The Southern Demerdzhi Mountain is clearly visible from the highway that connects Alushta and Sudak. At its foot is the famous Valley of Ghosts, which attracts hundreds of tourists daily. However, not many people climb to the top of the Southern Demerdzhi Mountain, and there are no less beauties here than in the Valley of Ghosts.
If you want to climb South Demerdzhi Mountain, then you need to plan a whole day for this hike. You need to park the car in a Sunny Glade near the village of Luchistoe. It is located next to the Valley of Ghosts. Looking at the weathering cliffs of Ghost Valley, go to Mount Alenga. A landmark for you will be the Bust of Catherine the Great, which is visible from any point at the foot of Demerdzhi.
Above the bust of Catherine you will see the famous weathering rocks of Mount Alenga, similar to trolls and caterpillars. From here, the trail goes to the Southern Demerdzhi Mount. Its height is 1239 meters. The distance from Alenga to Southern Demerdzhi is 850 meters with a climb of 75 meters. You will walk along the plateau with a slight upward slope. Beautiful views will appear only closer to the top of the Southern Demerdzhi.
The top of the Southern Demerdzhi Mountain has the shape of a large crevice, from here a view of the Valley of Ghosts opens. All the weathering rocks in the form of pipes, which in the Valley of Ghosts can be seen from the bottom up, here you will see from the top down. In the crevice of the Southern Demerdzhi there are several rocks that you can climb down to take spectacular photos. However, the descent below is very dangerous, as steep slopes begin there.
If you don`t have enough time or energy, then after visiting the Southern Demerdzhi mountain, you can return to the village of Luchistoe along the same route, through Mount Alenga. It is the shortest. If you have a wish to see the high-altitude valleys in the central part of Demerdzhi, then you can go north, towards the Jurla pass. On the way you will see the beautiful rocky slopes of Demerdzhi and mountain valleys. They are called Demerdzhi-Yala. From May to July, they are all covered with a variety of flowers. These places can be called Alpine meadows, although the altitude of the highlands is not very high.
From the Jurla pass, the Chatyr-dag mountain is visible, where there are two of the most famous caves of the Crimea: the Marble Cave and the Mammoth Cave. There are places on the pass where you can set up a tent. Here the trail forks. One leads down to the village of Luchistoe, where you can complete your hike. The second path leads to the Northern Demerdzhi Mount. But you have to count your strength.
It is almost impossible to visit all the most interesting places on Demerdzhi (Valley of Ghosts, Alenga, Southern Demerdzhi and Northern Demerdzhi) in one day. The total distance of the hike will be about 25 kilometers. If you have the opportunity to take a tent with you, then you need to plan an overnight stay in the area of Southern Demerdzhi, if not, then you need to refuse to visit Northern Demerdzhi.
