One of the most memorable sights on the southern coast of Crimea can be called Mount Ai-Petri. Every year it is visited by thousands of tourists to admire the Big Yalta. To conquer the summit of 1234 metres high for many becomes a mandatory item on the wish list. The view of the plateau is especially beautiful in the evening and night hours, when the peninsula is illuminated by numerous lights.
General information about Ai-Petri
Photo: NoPlayerUfa. Source: Wikipedia
The name of the symbol of southern Crimea translates as "St Peter". Scientists claim that millions of years ago there was a sea at this place. At that time, the current mountain peak was a coral reef. About 2 million years ago, the sea waters began to gradually recede, causing the so-called "Dragon's Teeth", the shaped teeth of the peak, to be exposed.
Today Mount Ai-Petri belongs to the Yalta urban district of the Crimean peninsula and is part of the Ai-Petri yaila (plateau). There are a total of 4 large cogs and many small ones on the ridge. The Main peak has a height of 1234 metres, but the Eastern and Western summits are only slightly inferior to it - their height is 1100 metres. However, the highest point of the plateau is considered to be not the Main Peak, but Mount Roca with a height of 1346 metres above sea level.
Interestingly, the mountain range has several unique characteristics in terms of natural phenomena. It is the windiest place in the Crimea, at the summit a wind speed of 50 metres per second was recorded. To use it for useful purposes, a wind power station was built on the plateau, but over time it failed and today it is inoperable. Also on Ai-Petri were recorded the maximum number of foggy days on the peninsula and the amount of precipitation.
It is no coincidence that the mountain is called "St Peter". In the Middle Ages there was a monastery of St Peter in this area, but the landmark has not survived to this day. Its ruins can be seen in the valley. There is another unusual fact associated with the history of the Crimean landmark - in the pre-revolutionary period, Prince Felix Felixovich Yusupov presented Ai-Petri to his wife, Zinaida Nikolaevna. By the way, the mountain is also called the "Crown of the Russian Empire".
None of the excursions to Ai-Petri is impossible without retelling the legends associated with this place. For example, about Crimean "Romeo and Juliet", whose love story is known to many locals. Once upon a time there lived a young man and a girl who fell in love with each other, but their families were against marriage. Tired of misunderstanding, they climbed to the top of the mountain to throw themselves off the cliff. The girl's name is unknown, and the guy's name was Peter - he was the first to jump down. But his beloved did not dare to settle the score with her life, she only shouted "Ay, Peter!". There is an opinion that this fairy tale could give the name to the mountain.
On the plateau of Ai-Petri grows ten-metre yew, its trunk girth - about 2.5 metres, and the age is more than 1000 years. In addition, tourists can see other rare plants, for example, "Pine-plane" at the upper station of the cable car. Its age exceeds 300 years, and the tree got this name because of the unusual shape of its flat crown. Mysterious places on the way to the top include "Drunken Grove", a natural monument represented by trees with trunks tilted in different directions. It is said that they seem to be trying to crawl.
How to get to the top
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The easiest way to get to the plateau will be a trip on the cable car "Miskhor-Ai-Petri". It is included in the Guinness Book of Records, because between its upper and middle station stretches the longest on the territory of Europe unsupported span, the length of which is 1679 metres. And the total length of the cable car is 2980 metres.
To make the mini-journey to the top a pleasant experience, you should take a window seat in the cabin. This way you will be able to admire the panorama of the southern coast during the ascent and descent. There are 3 stations on the cable car, and the trip up the mountain takes about 15 minutes. Each cabin can accommodate a maximum of 35 passengers. When there is a climb to the top, the angle of inclination is 46 metres, which makes the tourists breathtaking.
"Miskhor-Ai-Petri" was closed for renovation in 2023 to replace security systems and other upgrades. Its mode of operation may change due to weather conditions, although the funicular operates without weekends. In summer, ascents are from 10.00am to 5.00pm and descents are from 10.00am to 6.00pm. The ticket price for adults for 2023 is 600 rubles, and for children - 300.
