The highest point of the Urals is Mt. The height of the Ural mountains and interesting facts
The Ural Mountains are located between the West Siberian and East European Plains. Their area is 781,000 square meters. kilometers. Many travelers dream of getting to this miracle of nature in order to see with their own eyes all the splendor of the famous mountain range. Tourists also want to know the name of the highest peak of the Urals in order to climb it or appreciate the full power of the Urals at the foot of this mountain.
Mount Narodnaya is the most high point Ural. Its height is 1895 meters. The mountain is located on the territory of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug and belongs to the mountain system called the Subpolar Urals.
origin of name
There are two pronunciation options of this name. In the first case, the stress is placed on the first syllable – Narodnaya. The thing is that this mountain is located near the Naroda River, whose name sounds in the Komi language as “Naroda-Iz”.
But during the Soviet era, this name was very consonant with popular communist slogans. At every step they talked about the party and the people, so it was decided to shift the emphasis to the second syllable, making this peak the socialist property of the Soviet people.
Scientific and reference publications indicate different variants accents. A 1958 geography textbook gives a name that correlates with the name of the river. And in a book from 1954 there is evidence that “Narodnaya” is the only correct pronunciation.
Modern scientists believe that the emphasis should be on the first syllable. This is the official pronunciation of the name.
History of the summit
In 2016, scientists found that this peak was first marked on maps in 1846 by a Hungarian geographer named Antal Reguli. Antal researched the history of the Mansi peoples, trying to understand the origin of their language. Later, the scientist proved that the Hungarian and Mansi languages have common roots.
Antal Reguli researched high peak and gave it the original Mansi name Poen-Urr, which translated means “top of the head”.
Five years later, an expedition led by E. Hoffmann was sent to this peak. As a result, data was obtained about the geographical position of the mountain and its features.
For a long time, it was believed in scientific circles that this peak was discovered not by Antal Reguli in the 19th century, but by researcher A. Aleshkov with his expedition in 1927. New data were released only in 2016.
Despite this, Aleshkov's expedition played a very important role. After all, it was he who measured the height of Mount Narodnaya, after which the peak officially became the highest point of the Urals.
It should be noted that when visually assessing the height mountain peaks It's hard to know which one is higher. Mount Monarga stands out for its size. It was for a long time that it was considered the highest point of the Urals. But after Aleshkov’s research, all data was carefully checked. In scientific works it was indicated that it is not Monarga, but the People's Peak that is the giant mountain. She is 200 meters taller than her neighbor.
Summit climate
Peak Narodnaya is covered with glaciers. It is located in a cold climate zone. Long frosty winters prevail in these parts. average temperature air during the cold period is -20 degrees Celsius.
Strong snowstorms and freezing rains are frequent visitors to these places. IN summer time the temperature rarely rises above 10 degrees.
If you want to conquer the top of the Urals, be prepared for harsh climatic conditions. Even experienced travelers will find it difficult to resist the vagaries of nature. Therefore, it is better to take a reliable guide with you.
The most best time for climbing the mountain - July and August. During this period there are no snowstorms and the sun is shining.
Geographical position
This giant is located between two mountains, which are named after the famous explorers of the Urals - Didkovsky and Karpinsky. The most picturesque view of Narodnaya opens from the top point of Karpinsky Mountain.
Majestic rocky slopes covered with snow-white glaciers attract the attention of tourists. And the highest point of Mount Narodnaya is shrouded in clouds.
This peak is located in a deserted area. Settlements not nearby.
Located next to the mountain giant Blue Lake. Travelers who go hiking in the Urals often set up their camps on the shores of this picturesque body of water. Its height above sea level is quite high - 1133 meters.
Tourism and peak Narodnaya
With the rise of tourism in the second half of the 20th century, the Urals became a destination for many Soviet travelers. Mount Narodnaya was no exception.
