The most extreme point of Europe in the east. Eastern point of Europe

Excursion to Cape Roca - the westernmost point of Portugal and Europe. History, weather, what to see and how to get to Cape Roca from Lisbon and Sintra. Photos and reviews.

Cape Roca is the westernmost point of the entire Eurasian continent, known since ancient times. Located in national park called Sintra-Cascais, the cape is located on the territory of modern. The Portuguese themselves call it Cabo da Roca.

The ancient Romans called this place Promontorium Magnum, which translates as " Great Cape". During the period when Europeans made the most outstanding discoveries in terms of geography, this place became famous as a cape. However, no matter how it was called at different times, the cape has always been known for its dangerous descent to the ocean, steep cliffs and sharp rocks. The popularity of Cabo da Roca began to gain only since 1979, since before that the only "end of the world" in the entire Iberian Peninsula was considered another place - Cape Finisterre.

Luis Camões, a famous Portuguese poet who lived in the 16th century, described this cape in these words: "This is the place where the land ends and the sea begins." Today, the waves crashing against the rocks and the endless ocean still inspire lovers of romance and poetic landscapes.

How to get to Cabo da Roca

Picturesque Lisbon is located 40 km from Cabo da Roca. Having enjoyed its beauties, many tourists include a trip to neighboring cities- Cascais or. They are located in close proximity to the cape, so getting to the "end of the world" from there is the easiest. From Cascais to Cape Roca, about 20 km along the N247 highway, and even less from Sintra - about 17 km along the same N247 road (or 26 km if you choose the A16 highway).

It remains to choose a method of transportation. We note right away that there is bus number 403 plying between Cabo da Roca and the two nearest cities. Departure time is every hour there and back. If you wish, you can take a taxi, the distance is short - no more than 15-20 euros one way. Of course, you can prefer a rented car, which will give you more freedom, but will cost significantly more. But this is an ideal option for those who want to see the sunset on the cape or meet the dawn.

The easiest way to get to Cape Roca from Lisbon is via Sintra. From central Rossio station trains run regularly, the ticket price is 5-7 euros. In Sintra, change to a bus or take a taxi.

Both excursions are individual, designed for 8 hours, and already from the names alone it is clear that this is a sightseeing tour of the most striking sights in the vicinity of Lisbon. All coastal resorts+ Sintra + Cabo da Roca in one day. Considering that up to 6 people fit in the car (in the second option - up to 4), then in the case of a large company, this is even an opportunity to save money.

If the soul asks for romance, there is no less wonderful walk. Guide Sasha makes the first stop in Sintra with sightseeing tour, and then takes tourists immediately to the cape to end the day with a meeting of the sunset.

Weather at Cape Roca

Cape Roca annually attracts the attention of travelers who find themselves in Portugal. They rush here, armed with cameras, to take amazing pictures, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, as well as the amazing beauty of the sunset.

Lighthouse on the westernmost edge of the Eurasian continent

The weather at Cape Roca is unpredictable: a windbreaker and raincoat will come in handy

Washed by the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the cape attracts most visitors during the summer months, while in winter there is very severe weather, which drastically reduces the number of tourists. The only thing that is constant here at any time of the year is strong wind, so the local vegetation is quite sparse.

What to see and do

In addition to the rock itself, which rises 140 meters above the picturesque area, this place is also known for the lighthouse, which is most impressive at night. Next to it, you can find a tourist information center, where for 5 euros travelers are offered to purchase a certificate confirming that they have been to the "end of the world." There are also a couple of souvenir shops there.

Not far from the lighthouse, there is a stone tablet with the coordinates of the location of Cabo da Roca, reminding tourists that they are at the westernmost point of all continental Europe. There is a hotel nearby, where it is better to book rooms in advance, as high season tourists like to stop there, who come to look at the local beauty.

If there is no desire to settle in a local hotel, the journey can be continued by having lunch in one of the nearby villages. Cape Roca is adjacent to a rocky beach, which can be reached via a winding road. However, in rainy weather Travelers should refrain from such a walk.

Excursions in Lisbon and surroundings

Most interesting excursions in Lisbon, these are routes from local residents. Walks in the Old Town, gastronomic routes and off-site excursions are popular - to Sintra, Estorial, Cape Roca or all at once in one day!

