Crimean Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Republic of Crimea.
Crimean Nature Reserve is a protected area in the Republic of Crimea that stretches across forested mountain slopes, valleys, and coastal strips near the Black Sea. Vegetation ranges from low shrub formations in the valleys to dense woodlands on the higher slopes, while streams cut through the terrain.
The area was demarcated as an imperial hunting ground in the early 20th century and later placed under state protection as a nature reserve. Administration shifted to new structures after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The name honors the centuries-old connection between people and the peninsula's landscape. Local communities use traditional paths along the boundaries that were once trade routes and now remain popular hiking trails.
Entry requires a permit that should be requested in advance through official channels, and guided tours are the main way to explore the terrain. The warmer months from spring to autumn offer the best conditions for visits, as paths can become impassable in winter.
More than half of the entire flora found across the peninsula grows within this zone, making it a critical refuge for threatened plant species. Several of these species exist nowhere else in Europe and thrive in the microclimatic pockets of the mountain valleys.
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