hectares, and the coastal aquatic complex (410 hectares). The lake, the base of the spit, and also its extreme point are protected areas. For visiting this territory, tourists are charged a certain fee.

The main part of the spit has no vegetation. This is due to strong winds, scorching sun and soil. An exception is the halophyte plants "preferring" the soil with a high salt content. But at the entrance to the spit, at its base you can see a kind of carpet of crimson grass. Saline vegetation grows on the shores of the lake. These are wormwood, hodgepodge, kermek, katran, and others.

This is a unique place, so if you come to Crimea, you should definitely visit this reserve. The main natural feature of the spit is that it is washed from different sides by different currents. On the one hand, it is the open sea, and on the other, the waters of a shallow bay. This is the main attraction of the spit.

Currently, due to hydrological processes, namely: severe winter storms, as well as human activities (illegal sand mining), the spit is under threat of extinction. Although the authorities made a number of attempts to preserve it - the construction of local anti-erosion coastal structures.

And also this place is interesting for those who like fishing. The waters are inhabited by such fish species as sterlet, anchovy, horse mackerel, red mullet, mullet, and others. There is also a Black Sea shrimp. Dolphins can also be found in this area in the waters of the Black Sea. And in August, thanks to jellyfish, the water in some places turns purple. Tourists are also offered activities such as diving and spearfishing.

It should be noted that The Bakalskaya Spit is an amazing and enchanting place of nature. Since 2000, this region has had the status of a landscape park. The area of ​​this park is about 1.5 thousand hectares. The territory is inhabited by about 15 species of various birds. And during the period of seasonal migrations there are about 150 species of birds and waterfowl.

The beaches and water are clean here, so the place is great for families with children. The only drawback is the undeveloped tourist infrastructure. Food and drinking water can be purchased in the nearest village - Guarding. And it is located at a distance of about 8 kilometers from the spit. Although all this is compensated by the enchanting landscapes, as well as the silence and tranquility prevailing in this place.

The sunsets are also enchanting and bewitching. The sea seems to be connecting with the sky. And all this in reddish-lilac shades. Therefore, if you have rested on the Bakalskaya Spit at least once, then this rest will remain in your memory for many years.

A part of the regional landscape park is also the Bakalskoe Lake, which is located at the base of the spit. The reservoir has an oval shape. The southern and eastern shores of the reservoir are reddish in color. This is due to the fact that the soil here is dominated by red-brown clays. West and north are sandy shores. It is these embankments that separate the lake from the sea.

This lake is not only a nature conservation site. The mud of this lake is very useful as it has a high content of salts and minerals. Therefore, mud treatments are recommended for people with skin diseases, intestinal disorders, joint diseases, as well as various kinds of gynecological diseases in women.It should be noted that the waters of the bay are also curative due to the presence of a large number of algae in them. Therefore, the water contains a high iodine content.

Bakalskoe Lake is a typical estuary lake. It is located in an extended part of the spit and is separated from the Black Sea by two sandy isthmuses - spits. The water level in this reservoir is replenished by underground groundwater, as well as by storms and precipitation. There are seasons when the lake practically dries up, and in some summer periods, fish were even caught on the Bakalskoye Lake. Now on the shores of the reservoir you can find about 50 species of nomadic birds, namely lapwings, shiloklyuvka, sandpiper, sea plover and others.

There is also a spring with mineral water on the spit. In Soviet times, there was an idea to put the production of mineral water Bakalskaya on a stream. But this remained an idea. Perhaps there were no "good and intelligent" organizers, maybe the whole reason was the remoteness and climatic features of the region. And the lake has a certain benefit - it is a real "storehouse" of table salt, suitable for food.

Even 10 years ago, the end or extreme point of the spit was a cape called Peschaniy. But storms and people "turned" the cape into an island, which is separated from the land. The distance today is about 2 km. The main guests of this place are now birds. They chose Sandy as an optimal nesting place.

There is also a lighthouse on the cape, which was built in 1934. This is a 1st class lighthouse. According to the project, the building of the lighthouse is a pyramidal tower, the height of which is 22.8 meters, white. And also the complex included a siren building and a warehouse for storing fuels and lubricants, a bell, a dormitory building and outbuildings, a radio mast. The decision to build a lighthouse was pleasant on the basis of the fact that Cape Peschaniy was considered quite dangerous for sailors.

The shore where the lighthouse was erected is in the erosion zone. As a result of storms and erosion, the lighthouse tower was at a distance of several meters from the water. The fuel and lubricants warehouse was washed away and the tower was under threat of destruction. The lighthouse is not working at the moment.

You can get to the spit by public transport. A regular bus runs from Simferopol, Evpatoria and the village of Razdolnoye. You can also drive your own car along the E97 highway, which passes through Kerch, turning in front of the Voinka village onto the T0107 highway. It is best to walk from the village of Stereguschee to the spit. So you can also enjoy the charming landscape of the western coast of Crimea.

How to go: by public transport or getting to the spit on your own - it depends, of course, on you. But I would like to warn you that the quality of the road surface in the region is not yet the best. But the delights of relaxing on your own vehicle allow you to forget about the schedule and plan your time at your own discretion.

The tourist and entertainment infrastructure on the spit is not very developed. Therefore, this place will be especially valuable for lovers of wildlife and camping. But also on the territory of the spit there is a camping, where you can settle in a three-seater wooden house, or pitch a tent. There is also a parking lot for trailers. You can rent housing and stay in nearby villages, for example, in the village of Stereguschee. Here in the private sector there are mini-hotels where you can find accommodation for every taste and even quite budget.

Although there are no interesting architecture and historically significant monuments and cultural heritage sites on the Bakalskaya spit, which are present on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula, there is something more here. It is in this place that a person will be able to reunite with the wild and pure nature, feel like a part of it. And also to be filled with vital energy, to be inspired for new exploits and conquest of new heights in life.

For information on how to get to the Bakalskaya Spit, see the next video.