Mountain camel on the Samara bow. A trip to Strelnaya Mountain in summer and other interesting places. Unique places in Russia that you have hardly heard of: Camel Mountain
Mount "Camel"
The toponym "Camel-mountain" as such did not yet exist, it appeared in the Soviet period after the disappearance of the rocks of Goat Horns. Indeed, against the background of the green slopes, the outlines of this mountain, or rather its eastern part with a rock, resemble an upturned head, a curved neck, a back with two humps - exactly the figure of a camel frozen in the pose of a resting animal.
Mount Camel in the modern sense is part of mountain range Zhiguli between Shiryaevsky and Goat ravines. The length of the mountain along the Volga is about 4 kilometers, highest point- 326 meters. Smaller ravines, going towards the river in parallel rows, divide the mountain into separate ridges. West Side The mountain facing the village of Shiryaevo has a different name - Monastery Mountain. From top to bottom, the mountain is composed of powerful Paleozoic rocks: limestones and dolomites, not hidden by younger strata. The protruding part of the rock, similar to the head of a camel, was popularly called "balda". This massive overhanging blocky remnant of hard rock rises 120 meters above the river, has a flat horizontal platform and serves as great place for an overview of the Volga valley. From here, delightful expanses open up to the eye with the Zhiguli Gates, the Falcon Mountains, the Tsar's Kurgan, the valley of the Sok River.
The unusual shape of the rock is formed by the long-term work of various forms of weathering - the action of water, sun, wind and even sea surf. About three million years ago, the Zhiguli massif was a peninsula that jutted into the Akchagyl Sea. At the time of flooding, the protruding part of Mount Camel at a level of 150-180 meters absolute altitude was surf coastline, And sea waves hit the steep banks, tearing off pieces of rocks and turning them. On the southern slope of the cliff, abrasion strips are clearly distinguished - a place where sea waves once crashed. Abrasion areas are clearly visible on many slopes in the Zhiguli. At a height of 150-180 meters, an accumulation of rocks is observed in an elongated strip. The proximity to the surface of the rocks is indicated by strips of pine plantations stretched across the slopes. (Obedientova, 1988).
Standing on top of a cliff, on the edge of an abyss, the feeling of flight is breathtaking, which is complemented by the constantly blowing wind from the Volga. His impulses are so strong that it is difficult to stand on his feet. For lovers thrill the most tempting is to get here on a clear night and enjoy an unforgettable experience of contemplating the night sky. Lying on the edge of the earth's abyss, you look into the heavenly abyss with myriads of stars, passing satellites and meteors. On a moonlit night, you can even climb a rock without a flashlight - everything around is so brightly lit, especially White stone additionally reflects incident light. The landscape around becomes fantastically unreal, unrecognizable, in contrast to the daytime one. It creates the feeling of walking through the lunar landscapes.
Climbing to the observation deck is possible only along the southern slope of the rocky ledge. For many years, a whole web of paths has been laid here by man, either connecting together, or fanning out along numerous terrace-like cornices. Not everywhere the rise is easy. Now the path runs along the very edge of the cliff, then stones and earth are pouring from under the feet. In the summer heat, in the absence of wind, in the already sultry air, heat from heated stones is added, and the traveler feels all the "charm" of a natural sauna. It is hard to believe that you are on the Middle Volga and not in the desert. But all the torment is fully rewarded at the end of the ascent by the seen space and indelible impressions.
If you are careful while climbing the mountain, you will notice the similarity of numerous ledges and cornices with various silhouettes of animals and fairy-tale characters. Now it seems that an old giant is looking at the Volga, sullenly moving his eyebrows, then the smiling profile of a very kind hippopotamus, then a knight with a visor on his face froze on guard. In an endless set of holes, caverns, porous passages in the stone, all kinds of plants hide with enviable tenacity for life, forming miniatures on the rocks - ekibano, and birches and pines take on the outlines of natural bansai.
The attention of tourists is attracted not only by the bizarre shape of the rock, but also by the narrow white strip encircling the green slopes of the mountains. These are quarries where stone was broken. There are several of them here. The largest one is located along the slope of Mount Camel - Vanyushinsky quarry, named after an entrepreneur who had limestone processing plants in the village of Shiryaevo in the early 20th century. Here are the famous "Camel" galleries. Further, in the direction of Krestovaya Polyana, a chain of smaller quarries stretches, uniting under the name "Bakhcheevo", after the name of the ravine overlooking the Volga. On the right side of the Goat ravine there are also small adits, at the same level as on Mount Camel.
The Volga region is rich the most beautiful places and natural attractions.
