Shaitan-Merdven: an old Roman military road to the summit

Shaitan-Merdven: an old Roman military road to the summit

Ukraine, europe

Length

7.7 km

Elevation

623 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Shaitan-Merdven, or Devil's Stairs, is a must-do if you're exploring the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine. This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking a rugged, unpaved Roman military road winding up to 623 meters (that's over 2,000 feet!).

Stretching for almost 5 miles through the Crimea Mountains, this track can get seriously muddy and slick after a rain shower, so be prepared for a challenge. In fact, after a storm, it might be impassable, even for 4x4s. But trust me, the views are worth it!

Bring your camera because you'll want to capture the incredible panoramic vistas of the coastline. You can see everything from Cape Sarych, the southernmost tip of Crimea, almost all the way to Cat Mount. Seriously, the photo ops are insane. Just make sure your batteries are charged and your memory card is empty – you'll need it! You get there travelling through the T2709 road to Baidarsky Pass.

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Road Details

Country
Ukraine
Continent
europe
Length
7.7 km
Max Elevation
623 m
Difficulty
extreme

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