Mountain folk in the Urals. We study the Ural mountains on the map of Russia: a complete description and geographical location

Station station Inta, 4 am, light. Polar day. We sit with Natasha on backpacks, look around, the guys went to look for a shift that will take us to the casting point.

From here begins our ascent to Mount Narodnaya. This is the highest point of the Urals - 1885 m. It is located in the Subpolar Urals, on the territory of the Yugyd Va National Park. By the way, to visit the park you need permission with a prescribed route and stopping points, we issued it via the Internet :) We, somewhat risky, go without an instructor, testing our strength and knowledge. That's why I'm worried :) The driver did not disappoint, the shift was full, mostly tourists, many went out to the Zhelannoye camp site. And our end point is Lake Bolshie Balabanty. From the lake we still have two days of walking to Narodnaya.

The most difficult part of the trip was the route to the mountain and back: spending the night in the wild, the heaviness of backpacks, mosquitoes, strong winds... The ascent was not difficult, climbing equipment is not required, we were lucky with the weather, moss, otherwise you can fall into a crack.

The most striking impression at the top was the route passed :))

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 is better to go from July to August, the warmest time, in winter you can only ski;
• 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 for the crossing of rivers and marshes;
• 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.

Without the experience of multi-day hiking trips, going to Narodnaya without an instructor is very dangerous!

P.S. If time and energy allow, I advise you to climb Manaraga. This mountain, located next to Narodnaya, impresses with the beauty of its pointed peaks.

The Ural Mountains are located on the territory of Kazakhstan and Russia, and are considered one of the oldest mountains in the world. This mountain system is a natural feature between Europe and Asia, conditionally divided into several parts:

• Polar Ural;
• Subpolar Urals;
• Northern Urals;
• Middle Ural;
• Southern Urals.

The highest mountain peak, Mt. Narodnaya, reached 1895 meters, earlier the mountain system was much higher, but eventually collapsed. The Ural Mountains cover a length of 2,500 kilometers. They are rich in various minerals and rocks, precious stones, platinum, gold and other minerals are mined.

Climatic conditions

The Ural Mountains are located in the zone of the continental and temperate continental climatic zone. The peculiarity of the mountain range is that the change of seasons occurs differently in the foothills and at an altitude of 900 meters, where winter comes earlier. The first snow falls here in September, and the cover lies almost all year round. Snow can cover mountain peaks even in the hottest month of summer - in July. The wind, walking in the open area, makes it even more severe. The temperature minimum in winter reaches -57 degrees Celsius, and the maximum in summer rises to +33 degrees.

Nature of the Ural Mountains

In the foothills there is a zone of taiga forests, but the forest-tundra begins higher. The highest elevations pass into the tundra. This is where the locals walk their deer. The nature here is amazing, various types of flora grow and magnificent landscapes open up. There are turbulent rivers and clear lakes, as well as mysterious caves. The most famous of them is Kungura, on the territory of which there are about 60 lakes and 50 grottoes.

Within the Ural Mountains is the Bazhovskie Mesto park. Here you can spend time in different ways: walking or cycling, riding a horse or kayaking down the river.

In the mountains there is a reserve "Rezhevskoy". Here are deposits of gems and ornamental stones. A mountain river flows on the territory, on the banks of which there is a mystical stone Shaitan, and the indigenous people revere it. In one of the parks there is an ice fountain from which underground waters gush.

The Ural Mountains are a unique natural phenomenon. They are quite low in height, but they contain many interesting natural areas. In order to preserve the ecosystem of the mountains, several parks and a reserve have been organized here, which is a significant contribution to the conservation of the nature of our planet.

The highest mountain in the Urals - Narodnaya - is the brightest gem in the natural crown of Russia. This peak now attracts thousands of travelers from Russia and Europe.

In addition to Narodnaya, there are several more majestic peaks in the Ural mountain system, each of which has unique features given by mother nature.

The following lines describe in detail the geography of the Urals and its peaks, which are worth climbing, give a description and photo, tell the story of their discovery and name, features of hiking routes and equipment that is necessary to conquer the peaks.

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Geography of the Ural Mountains

The East European and West Siberian plains are notable for the fact that it is between them that the Ural mountain system is located. It crosses Russia from north to south along approximately 60 east longitude.