One of the attractions is Mount Camel, which is located in the northern part of the Zhiguli Mountains in the vicinity of the village of Shiryaevo. The name is associated with its shape, reminiscent of a lying camel. Although at present the form has undergone some changes, and the outlines of the camel are not so pronounced. Mount Camel is the once-existing rocks of Goat Horns, which were destroyed (in 1952) due to the fact that local rocks were used for industrial purposes. The natural attraction is part of national park Samarskaya Luka.
During the ascent to the top along the way there are ledges shaped like various animals. Why do you get the impression that you are in fabulous place. From the top there is a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings and the banks of the Volga. There are endemic and rare species of plants in the region of Mount Camel.
The natural attraction attracts nature lovers, as well as speleologists and climbers. For climbers developed routes of varying difficulty. The local attraction is popular not only during the day, but also at night.
How to get to Mount Camel
Russia, Samara region, right bank of the river. Volga, opposite the village of Volzhsky, between the villages of Shiryaevo and Gavrilova Polyana.
Coordinates: N 53° 24"32.06" E 50° 4"23.19
You can get from Samara by car or bus No. 1 or No. 50 (to Krasnaya Glinka), which depart from the Samara station (which you first need to get by train). Next, you need to get off at the "Electroshield" stop. From there go to boat station(down to the Volga), which is a 3-minute walk from the bus stop. Then by boat you can get directly to Mount Camel or the village of Gavrilova Polyana, and from there on foot to the mountain.
Better plan your trip weekdays, because on Friday and weekends there are a large number of people.
From visiting such places there are only pleasant impressions, however, not always. Mount Camel is very popular with tourists, and where there are people, there is always garbage. In addition to irresponsible people who leave garbage behind, there are also those who cannot leave the mountain without perpetuating their name on the surface of the stones. There are a lot of inscriptions on the stones, which somewhat spoils the mood during your stay in such a wonderful place. Many tourists, it is not clear what they think, like to lower stones from the cliffs, thereby exerting a devastating effect. The behavior of such people causes irritation, it is a pity that it is not always possible to reason with them.
camel mountain in Orenburg region(Orenburg region, Russia) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
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The Orenburg region is famous not only for thin downy shawls, which is sung in songs, and not only for the variety of wheat, from which the most delicious white bread is obtained. There is also rich nature, endless steppes, high cliffs, emerald forests, fresh and salty reservoirs (and on the latter, by the way, you can also improve your health perfectly). Going on excursions to the natural attractions of the Orenburg region, do not be surprised if you meet camels along the way, or rather one camel, and even then a stone one. It's famous in the area and beyond natural wonder called Camel Mountain.
From a distance, and close too, to be fair, the rock surprisingly resembles a camel, but not standing upright, but lying down to rest. It seems that he is about to get up from his knees (which can also be perfectly seen) and move on the path, where he is looking, raising his muzzle. This camel is one-humped, and according to historians, in ancient times, caravans of one-humped animals really passed here, because they are closer to these territories in terms of habitat than two-humped camels.
In general, two beautiful legends. The first one is very short and concise, and it tells about a arrogant camel who wanted to measure his strength with the Ural Mountains, the rumor about the height and majesty of which flew to his ears. He came to the place of battle, and the ancient gods told him that only stone with stone, and not with a living being, can be measured by strength. They turned the camel into stone, and since then he has been trying to surpass Ural mountains if not height, then durability.
The second legend of Camel Mountain is more like real story, but still, the camel-shaped rock is so much larger than the average animal that it's hard to believe.
The story tells of a caravan that moved through these territories in search of fertile land where they could settle. But the steppes were endless, and the sun was scorching mercilessly, and every day the caravan lost both people and animals. In the end, only one camel remained from the cattle and only a few people from a large caravan. It was the camel who first saw the ribbon of the river in the distance, and its banks were covered with lush greenery. The animal, exhausted, sank to the ground, wanting to rest before the last jerk to the saving moisture ... But it turned to stone under the scorching sun.
The river that the legendary camel saw is most likely the Aschesu stream, located about 8 km in the direction where the camel's head "looks", and which almost completely dries up in summer. But in fact, Camel Mountain, with which so many legends are associated due to its unusual shape, is a remnant of a quartzite rock that collapsed over time under the influence of steppe winds.
Practical Information
It is not difficult to get to Camel Mountain, it is located near the border with Kazakhstan, in the east of the Orenburg region. The most convenient way to get to this natural attraction is by car: you will need to follow from Orenburg to Orsk, then to the regional center Svetly, and from there - towards the village of Vostochny. Public transport is represented by buses (it runs once a day from the Orsk bus station to the village of Vostochny).
As you know, the main natural attraction Samara region is national park Samarskaya Luka, and the main attraction of Samarskaya Luka itself is Mount Strelnaya, the highest of the available ordinary tourist points of the Zhiguli mountains. The height of Mount Strelnaya, according to various sources, is 351 meters, while the highest exact Zhiguli is Mount Observer, its highest point is at an altitude of 375 meters above sea level.
