Even in ancient times, people believed that if an injured or emaciated person plunges into a thermal spring, he will immediately restore strength. The water in them is heated by the heat of magma and, rising from the bowels of the earth to the surface, is enriched with minerals and other useful substances. Sulfur treats skin diseases, calcium, radon, zinc and sodium help to eliminate problems with the musculoskeletal system, and magnesium calms the nerves. Some sources even cope with female infertility. The main thing when visiting such places is that the disease is not in the acute phase, otherwise hot water can only do harm.
Thermal springs have led to the prosperity of the tourism industry in Hungary, Japan, the Czech Republic, Italy and France. But it turns out that this exotic is also found in the Urals. Below you will find a brief overview of the hot springs in the Chelyabinsk region.
Etkul village
The village is located on a huge underground reservoir with thermal water. Therefore, wherever you drill a well, there will appear a comfortableswimming pool all year round.
The picturesque nature adds to the popularity of Etkul village. This is probably why the village is overflowing with recreation centers and has long been considered a recreational zone by the residents of Chelyabinsk. Suburban bus number 140 even goes here. But not all residents of the regional center know where the hot springs are located in the Chelyabinsk region. Therefore, many people trust their leisure time to travel agencies. In the city, many agencies organize trips to the thermal pools. There are weekend tours or short sessions (morning and evening) in Etkul, because the village is located some 42 km from Chelyabinsk. Almost all bases in Etkul have their own pools with thermal mineral water.
To the hot springs of the Chelyabinsk region on their own
No one forbids you to come to the village on your own. Almost all recreation centers allow (albeit tightly) everyone to plunge into the pool. And for this it is not at all necessary to check into hotels or come with an excursion organized by travel agencies. If you are a motorist, leave Chelyabinsk and move southeast of the city. After half an hour of driving along the E123 highway, you will reach the village of Kalachevo. Then you should continue on the road A310. Excluding traffic jams at the exit from Chelyabinsk, you will reach Etkul in forty minutes. Route No. 140 runs from the bus station of the regional center "City Hospital" to the village. By paying directly at the recreation center for using the hot springs of the Chelyabinsk region, you will save money and avoidhustle, and it will inevitably be if all the passengers of the sightseeing bus climb into the tank at once.
Which recreation center to choose
Mineral water in all Etkul thermal pools has the same chemical composition and approximately the same temperature. After all, these are only different wells, and the underground lake is one for all.
But still, the choice of a recreation center is of no small importance. In some institutions, the pools are small and are only indoors, in others - outdoors. In some places, pleasure is limited to a simple tank in which to stand.
Sanitary and hygienic conditions and infrastructure related to recreation in the hot springs of the Chelyabinsk region also vary. Judging by the reviews, the most comfortable and acceptable services are two bases in Etkul - "Forest Fairy Tale" and "Termy Alexandria". We will now briefly characterize them.
"Baden-Baden" or "Forest Tale"
This establishment with a double name has been operating since 2015. This summer, three more were added to the existing large swimming pool: two indoors and one outdoors near the exit of the building. As tourists assure in reviews, the temperature in all tanks is very comfortable. I offer guests all types of hydromassage: guns, underwater jets, countercurrent, etc.
Next to this hot spring of the Chelyabinsk region there is a sauna and a s alt cave. There is a mushroom fountain for children. The complex includes a decent hotel, a cafe, a smallzoo. In winter, ice skating is available on the nearby lake for free.
The Baths of Alexandria
Only a photo of a hot spring in the Chelyabinsk region makes you want to plunge into these clear blue waters and relax in a comfortable temperature of + 39 °С.
What are the benefits of this place? The pool is located outdoors in the heart of a pine forest. In summer, its edges are lined with sunbeds and umbrellas. Numerous hydromassage facilities make recovery more efficient.
There are also fun activities for children. But there is one “but”: the water for the pool does not come from a well, but from Gorkoye Lake. It is heated to the desired temperature, and this reduces the concentration of mineral s alts. But the recreation infrastructure in "Alexandria" is on top. The thermal complex, which includes a Russian steam bath, a sauna and a hammam, is especially pleasing to visitors.
