Sunny trail in Crimea: description and history of origin

The sunny trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Crimea. Once it was available exclusively to members of the imperial family, connecting the palaces in Livadia and Oreanda. Today, you can find out how to get to the Tsar's path in Crimea without any extra effort - just study the detailed description of the route and decide on the starting point. This path is perfect for active tourists and vacationers who prefer to independently organize sightseeing tours. In addition, many interesting artifacts are collected here, and in terms of the number of attractions per kilometer of the path, the Tsar's path can be called the recognized leader among the memorable Crimean routes.

The sunny trail is a tourist route that connects Livadia and Gaspra. Here, nature creates unique climatic conditions that make it possible to fully appreciate the benefits of mountain and sea air. The royal trail adorns the Livadia Palace, where its official beginning is located. It makes it possible at any time to turn off the main route and go to survey the surroundings of Oreanda or visit the observation deck of the Swallow's Nest.

Once specially paved for walking monarchs with children, the Tsarskaya trail has a minimal slope - it does not exceed three degrees. Above sea level, this path is located in the range between 133 and 203 m. In areas with elevation differences, stairs are placed on the route, and every 100 m you can find signs indicating the distance traveled and helping you not to lose direction. The uniqueness of the Sun Trail is undeniable. It is from it that the most picturesque views of Oreanda and Yalta, the southern coast of Crimea, local rock massifs open up. The beginning of the route is located behind the Svitsky (page) building of the Livadia Palace and allows you to get additional pleasure from walking through the local park complex.

The existence of the Tsar's path dates back to long before the imperial court bought the estate in Livadia. Since 1843, this route has been successfully used, enjoying magnificent views and healing air. True, until 1900 it took place exclusively in Upper Oreanda and served for walks of the Grand Duke Constantine and his family members. It was only in 1901 that Emperor Nicholas II issued an order to connect Cape Ai-Todor with the Rose Gate in Livadia.

The history of the origin of the Solar Path is closely related to the history of the royal family, but it received its modern name already during the years of Soviet power. Avoiding any mention of the previous monarchical rule, it was given, wanting to emphasize the healing of the local nature. In fact, most of the route runs in the shade of trees, and is not particularly lit. It is interesting that the mansion in Gaspra, which became the final point of the route, was the residence of Leo Tolstoy until 1902.

The terrenkur markings, carved into boulders, also appeared thanks to the legacy of the Soviet regime. It was created for the 150th anniversary of the founding of Yalta. Initially, there were 64 signs, today there are no more than 20. Of interest are the carved benches installed along the route. Of the carvings, only one crocodile remained, but initially you could see birds and dogs, as well as an old man with an old woman.

The diagram on the map allows you to get a complete picture of how and where the Tsar's or Sunny path runs. A detailed preliminary study of all the attractions on the route awaiting travelers will be useful and will not allow you to miss out on something important. A characteristic feature of the Sunny trail is the almost complete absence of descents and ascents. It is possible to navigate it comfortably for people of any level of physical fitness, and even for children.

According to the plan of the Sun Trail, during the walk, travelers will see a number of attractions.

• Signs announcing the start of the route. It is located in Livadia, it is from here that the countdown of 6711 m of the upcoming journey begins.

• Alleys with a marble bench, intended for the rest of the imperial persons. The track covering here is tiled, created over a century ago.

• Crossroads from which you can get to the royal buildings of the sanatorium "Livadia". It is about 100 m from the alley with a bench to it. You need to go further without changing direction.

• Sundial. They show almost the exact time, the error is small. Here, right on the stone wall, the map of the Solar Path is carved. Here you can see what is to be seen further along the route. True, from time to time some of the toponyms were erased or were recaptured.

• Oak and hornbeam forest, famous for its coolness. Representatives of the reigning dynasty highly appreciated this section of the trail, considering it curative and incredibly useful for the treatment of pulmonary diseases.

• Wood carvings and benches. They are a real decoration of the route, created in a characteristic ethnic style.

• Jalits - a kind of symbol of Yalta in the form of a female head carved in stone. She is considered the spirit of the forest and the patroness of these places.

• The village of Oreandy. It is clearly visible from the trail, there are slopes that allow you to reach the Old Intercession Church, built of stone left after a fire in the palace of Grand Duke Constantine.Moving further, you can reach the sanatorium park, which belongs to one of the main health resorts of the coast - "Lower Oreanda".

• Rotunda. This snow-white observation deck is just a 40-minute walk from the start of the route. It was here that the members of the imperial family liked to have tea drinking, enjoying the panoramas of the mountain and the palace. After a fire on the site of the Tsar's possessions, Soviet builders erected a beautiful building of a sanatorium, and the view that opens up allows you to appreciate the beauty of Swan Lake. Nearby, you can see the remains of the covered staircase that once connected the rotunda with the palace.

• Cross mountain - a sheer cliff on which a cross is erected. There is a turn to it from the Sun Trail, allowing you to visit the northern slope and see the ruins of ancient settlements. Fragments of household items, weapons, ornaments are periodically found in the rock. Having visited the summit, you can see the cross erected on this place by Empress Alexandra Feodorovna during her first visit to these places. Unfortunately, due to vandals, its original version has not survived - today it is only a designation of a memorial site.

• Princely wine cellar. It was cut down in the rock in 1888 by order of Prince Konstantin Nikolaevich, the owner of the palace in Oreanda. The cellar is still in use today; today it is used for the ripening of sherry produced by the Massandra plant.

• Temple of the Archangel Michael. It is located on an additional descent, after crossing the Alupkinskoye highway. The church was built relatively recently - in 2006, on the site of the ruins of the monastery. But such a deviation from the route will require an additional 1.5 km of travel in each direction.

• The healing path. This is the name of the 1.5-kilometer stretch of the Solar Trail, on which there are coniferous and deciduous forests, a small bridge and a real relict grove.

• Stone-ironing, to it you need to go under the rocks, at the top there will be the private houses of Stroygorodok. This observation deck offers a magnificent view of the Bear Mountain and the panorama of Yalta.

• Pine alley with healing air and comfortable wooden benches for relaxation. From here you can go to the Swallow's Nest - the main thing is not to miss the desired branch of the path, it will be on the right. A stone sign on the alley will also help you find your way.

• Signs about the end of the route in Gaspra. Here she crowns the wall of the sanatorium - you can go for a walk around the village or return to Livadia in the same way that you came.

In Crimea, everyone knows about the Tsar's or the Sun's path. You can complete the route both by starting in Yalta and by starting a journey in the village of Gaspra. The picturesque southern coast of the peninsula, magnificent views, unique vegetation - all this makes the walking tour truly interesting and exciting. But first you need to get to the starting point of the route, and here the tourist always has to make a choice.

If you have enough time, it is worth combining a visit to the Solar Path with an excursion to the Livadia Palace and its park, from where the terrenkur originates. The easiest option is to take a bus or a minibus that follows to the desired stop, the travel time is about 40 minutes. Once in Livadia, you need to go along the alley towards the main entrance to the palace. After passing through the metal gate, you will have to follow to the front porch, and then turn left and move until the fork.

If you plan to start the route in Gaspra, you should use the route taxi №102 or 115. You will have to get to the children's sanatorium. Rosa Luxemburg.In the local park, you can start your journey along the Sun Trail. On the way to it, special signs are installed so that you do not get lost.

For information on how to properly walk the sunny path in Crimea, see the next video.