The Republic of Bashkortostan in Russia is located in the Cis-Urals and on the western slopes of the Southern Urals. The article tells which is the highest mountain of Bashkortostan, its description is given.
Evil Mountain
Yamantau is the highest mountain in Bashkortostan. The mountain range is located on the territory of Bashkiria, its length is about five kilometers. Its two highest points are the Big (1640 m) and Small Yamantau (1510 m) mountains. The top of Big Yamantau is completely flat and is a rocky plateau.
From the Bashkir language "yamantau" is translated as "bad (evil)". The locals named it so due to the fact that the swampy mountain slopes are unsuitable for use as pastures. In addition, this place was considered unsafe, since earlier bears could often be found there. Those who rode the slopes on horseback noticed that subsequently the horse inevitably died. Bashkirs most often bypass these mountains.
An old legend about Yamantau
According to ancient legends, the hero Shulgan Khan, having corrected the customs of his ancestors, became the lord of the underworld, and the transitionthere he made through Yamantau. Thus, the highest mountain in Bashkortostan served as a door to the dark world. No wonder she was popularly known as "devilish".
Modern fears
The ominous reputation of this massif was also supported by rumors that Yamantau had an increased radiation background, because uranium deposits were found there. However, scientists refute this information. There is no evidence of the presence of mines in the bowels of Yamantau, and you can not be afraid of radiation, its level does not exceed normal levels.
In the 60s, it was decided to build a secret object inside the mountain. Various assumptions have been made, but so far reliable information about this has not been received. The highest mountain in Bashkortostan is part of the South Ural Nature Reserve, and this entire territory is closed to the public.
Another highest mountain in the Republic of Bashkortostan
Mount Iremel (1582 m) is a mountain range and ranks second in height after Yamantau. It is located in the northeastern part of the Uchalinsky district and is part of a ridge called the Ural-tau. On the territory of this mountain range, such peaks as Small (1464 m) and Big Iremel stand out. The flat plateau at the top of Bolshoi Iremel is known as the Kabanchik, and Mount Zherebchik is located to the northwest of it. Locals say that Big Iremel is a father, Small is his son, Stallion and Boar are their pets.
The top of Iremel resembles a huge trapezoid,The size of the site is about 1000 meters. It is difficult to find a place from where you can observe such a panorama. From this height you can see almost all the mountains of the Southern Urals, including the highest mountain in Bashkortostan!
Sights of Mount Iremel
Iremel ("holy" or "sacred mountain"), like Yamantau, is covered with legends and beliefs, and no less mysterious than her "big brother". On one of the ridges, a cross is carved right on the rock, but it can only be seen from afar, and sunlight must fall on the rock surface at a certain angle. Unusual signs carved on stones were found on the slopes of the "holy mountain".
Not far from the "holy mountain" among the swamps you can find a unique lake, in addition to therapeutic mud, there are healing springs. They say that even the most neglected form of asthma can be cured there. In the future, it is planned to build a he alth center or a sanatorium near the lake.
At the base of the mountain range are the sources of five rivers, so Iremel is deservedly considered one of the major water centers in Eurasia. On these rivers - Bolshoy Avnyar, Tyulyuk, Sinyak, Tygyn, Karagayka - you can reach the Caspian Sea and the Arctic Ocean, but if you sail along the Volga-Don Canal, then the Black Sea, as well as the Azov and Mediterranean Seas.
At the foot of the "sacred mountain" is the village of Tyulyuk, whose name means "desire". That is why they say that if you climb Iremel, known as a "special" place, and bring something as a gift to mountain spirits, you can get what you want.
Third highest peak
Now you know the name of the highest mountain in Bashkortostan and its "younger brother". The third highest peak is Big Shelom (1427 m), which is the southernmost and highest peak on the Zigalga ridge. It is located on the territory of the South Ural Nature Reserve. The peak got its name due to its resemblance to the helm (helmet) of the hero. One of the features of the Great Shelom is that its peculiar outlines in clear weather are visible from different points of the South Ural mountains. The top resembles a giant tent with stone slopes. The ridge also includes Small, Third and Fourth Shelom.
How to climb Big Shelom
Despite the fact that the mountain is part of the South Ural State Reserve, recently an ecological path has been laid there, so you can freely go to the top, having paid in advance and received permission.
Climbing these mountains is quite difficult and requires a lot of patience and good physical fitness. It is better to start the ascent from the village of Tyulyuk through Aleksandrovka or from the city of Katav-Ivanovsk right at the place where the narrow gauge railway used to be. The slopes are covered with spruce forest, quartz sandstones begin above. At the very top in the summer-autumn period, you can find berries (lingonberries, blueberries) or mushrooms.
4th place
Masim (1040 m) - strictly speaking, not quite a mountain, but rather just a hilly area. The name comes from the name of Masem-bay or Masem-khan, the hero of the local epic, although it is possible that he was a real historical person. Masim is located in the Burzyansky district near the Kapova cave.
The mountain differs from other peaks not only by its characteristic shape, but also by the fact that on its top there are remnant rocks - sections of high surfaces left after erosion, in other words - hills that have rounded peaks. A metal ladder even leads to one of the remains - the Maiden's Rock, on its top the locals leave coins, inexpensive jewelry, tie multi-colored rags to the branches of dwarf mountain ash and birch as a gift to the "owner" of the mountain.
Birch, pine, oak, linden and even Canadian maple grow in the vicinity of Masim, as well as wild bees, which is why the Bashkir Reserve was created on this territory, which occupies a significant part of the Burzyansky district.
5th place
Kuzguntash (987 m) is the highest point of the Irendyk ridge, located in the southeast of Bashkiria. The length of the ridge is 135 km. Irendyk consists of several mountain ranges located parallel to each other, stretching over a distance of more than 100 km. The northern part of the ridge is covered with taiga forest, the southern part is covered with feather grass steppe.
"Kuzguntash" means "crow's stone". From the top of the mountain, picturesque views of the Trans-Ural plain open up.
Now you know what are the highest mountains in Bashkortostan. The names and descriptions of the peaks are given in the article.