Every extreme sports enthusiast deep down dreamed of visiting the highest point of the Ural Mountains. Therefore, over time, memorial plaques began to be placed around the peak. The students tried to record their feat, so they brought souvenirs and flags to the top of the mountain giant.
In 1998, the Russian Church established main peak Orthodox cross. A year later, a religious procession took place along the slopes.
So from the wild, inhospitable Narodnaya Mountain it turned into a hospitable giant.
Basic moments
This mountain system itself, which not only separates both continents, but is also an officially delineated cordon between them, belongs to Europe: the border is usually drawn along the eastern base of the mountains. Formed as a result of the collision of the Eurasian and African lithospheric plates, the Ural Mountains cover a vast territory. It includes the expanses of Sverdlovsk, Orenburg and Tyumen regions, Perm Territory, Bashkortostan and the Komi Republic, as well as Aktobe and Kustanai regions of Kazakhstan.
In terms of its height, which does not exceed 1895 meters, the mountain system is significantly inferior to such giants as the Himalayas and Pamirs. For example, the peaks of the polar Urals are average in level - 600-800 meters, not to mention the fact that they are also the narrowest in terms of the width of the ridge. However, such geological characteristics have an undoubted advantage: they remain accessible to humans. And we are talking here not so much about scientific research, but about the tourist attractiveness of the places through which they lie. The landscape of the Ural Mountains is truly unique. Here crystal clear mountain streams and rivers begin their run, growing into larger bodies of water. Such large rivers as the Ural, Kama, Pechora, Chusovaya and Belaya also flow here.
A wide variety of recreational opportunities open up for tourists here: both for real extreme sports enthusiasts and for beginners. And the Ural Mountains are a true treasure trove of minerals. In addition to deposits of coal, natural gas and oil, mines are developed here that produce copper, nickel, chromium, titanium, gold, silver, and platinum. If we recall the tales of Pavel Bazhov, the Urals zone is also rich in malachite. And also emerald, diamond, crystal, amethyst, jasper and other precious stones.
The atmosphere of the Ural Mountains, regardless of whether you visit the Northern or Southern Urals, the Subpolar or Middle Urals, is indescribable. And their greatness, beauty, harmony and clean air charge you with energy and positivity, inspire and, of course, leave vivid impressions for the rest of your life.
History of the Ural Mountains
The Ural Mountains have been known since ancient times. In sources that have survived to this day, they are associated with the Hyperborean and Riphean mountains. Thus, Ptolemy pointed out that this mountain system consists of the Rimnus mountains (this is the current Middle Urals), Norosa (Southern Urals) and the northern part - the Hyperborean mountains themselves. In the first written sources of the 11th century AD, due to its great length, it was called nothing less than the “Earth Belt”.
In the first Russian chronicle, “The Tale of Bygone Years,” which dates back to the same 11th century, the mountains of the Urals were called by our compatriots Siberian, Poyasov or Big Stone. Under the name “Big Stone” they were also applied to the first map of the Russian state, also known as the “Big Drawing”, published in the second half of the 16th century. Cartographers of those years depicted the Urals as mountain belt, where many rivers originate.
There are many versions of the origin of the name of this mountain system. E. K. Hoffman, who developed the so-called Mansi version of this toponym, compares the name “Ural” with the Mansi word “ur”, which is translated as “mountain”. The second point of view, also very common, is the borrowing of the name from the Bashkir language. She, according to many scientists, seems the most convincing. After all, if you take the language, legends and traditions of this people - for example, the famous epic "Ural-Batyr" - then it is not difficult to see that in them this toponym has not only existed since ancient times, but is also maintained from generation to generation.
Nature and climate
The natural landscape of the Ural Mountains is incredibly beautiful and multifaceted. Here you can not only look at the mountains themselves, but also go down into numerous caves, swim in the waters of local lakes, and get a dose of thrill while rafting down wild rivers. Moreover, each tourist chooses for himself how exactly to travel. Some people like to hike independently with a backpack on their shoulders, while others prefer more comfortable conditions. excursion bus or the interior of a personal car.
