Taganai National Park

Taganai National Park is a vast protected area covering 568 km². Taganai is spread out on the spurs of the Southern Urals, in the western limits of the Chelyabinsk region. The park owes its name to the ranges of the same name that cross it, stretching from the town of Karabash to Zlatoust, where hiking routes through the protected mountain forests begin. Fans of eco-tourism will find difficult steep trails, crossings over rough rivers, and climbs to the tops of the South Ural ridges. The reward will be marvelous landscapes, communication with wildlife, romantic evenings around the campfire in mountain shelters and tent cities.

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Video: Taganai National Park

Contents

Highlights

Getting acquainted with the Taganai Nature Reserve starts from the Central Homestead. From here the distances to natural attractions and tourist bases are counted. In the complex there is a parking lot, for tourists there is an information visit-center. The manor has a Museum of Nature, dedicated to local flora and fauna, and a geological collection of South Ural minerals. There are also guest cottages, Russian baths, spring with drinking water, gazebos with barbecues, souvenir store.

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The natural beauty and attractions of the reserve attract travelers both in winter and summer. Every year, the Taganai Park is visited by more than 80 thousand tourists. Hiking trails take guests to picturesque mountain peaks, mines hiding rare minerals, to rivers and lakes lurking in the mountain valleys.

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Experienced tourists, before embarking on an exciting journey through Taganai National Park, go to its official website, where it is offered to download for free on an iPhone or tablet guide-navigator with routes, coordinates of parking lots and shelters, rivers and mountain peaks. Information about weather conditions in the region and forecasters’ forecasts for the coming days is updated online.

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Geography of the national park

Taganai National Park, created in 1991, is located at the geographical line separating Europe and Asia. The main entrance to its mountainous territory is located near the northeastern outskirts of the city of Zlatoust. From the complex of the Central Estate of the park begins a tourist trail, branching off along certain routes. The total length of hiking trails reaches 180 kilometers. The reserve extends for 52 km in the north-south direction and for 10-15 km from east to west.

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In the mountains of the Taganai Range originate a dozen and a half rivers. The fullest of them is the Bolshoi Kialim, it flows into the Miass River near Karabash, 46 kilometers to the northeast. There are 9 species of fish in the rivers, among them – taimen, belonging to the salmon species, there are colonies of otters.

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On the territory of the park islands of South Ural ecosystems – mountain meadows, tundras, century-old spruce forests, groves of relict trees, there are several botanical endemics. 19 hectares are occupied by swampy lowlands with juicy grasses; cranberries and blueberries grow; there are snakes. The mountain forests are inhabited by moose, brown bears, wolves, ermines. In total, there are 56 species of mammals in Taganai.

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Climate

The Southern Urals has a continental climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. A long winter comes here in early November, already in the first decade of the month the rivers in Taganai Park are covered with ice, storms and snowstorms are characteristic of the winter period. In January the air cools down to -16…-14 °С, frosts up to -20 °С are not rare, and temperature indices in the mountains are 3-5 degrees lower. According to the local weather station, the highest air temperature in the park was +38 ° C, and the record frost lowered the thermometer to -50 ° C.

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Spring comes to Taganai in mid-April. The rivers open up, the alpine meadows are freed from the snow cover, but in the dense spruce forests one can still see unmelted drifts. By the middle of May air warms up to +12…+15 °С. In the valleys the sun is blazing, but in the mountains the climate is different. Even in June, in the middle of a clear day, a cold wind can suddenly strike, bringing snowfall. The temperature drops rapidly by 8-10 degrees. A few hours later, a chilly rain is already drizzling, and then the clouds go away and the sun peeks out again. In spring and fall, hiking trails get soaked, moving around the park is difficult due to the thaw. The best time for hiking in Taganai is July and August, when the air temperature reaches comfortable +18…+20 °С. Skiing is available from October to March.

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Natural sights of Taganay

One of the bright sights of Taganai Park is the Big Stone River. On the Lower Trail a tiring hike to this wonder of nature lasts 2 hours, the length of the path is 5 kilometers. The Vesely Key shelter is located here, where you can enjoy the view of the Double-headed Sopka. The Big Stone River is a winding hollow between the ridges of Taganay, where huge blocks of sparkling stone are scattered. This is aventurine, a multicolored rock with inclusions of quartz crystals and mica sparkles. Inclusions of various metals and minerals give aventurine yellow, red, blue, green shades. A wide hollow cutting through the wooded slopes for 6 kilometers is covered with millions of boulders smoothed by the ancient glacier. They really resemble a frozen turbulent stream of a petrified river. Among the boulders there is no vegetation, they are colored only spots of brown lichens and moss.

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Actually, many Taganay mountains consist of varieties of aventurine, so among geologists there is its second name – “Taganaite”.

