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TrailTrack route Hiking Crimea Multi-day
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Kerch to the Ilyas-Kaya lookout via Chokrak and western mountain branches

Distance
615.6 km
Estimated moving time
8 d 22 h
Elevation gain
—
Difficulty
Hard
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Route description

This long Crimean crossing begins in Kerch, reaches salt Lake Chokrak and the Azov steppe, then exchanges open coastal scenery for mountain plateaus, wooded ridges and western gorges. Around Chatyr-Dag it passes through limestone terrain; in the Yalta section it reaches the surface entrances of the Iograf caves. An upper view of the Grand Canyon, southwestern mountain passes and the final Laspi branches follow. The last view is from the Ilyas-Kaya lookout. This version includes side visits and returns over previously walked ground, so prepare it as a separate extended journey with its own calendar. A continuously permitted itinerary is currently unconfirmed: agree protected sections, the guided Iograf passage, overnight locations and the descent from the mountain finish before setting out.

Route status

Проверяем свежесть данных по треку и учитываем сообщения сообщества

Запретов на посещение и пожаров рядом нет

Проверяем спутниковые данные о пожарах и предупреждения по региону.

Следить за маршрутом
Подробнее о состоянии маршрута No recent trail condition reports
Data source Information prepared

The description, logistics and points of interest were prepared using maps and open sources. Trail conditions may change.

Route data was imported from GPX and has not been field-verified.

Last updated 12.10.2026

Before travelling, check trail access, restrictions and the weather forecast.

Current conditions No recent trail condition reports

Conditions may have changed. Share a report after completing the route.

Community experience

Recent completions

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Elevation profile

gentle climb steep

Surface

Dirt 6% · Asphalt 5% · Dirt / grass 4% · Unknown 82%

Surface data covers 109.5 km of 615.6 km; the rest of the track is not yet classified.

Dirt 6% · 36.5 km
Asphalt 5% · 28.2 km
Dirt / grass 4% · 24.2 km
Gravel 2% · 10.4 km
Improved surface 1% · 5.10 km
Compacted dirt 1% · 2.68 km
Concrete 1% · 1.86 km
Sand 1% · 0.63 km
Unknown 82% · 506.1 km

Before you go

Всё важное о маршруте

Route at a glance

Главное за минуту
Experience the change from Chokrak’s salt shore through steppe and limestone plateaus to wooded mountain Crimea within one journey. An upper view of the Grand Canyon and the final Ilyas-Kaya lookout offer different perspectives on the peninsula’s western terrain. This route suits walkers interested in preparing an extended crossing and agreeing every protected section.
Length
615.6 km
Elevation gain
20304 m
Surface
Dirt 6%

Route suitability

Кому будет комфортно
For prepared walkers experienced in extended mountain journeys. Animal and vehicle restrictions apply in the protected section. Access to the complete itinerary requires separate agreement.

Nearby

The Bulganak mud-volcano field is near the eastern branch, but visiting individual cones is outside it. Underground tours of Chatyr-Dag’s caves are arranged separately; passing near an entrance does not replace a ticket and a safe tour. The Tyshlar rocks, ruins of Saint Elijah’s chapel and exact Ilyas-Kaya summit lie away from the confirmed lookout finish. Continuing to Sevastopol and via ferrata routes is outside this crossing.

Getting there

Варианты и важные моменты Show on map
Without a car
Public transport to the exact Kerch start and from the mountain finish is unconfirmed. Prepare the descent from the Ilyas-Kaya lookout and a road meeting separately.
By car
Exact vehicle access to the start and the road meeting after the final descent are unconfirmed. Agree long-term vehicle storage, resupply and return for this extended crossing. A walking permit does not allow driving along reserve paths.
Parking
Parking is unconfirmed. Agree long-term storage in Kerch and the meeting after descending separately; leaving a vehicle on mountain branches or by protected-land access cannot be assumed to be a permitted service.

Электрички туда и обратно

Расписание на дату и время, до которого нужно выйти на маршрут

What to expect

Places
Lake Chokrak shoreline The eastern shore of the salt lake before the Karalar steppe crossing. Keep away from soft mud; the lake is not a drinking-water source.
Karalar Nature Park Protected steppe with rocky and coastal terrain. This crossing enters the park; check the permitted branches with its managing agency.
Surface entrances of Iograf caves Cave entrance platforms on the wooded ridge. Follow the agreed branch with an instructor-guide; visiting underground chambers is a separate decision.
Viewpoint above the Grand Canyon An upper view over the gorge in the western part of the crossing. Reaching this viewpoint does not include walking along the canyon stream.
Foroz-Bogaz Pass A named saddle on the southwestern mountain crossing before the final woodland branches.
Kuchuk-Tekne-Bel Pass A wooded pass in the final part of the walk. This mountain link still leaves later branches requiring a time reserve.
Southern Laspi Saddle An upper saddle towards the final viewpoint. The sea remains below and a separate descent to the road still lies ahead.
Ilyas-Kaya viewpoint The mountain lookout where this crossing ends. Arrange the onward descent before enjoying the final view.

Difficult sections and safety

На что обратить внимание
Elevation gainСуммарный набор высоты — 20304 м.
SurfaceDirt 6%, Asphalt 5%, Dirt / grass 4%, Unknown 82%.
Риски The Azov and steppe sections are exposed to sun and wind; establish drinking-water resupply beforehand. Fog obscures direction on the mountain plateaus, while wooded descents and rocky saddles require reliable footwear and spare daylight. Repeated western branches add effort. The Iograf section requires a contracted instructor-guide; arbitrary transit through the Yalta reserve is prohibited. The route ends at a mountain lookout, so fatigue after the last stage still leaves a safe descent to complete.

How much time to allow

Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути 8 d 22 h
С запасом на остановки + 30–60 мин
Multi-day outing. A day-by-day plan is not established. First agree permitted reserve sections, overnight locations, water and resupply, then divide this specific version into daily stages. Include western side branches and returns, a separate descent from the Ilyas-Kaya lookout and weather reserves. The number of days and complete walking duration are unknown.

Best time to go

Сезонность и рекомендации
Choose moderate temperatures, a stable forecast and confirmed access to every agreed section. Heat is especially demanding in the open east; autumn rain complicates forest descents. Mountain snow, ice and strong winds require revising the itinerary. There is no general year-round permission for this complete sequence.

What to bring

Базовый список для комфортного похода
Reliable walking footwear, poles and sun protection.
Rain and warm layers, light, first aid, reserve food and a planned drinking-water supply.
Maps of all daily stages and road exits, spare power and an agreed communication method.
Equipment for agreed overnight stays, permits, documents and guide contacts.
Do not assume that every marked spring or informal stopping place provides a current service.

FAQ

Questions before the trip

Can I do this route without a car?

Public transport to the exact Kerch start and from the mountain finish is unconfirmed. Prepare the descent from the Ilyas-Kaya lookout and a road meeting separately

Is this route suitable for children?

Do not treat this as a basic child-friendly route: check difficulty, length, and trail conditions before going.

Can I download GPX and KML?

Yes, GPX and KML are available on the route page. Open the map, download the file, and use it in a navigator before your trip; key route facts: 615.6 km, hard.

Discussion

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