No less varied is the animal world"Earth Belt". The predominant position in the local fauna is occupied by forest animals, whose habitat is coniferous, broad-leaved or mixed forests. Thus, squirrels live in coniferous forests, the main diet of which is spruce seeds, and in winter these cute animals with a fluffy tail feed on previously stored pine nuts and dried mushrooms. The marten is widespread in local forests, the existence of which is difficult to imagine without the already mentioned squirrel, which this predator hunts.
But the real wealth of these places is the fur-bearing game animals, the fame of which extends far beyond the region, for example, the sable, which lives in the forests of the Northern Urals. It, however, differs from the dark Siberian sable in its less beautiful skin of a reddish color. Uncontrolled hunting for valuable furry animals is prohibited by law. Without this ban, it would probably have been completely destroyed by now.
The taiga forests of the Ural Mountains are also home to the traditional Russian wolf, bear and elk. Roe deer are found in mixed forests. On the plains adjacent to mountain ranges, the brown hare and the fox feel at ease. We did not make a reservation: they live precisely on flat terrain, and for them the forest is just a shelter. And, of course, the tree crowns are well inhabited by many species of birds.
As for the climate of the Ural Mountains, then geographical position plays a significant role in this regard. In the north, this mountain system extends beyond the border Arctic Circle, however most of The mountains are located in the temperate climate zone. If you move from north to south along the perimeter of the mountain system, you will notice how the temperature gradually increases, which is especially noticeable in the summer. If in the north during the warm period of the year the thermometer shows from +10 to +12 degrees, then in the south - from 20 to 22 degrees above zero. However, in winter the temperature between north and south does not differ so sharply. Average monthly temperature January in the north is 20 degrees with a minus sign, in the south 16-18 degrees below zero.
Air masses moving from Atlantic Ocean, also has a noticeable impact on the climate of the Urals. And although as atmospheric flows move from the west towards the Urals, the air becomes less humid, it cannot be called 100% dry either. As a result, more precipitation - 600-800 millimeters per year - falls on the western slope, while on the eastern slope this figure varies between 400-500 mm. But the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains in winter fall under the power of a powerful Siberian anticyclone, while in the south during the cold period of the year, partly cloudy and cold weather sets in.
Tangible impact on vibrations local climate Such a factor as the relief of the mountain system also has an impact. As you climb the mountain, you will feel the weather getting harsher. Different temperatures are felt even on different slopes, including those located nearby. Different parts of the Ural Mountains are characterized by unequal amounts of precipitation.
Sights of the Ural Mountains
One of the most famous protected areas of the Ural Mountains is the Oleniy Ruchi Park, located in the Sverdlovsk region. Curious tourists, especially interested ancient history, make a “pilgrimage” to the Pisanitsa rock located here, on the surface of which are painted drawings made by ancient artists. The caves and the Great Failure are of considerable interest. “Oleniye Ruchiki” has a fairly developed tourist infrastructure: special trails are equipped in the park, there are observation decks, not to mention places to relax. There are also cable crossings.
If you are familiar with the work of the writer Pavel Bazhov, his famous “Malachite Box,” then you will probably be interested in visiting the “Bazhov Places” natural park. The opportunities for complete rest and relaxation here are simply magnificent. You can take walks, bike rides or horseback rides. Walking along specially designed and thought-out routes, you will take in the picturesque landscapes, climb Mount Markov Kamen and visit Lake Talkov Kamen. Extreme sports enthusiasts usually flock here in the summer to go kayaking and kayaking down mountain rivers. Travelers also come here in winter, enjoying snowmobiling.