Geographers distinguish 5 zones of the Ural system:

1. Polar Ural- occupies the north of the mountain system. Administratively divided between the Komi Republic and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. It is characterized by low passes and deep valleys, which transversely dissect the ridges.

   

   The Polar Urals is a mountainous region in the north of Eurasia, on the territory of Russia, the northernmost part. Mount Konstantinov Stone is considered the northern border of the region, and the Khulga River separates the region from the Subpolar Urals.

2. Subpolar Urals- perhaps the highest part of the system. On the south side is Mount Telposiz, on the north - the Lyapin River. Glaciers in this zone are common. Part of the territory of the zone is included in the Yugyd Va National Park.

   

   The Subpolar Urals is a mountain system in Russia, stretching from the headwaters of the Lyapin (Khulga) River in the north (65º 40' N) to Mount Telposiz ("The Nest of the Winds", about 1617 m high) in the south (64º N). .

3. Northern Ural- a zone bounded by Mount Telposiz in the north and Kosvinsky stone in the south. The Ural Range in the territory of the zone is divided into several parallel ranges. The total width of the system in the region is 50-60 km.

   

   Northern Urals, part of the Urals from the Shchuger River in the north to Mount Oslyanka in the south. The length is about 550 km. Height up to 1617 m (Telposiz). Characterized by flattened peaks, dissected relief. On the slopes - taiga forests, above - mountain tundra and stony placers

4. Central or Middle Ural- the lowest part of the mountain system. It has 6 ridges. Their total width, together with the foothills, reaches 90 km. River valleys in the Middle Urals are quite wide. On the eastern slopes of the zone there are karst landforms: funnels, basins, wells.

   

   The Middle Urals is the lowest part of the Ural Mountains, bounded by the latitudes of Konzhakovsky Stone in the north and Mount Yurma in the south

5. Southern Urals- the widest (250 km) and southern zone of the Ural Mountains. The Southern Urals is bounded by Yurma Mountain and the Mugodzhary Range. Administratively located on the territory of the Russian Federation and. It is characterized by the dissection of the ridges with deep depressions and valleys.

   

   The Southern Urals is the southern and widest part of the Ural Mountains, stretching from the Ufa River (near the village of Nizhny Ufaley) to the Ural River. From the west and east, the Southern Urals is bounded by the East European and West Siberian plains

Yamantau

Yamantau is the highest place in the Southern Urals (1640 m). Peaks near the mountain 2: Big Yamantau and Small Yamantau. The peak has been known to settlers from Russia since the 17th century. It was first described by P.I. Rychkov in 1762 in his book "Orenburg Topography". Ascents to the mountain pass along its western or northern slopes, through the villages of Roar or Sosnovka.

View of Yamantau from the southern slope of Mount Kuyantau

To see Yamantau, you first need to get by train from Ufa, Nizhnevartovsk, Adler or Moscow to Beloretsk. From there, by bus or intercity taxi, you need to get to the villages of Tatly or Kuzelga, which are located at the foot of the mountain.

Note: to climb Yamantau, you do not need to use climbing equipment. But taking alpenstocks, wearing helmets, trekking boots, knee pads and elbow pads will not hurt.

Telposis

Telposiz is a massif, which consists of two peaks (h = 1617 m), located on the border of the Northern and Subpolar Urals. This mountain is called differently. The main name, translated from the Komi language, means "mountain of the nest of winds." There is also the Nenets "Ne-Khehe" translated as "mountain-woman". The last name, according to legend, was given due to the fact that on one of the peaks a woman was turned into an idol, arguing with her husband.

Telposiz (1617 m) is the highest peak of the Northern Urals. It is located near the conditional border of the Northern and Subpolar Urals on the left bank of the Shchugor River. The Telposiza area is known for the prevalence of bad weather.

According to some historians, Semyon Kurbsky discovered the mountain. But studies of the natural object began only at the end of the last century, when a gas pipeline was laid near it. Popular routes for tourists necessarily include a visit to the Yuzhny glacier, Lake Telpos and rafting on the Shchugor River.

