Contents
Many people use the summer season to relax on the sea or in nature. The beautiful and picturesque places of Bashkiria are no worse (and in many ways more unique) than the more famous and advertised foreign sights. The republic is famous for its rivers and lakes, forests, mountains, caves and fantastic ancient plains.
More and more Russians spend every summer in Bashkiria, each time discovering more and more of its beauties. The region is really rich in exclusive places, natural parks, where any traveler can find his own corner for peace and become part of the Bashkir nature. We will tell only about a few locations of the republic that are worth visiting at least once. All prices are current as of mid-July 2022.
10 Lake Bannoe
Lake Bannoe or according to the local Yakty-Kul, is the deepest fresh water body of Bashkiria, most often called the sea for high waves and cries of seagulls. Some historians claim that the army of Emelyan Pugachev stopped here for a bath, hence the name Bannoye. The area of the lake is almost 8 km², it stretches for 4 km in length, and the maximum depth reaches 28 meters.
From the peaks of the Kutukay and Karanyalik mountains surrounding Bannoe, a stunning view of the area opens up. And next to the reservoir you can stay in cozy guest houses, mini-hotels or in a sanatorium. On the banks of the Yakty-Kul there are beaches, there are hiking trails. The water in the lake has different temperatures, which is a natural feature, and you can even get to the location by car. The estimated cost of living for 1 person per day will be about 2000 rubles, the best connection is from MegaFon.
9. Inzer gears
Inzer gears located at an altitude of almost 1200 m above sea level in the Beloretsk region. The location is a bizarre conglomeration of rocks of different shapes, the height of which reaches 35 meters. They are so monumental that sometimes one gets the impression of the man-made nature of the rocks. Have you seen Avatar? Here is something similar, only in miniature. There are several routes to the cogwheel, the average length is about 4 km, but you can also get there on a caterpillar conveyor.
From the top of the location, a fantastic sight opens up: sharp peaks of rocks, framed at the base by tall trees and colorful vegetation. Impressions guaranteed! You can order a tour for about 3 rubles per person, everything is included: travel (from Ufa), delivery to the foot, breakfast and a hot tourist lunch, insurance. You can also come in winter, prices will be seasonal. Communication catches from all the operators of the “big three”.
8. Nugush reservoir
Length Nugush reservoir is 25 km with a maximum width of 5 km, it is located in the unique natural park “Bashkiria”. All the main locations originate in the village of Nugush, where you can stay in private mini-hotels, guest houses or camp sites. Here you can book a one-day or multi-day tour. The most budgetary will be accommodation in one of the campsites on the shore of the reservoir – an option for several days or even weeks.
The uniqueness of the natural park is in its “every year”, but it is best to come in winter or summer. The reservoir will open before the tourist all the beauty of Bashkiria, collected in one place. It is not recommended to go hiking alone, it is better to take a tour with an experienced local guide. The price of the issue varies, you can focus on 1000 rubles a day per person, camping will be much cheaper. Communication is better caught from MTS.
7. Mount Yangantau
The natural monument of Yangantau, although not the highest mountain in the Urals – about 505 meters, is a unique natural park. In general, in translation from the local, the name of the mountain means “burning”, and for good reason – if you climb to the top, then numerous cracks will be found on its surface, from where hot jets of steam have been beating for many centuries. It is worth being careful there – the temperature of the steam can reach 150 degrees.
But there is no volcanic activity around! Scientists have not been able to give an answer to this natural phenomenon. Around Yangantau mountains there is another unique place – the Kurgazak spring with mineral water. In general, there will be plenty of impressions, you can relax for about 1200 rubles per person, depending on the level of accommodation. Communication is better to take from Megafon.
6. Muradymovskoe gorge
Muradymovskoe gorge is a monument of the ancient heritage of the Bashkirs, located in the Kugarchinsky district. The location has absorbed several tourist attractions at once: a reservoir, 2 picturesque mountains, a tourist complex, a natural park, a mausoleum and local history museums. There are also some amazing caves to explore.
