Find out if it is worth visiting Ai-Petri and what you can see upstairs. We tell you about the cable car, minibuses, excursions, taxis and other ways to get to the top.
Ai-Petri is a very famous and popular attraction of the Crimea. The height of the mountain - 1234 meters above sea level. Its slopes and battlements can be admired if you are relaxing in the resorts of Big Yalta. But from above, on the contrary, you will admire the coast. However, the view from the cliff is not all that is above.
I believe that everyone who comes to Crimea should visit Mount Ai-Petri at least once. I've been there twice - and I'm going to the third. I love the wind at the top, the fluttering hair, the oncoming clouds and fogs, the massive Pallas pines and of course the breathtaking views.
What to see and do on Ai-Petri
Climb up to the battlements. The passage to the teeth starts from the upper station of the cable car. It seemed like you had to pay 100 rubles for it, but the entrance was free on our arrival. The ascent is simple: first, the trail goes through a picturesque forest, past a thousand-year-old yew tree, and then over stones. Careful, they are slippery - be sure to wear sneakers. At the end, you will come to a suspension walkway that connects the battlements.
Walk over the precipice. It costs 500 rubles to tickle your nerves and walk over the abyss along the suspension bridges. Our editor-in-chief, the author, took a chance, but I didn't dare. If you are not sure of yourself, you better not go. We witnessed how one girl panicked halfway and could no longer budge.
Go down the troll. For 400-500 rubles, you can ride a troll with a breeze.
Explore the caves. The most famous and largest karst caves on Ai-Petri are Trekhglazka (Ledyanaya), Geofizicheskaya and Yalta.
Find waterfalls. If you go by car, on the way to the top, see the Uchan-Su waterfall at the same time. Usually it is full-flowing only in spring, autumn and after heavy rains. There are also many other, lesser-known waterfalls and cascades beyond it.
Follow the paths. There are many paths on the plateau - after the hot coast, it's nice to just walk in a cool climate and admire nature.
Find out more about the sights of Yalta.
How to get to Ai-Petri
The mountain is easily accessible! There are several ways to get to the plateau, but they all start from Miskhor. Well, to get to Miskhor, take bus # 102 at the Yalta bus station.
You can get to the top of the mountain in different ways: by cable car, by minibus, taxi or your own car, on foot or with a guided tour. I'll tell you about all the methods.
Cable car Miskhor - Ai-Petri
This option does not require any special movements, but the prices for the cable car are high: one-way travel costs 400 rubles for an adult and 250 for a child. Plus, get ready to stand in a huge queue during the high season - I stood on the descent for about an hour. Note that there are twice as many queues at the bottom station as at the top.
The trip itself lasts only 15 minutes. On the way we were asked to change seats and checked the tickets.
Many are delighted with the ride on the Ai-Petri on the cable car, but I did not like it. There are a lot of people crowded, and you will not particularly admire the views. I was lucky to take a seat at the window, but I could not take a beautiful photo - the glass was cloudy and scratched. I don't know, maybe climbing up is a more exciting action.
The official website of the cable car: kanatka.com. Check the opening hours there.
Watch this cable car video:
Minibuses with excursion
Barkers wait for tourists at the lower and upper cable car stations. When I saw the serpentine line to the ascent, no doubt I chose the driver. And in my case it was a great alternative to the cable car ride: bombila stopped at several places along the way and told stories.
But not everyone likes it - some find it long and tiring. I do not recommend taking a minibus to those who feel sick, because you will climb a steep serpentine road, and the drivers love to recklessly. The price is about 350 rubles per person. The minibus is typed quickly.
By car
Personal car. We climbed Ai-Petri in our car for the second time, and this is the best way: beautiful views, cheap, does not get sick. Upstairs there is a huge free parking lot.
Taxi. It's expensive but convenient. Usually a car costs from 1,500 rubles.
On foot
If you are in good physical shape, go up or down one of the ecological trails - for example, Taraktashskaya or Koreizskaya. An unforgettable experience guaranteed!
Excursions to Ai-Petri
There is an excursion to Sputnik 8 with ascent by cable car, and on Tripster there is a hiking ascent to Ai-Petri along the Taraktash trail. You can also buy an excursion to Ai-Petri from barkers at any resort in Crimea. But I advise you to book excursions online with trusted guides with good reviews on the services mentioned above. Otherwise, you risk buying a pig in a poke and be disappointed in the trip.