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The extreme points of the land have some kind of magical attraction. Such an exciting feeling covers when you stand at the end of the world and in front of you is only the water surface, and behind you is a whole continent. I managed to visit three of the four extreme points of Europe, so today we will go to three countries - Portugal, Spain and Norway.

Geographic reference: Europe is part of the world in the Northern Hemisphere, part of the world's largest continent, Eurasia. If there are no questions with the westernmost, eastern and northern point of Europe, since the boundaries of the mainland are washed by the seas and oceans, and these points have been determined a long time ago, then they could not deal with the easternmost point for quite a long time, because the border between Europe and Asia, passing along the Ural ridge is very conditional. Only in 2015, the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences established that the easternmost point is located on the territory of the polar Urals, on Mount Nogodaiakh. As far as I know, in nature this place is difficult to access and is not marked in any way, although the authorities of the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous region Russia has been somehow going to attract tourists there for 3 years.

The westernmost is Cape Roca.

The westernmost point of Europe is located 40 kilometers from the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, on Cape Roca (Cabo da Roca). On a 140-meter cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, there is a lighthouse, a large stone cross and a memorial stone.

The words of the Portuguese poet Luis Camões are written on the stone: “This is the place where the earth ends and the sea begins”, as well as the coordinates of this place. Walking paths are laid around, there is a souvenir shop and a cafe.

Majestic cliffs break right into the ocean.

This place is especially popular during sunset hours. Unfortunately, it is always very windy on the cape, so you can’t walk here for a long time.

You can get to Cape Roca from the nearby town of Sintra by bus or by private car.

The most south is Cape Morocco.

The southernmost point of Europe, Cape Morocco (or Cape Tarifa), is located on the outskirts of the city of Tarifa in Spain. This is the tiny island of Las Palomas, which is connected by a causeway to the mainland.

Interestingly, this place also marks the border between the Atlantic Ocean and mediterranean sea. In the photo, the ocean is on the right, and the sea is on the left.

It is also the narrowest point of the Strait of Gibraltar. Africa is only 14 kilometers away!

Unfortunately, access to the island of Las Palomas is closed to the public, as there is an ancient fortress, which now houses an active military unit.

But tourists can take pictures next to the information boards at the end of the dam.

You can get here on foot from the town of Tarifa. On the way, I advise you to wrap up to swim on excellent beaches.

The most north is Cape Nordkin.

Many mistakenly believe that the northernmost point in Europe is located at the North Cape, but this is not so. After all, the North Cape is located on an island, and more northern islands, for example, Svalbard, also belong to Europe. If we are talking about continental Europe, then its northernmost point is located at Cape Nordkin in Norway.

Unlike the "convenient" tourist North Cape, where there is a good access, parking, a monument and a souvenir shop, getting to Cape Nordkin is not so easy. From the nearest parking lot you will have to walk 24 km. deserted places, deer trails and rocky fields. The brisk hike will take at least 7 hours one way.

The beginning of the path is marked by such gates, and then you will have to navigate by GPS and stone columns indicating the route.

Chances are you won't meet anyone but reindeer on your way.

The scenery around along the way is another planet!

Even at the height of summer, there is snow here in places, and the temperature rarely rises above 10 degrees.

But in the summer the sun does not go below the horizon at all!

The second option is to try to get to Cape Nordkin by water, but it is quite difficult to land on the shore near it. Due to the waves of the surf in the Sandefjord Bay, it is most likely impossible to moor normally, and the Barents Sea in those parts is icy even in summer.

Personally, I have tried both options and, of course, I recommend hiking (for lovers wild places and harsh conditions).

Before the trip, you need to inform people in the nearby village of Mehamn that you are going on a trip and let them know when you plan to return. mobile connection at the end of the world is practically absent and in case of force majeure it is good if someone is aware that you need to be looked for. You can get to Mehamn by your own car or with numerous transfers by plane.

Tarifa, bright and blooming,
with the memory of the past,
about men and women
who come and go and come back again...
Conquered by the winds that do not know rest
and eternal in time...
Maria Romero

We continue to collect a collection of all sorts of things. Today we have the “Most Most” geographic point.

Punta de Tarifa is the southern tip of the city of Tarifa, located in the province of Cadiz in the autonomous Spanish community of Andalusia. The southernmost point of continental Europe is located on Isla de las Palomas - small island off the coast of Tarifa. The island is connected to the mainland by a road.

