Located on the slope of the Ur altau ridge (Bashkortostan), the keeper of ice figures compared to other grottoes has a very modest size, but despite this, it is very popular among tourists.
Askinsky ice cave is a geological monument of national importance, which is an underground kingdom with an area of one hundred meters and keeps ice stalagmites in its heart. It is they who become the objects of close attention of visitors coming from different parts of Russia.
Local attraction
At the entrance to the amazing realm of ice, everyone is met by a relic glacier, which is not afraid of hot sunny days and has become a real attraction of underground labyrinths.
Askinsky ice cave, which has a bag-like structure, is famous for its beautiful arched entrance, from which there is a steep descent into the ice hall, equipped with stairs for the convenience of visitors.
There are so many different forms of stalagmitespresented in the grotto! The height of many of them reaches about 10 meters, and this amazing sight delights and fascinates.
Unique phenomena in the grotto
The tall ice column, almost reaching the snow-covered ceiling, has become a real decoration of the cave. Dubbed the "Snow Queen", it surprises with its power and plays with a shiny surface in the light.
Tourists entering the cave for the first time are stunned by its acoustics: even a quiet sound is amplified several times here. A half-whispered word turns into a loud polyphonic echo.
Scientific interest
Askinsky Ice Cave is of considerable interest to the scientific world. Archaeologists and geologists engaged in scientific research work here. Thanks to their efforts, a human skull frozen into the ice and the bones of ancient animals that remained forever in the underworld were discovered.
Aska ice cave: how to get there?
Address of the cave: city of Ufa, Solontsy farm (Askin). For those who get on their own, the reference point will be the village of Arkhangelskoye, from which the road goes along the Beloretsky tract to the villages of Maxim Gorky, Zarya and the Solontsy farm - the end point of the route. Next to it, two kilometers away, is the sought-after Aska Ice Cave, visitors' reviews of which can be read below.
Since the road goes through a gorge that is wet even in summer, there are great difficulties with the passage. The farm has guarded car parks for personal vehicles to reach the grotto on foot. Can be brokentourist camp in the clearing.
Reviews from guests of the ice kingdom
Guests of the cave admire the amazing sight and declare that they have not seen anything like it. Ice formations in the semi-darkness appear as mystical figures, hiding important secrets.
Adults and children equally enthusiastically react to the transparent stalagmites, photos of which will remain for a long time and resurrect a memorable sight.
Tourist Tips
The best time to visit the cave is winter, when unusual ice figures grow in which everyone sees something of their own, and amazing sagging of various forms form on the vaults.
In summer, the temperature rises slightly, the floor turns into mush, and the formations lose their clear shape and significantly decrease in size.
On the steep descent at the entrance, although there is a ladder, it is covered with ice all the time, and comfortable, non-slip shoes are very useful. Yes, and stocking up just in case for safety net with a rope also does not hurt.
Visitors note that it is very cold in the grotto, so you should take care of warm outerwear. In addition, dark rooms are poorly lit, and a working flashlight will be useful.
Modern Issues
In 2016, there was a huge problem that the local authorities tried to solve. The world-famous Aska Ice Cave is leased to the Bashkir branch of the Geographical Society to prevent the threat of destruction of the local landmark.
Long time accessvisitors to it was not controlled until a few years ago, an interested speleologist organized a tourist base in Solontsy with his friends. He took over the lease of the facility and opened a tourist route, trying to streamline the flow of visitors to the cave.
Keeping track of everyone is troublesome and almost impossible. The garbage left after the guests freezes into the ice, which is very difficult to cut down later, and the rent is too expensive, and there are a lot of expenses.
Minimizing damage
Even a one degree rise in the temperature of the grotto is devastating for the ice figures. There was a need to preserve the ecosystem for posterity, for this, during the hot summer months, access to visitors for several years should be prohibited. Only then will the microclimate that existed in the cave from the moment of its inception be restored.
Negotiations are underway to hand over all documents to the public and a special visit schedule is being developed to minimize damage to the natural monument.
We hope that the Aska ice cave, whose photos illustrate the amazing beauty of the underworld, will preserve the majestic picture for posterity.