If you appreciate the natural beauty of semi-precious stones - namely natural, not subject to processing - be sure to visit the Rezhevskaya reserve, which combines deposits of not only precious, but also semi-precious and ornamental stones. Traveling to the mining sites on your own is prohibited - you must be accompanied by a reserve employee, but this in no way affects the impressions of what you see. The Rezh River flows through the territory of Rezhevsky; it was formed as a result of the confluence of the Bolshoy Sapa and Ayati - rivers originating in the Ural Mountains. The Shaitan Stone, popular among travelers, is located on the right bank of the Rezhi. The Urals consider this stone to be the center of mystical natural forces that help in various life situations. You can believe it or not, but the flow of tourists coming to the stone with various requests to higher powers does not dry out.
Of course, the Urals are a magnet for lovers of extreme tourism, who enjoy visiting its caves, of which there are a huge number. The most famous are Shulgan-Tash, or Kapova, and the Kungur Ice Cave. The length of the latter is almost 6 km, of which only one and a half kilometers are accessible to tourists. On the territory of the Kungur ice cave there are 50 grottoes, over 60 lakes and countless stalactites and stalagmites. The temperature in the cave is always below freezing, so when visiting here, dress as if you were going for a winter walk. The visual effect of her magnificence interior decoration enhanced by special lighting. But in the Kapova Cave, researchers discovered rock paintings, the age of which is estimated at 14 thousand years or more. Approximately 200 works by ancient masters of the brush have become the property of our time, although there were probably more. Travelers can also admire the underground lakes and visit grottoes, galleries and numerous halls located on three levels.
If the caves of the Ural Mountains create a winter atmosphere at any time of the year, then some attractions are best visited in winter. One of them is the ice fountain, which is located in the Zyuratkul National Park and arose thanks to the efforts of geologists who drilled a well in this place. Moreover, this is not just a fountain in our usual “urban” sense, but a fountain groundwater. With the onset of winter, it freezes and turns into a voluminous icicle of a bizarre shape, also impressive with its 14-meter height.
Many Russians, in order to improve their health, go to foreign thermal springs, for example, in the Czech Karlovy Vary or the Gellert Baths in Budapest. But why rush beyond the border if our native Urals are also rich in thermal springs? To undergo a full course of healing procedures, all you need to do is come to Tyumen. The hot springs here are rich in microelements beneficial for human health, and the water temperature ranges from +36 to +45 degrees Celsius depending on the season. Let us add that modern recreation centers have been built on these sources. Mineral waters are also used for treatment in the Ust-Kachka health complex, located near Perm and unique in the chemical composition of its waters. Summer recreation here can be combined with boating and catamarans; in winter, vacationers can enjoy ice slides, skating rinks and full-fledged ski slopes.
Despite the fact that waterfalls are not so typical for the Ural Mountains, they are present here and attract the attention of tourists. Among them we can highlight the Plakun waterfall, located on the right bank of the Sylva River. It throws down fresh water from a height exceeding 7 m. Its other name is Ilyinsky, it was given by local residents and visitors who consider this source holy. There is also a waterfall near Yekaterinburg, named Rokhotun for its roaring “temper”. Its peculiarity is that it is man-made. It throws its waters down from a height of more than 5 meters. When the summer heat sets in, visitors enjoy standing under its jets, cooling off and receiving hydromassage, completely free of charge.
Video: Southern Ural
Large cities of the Urals
Millionny Ekaterinburg, administrative center Sverdlovsk region is called the capital of the Urals. It is also, unofficially, the third capital of Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg and the third capital of Russian rock. This is a large industrial metropolis, especially charming in winter. He is generously covered with snow, under the cover of which he resembles a giant who has fallen asleep in a deep sleep, and you never know exactly when he will wake up. But when he gets enough sleep, then, no doubt, he will definitely unfold to his full potential.
Yekaterinburg usually makes a strong impression on its guests - first of all, with many architectural attractions. Among them are the famous Church on the Blood, erected on the site of the execution of the last Russian emperor and his family, the Sverdlovsk rock club, the building of the former District Court, museums of various subjects and even an unusual monument... to an ordinary computer keyboard. The capital of the Urals is also famous for its shortest metro in the world, listed in the Guinness Book of Records: 7 stations account for only 9 km.