Let's find out more about this iconic place...

Punta de Tarifa is the southernmost point Iberian Peninsula and continental Europe. Located in the narrowest part of the Strait of Gibraltar, it is only 14 kilometers from Africa, from where you can easily see the coast of Morocco. It is also where the Mediterranean meets Atlantic Ocean.

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Isla de las Palomas, or Pigeon Island, was once the location military base, inhabited by 3,000 special forces infantry. Later the company special operations left the island and instead it was used to train recruits until 2001 when conscription was abolished.

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Because of this, Isla de las Palomas lost it military value. In the same year, the island was declared a historical site to help protect historical and archaeological values. Despite its protected status, the Island is littered with many different buildings, as well as a functioning lighthouse.

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Tarifa, the city of winds and sun, distant and incomprehensible, free and light... Tarifa is the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, and of all of Europe, the cradle of thousands of surfers and kiters in the present and a vivid reflection of the Mauritanian conquest in the past.

Tarifa does not need to be luxurious and shiny, it is not necessary to have chic hotels and expensive restaurants. Tarifa would be good even if there was one sign with the name of the city in its place. Tarifa, little dot on big continent, the meeting place of Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the winds always blow here, here the waves splash on the shore, keeping memories of the distant past.

Tarifa is a city in the province of Cadiz, with more than 17,000 inhabitants living in Tarifa, the city is located at an altitude of 7 meters above sea level and 100 kilometers from Cadiz. Punta de Tarifa (literally means the point of Tarifa) or "Marroqi" (Morrocks) is located on the island of Isla de las Palomas (Pigeon Island), connected to the city itself by a road.

Here is the narrowest point of the Strait of Gibraltar, the distance to the northernmost part of Africa is only 14 kilometers.

In the picture of Tarifa, a lighthouse in the port, there is a ferry from Tangier, Africa in the distance.

Story

Remains of dolmens, Stone Age tools and cave drawings- all this is in the vicinity of Tarifa. The Phoenicians and Carthaginians preceded the appearance of the Romans, who left traces of their civilization here. The ancient Roman cities are Baelo Claudia (currently Bolonia, Bolonia) and Lulia loza (current Tarifa) with preserved ruins, witnesses of the life of that era.

The photo shows the remains of the city of Baelo Claudia, present-day Bolonia. The city of Baelo Claudia dates back to the 2nd century BC, the population was engaged in fishing and trade with northern Africa, mainly with the city of Tingis, present-day Tangier.

In 711, the Berber commander Tarif ibn Malluck landed on the island of Isla de las Palomas, and the name of the city comes from his name. From the beginning of the time of Arab rule, the city was a small fishing village and was called Al-Azirat Tarif, but later they decided to strengthen the city, and by order of Abderramán III (Abderramán III) a fortress was built, construction was completed in 960.

This is how the fortress looked before – high and impregnable.

This is how it looks now - the 21st century, next to the parking lot and the port.

The city passed to the crown of Castile in 1292, conquered by its troops under the command of Sancho IV of Castile (Sancho IV de Castilla).

In the photo is a monument to Sancho IV, the inscription on the monument reads: “Dedicated to Sancho IV El Bravo (the Brave) on the 700th anniversary of the capture of Tarifa. 1292-1992".

The subsequent history of the city is connected with several more battles and wars. The location of the city has always had strategic importance, which intensified at the time of the transfer of Gibraltar to Great Britain in 1704. Later, in 1810, the city was besieged by the French army of Napoleon, the troops even entered the city, but met with serious resistance, besides, strong rains and winds forced them to leave the city.

In 1925 construction began at Tarifa on a new port and two dams to expand the harbor and increase the number of fishing boats, construction was completed in 1944. After the Civil War, the city was additionally fortified, a naval base was built. And in 1982, the city fell under the beginning of the port of Algeciras (Algeciras), and tourism began to develop in the city, both sports - kite and windsurfing, and the so-called turismo rural, that is, rural, or provincial, as close as possible to nature and landscape type of recreation .

The photo shows part of the fortress, private hotels and the embankment.

Map

The Tarifa map is taken from the Internet, I just put down my notes. If you have a little more time than a walk to Pigeon Island, then you can take a walk along historical center, walk along the embankment along the walls of the fortress, go inside.

