More Than a Hike: BelSU Students Turn Crimea’s Landscapes into a Living Geography Lesson

Eight days, 120 kilometres, and an unforgettable journey through some of Crimea’s most dramatic landscapes – a team of sports tourism students from Belgorod National Research University has returned from the All-Russian Student Sports Tourism Hiking Competition with stories of endurance, teamwork, and stunning natural beauty.

The group set out from the Angarsk Pass, traversing mountain trails, deep canyons, dense forests, and stretches of the Black Sea coast before reaching the idyllic village of Novy Svet. Led by Sergey Rylsky, Associate Professor of the Department of Sports Disciplines and a Master of Sports of Russia in sports tourism, the students followed a route that demanded both physical resilience and careful navigation.

Along the way, the hikers explored the Demerdzhi Plateau, stood beneath the Dzhurla and Dzhur-Dzhur waterfalls, crossed the Orta-Syrt mountain range, and climbed Mount Karaul-Oba, where panoramic views of the Novy Svet bays opened up before them. For many, it was a chance to encounter Crimea’s famous landmarks firsthand – not as tourists, but as participants in a national student competition that blends athleticism with a deep appreciation of the natural world.

“The hike was an excellent way to spend the May holidays actively, strengthen team spirit, and collect impressions that will last a lifetime,” one participant shared.

Despite unpredictable weather and several technically demanding sections, the BelSU team completed the full route on schedule.

Such multi-day hiking trips have become a cherished tradition for BelSU students who belong to the national sports tourism squad. The annual expedition offers more than an adrenaline rush; it forms a living classroom where students of geography, ecology, and land sciences can observe environmental processes and landscape dynamics up close. Crimea’s varied topography – from limestone massifs to subtropical coastal zones – provides a rich natural laboratory for anyone curious about the Earth’s systems.