The foothills of Telposis are uninhabited. The nearest village - Kyrta is 75 km away from it. The best way to get to the mountain is to first reach Syktyvkar and from there fly to Vuktyl. From the last specified city, you can order a car for pick-up at the foot of the mountain, or at least to Kyrta.

Good to know: Telposis is an easy peak to conquer. In summer, it is climbed by a group of unprepared tourists, “armed” with alpenstocks. Only for a winter trip to the mountain requires special equipment in the form of snowshoes.

Oslyanka

Oslyanka is the highest peak of the Middle Urals (1119 m). Its name, translated from Old Russian, means "river grindstone" or "log". The mountain has been known since the 17th century. Comprehensive studies of the peak were carried out in 1940 by the Ural expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences. At the same time, rock crystal was discovered on Oslyanka.

The Oslyanka Ridge is located in the east of the Kizelovsky District of the Perm Territory, to the west of the main watershed ridge of the Urals. Oslyanka is a 16 km long mountain range stretched from north to south.

The routes offered by tourist organizations pass through the villages of Uspenka and Bolshaya Oslyanka. They provide dinners, gatherings around the fire and a visit to the bath.

The city of Kizel, closest to the mountain, is located 50 km from it. You can get to it by bus or train through. There are no roads leading from this city to the foot of the mountain. To get as close to the top as possible, you need to arrange a pick-up in advance with off-road drivers from Kizel.

Do you know that: Climbing Oslyanka does not require any climbing equipment.

payer

Payer is the highest point of the Polar Urals (h = 1499 m). Payer was discovered and mapped in 1847 by an expedition of the Russian Geographical Society.

Payer, the highest peak of the Polar Urals. Composed of quartzites, shales and igneous rocks. There are snowfields

Interesting fact: according to the head of the campaign - Ernst Hoffmann, the name of the mountain in the Nenets language means "Lord of the mountains."

Several streams flow near the mountain, which flow into amazingly beautiful lakes. Most tourist groups make routes past these bodies of water, as the flat areas near them are great for parking.

You can only come to Payer by off-road vehicle from the village of Yeletsky in the Komi Republic. Locals willingly bring tourists to the mountain for a small fee. Trains from Labytnanga, Vorkuta and Moscow run to the railway station in Yelets.

Climbing Payer is best done in the last month of summer. On a hike, you need to take safety systems, climbing ropes, jumars and other items necessary to overcome small (up to 6 meters) vertical climbs.

Folk - discovery history and description

Narodnaya is the highest peak of the Urals (1895 m). It does not stand out from the rest of the Ural peaks. It is distinguished by the presence of bowl-shaped depressions with small lakes, glaciers and snowfields.

The coordinates of the highest point of the Urals are 65°02′ N, 60°07′ E.

Narodnaya Mountain is the highest point of the entire Ural Range. There are winter roads and glaciers on the mountain. On the northeastern slope there is the "Blue Lake", a high-altitude reservoir, the purest water basin at a kilometer above sea level. From the northeast and southwest, the climb will be especially difficult, there are a large number of rock formations and overhangs

Narodnaya was discovered in 1846 by A. Reguli, examined in 1927 by geologist Aleshkov. From him the peak got its name. On the maps of Reguli, the peak was listed under the name Poen-Urr.

It is important to know: Climbing the mountain is carried out along its northern, gentle slope. They pass through the Kar-Kar pass with an overnight stay near a mountain lake. Before the hike, you need to register with the administration of the Yugyd-Va National Park. An application for climbing must be submitted at least 10 days before arrival at the foot of Narodnaya.

How to get there

To get to Narodnaya, you need to get to the Inta-1 station by trains that go to Vorkuta or Labytnanga. After that, you need to get by car to the Zhelannaya quartz mining base.

General view of the base. The Zhelannaya base was created for mining. This is where the mine workers live. Quartz is mined. At the base you can rent a room for 500 rubles per person per day

From this point, you should go to the mountain on foot 15-18 km along the Balabanyu river.

What equipment to take

For hiking, you do not need to rent climbing equipment, but it is advisable to wear trekking boots, elbow pads, knee pads and a helmet.

Equipment for a beginner climber: carabiners with a clutch - 5 pieces, harness, self-belay mustache, belay device, 2 prusiks, rope climbing device - jumar, backpack for 60-80 liters, sleeping bag, carimat, mountain boots, crampons, ice ax, helmet , telescopic sticks, headlamp.

