Ayu-Dag Landscape Preserve

Ayu-Dag Landscape Preserve is a protected area along the Black Sea coast consisting of forested slopes, rocky cliffs, and shoreline habitats in one compact formation. The elevated terrain rises roughly 572 meters above surrounding areas and overlooks the communities of Gurzuf and Partenit to the east and west.

The preserve gained official protection in 1974 as part of broader regional efforts to safeguard coastal and forest ecosystems. This designation reflected growing awareness of the need to preserve the diverse landscapes found along the Black Sea shore.

The mountain earned the name Bear Mountain from its distinctive outline, which resembles a large animal leaning toward the sea when viewed from certain angles. Local guides and residents have used this image for generations to describe the landmark.

The preserve is best explored on foot using the established network of trails that wind through different zones. Wear sturdy footwear since paths cross uneven terrain and can be rocky in places, especially on steeper sections.

The mountain formed when molten rock pushed up beneath the surface but never broke through, instead cooling within the layered rock above. This created a rounded dome-like structure that geologists call a laccolith, a process that shaped few other places on the Black Sea coast.