Chelyabinsk and Nizhny Tagil also became widely known in Russia, primarily thanks to the popular comedy show “Our Russia”. The characters of the program, beloved by viewers, are, of course, fictional, but tourists are still interested in where to find Ivan Dulin, the world’s first milling machine operator of non-traditional sexual orientation, and Vovan and Gena, hapless and drinking-loving Russian tourists who constantly find themselves in frankly tragicomic situations. One of the hallmarks of Chelyabinsk are two monuments: Love, made in the form of an iron tree, and Lefty with a shod flea. The city’s panorama of local factories located above the Miass River is also impressive. But in the Nizhny Tagil Museum fine arts you can see a painting by Raphael - the only one in our country that can be found outside the Hermitage.
Another Ural city that has become famous thanks to television is Perm. This is where the “real boys” who became the heroes of the series of the same name live. Perm claims to be the next cultural capital of Russia, and this idea is actively lobbied by designer Artemy Lebedev, who is working on the external appearance of the city, and gallery owner Marat Gelman, specializing in contemporary art.
Orenburg, which is called the land of endless steppes, is also a real historical treasury of the Urals and all of Russia. At one time, it survived the siege of Emelyan Pugachev’s army; its streets and walls remember the visits of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, Taras Grigorievich Shevchenko and the wedding of the first cosmonaut of the Earth, Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin.
In Ufa, another Ural city, there is a symbolic “Kilometer Zero” sign. The local post office is the very point from which the distance to other points on our planet is measured. Another famous landmark of the capital of Bashkortostan is the Ufa bronze sign, which is a disk with a one and a half meter diameter and weighs a whole ton. And in this city - at least that’s what the locals say - there is the tallest equestrian statue on the European continent. This is a monument to Salavat Yulaev, who is also called the Bashkir Bronze Horseman. The horse on which this associate of Emelyan Pugachev sits rises above the Belaya River.
Ski resorts of the Urals
The most important ski resorts in the Urals are concentrated in three regions of our country: the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions, as well as in Bashkortostan. Zavyalikha, Bannoye and Abzakovo are the most famous of them. The first is located near the city of Trekhgorny, the last two are near Magnitogorsk. According to the results of the competition, which is held as part of the International Congress of the Ski Industry, Abzakovo was recognized as the best ski resort in the Russian Federation in the 2005-2006 season.
A whole scattering ski resorts concentrated in the regions of the Middle and Southern Urals. Thrill-seekers and simply curious tourists who want to try themselves in such an “adrenaline” sport as alpine skiing come here almost all year round. Travelers are welcome here good tracks for skis, sleds and snowboards.
Besides alpine skiing, descents along mountain rivers are very popular among travelers. Fans of such alloys, which also increase adrenaline levels, go for thrills to Miass, Magnitogorsk, Asha or Kropchaevo. True, you won’t be able to get to your destination quickly, since you will have to travel by train or car.
The holiday season in the Urals lasts on average from October-November to April. During this period, another popular entertainment is snowmobiling and ATV riding. In Zavyalikha, which has become one of the most popular tourist spots, they even installed a special trampoline. Experienced athletes practice complex elements and tricks on it.
How to get there
Getting to all the major Ural cities will not be difficult, so the region of this majestic mountain system is one of the most convenient for domestic tourists. The flight from Moscow will take only three hours, and if you prefer to travel by train, then the route via railway will take a little more than a day.
Main Ural city, as we have already said, is Yekaterinburg, located in the Middle Urals. Due to the fact that the Ural Mountains themselves are low, it was possible to build several transport routes leading to Siberia from Central Russia. In particular, you can travel through the territory of this region along the famous railway artery – the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Inta station, 4 am, light. Polar day. We sat with Natasha on our backpacks, looked around, the guys went to look for a shift vehicle that would take us to the casting point.
From here our ascent to Mount Narodnaya begins. This is the highest point of the Urals - 1885 m. It is located on Subpolar Urals, on the territory of the Yugyd Va National Park.