Despite the fact that the trip on the cable car will be comfortable and fast, much more discoveries await tourists during a hiking tour. It is possible to conquer the summit by different routes, including the famous Botkin trail. It is also convenient to get to the plateau by minibus, taxis depart from the bus station in Yalta. You can shorten the way by car to see as many sights as possible on the way and stop for a break where you like. There is a motorway from Yalta and Bakhchisarai. Climbing from the side of Bakhchisarai is considered more comfortable than from the side of Yalta.
What to see on the way to the top
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Mount Ai-Petri has many small and 4 large caves, as well as 3 large and several small waterfalls, mountain rivers, springs. It is here that the Grand Canyon of Crimea is located. To see all the natural beauties of the "Crown of the Russian Empire", you will need a lot of time. While passing the mountain trails you should remember that although the mountain is open for visits, it is still a protected area. Therefore, it is forbidden to light fires.
The list of the main attractions of Ai-Petri includes:
Uchan-Su Waterfall
This is the largest waterfall on the peninsula, the name of which translates from Turkic as "Flying Water". The attraction is located 7 kilometres from Yalta. Uchan-Su is two streams of water that fall from a height of just over 98 metres. The waterfall looks especially spectacular during the snow melting period. Natural wonder freezes only in the harshest winters, then the streams of water turn into an ice garland.
Many legends are associated with Uchan-Su. For example, according to one legend, the water rapidly flowing down from the rock is a beautiful girl who turned into a stream while fleeing from the dragon who wanted to kidnap her. The maximum peak of the waterfall's activity is in spring, but in other seasons its noise can be heard from afar. Entrance to its observation deck is free.
In the heat of the day, the waterfall becomes shallow, which should be taken into account when visiting the cascade. The best time to visit it is from March to early June. At the viewing platform of the object near the upper cascade there is a building with a figure of an eagle spreading its wings. It can be reached by a small path, as the staircase is in a state of disrepair.
Grand Canyon
This is one of the most famous Crimean sights, part of the Ai-Petri mountain massif. It is located near the village of Sokolinoye, if you go from the direction of Yalta. The Big Crimean Canyon is a karst baths with emerald water, majestic cliffs, waterfalls, piles of boulders and stone blocks. The name of the natural object was given by Professor I.I. Puzanov, who first described it in 1925 and discovered it to the whole world.
You can see the canyon in two ways - on the top and bottom. The hiking route is well thought out, but some of its sections will be difficult even for experienced travellers. You can visit the canyon all year round and there is no entrance fee. For those who are not confident in their abilities, the best solution is a guided tour. Following the upper path, you can meet several picturesque points - Watchman's Cliff, the Fourth Cape, near which you can see the Cow Grotto. Along the lower path, tourists will find information boards and signs, so it will be difficult to get lost.
When getting acquainted with the canyon will be able to see a number of natural beauties:
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Lake Goluboe - a body of water about 1.5 metres deep, the water in which is always cold, even in the intense heat.
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Yew waterfall - next to the cascade grows yew berry, which gave the name to the object.
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Lake Yusupovskoe - in the past it was a ravine, which was then blocked by a dam, the lake is filled with emerald waters.
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Applewood ford - at this spot, the Pania spring emerges from the karst depths.
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The Post Oak is a majestic tree in whose hollow letters were left, but it burned down in 1980 due to a lightning strike."
The final part of the tours of the canyon floor will be the Eworsion or Giant Cauldrons, which are numerous depressions in the rock formations. The hollows are filled with clear water. The largest and most famous of them is the "Bathtub of Youth".
"Bath of Youth"
This erosion depression is called the source of youth and is located near the Watchtower Escarpment. The cauldron is filled with clear, slightly bluish water. It is believed that bathing in it gives vigour. And it is not surprising, because the water in the "bath" is always cold - about 10 degrees Celsius even in the heat of the day. In the past, the attraction had a different name - Kara-Gol. The depth of the "Bath of Youth" is about 5 metres.
