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RussiaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
It is said that Mount Ayu-Dag or Bear-goda got its name from the fact that it looks like a bear bent down to drink water from the sea, although there are other versions of the origin of this name. This is one of the most famous mountains on the south coast. It is located on the border of the city districts of Yalta and Alushta between the resorts of Gurzuf and Partenit.
Today it is a state reserve where you can meet foxes, badgers, stone martens, hedgehogs, hares, squirrels, rodents, bats, many species of birds. The flora includes 577 species of plants, 44 of which are listed in the Red Book. There are also several ancient ruins here: the memorial complex of St. St. John the Gothic (VIII century), the ancient monastery of Saints Constantine and Helena (XIV–XV centuries).M.
Excursions are organized along the mountain with a climb to the top (height – 570 meters), during which guides will tell you in detail and interestingly about everything. But you can climb the mountain on your own, though you should do it only in good weather and in good physical shape. It is better to plan a whole day for the route.
🕐 Working hours
it is better to visit the mountain during the daytime, it is dangerous at night.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price
entrance to the mountain is free, excursions for a fee are optional.
🚶 How to get there
the mountain is located between Gurzuf and Parthenite and quite far from the center of both kurots (about four kilometers, mountain on the map), and the beginning of the ascent is even further away. It is best to get to the top with a guide as part of an excursion, but you can do the journey yourself, there is nothing complicated about it. The climb time is about three hours, the climb is quite steep and difficult. Trails lead both from Gurzuf and from Parthenite. In Parthenite the trail starts behind the sanatorium "Crimea", and it is better to go to the ascent through it (if you have a pass), or you will have to go around a lot. From Gurzuf, the path up is much steeper and more difficult, starting not far from the Osman-Cossack tract from Gaidar Street (the beginning of the trail on the map).
💥 We remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights of Gurzuf with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at online booking options on these proven search and price comparison sites: