From Yalta to the Temple of the Sun

The excursion to the Temple of the Sun is one of the most interesting in Crimea. It is located near Mount St. Elias (Ilyas-Kaya); 5 kilometers from the village of Laspi and 10 kilometers from the resort of Foros. 

The Temple of the Sun in Crimea has many epithets: Place of Power, Crimean Stonehenge, Stone Flower, Dragon Teeth. Both lovers of esotericism and ordinary tourists talk about the special energy that is felt on the top of the mountain, near the "altar". Despite its mysterious name, the Temple of the Sun in Crimea is a natural attraction. 

You can go to the Temple of the Sun from the village of Laspi (having reached there by car). From this side, the tour will take several hours, but we suggest you take a day hike (it will take a full day) from the side of the Baydar pass. Here you will see many beautiful places of the Mountainous Crimea.

1. Leave early in the morning from Yalta to the Baydar pass. The distance by car is 45 kilometers, which can be driven in less than an hour. Make your first stop near the Foros Church of the Resurrection of Christ. It is located on the edge of the Red Rock, at an altitude of 412 meters. From here you can enjoy the most beautiful views of the sea and mountains.

2. From the church, go up to the Baydar Gate. It are located at the top of the Baydar Pass, at an altitude of 503 meters. There is a convenient parking near the Baydar Gate. 

3. From the Baydar Gate, you need to go along the path past the Celebi Mountain. The distance from the Baydar Gate to the Temple of the Sun is 3.6 kilometers. The climb is 120 meters. This route is called "Between the sky and the sea", as it runs along the edge of the mountain range and ends near the Temple of the Sun.

4. You can go back down to Laspi, but the distance from the Temple of the Sun to the South Coast highway is 2.5 kilometers (a height difference of 320 meters), that is, not much less than back to the Baydar Pass. The distance from Laspi to Yalta is 50 km.