Designations:

1 - entry into the city from Malaga, exit to Malaga, on the way back it is worth stopping at observation deck, which is located a few kilometers from the city on the right side, there is a cafe and a souvenir shop, and views of strait of Gibraltar simply breathtaking, especially in clear weather.
2 - the road to Cadiz, along the way you can turn to one of the stunning beaches.
3 - the road to Isla de las Palomas (Pigeon Island)
4 - port
5 - monument to Sancho IV
6 - Puerta de Jerez (Gate of Jerez)
7 - Church of St. Mateo (Iglecia de San Mateo)
8 - St. Mary's Square (Plaza de Santa Maria)
9 - City Hall, former building Town Halls (Casa consistorial)

The walls of the fortress are marked in brown.

What to see:

Road to Isla de las Palomas Mediterranean on the left, Atlantic on the right.

At the beginning of the road - a sign with the image of the island.

Caption: Pigeon Island. This place is located in the very south of Europe. Here is the border between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Fortified in the 19th century to strengthen the military power of Gibraltar.

Port Tarifa is a cargo, passenger and fishing port, ferries to Tangier go from here.

The historical center of the city, within the walls of the fortress, has been declared a National Heritage Site since 2003. The walls are well preserved, in some places integrated into modern buildings.

Fortress of Tarifa better known as Castiilo de los Guzmanes (Fortress, or Guzman Castle), in honor of one of its rulers, Alonso Pérez de Guzmán. In the southern part of the fortress is the 13th-century tower Torre de Gusmán el Bueno (Gusman Bueno, can be translated as good, well done ...). The tower has been preserved almost in its original form.

Puerta de Jerez (Gateway from Jerez/to Jerez)- this is the oldest of the three entrances to the fortress, located in the northern part, built in the 13th century, appearance the gate was slightly damaged, but the structure was preserved.

In the photo of Puerta de Jerez in day and night light, the inscription on the tablet reads: "Very noble, very loyal and heroic city of Tarifa, conqueror of the Moors under the leadership of Sancho IV the Brave on September 21, 1292."

Iglesia de San Mateo (Church of Saint Mateo)- This main church Tariffs, presumably built in 1506, documented 1534, Gothic style. Some Baroque paintings and sculptures have been preserved.

Plaza de Santa Maria (St. Mary's Square) with a charming patio and frog fountain.)

Here is the library

and City Hall (Town Hall, or Casa Consistorial).

Beaches

White fine sand, endless azure of the ocean, fresh breeze and, like a flap of a butterfly’s wing, a kite flying in the sky…
Be sure to swim on the beaches of Tarifa!

Holidays

In the first week of September, the city celebrates the festival Virgen de la Luz (Virgen de la Luz, Virgins of the Light). Virgen de la Luz is the patroness of Tarifa. The event in 2010 received the status of "Tourist Interest of Andalusia".

Important religious events are also widely celebrated, such as Semana Santa (Holy or Holy Week) and July 16, the feast of Virgen del Carmen, the patroness of sailors.

Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Tarifa is one of the components of the gastronomy of the entire province of Cadiz and is based primarily on fish and seafood.

Typical Tarifa dishes are atun mechado (stuffed tuna), moruna a caballa (Moorish mackerel), mojama de atun (salted tuna), hot gazpacho, caracoles con tomate (snails in tomato sauce), atun encebollado (tuna in onion sauce) , rabbit and partridge dishes, caballas asadas (fried mackerel), riñones al jerez (sherry kidneys), tortillas de camarones (shrimp fritters), huevos a la flamenca (Flemish eggs), cocido gaditano (cadiz hodgepodge) ) and many others.

Pictured is besugo con verduras (sea bream with vegetables).

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Cape Roca - the westernmost point of continental Europe - is under the jurisdiction of Portugal. The nearest city - Lisbon - is located 40 km. Cape Roca changed its name several times, its second known name is Cape Lisbon. The Portuguese poet Luis Camões described this place as follows: "This is the place where the land ends and the sea begins."

Cape Roca - perfect place to admire the amazing beautiful sunset when the sun sets right into the Atlantic Ocean, coloring the water surface in unthinkable tones and shades.

Cape Roca - extremely popular tourist place. Travelers from all over the world visiting Portugal do not bypass it with their attention. The largest influx of tourists is observed at the end of summer, while the smallest number of cameras clicking shutters and enthusiastically sighing visitors is observed in the dead of winter - the cape, open to all winds, in the cold season becomes a test not for the frail and sickly.