In the absence of tourist experience, it is worth taking a guide.

Minerals of the Ural Mountains

The Urals is an inexhaustible storehouse of natural resources. It develops and extracts 48 types of minerals. Of these, the most important for Russian industry are copper pyrite and skarn-magnetite ores, bauxites, potash salts, gas, oil, and coal. Also, the Ural subsoil is saturated with minerals. More than 200 types of natural precious and semi-precious stones have been found in the mountains, which are used in various industries and in the decoration of various buildings.

The Ural Mountains amaze with the richness of their bowels. "Underground pantry of the country". The main wealth of the Urals is ores

Take note: jasper and malachite mined in the Urals are used to make the cups of the Hermitage and the altar of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood.

Conclusion

Each zone of the Urals has unique and beautiful mountains. Most of them can be climbed without special training. Travel companies, clubs and centers regularly organize group trips to the Ural peaks.

The Ural Alpine Club invites you to take part in the summer-autumn training camp for climbers in the DUGOBA gorge

Some companies organize trips on bicycles, ATVs, horses. Hiking expeditions are delivered to the foothills of the mountains on off-road vehicles.

Participation in climbing any of the Ural peaks is the best opportunity to get acquainted with the largest mountain system in Russia. Small Ural stones brought from a trip will be great gifts for friends and relatives.

Watch the video in which climbers and geologists talk about the highest mountain in the Urals - Narodnaya:

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 foot 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 the Sverdlovsk, Orenburg and Tyumen regions, the Perm Territory, Bashkortostan and the Komi Republic, as well as the 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 the Pamirs. For example, the peaks of the polar Urals are average in terms of level - 600-800 meters, not to mention the fact that they are also the narrowest in terms of the width of the ridge. However, there is a definite plus in such geological characteristics: they remain accessible to humans. And this is not so much about scientific research, but about the tourist attractiveness of the places through which they run. The landscape of the Ural Mountains is truly unique. Here, crystal clear mountain streams and rivers begin their run, growing into larger reservoirs. Such large rivers as the Ural, Kama, Pechora, Chusovaya and Belaya also flow here.

For tourists, a wide variety of recreational opportunities open up here: both for real extreme sportsmen 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 being developed here, in which copper, nickel, chromium, titanium, gold, silver, and platinum are mined. If we recall the tales of Pavel Bazhov, the Ural 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, Subpolar or Middle, is indescribable. And their greatness, beauty, harmony and the purest air energize and positive, 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. So, Ptolemy pointed out that this mountain system consists of the mountains Rhymnus (this is the current Middle Urals), Norosa (Southern Urals) and the northern part - the Hyperborean mountains proper. In the first written sources of the 11th century AD, it was called the “Earth Belt” because of its great length.

In the first Russian chronicle, The Tale of Bygone Years, which dates back to the same 11th century, the Ural Mountains were called by our compatriots Siberian, Belt 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 a mountain belt, from 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 translates 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 to be the most convincing. After all, if we take the language, legends and traditions of this people - for example, the famous epic "Ural-Batyr" - then it is easy to make sure that this place name has not only existed in them since ancient times, but has been 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, get a portion of thrills while rafting on turbulent rivers. Moreover, each tourist chooses for himself how to travel. Some people like independent trips with a backpack on their shoulders, others prefer the more comfortable conditions of a sightseeing bus or the interior of a personal car.

The fauna of the "Earth Belt" is no less diverse. The dominant position in the local fauna is occupied by forest animals, the habitat of which is coniferous, broad-leaved or mixed forests. So, squirrels live in coniferous forests, the basis of their diet is spruce seeds, and in winter these pretty animals with a fluffy tail feed on pre-stocked 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, for which this predator hunts.

But the real wealth of these places is the fur trade animal, the fame of which extends far beyond the region, for example, the sable that lives in the forests of the Northern Urals. True, it differs from the dark Siberian sable in a less beautiful reddish skin. Uncontrolled hunting for a valuable furry animal is prohibited at the legislative level. Without this ban, it would certainly have been completely destroyed by now.