In the spring of 2012, as part of the development of tourism in the Samara region, a tourist route was opened on Mount Strelnaya. Now anyone can admire the panorama of the Volga River, whether it be a child or a pensioner.
How to get to Strelnaya Mountain
In fact, as sad as it sounds, you can only get here by car. There are several reasons for this. The main one is that there is a checkpoint on the way to the mountain, where you have to pay 500 rubles per car to enter the route. Pedestrians and cyclists will not be allowed through the checkpoint. No one could really explain why such discrimination between cyclists and pedestrians came from. There is also another reason. Get here for public transport it is simply impossible, it is understandable, the mountain is located on the territory of the reserve. So, the route is as follows: from Zhigulevsk along the M-5 highway turn towards the village of Bakhilovo. Next will be the villages of Bakhilova Polyana and Zolnoye. In Zolny, at the only intersection, the left turn is the road to Shiryaevo, but we turn right and find ourselves at the same checkpoint.
There is another way to get here. A boat runs from Samara to the village of Shiryaevo. In Shiryaevo, tourists are offered field trips, including to Strelnaya Mountain. The price of the issue is 500-600 rubles per person. It turns out more expensive than if you go by car. So if you do not have personal vehicles, persuade one of your friends, the savings are obvious.
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At the checkpoint you will be given a pass, which will need to be returned upon departure, they will explain to you how to go before the start of the route and remind you that you can stay on the route for no longer than 3 hours. We admit that the time limit for us has become as much a mystery as the ban on cyclists. The road goes all the time uphill and ends with a small parking lot, then you need to go on foot. 
The route is not very long, you can go through it in its entirety in about twenty minutes. The nature of Samarskaya Luka is very beautiful and unique. Stony steppes - this is the name of the plant community represented on this route. A characteristic feature are pines growing on limestone rocks, this unique phenomenon is quite rare. 
Also, these places are very characteristic of low-growing oaks, which have a curved shape of trunks and branches. 
Wheelchair users can reach the first observation deck, there will not be a single step on their way. There in the distance you can already see the main Observation deck.
We have not yet managed to reach the top, and the most wonderful panorama of the Zhiguli Mountains has already opened before us, which more than compensated for the difficulties of the road, because after all, beauty should not be accessible. 
On the route, we come across another attraction - the "Devil's Bridge" - a narrow rocky ridge resembling a bridge. During the time of the Zhiguli freemen, the robbers had fun passing over similar bridges, demonstrating their prowess. 
A tourist will find a stone everywhere, on which you need to throw a coin, for good luck or to return. 
Here we are approaching the second observation deck of Mount Strelnaya. This site ends the route. It’s a pity, of course, that the route is so short, but how beautiful it is here! 
Mount Shikhan is crowned - a rocky limestone ledge from which a stunning view opens. Space and height clearly make it clear that up to the very horizon there is no peak higher than the one on which you are standing! 
And do not forget friends that if you are a real traveler, then all the beauty of the Volga River and the Zhiguli Mountains can be seen in detail within independent travel on kayaks along the route "Zhigulevskaya around the world". We went along this route and wrote a report: 
A noisy and numerous excursion followed us, so it's time for us to go back. let's get through tourist route Mount Strelnaya once again, but in the opposite direction. 
From this point, the route resembles the Great Chinese wall in miniature. 
If you came here on a guided tour, then you don’t have a question of what to do next, it’s another matter for those who came here by private car. Having left early in the morning and having already visited Mount Strelnaya, by three o'clock in the afternoon you can quickly get acquainted with several more sights of Samarskaya Luka. 10 km from Zolny is the village of Shiryaevo, where there are two more mountains and one observation deck. You can read about the trip to Shiryaevo in the article:
Mount Camel
Mount Camel is located three kilometers from the village of Shiryaevo. Recently, visiting this mountain has also become paid, the cost of a tourist ticket is 50 rubles. Mount Camel has always attracted tourists from all over the Samara region with its beauty and convenience of the landscape. Once upon a time, limestone was mined here, so a lot of adits remained on the slope, the platforms in front of which are very convenient to use as campsites, so in summer the local forest is full of awnings of tents. Now, to stay for the night at Camel Mountain, you will also have to pay 100 rubles per tent.
By the way, there are also places for tents on the banks of the Volga, but these places are the most privileged and are snapped up in the first place. 
At the foot of Mount Camel, an impromptu parking was organized and the ascent begins. You can climb to the top by two paths - one is more gentle, the other is shorter, but steeper. We chose a gentle one, where, after a short walk through the forest, we had to climb up such limestone steps. 
In fact, it is only scary in appearance, the child will master the rise. 
We climbed to the slope, in which the adits are located, as well as this steep slope serves climbing enthusiasts as a training wall. Here you can always watch the children climbing a steep slope. 
