Гора Ак-Кая, Natural monument in Bilohirsk District, Crimea.
Ak-Kaya is a limestone mountain that rises 325 meters above the Biyuk-Karasu River valley, distinguished by its vertical white rock face visible from considerable distances. The 30 hectare site features numerous trails winding through weathered stone pillars and natural cave formations.
The mountain hosted ancient human settlements at its northern base, with excavations from 1960 to 1970 uncovering flint tools and bones of extinct animals. These findings demonstrated that people occupied this location in prehistoric times.
The mountain serves as a natural laboratory where botanists study rare plant species adapted to the rocky slopes and harsh conditions. Today it remains a destination for people interested in observing how vegetation survives in such challenging environments.
Wear sturdy shoes when visiting, as the trails cross uneven ground and include slippery sections. Bring a flashlight if you plan to explore the cave formations, since the interiors are dark and narrow.
The rock fractures and erosion patterns visible on the mountain reveal how water has slowly shaped the limestone over thousands of years. These ongoing geological processes remain visible today and tell the story of the landscape's transformation.
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