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Avanthurine belongs to the group of valuable ornamental stones. Even in ancient times it was used to make jewelry and amulets. In China this stone was valued on a par with jade, in the museums of the Celestial Empire you can see the imperial seals carved from aventurine. In 1825, at the foot of the Two-Headed Mountain, master stone cutters extracted a block of golden Taganai aventurine. Granilers made a huge 4-ton vase from the stone and sent their work to St. Petersburg. This bowl now stands in the center of the Armorial Hall of the Winter Palace. In 2000, at the request of the President of Chuvashia, several picturesque blocks from Taganai Park were transported to Cheboksary. They decorated the central pedestrian street and became a landmark of the city under the name “Taganayit – a stone of sun and love, goodness and happiness”. Similar compositions of Taganai stones have been installed in Penza and Kuznetsk.

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A more complicated tour lasting 7-8 hours is offered to the Two-Headed Sopka. From the foot to the observation platform at a height of 500 meters leads a steep metal staircase of 200 steps, and then – the ascent on a two-kilometer serpentine trail to the “Top of Light”. From there you can clearly see the whole Kamennaya River. The southern summit of the Two-Headed is aptly named “Feathers” – that’s how the rocks protruding from it look.

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Between the Dalny Taganai Ridge and the Otlikny Ridge one can see Kruglitsa Mountain, which looks like a huge nomad’s yurt. It is the highest point of the park – 1178 meters. Russian philosopher-mystic Nikolai Roerich, who visited these lands, believed that Kruglitsa is a portal of esoteric energy. The mountain is only 25 km away from the Central Manor, but a hike with climbing will take 4-5 days. At the foot of the mountain you can spend the night at the Taganai shelter. The surroundings of Kruglitsa are swampy, the slopes are covered with stalked juniper, low-growing tundra bushes. From the top you can see the whole picturesque mountain side of Taganay within a radius of 100 kilometers.

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At the foot of the southern slope of Kruglitsa runs a saddle with bizarrely weathered remains, nicknamed the Valley of Fairy Tales. Between the rocks groves of stunted firs are green, glades are dotted with bushes of blueberries, bilberries, cowberries, sprinkled with berries. At 2 km to the south, the horizon is obscured by the Otliknoy ridge, which resembles the back of a dinosaur dotted with spikes. Desperate extremists climb there with the help of mountaineering equipment.

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The longest route in Taganai National Park stretches for 65 kilometers. It is designed for hardy travelers. The path runs along the Old Kialim road to the picturesque 40-meter rocky remains “Three Brothers”, formed about 330 million years ago. Further travelers are expected to visit relict forests on the slopes of the Dalny Taganai ridge, climb to the top of Mount Itsyl, cross the mountain rivers Kialim and Bolshaya Tesma.

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There are Akhmatovskie mines 3 km south of Magnitka settlement. With a guide from the Central Estate here can be reached by car on the road bordering the park, and then walk 300 meters. Since the beginning of the century before last, mines have been operating here. Since 1981 the mining of minerals in these mines was stopped. The mines were declared a geological museum, where nature itself has collected about 30 rare minerals. The most impressive are deposits of dark green noble serpentine, layers of blue marble, honey garnets. Samples of minerals from the unique Akhmatovskoye mines are demonstrated in geological museums of Moscow, St. Petersburg and foreign capitals. Collectors especially appreciate the crystals and gemstones – quartz formations grown in the cavities of rocks.

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Practical information

To enter Taganai National Park, you have to pay 100 rubles. Children under 12 years old and pensioners are allowed in for free. To account for visitors and safety, tourists should register at the 24-hour reception desk of the administrator of the Central Estate or via the Internet. It is necessary to specify personal data, the proposed route, places of overnight stays, duration of stay and the term of completion of the hike, contact phone number. In case of any trouble, this information will orient the rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

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There are no catering facilities in Taganai Park. Tourists carry food supplies in backpacks. You will also need a minimum set of road service, briefly called by travelers “KLMN”: a mug, a spoon, a bowl, a knife. You will need a hatchet and a wok, dry alcohol tablets to start a fire. If possible, bring a gas burner. It is desirable to have a waterproof raincoat, warm sleeping bag, bedding. Be sure to put in your backpack first aid kit, bandages, mosquito repellent and a flask of drinking water – many springs in the park dry up in summer and freeze in winter.

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There is no cell phone service in much of the reserve. Mountain shelters on duty, guides and rescuers use radio communication. Due to the unstable work of the Internet and cellular communication, bank cards are not accepted here, payment for rent and services – only in cash.

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The movement of tourists is organized along the trails indicated in the route map, for parking are designated certain locations. It is not allowed to camp in other places. Rent a closed gazebo for a picnic with a barbecue on the territory of the Central Manor from 10:00 to 22:00 will cost 1500 rubles. At the parking lot “Black Rock” canopies with barbecue accessories are rented for 4 hours for 4000 rubles, for each subsequent hour you need to pay 700 rubles. Chopping branches, fishing, picking mushrooms and berries is prohibited.

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For tourists who came to see the sights of Zlatoust and stayed in the city hotels, organized one-day walking tours in the near territory of Taganai Park. Transportation is not allowed here.