By the way, to visit the park you need a permit with a prescribed route and stopping points, we issued it via the Internet :) We, somewhat riskily, go without an instructor, testing our strength and knowledge. That’s why I’m worried :) The driver didn’t disappoint, the shift was full, mostly tourists, many of them got off at the Zhelannoye camp site. And our final point is Lake Big Balabanty. From the lake we still have two days of walking to Narodnaya. The most difficult part of the hike was the route to the mountain and back: spending the night on wildlife , the weight of backpacks, mosquitoes, strong winds
... The ascent was not difficult, no climbing equipment is required, we were lucky with the weather, the main thing on the slope is to walk on stones and not on moss, otherwise you might fall into a crack.
The most vivid impression at the top was the route we took :))
- How to prepare? a large number of
- mosquitoes, repellents do not help, so you need to take gloves and a mosquito net with you;
- It’s best to go from July to August, the warmest time; in winter you can only go on skis;
- changeable weather, warm clothes should be with you;
- GPS, paper maps and compass;
- wild animals, including bears, so we had a supply of flares with us;
- prepare to ford rivers and swamps;
- be sure to obtain permission from the park administration;
Be sure to take a gas burner, there is practically no firewood in the mountains, a tent and a sleeping bag. No multi-day experience hiking trips
going to Narodnaya without an instructor is very dangerous!
In ancient sources, the Ural Mountains were called Riphean or Hyperborean. Russian pioneers called them “Stone”. The toponym “Ural” was most likely taken from the Bashkir language and means “stone belt”. This name was introduced into use by geographer and historian Vasily Tatishchev.
How did the Urals come into being?
The Ural Mountains stretch in a narrow strip for more than 2000 km from the Kara Sea to the Aral Sea steppes. It is assumed that they arose about 600 million years ago. Some scientists believe that several hundred million years ago, Europe and Asia broke away from the ancient continents, and, gradually drawing closer, collided with each other. Their edges in the places of collision were crushed, some part of the earth's crust was squeezed out, something, on the contrary, went inside, cracks and folds formed. Enormous pressure led to delamination and melting of rocks. The structures squeezed onto the surface formed a chain of the Ural Mountains - a seam that connected Europe and Asia.
Shifts and fractures of the earth's crust have occurred here more than once. For several tens of millions of years, the Ural Mountains were subjected to the destructive effects of all natural elements. Their peaks smoothed out, rounded, and became lower. Gradually the mountains acquired their modern appearance.
There are plenty of hypotheses explaining the formation of the Ural Mountains, but the theory of the seam connecting Europe and Asia allows us to more or less intelligibly link together the most contradictory facts:
- presence almost on the surface of rocks and sediments that can only form deep in the bowels of the Earth under conditions of enormous temperatures and pressures;
- the presence of siliceous plates clearly of oceanic origin;
- sandy river sediments;
- boulder ridges brought by the glacier, etc.
The following is clear: The Earth as a cosmic body has existed for about 4.5 billion years. Rocks that are at least 3 billion years old have been found in the Urals, and none of the modern scientists denies that the process of decompression of cosmic matter is still underway in the universe.
Climate and resources of the Urals
The climate of the Urals can be defined as mountainous. The Ural ridge serves as a dividing border. To the west of it the climate is milder and there is more rainfall. To the east - continental, drier, with a predominance of low winter temperatures.
Scientists divide the Urals into several geographical zones: Polar, Subpolar, Northern, Middle, Southern. The highest, undeveloped and inaccessible mountains are located in the Subpolar and Southern Urals. The Middle Urals are the most populated and developed, and the mountains there are the lowest.
48 types of minerals have been found in the Urals - copper pyrites, skarn-magnetite, titanomagnetite, nickel oxide, chromite ores, deposits of bauxite and asbestos, coal, oil and gas deposits. Deposits of gold, platinum, precious, semi-precious and ornamental stones were also found.
