Ai-Petri is the most visited mountain on the Crimean peninsula. Travelers who climb it have a breathtaking view of the southern coast, immersed in the green of pine and juniper forests, smoothly turning into the endless blue of the sea. For those planning to visit this natural attraction, we have collected information about the cost of the ascent, the opening hours, services offered at the top, the route and other necessary information.
Basic information about the mountain
One of the main natural attractions of the peninsula is located on the territory of the Yalta Nature Reserve. Landmarks for those who are looking for the location of Mount Ai-Petri in Crimea are the city of Alupka, the villages of Mishor and Koreiz.
Mountain height from sea level to the extreme point reaches more than 1200 m. This is its main part. Also distinguish Western and Eastern, which rise to 1100 m. In the outline of the mountain surface, you can distinguish four large ledges up to 80 m high, which are unofficially called "dragon teeth".
For your information
In the middle of the 20th century. the figured mountain battlements were given the status of a natural monument.
The formation of Mount Ai-Petri in the Crimea took place in the depths of the sea. After the water began to recede about 2 million years ago, an impressive coral reef appeared. Under the influence of the winds, its protrusions sharpened and acquired modern features.
The natural site got its name thanks to the monastery of St. Peter, built in the vicinity in the Middle Ages; in translation from Greek "ai" means "saint", and "petri" - "Peter". This is the name of not only the mountain itself with four teeth, but also the entire rocky massif, including the plateau (Ai-Petrinskaya yayla) of volcanic origin. The highest point of the latter is Mount Roca (altitude 1347 m).
Go to Mount Ai-Petri can be done in several ways: on your own along pedestrian routes, along a serpentine road by car and by cable car.
The most popular walking route is the ascent along the Koreiz trail, which is about 5 km long. It is chosen by untrained tourists. It will take 2.5 hours to climb the mountain in this way, and 1.5 hours to go down. Climbing the Botkin and Bolshaya Shtangeevskaya trails will take almost 5 hours and require physical training. This route is not suitable for elderly people and families with children. It is better for them to opt for the 3.5 km long Taraktash trail.
Motorists can reach Ai-Petri along the Bakhchisarai-Yalta highway and climb the plateau along a serpentine road. However, car owners should choose favorable weather conditions during the trip. the road surface is often washed away.
The most popular among tourists is the cable car.
Beautiful video review of the mountain:
Rise prices
The cable car "Miskhor - Ai-Petri" is one of the most famous sights of Yalta. Within 15 minutes, the lift takes travelers to the mountain peak. The path runs at an altitude of about 1,100 m, offering travelers panoramic views of the southern coast of Crimea. In some places the road becomes especially extreme; for example, closer to the mountains, the ascent angle increases to 46 degrees.
When choosing a seat in a booth that can accommodate up to 40 people, we recommend that you sit in the front of it (in the direction of travel); no one will block picturesque natural landscapes.
It is interesting
Due to the uniqueness of the structure, the cable car to Ai-Petri was entered in the Guinness Book of Records; it is the longest structure without supports with a length of 1670 m.
The one-way ticket in the booth is 400 rubles. for an adult and 250 for a child 6-12 years old. For those who do not want to walk, a taxi becomes an alternative route to the ascent. Drivers are "on duty" at the foot, waiting for customers, offering to deliver them upstairs at cable car prices.
Having reached the plateau, some tourists are left to admire the views from the viewing platforms, while others continue climbing the mountain (to the battlements) on their own.
During the trip, we recommend combining the cable car with walks; for example, you can go up in a trailer and descend from Ai-Petri on foot. This will allow you to properly distribute physical strength and see all the sights.
Working hours
Those planning to visit the mountain range should take into account that the ascent to Ai-Petri by cable car is carried out from 11-00 to 15-00, and the descent from 11-00 to 16-00. Opening hours depend on the season and weather conditions. You can find out changes in the schedule and other information from the service provider; contacts: +7 (978) 278-32-59, +7 (978) 109-58-09.
The website Kanatka.com contains information regarding items prohibited for carriage in booths. These include weapons, cartridges, explosives, poisonous and radioactive substances, gas cylinders and pyrotechnics. We advise those traveling with pets to leave them at the place of residence - it is forbidden to take animals on the cable car.
How to get to Ai-Petri
Basically, an excursion to Ai-Petri is made by vacationers in the Crimea. For the guests of the peninsula, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the travel routes from the main resort areas.
How to get to Ai-Petri from Yalta
Vacationers in Yalta can go to the mountain complex by public transport. Bus number 102 runs daily from the city bus station to the “Lower station of the cable car” (the beginning of the route). Travel time: from 06-45 to 21-45; interval between trips: 30-60 min. Here you can also take flights No. 142, 128 and 107 and get to Koreiz, and from the village go up the mountain along the so-called Koreiz trail. Bus number 107 after the above stop continues to move to the station "Burevestnik sanatorium", located 5 minutes walk from the cable car.
Those who live near the Yalta embankment will find it more convenient to take flight number 132 from the Veschevoy Rynok stop. Trips to the cable car are carried out every day from 07-00 to 21-00 with breaks of 15-30 minutes.
Individual travelers can reach Ai-Petri by car using the following coordinates: 44.42562, 34.07043.