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The northern slopes of Far Taganai and Mount Yurma are a closed biosphere reserve, tourists are not allowed to enter.

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Shopping

Travelers who came to Zlatoust by train, can stock up on groceries in the nearest to the railway station supermarket “Krylatko” (180 Anosova St.). A large selection of camping equipment, durable clothing and footwear can be found in a specialized sporting goods store on 40th Anniversary of Victory Street, 13.

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On the territory of the Central Estate of Taganai Park there is a souvenir shop. There is not much choice here – ceramic mugs and cups with the image of notable peaks of the Taganai Mountains, magnets with the logo of the reserve, metal flasks in a set with stacks. On their unsightly background stand out beautiful hunting knives with patterns and engravings of Zlatoust gunsmiths. The cost of blades starts from 6000 rubles.

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Various crafts from Taganai aventurine are sold in Zlatoust souvenir stores. The stone is used to carve chess pieces, decorative vases, beads, pendants. Mystics buy aventurine amulets. This stone is said to bring good luck in risky business projects.

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Where to stay

There are 6 shelters (campgrounds) with guest houses on the territory of the park. All of them are equipped with a minimum of necessary furniture, there is stove heating, the rooms are supplied with electricity. You can buy a bundle of firewood for 50 rubles from the duty officer. There are bunk beds with mattresses for overnight stay. Take bedding with you. The cost of renting a cabin – 2000-3500 rubles per day, depending on the number of beds.

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The central manor welcomes tourists with guest cottages, a bath complex and gazebos for picnics. Book accommodation at the manor in advance, locals often vacation here.

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There are two shelters on the Two-Headed Sopka: on the eastern slope – “White Key”, on the western slope – “Rattlesnake Key” (respectively 6 km and 8 km from the Central Manor). At the foot of Kruglitsa Mountain there is a shelter “Taganai” (14 km from the Central Homestead). At the top of Mount Taganai (1108 m) tourists will find the shelter “Meteostation Taganai”. The most remote tourist camp “Kialimsky cordon” is located at the mountain Dalny Taganai, 28 km away from the Central Manor. You can also spend the night in the hospitable Taganai forestry.

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In addition, the sites where travelers are allowed to set up their own tents and make fires have been identified. The nearest camping site “Vesely Klyuch” is located near the Lower Trail, on the right bank of the Bolshaya Kamennaya River, 5 km from the start of the route in the Central Estate.

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Several more locations are reserved for intermediate stops for a short rest. Here you can have a snack with dry rations, but you can’t put up tents and make fire.

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All parking lots are marked on the tourist maps of the permitted routes, which are issued upon registration.

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In the depths of the mountain forests of Taganai Park there are log huts erected by local hunters. According to the old custom, these dwellings usually have wood for the stove, cereals, breadcrumbs, canned goods, tea, salt are often left here. The doors are not locked, travelers are not prohibited to use the shelter of the forest mini-hotel: you can make a fire, get warm, wait out rain or snowfall, dry your shoes and clothes. Leaving the lodge, it is customary to replenish used firewood and supplies, and garbage should be taken with you.

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Transportation

Third-party transportation is prohibited within the park. The administration provides paid services for delivery of cargo and passengers on ATVs to the parking lots chosen by tourists. The weight of backpacks, camping equipment, food boxes is limited (maximum – 200 kg). The cost of delivery varies from 1000 to 7000 rubles, depending on the distance. Departure of transport from the Central Estate – from 07:00 to 17:00.

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Along the southwest cordon of Taganai Park there is a dirt road from Zlatoust to Magnitka village. It is not allowed to turn off it and go deep into the park by car. There are no fences here, but road patrolmen and gamekeepers of the reserve have the right to write violators a solid fine.

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How to get there

Trains from Moscow go to Zlatoust via Samara and Ufa, trains depart from the platforms of the Kazan railway station. It is convenient to use the firm train 014E “Southern Ural”, heading on the route Moscow – Chelyabinsk. The train will deliver travelers to Zlatoust railway station in 28 hours. Ticket prices and schedules are presented on the Tutu.ru website.

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From the train station to the Central Estate of Taganai Park run buses № 15 and shuttle buses № 28 and 29. The cost of a ticket is 18 rubles. Get off at the stop “White Key”, then walk to the estate 600 m along the dirt road.

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The closest to the park airport “Balandino” is located near Chelyabinsk, 173 kilometers east of Zlatoust. It receives airplanes from many cities in Russia. The flight from Moscow takes 2 h. 30 min. From the regional city to Zlatoust can be reached by bus or train.

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Auto tourists heading to Taganai Park, it is convenient to drive along the federal highway M5 “Ural”. Approaching Zlatoust, on the pass of the Ural-Tau ridge you will see a stele, established on the geographical border of Europe and Asia. You need to cross Zlatoust to the foothills of the northern outskirts of the city and enter Peschanaya Street. It turns into the regional highway 75K-014, leading to the village of Magnitka. After 500 m you will see a right turn sign to the Central Estate of Taganai National Park.

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