How to get there

Trains run every 20 minutes from Lisbon to Sintra - it's worth making a short stop there and walking around the city. Then you need to return to the railway station and take bus number 403 to Cape Roca.

Weather

It is always windy at Cape Roca. Don't risk your life for memorable photos. The fences are rather flimsy, and the wind is so strong that it can easily blow a person into the abyss with a sharp gust. It should be borne in mind that the speed of the wind and its direction are constantly changing, a gentle breeze can turn into a squally wind in one second.

Attractions and infrastructure

The main attraction on the cape, in addition to the awesome view, of course, is the picturesque lighthouse. It is the most impressive sight in complete darkness, but that's bad luck - nothing else is visible and you can only imagine the power of the ocean raging behind the parapet, by the way it makes noise - muffled and grumbling.

The stele, mounted on the cape, crowned with a cross, is equipped with a sign reminding that this is the westernmost point of Europe.

From tourism infrastructure on the cape you can find a cafe, a souvenir shop, and there is also a hotel nearby. The latter in the high season is popular among tourists who come here to admire the amazingly beautiful sunset, when the sun sets right into the Atlantic Ocean, coloring the water surface in unimaginable tones and shades.

Also near the cape there is rocky beach, which leads to a steep descent with winding paths. In rainy weather, such a walk is fraught with trouble.

Admission is free, from October 1 to April 30 - from 09.00 to 18:30, from May 1 to September 30 - from 09.00 to 19:30. Days off - Christmas and New Year.

Chronicle of extreme cycling.

History and geography.

The three extreme points of Europe - the northern one, the North Cape in Norway, the western one - Cape Roca in Portugal and the southern one in Spanish city Tarifa are popular tourist sites.

Cape North Cape - the northernmost tip of continental Europe - one of the most famous sights in Norway. Once it was a place of ritual sacrifices. now this mandatory seat pilgrimages of tourists heading to the new tourist center, opened in 1988 ... (http://www.rostravel.ru). …Visiting the Nordkapp is no less than seeing Paris. Many have seen Paris. But the Nordkapp ... ... We counted 40 (!) tourist buses, and machines of all kinds cannot be counted. Where they all came from is unclear. The road is very narrow...

Western point of Europe - Cape Roca in Portugal

south point Europe in the Spanish city of Tarifa

But for some reason there is no road to the fourth, eastern tip of the continent at all. In fact, she is. It is called "tractor" in the tundra, but about it later.

tractor road

And the eastern tip of Europe itself until September 2003 was indicated only in reference books, somewhere between 67 degrees north latitude and 66 degrees east longitude in the Polar Urals, 130 km northeast of the city of Vorkuta, in the area between the upper reaches of the Malaya Usa and Malaya rivers. Pike. Therefore, in 2003, a group of enthusiasts from the city of Brest - Georgy Gribov, Mikhail Venskovich and Alexander Filonovich - who had previously visited all three extreme points of Europe, decided to find and install a real fourth, eastern point on the ground. The expedition was joined by an employee of the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, scientific secretary of the Moscow Center of the Russian Geographical Society Sergey Bulanov and a correspondent Russian newspaper Vladimir Barshev. Having reached the proposed border of the continent on an all-terrain vehicle, they checked the coordinates of the proposed point with the terrain, checked the coordinates on a satellite navigator and found out that the border on the map does not run along a real watershed, but with an offset of five kilometers. Having found the easternmost point of the watershed, the expedition erected a commemorative stainless steel stele in the form of a globe and two arrows pointing to Europe and Asia.

Easternmost European Point - "Light"

"Svetochka".

"SVETochka" - The Easternmost European Point. This name was invented by Sergei Gerashchenko, the head of the second expedition to clarify the easternmost point of Europe. We had to bike to get there. Why on bicycles? The backbone of the expedition was made up of cyclists from the sports club "Malachite" of the Kurchatov Institute - Dmitry Yerak, Denis Zhurko, Oleg Zabusov. Some of them, including Sergei Gerashchenko, rode bicycles through all the "cultivated" extreme points of Europe. There is only one left - "wild". Thus, the second purpose of the trip was to establish a kind of velo record. When Sergey offered me to go with them, I immediately agreed.

