Biyuk-Isar Mountain is located on the territory of the Yalta Nature Reserve, near the resort of Simeiz. In geology, such rocks are called "outcrop rock". Biyuk-Isar was once part of the Ai-Petri Yayla Mountain range, but as a result of tectonic processes, it broke off and is now located about 1 kilometer from the ridge.
The village of Opolznevoe is located 2 kilometers from the Biyuk-Isar mountain. A few hundred meters from the village in the direction of Biyuk-Isar, you can drive by car along a dirt road, but then there is a barrier of the Yalta Nature Reserve. You need to walk more than a kilometer from it. There are two small lakes at the foot of the Biyuk-Isar Mountain.
From the side of the lakes, the mountain looks absolutely inaccessible, but on the west side there is a path to its top. The climb to the Biyuk-Isar mountain is very steep, but it is quite accessible even for untrained people. You have to remember that there are two difficult sections on this climb. One of them is crossing a narrow ledge over a cliff, holding on to a rope The width of the cornice is not more than a meter, it is not very dangerous, but it takes your breath away. You will need to walk a few meters along it. After that, a very steep ascent begins (about 60°), where you will have to climb up, holding on to the rope. The length of this rise is about 20 meters.
After these difficult sections on the Biyuk-Isar slope, the path is not dangerous. Climbing higher, you can enjoy very beautiful views of the mountains of the Yalta Nature Reserve and the Black Sea coast. The teeth of Ai-Petri Mountain are visible in the distance.
Translated from the Turkic language, Biyuk-Isar means "Big fortress". In some sources there are mentions that there was a fortified settlement or even a castle on the top of the mountain in the Middle Ages. Now there are no traces of buildings on the top. Perhaps they were a few centuries ago, but there were definitely no fortress walls here, since with such a difficult climb there is no need for walls. Biyuk-Isar is a natural fortress.
If you are vacationing at the beach resorts from Yalta to Foros, and you want to make a simple hiking trip through the Yalta Nature Reserve, then climbing Biyuk-Isar will be an interesting excursion. Not far from Biyuk-Isar there are passages to the top of Ai-Petri Yayla plateau along very steep trails. Other trails lead to the Black Sea coast.