Silver gazebo
On the way up the mountain, a landmark like the Silver Gazebo is also worth a visit. This is one of the most romantic places for which Crimea is so famous. It is located a little higher than Uchan-Su, you can get here by the Bakhchisaray highway. The gazebo appeared in these parts back in 1894 as a sign of completion of the road that connects Yalta and Bakhchisarai. It was cut out in the rock, so the project was extremely difficult. Serpentine turned out to be very winding, because in those days it was used to climb up the horse forces.
The silver gazebo was installed on the edge of Mount Pendikyul, at the very cliff. From here Yalta is visible as on the palm of your hand, the height above sea level is almost 900 metres. The attraction is surrounded by a relict forest. The construction got such a name because of the caprice of nature - in the period from late autumn to early spring the construction is covered with frost. And if you look at it from afar, it seems that the gazebo is silver. You can visit it for free.
Trekhglazka Cave
One of the largest caves on Ai-Petri, which is located near the station of the cable car. That's why there are a lot of tourists here in season. Entrance to the cave, which has a karst origin, paid. The cost of the ticket is about 400 rubles. In Trekhglazka you can consider ice stalactites. It received this name because of the three cave windows, which from afar look like eyes. The age of this natural wonder is about 3.5 million years old.
In Trekhglazka there are the remains of an ancient glacier, so there is ice here all year round. In tsarist times it was mined to bring it to the Vorontsov and Livadia palaces. It was used to serve chilled champagne to guests. That is why the cave is sometimes called Vorontsovskaya, and not far from it you can visit another large cave, Geofizicheskaya. The entrance to Trekhglazka goes by a metal ladder, which was equipped here back in 1989. You need to go down it with your back to the front.
Hiking routes
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There are several hiking trails leading up to the mountain overlooking the town of Alupka and the village of Koreiz. The most popular of them include:
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Botkin Trail. Starts back in Yalta at the zoo "Fairy Tale" and leads to the waterfall Uchan-Su. It includes difficult sections, the way to the top on it takes from 3 to 5 hours. The route gradually connects with another road - Shtangeevskaya path.
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Shtangeev Trail. It starts near Uchan-Su and leads to its source. At this place there is an information stand with the route. The path includes a difficult ascent, its total length is just under 3 kilometres.
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Taraktash trail. Also starts at the waterfall. The total length is just over 4 kilometres. Its name translates as "Stone ridge", the trail leads to the Ai-Petrinskaya yaila. The route is distinguished by drops in altitude, so novice travellers should prefer it to safer trails.
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Koreizskaya trail. Starts at the village Koreiz, on the way tourists are waiting for stunning views of the mountains, the village itself, as well as Livadia and Miskhor. On one of the sections there is a big incline, but it is at the very end of the route.
Extreme entertainment
Photo: Яна Краснопевцева. Source: Wikipedia
The symbol of the southern part of Crimea has prepared a lot of entertainment for its guests. In addition to excursions for every taste, it is also extreme attractions. Some of them are located on the Ai-Petrinskiye prongs - they are easily accessible from the cable car station on the plateau. Tourists can tickle nerves by walking on a suspension bridge or making a descent on a cable.
In addition, on the plateau you can ride in the summer season on quad bikes or horses, take a ride on a camel or donkey. In winter the mountain is open for skiing holidays. At the top there are several equipped areas for skiing, snowboarding or sledging. From the side of Yalta there is a lift. You can also rent snowmobiles and skiing equipment.
To make the ascent to Ai-Petri can be independently or as part of an organised tour. It may include a visit to the Swallow's Nest, Miskhor Park and Livadia Palace, other beauties of the Crimea. Jeep rides to viewpoints are available. Reminiscent of an ancient castle, the mountain offers opportunities for recreation at any time of the year. Acquaintance with the visiting card of Crimea will leave a lasting impression in the heart of every traveller.