In addition to the listed participants, post-graduate students of the Moscow Conservatory Maria Gutnik and Varvara Timchenko, student Dmitry Gavrikov, Rossiyskaya Gazeta columnist Vladimir Barshev and myself, photographer and videographer Nikolai Kasatkin, took part in the expedition.

I am not new to sports travel. At the age of 17 I became a tourism instructor, I have three ski trips of the highest category of complexity behind me. Until the age of 43, he was actively involved in cross-country skiing and orienteering, and participated in cycling races. I have been friends with a bicycle since childhood, but I have never been on a bike trip, although I dreamed about it. And now the dream comes true. I'm starting to prepare my gear. Expropriating my son's mountain bike, given to him two years ago. The beveled frame made my life much easier later on when I ran out of strength to throw my leg over the frame an infinite number of times. In Sokolniki huge selection trunks. I choose the most reliable. A few hours of searching on the Internet and I opt for the Mirage 80 bicycle backpack. Looking ahead, I will say that out of 9 bike backpacks of different types, this one turned out to be the most convenient. And most importantly, he was the only one who did not get wet when immersed in water. I buy a compact telescopic spinning rod and a new reel to replace the old, broken one, and I'm ready. All other equipment is left from the previous life. I weigh a backpack - 15 kg. Now a shoulder bag. It contains only video and photo equipment. Portable professional video camera Sony, SLR digital camera Nikon D200, interchangeable lenses, flash, batteries, memory, accessories - only 9 kg. Total loaded bike - 30 kg., Plus 9 kg. on the back.

Brakes and fenders quickly clogged with mud

With such a load, it is good to drive on asphalt and a flat road. Worse on asphalt uphill. It is possible on a good flat dirt road. Even worse is driving uphill on a dirt road. Quite badly - on clay soaked with rain. But you can’t drive through the swamp and steep clay slopes. The polar tundra met us limp and softened from two weeks of continuous rains.

Along the embankment from the former railway Vorkuta - Khalmer-yu

The sun, blue sky and a line from the song "on the tundra, on the railroad ..." met us on the first day of the trip. Ten kilometers along the asphalt to the most remote area of ​​Vorkuta, the former village of Severny, and then 40 km along the embankment from the former railway of Vorkuta - Khalmer-yu. After the closure of the mine in 1993, the Khalmer-yu settlement ceased to exist, the railway was dismantled, and the embankment turned into a convenient road for local fishermen, hunters and amateurs " silent hunting". All bulk roads around Vorkuta are backfilled with rock from coal mines. The rock, burning out in dumps, turns into a magnificent cinder cover. If cars and all-terrain vehicles didn’t break the road, creating huge puddles, then the road surface would be like in old cinder stadiums. visits Vorkuta a large number of tourists, mainly water workers and "pedestrians". Many foreigners come. At the station we met a group of cyclists from Czechoslovakia heading towards the city of Labytnangi. There, at the station, a lucky ticket was waiting for us in the person of an employee of the Vorkutageology enterprise and a passionate lover of cycling, Evgeny Nemtsov. A happy coincidence was that Vorkutageology was our starting point. Arriving at Vorkutageology, we began to refine the route by interviewing all-terrain vehicle drivers and geologists. All the questions ended with the same thing - the rotation of the thumb at the temple. There was only one answer - "guys, you can go there only on an all-terrain vehicle." From that moment on, the barometer of our enthusiasm went down.

We live in a wonderful country and we are surrounded by wonderful people. Everyone tried to help us in some way. Watchman Katya was busy with us like a mother. Helped boil tea, dry clothes as it was pouring in the morning. pouring rain and we all got wet. In the evening, Zhenya Nemtsov arrived and offered us a "tour" along the roads that we had to overcome. Zhenya Nemtsov - young, healthy, trained, set a good pace for us, so the rides turned into a thirty-kilometer race with a full set of obstacles, and even at dusk. Tired, we went to bed at 2 midnight and early in the morning in the saddle.

During the night, the road was a little windy, so it was possible to drive in places

Day two, on the hills.