The taiga forests of the Ural Mountains are also inhabited by the traditional Russian wolf, bear and elk. Roe deer are found in mixed forests. On the plains adjacent to the mountain ranges, the hare and the fox feel at ease. We did not make a reservation: they live precisely on the flat terrain, and the forest for them is just a shelter. And, of course, the crowns of trees are well inhabited by many species of birds.

As for the climate of the Ural Mountains, the geographical position plays an important role in this regard. In the north, this mountain system goes beyond the Arctic Circle, but 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 can notice how the temperature indicators gradually increase, which is especially noticeable in the summer. If in the north during the warm season the thermometer shows from +10 to +12 degrees, then in the south - from 20 to 22 degrees above zero. However, in winter, the temperature difference between north and south is not so sharp. The average monthly temperature in January in the north is 20 degrees with a minus sign, in the south 16-18 degrees below zero.

Air masses moving from the Atlantic Ocean also have a significant impact on the climate of the Urals. And although as atmospheric flows move from the west towards the Urals, the air becomes less humid, you cannot call it 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 season, cloudy and cold weather sets in.

A tangible influence on local climate fluctuations is also exerted by such a factor as the topography of the mountain system. As you climb the mountain, you will feel that the weather is getting harsher. Different temperatures are felt even on different slopes, including those located in the neighborhood. Different areas of the Ural Mountains are also characterized by uneven amounts of precipitation.

Sights of the Ural Mountains

One of the most famous protected areas of the Ural Mountains is the Deer Streams park, located in the Sverdlovsk region. Curious tourists, especially those interested in ancient history, make a "pilgrimage" to the Pisanitsa rock located here, on the surface of which drawings made by ancient artists are applied. Of considerable interest are the caves and the Big Failure. Deer Streams has a fairly developed tourist infrastructure: special trails are equipped in the park, there are viewing platforms, not to mention places for recreation. There are also rope crossings.

If you are familiar with the work of the writer Pavel Bazhov, his famous "Malachite Box", then you will certainly be interested in visiting the natural park "Bazhovskie Places". Opportunities for proper rest and relaxation are simply magnificent. You can make walks on foot, as well as cycling and horseback riding. Walking along specially designed and thought-out routes, you will take in picturesque landscapes, climb Mount Markov Stone and visit Lake Talkov Stone. Thrill-seekers usually flock here in the summer to raft down mountain rivers in canoes and kayaks. Travelers come here in winter, enjoying snowmobiling.

If you appreciate the natural beauty of semi-precious stones - it is 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 an employee of the reserve, 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 Big Sap and Ayati - rivers originating in the Ural Mountains. Shaitan-stone, popular among travelers, is located on the right bank of the Rezhi. The Urals consider this stone to be the focus of mystical natural forces that help in various life situations. You can believe it or not, but the flow of tourists who come to the stone with various requests to higher powers does not dry out.

Of course, the Urals attract like a magnet fans 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 ice cave Kungura there are 50 grottoes, over 60 lakes and countless stalactites and stalagmites. The temperature in the cave is always sub-zero, so for visits here, dress as you would for a winter walk. The visual effect of the splendor of its interior decoration is enhanced by special lighting. But in the Kapova cave, researchers discovered rock paintings, whose age is estimated at 14 or more thousand years. Approximately 200 works of ancient masters of the brush have become the property of our time, although there must have been more of them. Travelers can also admire the underground lakes and visit the 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 sights 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 the usual “urban” sense for us, but a fountain of groundwater. With the onset of winter, it freezes and turns into a voluminous icicle of a bizarre shape, which is also impressive with its 14-meter height.

Many Russians, in order to improve their health, go to foreign thermal springs, for example, to the Czech Karlovy Vary or the Gellert baths in Budapest. But why rush beyond the cordon if our native Ural is also rich in thermal springs? To complete a full course of healing procedures, it is enough to come to Tyumen. Hot springs here are rich in trace elements useful for human health, and the water temperature in them ranges from +36 to +45 degrees Celsius, depending on the season. We add that modern recreation centers are built on these sources. Mineral waters are also treated in the Ust-Kachka health-improving complex, located not far from Perm and unique in the chemical composition of its waters. Summer recreation here can be combined with boating and catamarans;

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, one can single out the Plakun waterfall, located on the right bank of the Sylva River. It overthrows fresh water from a height exceeding 7 m. Its other name is Ilyinsky, it is given by local residents and visitors who consider this source to be holy. There is also a waterfall near Yekaterinburg, named for its roaring "temper" Grokhotun. Its peculiarity is that it is man-made. He throws his waters down from more than 5 meters high. When the summer heat sets in, visitors are happy to stand under its jets, cooling off and receiving hydromassage, and completely free of charge.