In the Urals there are about 5,000 rivers flowing into the Caspian, Barents and Kara Sea. The rivers of the Urals are extremely heterogeneous. Their features and hydrological regime are determined by differences in terrain and climate. There are few rivers in the Polar Region, but they are full of water. The rapids and fast rivers of the Subpolar and Northern Urals, originating on the western slopes of the mountains, flow into the Barents Sea. Small and rocky mountain rivers, originating on the eastern slopes of the ridge, flow into the Kara Sea. The rivers of the Middle Urals are numerous and full of water. The length of the rivers of the Southern Urals is small - about 100 km. The largest of them are Uy, Miass, Ural, Uvelka, Ufa, Ay, Gumbeyka. The length of each of them reaches 200 km.
The most big river Ural region - the Kama, which is the largest tributary of the Volga, originates in the Middle Urals. Its length is 1805 km. The general slope of the Kama from source to mouth is 247 m.
There are about 3327 lakes in the Urals. The deepest is Big Pike Lake.
Russian pioneers came to the Urals together with Ermak’s squad. But, according to scientists, Mountain country has been inhabited since the Ice Age, i.e. more than 10 thousand years ago. Archaeologists have discovered a huge number of ancient settlements here. Now on the territory of the Urals there are the Republic of Komi, Nenets, Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous okrugs. The indigenous inhabitants of the Urals are the Nenets, Bashkirs, Udmurts, Komi, Komi-Permyaks and Tatars. Presumably, the Bashkirs appeared here in the 10th century, the Udmurts in the 5th century, the Komi and Komi-Permyaks in the 10th–12th centuries.
The Ural Mountains are located on the territory of Russia and Kazakhstan and are unique geographical object, dividing the continent of Eurasia into two parts.
Direction and extent of the Ural Mountains.
The length of the Ural Mountains is more than 2500 km, they originate from the shores ofArctic Ocean and end in the sultry deserts of Kazakhstan. Due to the fact that the Ural Mountains cross Russian territory from north to south, they pass through five geographical zones. They include the expanses of the Orenburg, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, Aktobe, Tyumen and Kustanai regions, as well as the territories of the Perm Territory, the Komi Republic and Bashkortostan.
Minerals of the Ural Mountains.
In the depths of the Urals are hidden countless riches known to the whole world. This includes the famous malachite, and semi-precious stones, colorfully described by Bazhov in his fairy tales, asbestos, platinum, gold and other minerals.
Nature of the Ural Mountains.
This region is famous for its incredible natural beauty. People come here to see amazing mountains, plunge into clear waters numerous lakes, go down into caves or raft along the stormy rivers of the Ural Mountains. You can travel through colorful places either by walking across the expanses of the Urals with a backpack on your back, or in the comfortable conditions of a sightseeing bus or your own car.
Ural Mountains in the Sverdlovsk region.
The beauty of these mountains is best seen in natural parks and nature reserves. Once in the Sverdlovsk region, you definitely need to visit Oleniye Ruchyi. Tourists come here to see the drawings painted on the surface of the Pisanitsa rock. ancient man, visit the caves and descend into the Great Gap, marveling at the strength of the river that has carved a path through Holey Stone. For visitors, there are special trails throughout the park, observation decks, cable crossings and places for recreation.
Park "Bazhovskie places".
Available in the Urals natural Park“Bazhovskie places”, on the territory of which you can go walking, horseback riding and cycling. Specially designed routes allow you to explore picturesque landscapes, visit Lake Talkov Kamen and climb Mount Markov Kamen. In winter you can travel here on snowmobiles, and in summer you can go down the mountain rivers in kayaks or paddle boards.
Rezhevsky reserve.
Connoisseurs of the natural beauty of semi-precious stones should definitely visit the Rezhevskaya reserve of the Ural Mountains, which includes several unique deposits of ornamental, precious and semi-precious stones. Traveling to the mining sites is only possible if accompanied by a reserve employee. The Rezh River flows through its territory, formed by the confluence of the Ayat and Bolshoi Sap rivers. These rivers originate in the Ural Mountains. On the right bank of the Rezh River rises the famous Shaitan stone. Locals They consider it a receptacle of mystical power.