When you look at the tundra, it seems that a wavy green carpet is spread around. Above this carpet, leaden-gray clouds hang very low, almost overhead. This is an optical effect. open space. The sight is unusual. In our middle lane, the clouds are floating high. And the light waviness of the green carpet is also very deceptive. If you go straight across the tundra, then this pleasant green carpet turns into a continuous alternation of swamps, lakes, streams, rivers and hills. The road diligently tries to go around all these obstacles, but often fails. Having passed the route, I mentally divided the entire path into several stages: high-speed, hills, swamps, mountain. Speed ​​​​is something that can be overcome without getting off the bikes. After the ford across the Bolshaya Syryakha River, the artificial road ended and the tractor road went. Why tractor? Because, apart from all-terrain vehicles and special tractors with wide tracks, not one vehicle including bike. The exception is sleds drawn by deer, traces of which we constantly saw in the mountainous part. It still amazes me how these small animals drag huge loaded sleds over the ground, stones, steep mountain, in short everywhere.

How these small animals drag huge loaded sledges over earth and stones

It rained in the evening, but during the night and morning the road was a little windy, so that in some places it was possible to ride even on gentle slopes. Sometimes the sun peeped through, which gave hope for good weather. The road passed through a series of hills with a height of up to 280 meters, then smoothly climbing to the peaks, then descending into hollows and small swamps, crossing the beds of streams and small rivers. We either got on bicycles, or briskly rolled them up the slopes, rolled them through swamps and mud with a very decent average speed 5 - 6 km / h. As a gift, it was possible to fly several kilometers from the top of another hill at breakneck speed. In the afternoon, the road began to deteriorate sharply. We entered the swampy part. By the evening we saw two small tents near the road. One of our ladies had an electronic music bell on the steering wheel. As she passed the battened-down tents, she pressed the bell. A melody, surprising for these places, was heard, and faces appeared from the tents, on which the extreme stage of amazement was written. Two tourists "pedestrians" walked towards us along our route. The guys were shocked. Two weeks of nobody and suddenly nine people on bicycles in a swamp. A professional-friendly conversation ensued, from which I remembered one phrase: “Guys, further up to that mountain there will not be a road, but a complete ass. It will not be easy for you with bicycles.” I can only add that such a road was not only up to that mountain.

We either got on bicycles, or briskly rolled them up the slopes.

I did not suspect and was shocked how steep the slopes can be overcome by all-terrain vehicles? The tractor road descended steeply into a swampy hollow, crossed it and straight ahead, almost vertically, went up to the height of a three-story house. Despite the fact that by the evening there was almost no strength left, we somehow went down and through the swamp, but up ... Each bicycle was dragged out of the hollow by three of us. On this day, we stopped for the night at 12.00 Moscow time (at 2.00 am local time)

After the ford across the Bolshaya Syryakha River, the causeway ended

All swamps, bolts, swamps ...

We were divided into a "support" group and an "assault" group. Four rested, fished and slowly returned to Vorkuta, and five moved on. No one had confidence that we would reach it, and even more so on time. But the leader had an unshakable determination to reach at any cost.

We forded the tributary of the Malaya Usa

Leaving the "support" group, we forded the tributary of the Malaya Usa and entered a heavily swampy part of the route. There is no such decent word to describe the road.

There is no such decent word to describe the road

Peat bogs were added to all the delights. We bogged down in a liquid slush, then weaved our way through the tall grass up to the ankles, or even knee-deep in water, then we climbed the next hill, then we got stuck in the moss, pulling the wheels out of the tenacious paws of the polar willows and birches. Fifteen kilometers were covered in seven hours.

For insurance, we transport bicycles in twos.

In the evening, after fording another tributary of the Malaya Usa and walking another ten kilometers through the hills, we came to a ford across the Malaya Usa. The current is very fast. For insurance, we transport bicycles in twos, one may not hold. Beyond the crossing the mountains begin.

Behind the crossing the mountains begin

Height 418

The mountains gave us stone placers and a large number of rivers, streams and streams. Several very steep and long climbs took away the last strength. There were abrasions, abrasions and blisters on the legs. Legs and face began to swell. We didn't have time to recover. At dusk, having gathered the last of our strength, we approached the watershed. There was only one thing in my head - rather, in a tent and in a warm sleeping bag. Endless walking around cold water took away all the heat from the body. "Shaking" so that the spoon could not get into the bowl. We were rescued by a calm and seemingly slow-moving big man Denis. In any conditions, he did not trust the kitchen to anyone. He patiently waited for the water to boil on a slow gas burner when he had the opportunity, collected dry branches of a dwarf willow for a fire, cooked soup and porridge, took care of the mushrooms that grow here in abundance.