Video: South Ural

Major cities of the Urals

Millionth Yekaterinburg, the administrative center of the 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 you get enough sleep, then, do not hesitate, it will definitely unfold to its full potential.

Yekaterinburg usually makes a strong impression on its guests - first of all, with many architectural sights. Among them are the famous Temple-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 subway in the world, listed in the Guinness Book of Records: 7 stations account for only 9 km.

Chelyabinsk and Nizhny Tagil also gained wide popularity in Russia, and primarily thanks to the popular comedy show Our Russia. The characters of the program, beloved by the audience, are, of course, fictitious, but tourists are still interested in where to find Ivan Dulin, the world's first gay miller, and Vovan and Gena, Russian tourists who are unlucky and drink-loving, constantly getting into frankly tragicomic situations. One of the visiting cards of Chelyabinsk are two monuments: Love, executed in the form of an iron tree, and Lefty with a savvy flea. Impressive in the city is the panorama of local factories located above the Miass River. But in the Nizhny Tagil Museum of Fine Arts you can see a painting by Raphael - the only one in our country that can be found outside the Hermitage.

Another city in the Urals that has become famous thanks to television is Perm. It is here that the “real boys” live, who became the heroes of the series of the same name. Perm claims to be the next cultural capital of Russia, and this idea is actively lobbied by designer Artemy Lebedev, who works on the appearance of the city, and gallery owner Marat Gelman, who specializes in contemporary art.

The real historical treasure of the Urals and all of Russia is also Orenburg, which is called the land of endless steppes. At one time, he survived the siege of the troops of Emelyan Pugachev, 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 city in the Urals, there is a symbolic sign "Kilometer Zero". The local post office is the very point from which the distance to other points of our planet is measured. Another well-known attraction of the capital of Bashkortostan is the Ufa bronze sign, which is a disk with a diameter of one and a half meters and weighing a whole ton. And in this city - at least, so the locals assure - there is the highest 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 Pugacheva sits, towers over the Belaya River.

Ski resorts in the Urals

The most important ski resorts of the Urals are concentrated in three regions of our country: the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions, as well as in Bashkortostan. Zavyalikha, Bannoe and Abzakovo are the most famous of them. The first one is located near the city of Trekhgorny, the last two are located near Magnitogorsk. According to the results of the competition, which is held within the framework 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 of ski resorts is also concentrated in the regions of the Middle and Southern Urals. Thrill-seekers and just curious tourists who want to try their hand at such an “adrenaline” sport as skiing come here almost all year round. Travelers here are waiting for good tracks for skiing, as well as for sledding and snowboarding.

In addition to skiing, descents along mountain rivers are very popular among travelers. Fans of such alloys, which also increase the level of adrenaline, go for thrills to Miass, Magnitogorsk, Asha or Kropchaevo. True, it will not be possible to quickly reach your destination, as you will have to travel by train or by car.

The holiday season in the Urals lasts on average from October-November to April. During this period, snowmobiling and quad biking are another popular pastime. In Zavyalikha, which has become one of the most popular tourist destinations, they even installed a special trampoline. On it, experienced athletes work out complex elements and tricks.

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, the journey by rail will take a little over a day.

The 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 lay 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.

Ural is a unique mountain system, one of the most ancient and picturesque in the world. They are old, very old, from the Devonian period (about 40 million years ago). This massif looks like a complex mosaic in which hundreds of types of rocks are mixed. Since the time of the Soviet Union, more than 50 types of minerals and hundreds of minerals, precious and semi-precious stones have been mined here.

But ancient mountains are rarely high. Years erase their peaks, grind rocks, build up a layer of soil. Therefore, the highest point of the Ural Mountains cannot compete with the Alpine and Tibetan peaks. But still, for the sake of interest, we will make this list.