The advantage of the park is the opportunity to save a lot by staying in an equipped tent camp with all amenities for only 200 rubles per person per day (there will also be a nature fee at the entrance). The park administration can book various tours, including cave tours. The location is available for visiting all year round, in winter the area is especially beautiful and mysterious! The park is very popular among tourists, it is better to check availability in advance (there is no reservation).
5. Botanical garden in Ufa
The capital of Bashkiria can also surprise and fall in love with a traveler. Ufa Botanical Garden located in the heart of the capital of the republic. Despite the neighborhood with a noisy city, inside the garden you can relax from the hustle and bustle and retire with nature under the canopy of centuries-old trees. The garden is especially beautiful in winter: right from the frost you can get into a tropical paradise! Here you have palm trees, and beautiful azaleas in bloom, and bananas right next to the Ural Mountains.
Visitors are greeted by exotic feijoas, ancient relic plants. The area of the botanical garden is 23 hectares, the location is located in the vicinity of the Green Grove microdistrict (well, in what other grove should the garden be located). There is even a greenhouse with plants from all over the world with an area of more than 1000 m²! Anyone can get an entrance ticket: children go for 125 rubles, adults will pay 2 times more. The garden is open every day.
4. Aigir rocks
This mountain range is one of the most visited natural places in Bashkiria. The location is located in the Beloretsky district, in the valley of the Maly Inzer River, and a unique natural park is spread around – the South Ural Reserve. This listing alone is enough to visit Aigir rocks. And there is something to see and where to go.
The rocks themselves are a grandiose rock structure created by nature many centuries ago. And around – the boundless and mysterious taiga. It is noteworthy that you don’t have to pay anything to visit the park, and you can come in winter, the views will be even more fantastic. On the top of the rocks, it is not forbidden to stay at all for a few days in a tent, and no one will swear even for cooking barbecue. Any connection catches. Unique place!
3. The White River
The White River or Agidel (what a wonderful name in Bashkir!) is considered the real pearl of Bashkiria, its main water artery. Judge for yourself: the length of the river is almost 1450 km, and it is “born” from only a few springs at an altitude of 700 m. Lovers of loneliness will find out with interest that the hermit Abdullah, who has lived at the sources of the Belaya for who knows how many years and for what reason, is considered a local living legend …
Hundreds of local epics are dedicated to the Belaya River, and the popular group DDT once dedicated the song “White River” to it. Tourists can have a relaxing holiday on the banks of this legendary river, and the most courageous will be able to raft along it in a kayak. You won’t have to pay for anything, the connection is so-so, in some places it doesn’t exist at all.
2. Waterfall Kuk-Karauk
Waterfall Kuk-Karauk has the status of a natural monument, has a stepped or cascading shape and reaches a height of 12 m. It would seem a little, but the beauty of natural creation is simply mesmerizing. Like any other waterfall, in summer it dries up seriously and only a stone monolith with several streams is visible. All the power of nature is revealed during the period of melting snow or in autumn.
But even in the summer months you can’t write it off: you can visit the Kalim-Uskan rock or go down to the Salavat cave. Both locations are located nearby, and the ruins of a stone bridge from the time of Catherine II remained nearby. I am glad that there is no fee from tourists, and the connection is more or less stable.
1. Askinskaya cave
Askinskaya cave – this is a unique natural and geological creation, which is the largest and coldest cave in the Urals. The depth of the cave is almost 27 m, it is 130 m long, and its width is almost 62 m. To get to the entrance, you will have to practically crawl 70 meters along the ice stairs – safety precautions are very relevant here.
At the very entrance there is a unique relic glacier – another place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the country. The temperature inside is always -4 degrees, and the floor of the cave is literally lined with non-melting ice. You won’t be able to come here just like that: you need to sign up in advance, adults enter for 450 rubles, children under 5 do not pay. On Monday, there is prevention, and you can visit the cave in summer and winter. You can also just walk around the cave without visiting for 150 rubles per person.