How to get from Alushta to Ai-Petri
To get to Ai-Petri from Alushta, you first need to get to the Yalta bus station. This can be done by trolleybuses No. 52, 53, starting from the park located at Simferopolskoe shosse, 4.
Buses and minibuses to Yalta go from the city bus station. Here you can use flights No. 655, 535, 247, 21 and others, which will be delivered in 30-60 minutes.
It will take 40 minutes to cover a 35-kilometer distance by car. Travel time may increase due to the congestion of the South Coast Highway.
Having reached Yalta, you should change to public transport to Ai-Petri (see information in the previous subsection).
Road from Sevastopol
The trip from Sevastopol to Ai-Petri is also carried out through Yalta. The distance between the cities is about 80 km; travel time - 2 hours.
You can get to the resort by buses departing from the Sevastopol bus station every 20 minutes (Vokzalnaya street, 11). Ticket offices serve passengers from 5 am to 11 pm. When purchasing tickets, a passport is required.
You can get from the Yalta bus station to the mountain by public transport or taxi (details are described earlier).
How to dress and the weather on the mountain
Mount Ai-Petri is located in such a way that it becomes a natural protection of the southern coast from strong air currents. It is always windy at the top, and the temperature is 7-8 degrees lower. Fogs are frequent here, as are rains. In 1970, meteorologists recorded a record number of foggy days per year, which reached 215.
Constant winds pushed people to build a power plant on the plateau, but the idea was not crowned with success. the first strong gust of air destroyed the blades.
When going to Ai-Petri, you need to be prepared for drastic weather changes: stock up on warm clothes, hats and a raincoat. Shoes should be comfortable and suitable for climbing rocky terrain.
On a note
Ai-Petri is recognized as the most blown place on the peninsula. At times, gusts of wind on the mountain reach 50 meters per second.
What to see
When planning your trip, we advise you to decide in advance what to see at Ai-Petri. This will help to properly prepare for the excursion and entertainment.
Uchan-Su waterfall
The way to the mountain top runs through the picturesque Uchan-Su waterfall, the height of which reaches 98 m in spring and autumn. In summer, the water dries up, and freezes in January-February. Not far from the waterfall is the Silver Gazebo: in winter it is covered with hoarfrost, turning into a “silver” fabulous place.
The cost of the entrance to the waterfall is 50 rubles, children under 14 years old are free. Be sure to choose the season correctly, the ideal time to visit is spring (April, May).
Caves
Curious tourists can diversify their walk by exploring the caves - Ice (Three-eyed or Vorontsovskaya cave, pictured above), Geophysical and Yalta. Each visit requires about half an hour (tickets are purchased separately - 200 rubles for a visit to one cave). If you plan to enter the dungeons, we advise you to take extra warm clothes, because the temperature there rarely rises above 10 ° C. Please note, caves are slippery, wear the right shoes. According to travelers, of all the caves, Geophysical deserves special attention; it contains the largest number of bizarre stalactites, stalagmites and stalagnates.
Suspension bridge
Thrill-seekers should walk along the suspension bridge (1 233 meters above sea level) fixed between the mountain battlements. Despite the fact that every tourist is provided with a safety rope, not everyone decides to overcome the rope structure, especially in windy times.
Bridge working hours: from 10 am to 6 pm every day. The cost of the walk is 500 rubles. The coordinates of the place for independent tourists: 44.448009, 34.055987. Do not forget that the walking path to the suspension bridge is also paid, 100 rubles per person.
Yew grove
To the north-east of the battlements of the travelers, they meet the green massifs of the yew grove, in which the millennial yew berry grows; its trunk in girth reaches 103 m, and its height is 10. It should be noted that the flora of Ai-Petri is unique: about 600 plant species are found on the plateau and in the vicinity, including the Steven maple (it grows only on the southern coast of Crimea; on a 250-year-old specimen can be seen on the plateau).
Weather station
In addition to natural objects in the mountainous surroundings (near the Bakhchisarai-Yalta highway), there is one of the oldest meteorological stations, founded at the end of the 19th century. It served as a place for meteorological observations, as well as for the work of soil scientists, zoologists, astronomers, botanists and hydrologists.
While at the meteorological station, you can see a "scattering" of white hemispheres - these are the domes of the radars of the military unit (radio engineering battalion). It is impossible to come close to them, as the sign warns about, but it is quite possible to take a photo against their background.
What else to see in Crimea:
- A selection of interesting places in Alushta
- Beautiful places of Yalta
Entertainment and recreation
After sightseeing in Ai-Petri, tired travelers can relax in a cafe, taste the Crimean Tatar cuisine and wines. The stalls upstairs offer tourists souvenirs and handicrafts from local artisans. However, their cost is much higher than in the souvenir shops located in the resort areas.
Among the entertainment options offered to vacationers are horseback riding, quad biking and zip-line descent. Fans of extreme sports can make a bungee jump (cost about 3,500 rubles).
To visit the main sights of Yalta, you can purchase an excursion to Ai-Petri. In most cases, it includes an inspection of the Swallow's Nest, Miskhor Park, the Temple of the Archangel Michael, climbing the mountain by cable car and a walk to the Uchan-Su waterfall.
Massive mountain formation has become the hallmark of the southern coast of Crimea. It is traditionally included in excursion routes around the peninsula by both travel agents and independent travelers.