Caves of the Urals.
Fans of extreme tourism will be happy to visit the numerous caves of the Urals. The most famous of them are Kungur Ice and Shulgan-Tash (Kapova). The Kungur Ice Cave stretches for 5.7 km, although only 1.5 km of it is accessible to tourists. On its territory there are about 50 grottoes, more than 60 lakes and many stalactites and stalagmites made of ice. The temperature here is always below freezing, so you need to dress appropriately to visit it. To enhance the visual effect, special lighting is used in the cave.
In the Kapova Cave, scientists discovered rock paintings that are more than 14 thousand years old. In total, about 200 works by ancient artists were found in its vastness. In addition, you can visit numerous halls, grottoes and galleries, located on three levels, and admire the underground lakes, in one of which an inattentive visitor risks swimming at the entrance.
Some attractions of the Ural Mountains are best visited in winter. One of these places is in national park"Zyuratkul". This is an ice fountain that arose thanks to geologists who once drilled a well in this place. Now a fountain of underground water gushes out of it. In winter, it turns into a bizarre-shaped icicle, reaching a height of 14 m.
Thermal springs of the Urals.
The Urals are also rich in thermal springs, so to undergo healing procedures there is no need to fly abroad, just come to Tyumen. Local thermal springs are rich in microelements that are beneficial to human health, and the water temperature in the source ranges from +36 to +45 0 C, regardless of the time of year. Recreation centers have been built on these waters.
Ust-Kachka, Perm.
Located not far from Perm health complex"Ust-Kachka", unique in its composition mineral waters. In summer, you can ride catamarans or boats here. In winter, ski slopes are available for vacationers, ice skating rinks and slides.
Waterfalls of the Urals.
For the Ural Mountains, waterfalls are not a common occurrence, so it’s even more interesting to visit one natural wonder. One of them is the Plakun waterfall, located on the right bank of the Sylva River. Fresh water falls from a height of more than 7 m. Local residents and visitors consider this source holy and gave it the name Ilyinsky.
There is also a man-made waterfall near Yekaterinburg, nicknamed “Rokhotun” for the roar of the water. Its waters fall down from a height of more than 5 m. On a hot summer day, it is pleasant to stand under its streams, cooling down and receiving free hydromassage.
IN Perm region located unique place, called Stone Town. This name was given to it by tourists, although among the local population this miracle of nature is called “Devil’s Settlement”. The stones in this complex are arranged in such a way that the illusion of a real city with streets, squares and avenues is created. You can walk through its labyrinths for hours, and beginners can even get lost. Each stone has its own name, given for its resemblance to some animal. Some tourists climb to the tops of the rocks to see the beauty of the greenery surrounding the City.
Ridges and cliffs of the Ural Mountains.
Lots of cliffs Ural ridge They also have their own names, for example, Bear Stone, which from afar resembles the gray back of a bear glimpsed among the green trees. Climbers use the hundred-meter steep cliff for their training. Unfortunately, it is gradually being destroyed. In the rock, archaeologists discovered a grotto in which there was a site for ancient people.
Not far from Yekaterinburg in the Visimsky Nature Reserve there is an outcrop of rocks. An attentive eye will immediately discern in it the outlines of a man whose head is covered with a cap. They call him Old Man Stone. If you climb to its top, you can admire the panorama of Nizhny Tagil.
Lakes of the Urals.
Among the numerous lakes of the Ural Mountains, there is one that is not inferior in glory to Lake Baikal. This is Lake Turgoyak, fed by radon springs. The water contains almost no mineral salts. Soft water has healing properties. People from all over Russia come here to improve their health.
If you appreciate the virgin beauty of mountain landscapes, untouched by civilization, come to the Urals, to the Ural Mountains: this region will definitely give you a piece of its amazing atmosphere.