The Ural Mountains stretched almost across the entire border of Eurasia, separating two parts of the world from each other. The Ural belt is more than 2500 kilometers long, and it is conditionally divided into 5 zones:

1. Southern Urals.
2. Middle Ural.
3. Northern Ural.
4. Subpolar Urals.
5. Polar Ural.

Some researchers believe that Mugodzhary on the south side and Pai-Khoi on the north side should also be added to the system, but nevertheless, officially the five zones listed are considered the Ural Mountains. And each of them has its highest point.

This mountain, in fact, can hardly be called high: only 1640 meters in height. Nevertheless, all the other peaks of the Southern Urals do not even reach this value. It is worth noting that 1640 meters is the height of the Big Yamantau. The second peak, Small Yamantau, is even lower - only 1510 meters.

It is a low sloping mountain, covered with a thick layer of soil, sufficient to grow a real forest on it. But the top of the mountain is covered with snow and ice suitable for skiers.

Yamantau is an amazingly beautiful and picturesque mountain that attracts thousands of tourists from all over Russia and even other countries. To travel on it, basic training and equipment is enough. True, the pleasure is spoiled by the fact that the locals have long considered Yamantau a bad mountain, which is even reflected in its name. Rumors add fuel to the fire of doubts that Vladimir Putin's secret bunker has been built here. No one knows how true they are, but before you go here, it’s better to think carefully: “Is it worth it?” Moreover, this is not the only large mountain of the Southern Urals that deserves your attention.

A mountain with such a dissonant name is the highest point of the Middle Urals. True, the numbers are not too impressive: 1119 meters. Earlier we talked about the peaks of the Alps and Tibet, high, sharp, rocky, covered with glaciers. Oslyanka is completely different from them: low, sloping, softly rounded ... From a distance. Close up, it turns out that the slopes are quite steep, there are places where a rocky base comes to the surface. Most of the mountain is covered with meadows and forests, in the cold season it is tightly wrapped in snow.

It is perfect for tourist and hiking routes in the warm season, while in winter it is an expanse for skiers and snowboarders. In summer, you can supplement the tourist routes with river rafting.

By the way, this mountain has nothing to do with donkeys. The origin of its name is not known for certain. Most likely, the word “donkey, donkey” is the basis, that is, a stone on which knives are sharpened. The second version - "donkey" - a log. There is a third one, which claims that the name of the mountain is associated with the nearby Oslyanka River, but here the connection can be reversed.

It is always extremely interesting to figure out where the names of geographical objects come from, because there are whole stories behind them. Sometimes the connection can be traced immediately, often you have to figure it out. But in the case of Mount Telposis, it is not even immediately clear where it came from and what it means. The truth lies quite deep. Its original name is Tel-Poz-Iz, which in the Komi language means “mountain of the nest of winds”.

According to legend, it is on this mountain that the local god of the winds lives, so it’s better not to meddle there once again. True, this does not prevent tourists from all over Russia from climbing Telposis in pursuit of beautiful landscapes and thrills. Its height is 1617 meters. Enough to become the first in the Northern Urals.

This peak is the highest point not only of the Subpolar part of the Urals, but of the entire mountain range. Of course, in the same Alps, a peak of 1895 meters would never have made it to such a list, but for the Ural Mountains this is more than enough.

It officially received its name in 1927 during the study of this part of the Urals. The subtlety is that the geologist Aleshkov did not specify in his notes where exactly the emphasis should be placed: NATIONAL or NATIONAL. Both versions are found in the literature. The second looks quite logical, because at that time many objects received similar names. The first one also has the right to life, because the river NAROD flows next to it. And this word from the Komi language has nothing to do with the people.

The first peak of the northernmost, polar part of the Urals is Payer. This rock formation stands out sharply against the background of the surrounding landscape. There are several more peaks nearby - Western and Eastern Payer, 1330 and 1217 meters, respectively.

The total length of the Ural belt is more than 2500 kilometers. Just imagine: 2500 kilometers of picturesque mountains, which have everything: rocks, glaciers, snowfields, caves, forests, meadows, rivers ... These are incredibly picturesque and rich mountains, you can spend your whole life here and not even see a small part of their wonders. But that doesn't mean it's not worth trying.