In the evening, we did not understand that we had reached the goal.

The sun came out in the morning. GPS showed that only 333 meters were left to the cherished point, the coordinates of which were entered back in Moscow, and gave the direction to the height under which we spent the night. In the evening, we did not realize that we had reached our goal. The mood barometer went up.

Taking a wheel from a bicycle ... we climbed to a height

Taking a wheel from a bicycle as proof of our belonging to cycling, we climbed to a height indicated on the map as 418 meters. At the height, they found the remains of a stele erected by the first expedition three years ago - two pillars immured in stone. The globe and stainless steel hands with the inscriptions Europe - Asia have disappeared. memorial sign was placed on the western edge of the mountain for all to see. This is what ruined him. Sparkling in the sun, it attracted the attention of local reindeer herders. After checking the coordinates “by satellite”, we made sure that the discrepancy with the data entered into the GPS in Moscow differs by only a few meters. Then we had to make sure that this is the easternmost point of the watershed. We went down from the mountain to the pass and took measurements. GPS showed over western coordinates. Further, the watershed went to the west.

The easternmost point of Europe

So, it was confirmed that the "Light" is at a height of 418 meters. Having again climbed to the height, we decided to set up our sign on the very high point watershed. Having chosen a large stone a few tens of meters from the old sign, they built a pyramid from white quartz stones. A stainless plate with new coordinates of the eastern point of Europe was embedded in the stone, a time capsule was placed in the pyramid, and a small celebration was held. We take out the flags of the Malachite sports club, the Russian Cycling Club, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the flag of the Chernobyl 2000+ world cycling marathon. The photo session and video filming begins. Then fireworks and buffet.

Photo session and video filming begins

Home

It is easier to walk along the path once traveled. You know how best to overcome the ford or where it is better to bypass the impassable section of the road. We no longer wasted time on reconnaissance of the path, but climbed ahead.

We no longer wasted time on reconnaissance of the path, but climbed ahead.

It's easier to follow the path once passed

But fatigue accumulated and sometimes, we did completely incomprehensible things. For example, one afternoon, during a snack with tea, replacing our lunch, watching someone take out a “foam” - a sleeping mat, so that it would be more comfortable to sit, the signal to hang up went off in my head. I took out my tent and started setting it up. Everyone was watching me with curiosity. Finally, someone could not stand it and asked - "Have you decided to sleep?". And then I "returned to the ground" - before the overnight stay, I still have to stomp 15 km. Another time, after crossing the river, I forgot my backpack with photo-video equipment and went ahead. Usually I went ahead to choose a place for shooting, but in order to forget the equipment ... Again Denis came to the rescue. He had to carry two backpacks. Such incidents made everyone laugh and lifted our spirits on the campaign.

No wonder I bought a new spinning

No wonder I bought a new spinning rod. Spending the night on Malaya Usa allowed us to test the tackle. The result is two graylings and a pike of three kilograms. All fishing took 20 minutes. This was enough for us to cook pike soup in the evening and have a bite of lightly salted grayling. Because By this time, the salt supply had run out, and I had to use star soup concentrate as a pickle. Regardless, this dish was amazing.
On the last day we walked and drove 70 km. and late in the evening we drove onto the highway near the village of Severny. The return trip took three days.

Overnight on the way back

There were 10 km left before the finish line, when a strong bang was heard, signaling a burst camera. In the light of a flashlight, we change the camera. After a kilometer, the repaired wheel deflated again, and we immediately found a puncture on another bike. Apparently the Rephean Mountains (as the Urals were called in the old days) did not want to let us go so easily. By two o'clock in the morning we get to the Vorkuta Geologiya base, confident that we are not expected there. However, after many attempts, we manage to wake up the watchman and, to our great joy, the entire “support group” comes out to us, after the watchman.

We were received by the Mayor of Vorkuta Igor Leonidovich Shpektor

The next day, having washed and cleansed ourselves, under the lenses of local television, we drove up to the city hall. We were received by the Mayor of Vorkuta Igor Leonidovich Shpektor. Igor Leonidovich put a bus at our disposal. Thanks to this, we were able to see the city, warmed up in the bathhouse, tasted stroganina in the restaurant and managed to catch the train from Vorkuta to Moscow.

But in spite of all the difficulties, I would gladly go through these the most beautiful places. If anyone needs a guide, I am ready, but not on a bicycle.