National Park Zyuratkul. The main attractions of the park

The national park "Zyuratkul" (Chelyabinsk region) is a unique reserved corner of the wild nature. Here you can relax, go hiking in the mountains, fishing and hunting. But at the same time there is also a zone in this park in which they adhere to the regime of the reserve, that is, the natural landscapes of the Southern Urals are intact. Virgin forests, where there are bears and moose, mountain rivers and streams with trout, alpine meadows and mountain tundra - all this can be seen on a fairly large area, which is located around Lake Zyuratkul. How to get there, where to rest and in what places you can go fishing and hunting, - read all about this in this article.

Sinegorye

From afar, fir forests that cover the mountain slopes of the ridges of the Southern Urals seem to be blue, as if covered with a bluish haze. From the ridge, where the quartzite remains formed bizarre forms of rocks, flowing rapids flow down. In the heart of this land, lovingly named in the people Sinegorye, like a child in the cradle, lies Lake Zyuratkul surrounded by ridges. His name comes from the Bashkir phrase "yurak-kul". In translation, this means "heart-lake". And indeed, the name is very good. The lake is the living heart of this mountainous region. It is surrounded and protected from the northern winds by the ridges of Nurgush, Urenga, Lukash, Moskal and Zyuratkul. The national park, whose attractions we will describe today, was established in 1993. Its area is almost 90 thousand hectares. The park stretches from north to south for fifty kilometers, and from east to west for thirty kilometers.

Allocation to zones

Some tourists are interested: if "Zyuratkul" is a national park, rest of mere mortals is possible in it or not? That is, are people allowed to splash in the lake, or is this pleasure only available to the fish? And will the forester charge the fence for picking mushrooms and berries? What about fishing and hunting? It is necessary to say that the territory of the park is divided into three zones of functional purpose. The first is really reserved. It is located in a mountain basin between the ridges of Nurgush and Urenga. Here even the dried up trees do not cut. The virgin forest should look as if there was no human on the planet. Only in the winter period amateur fishing is allowed. To penetrate this protected area, you need to book an excursion at the National Park Directorate, which you can find in the town of Satka. This unforgettable trip takes place in the compulsory accompaniment of the forester. About the excursion to the protected area should be agreed in advance. For this (however, not only for this) and has a national park "Zyuratkul" official website. If your goal is only a recreational area, then ahead of time to warn the park administration about your arrival is not necessary. Just buy a ticket at the checkpoint and register. The places allocated for rest (including tent parking) are on the shores of Lake Zyuratkul, the Bolshaya and Malaya Kalagaza rivers. It is possible to accommodate several villages on tourist bases, in forest cottages or in the private sector.

Zyuratkul, national park: how to get to

How can I get to my destination? The national park is located in the Chelyabinsk region, but it can also be reached from Ufa. From both cities there are regular buses to the old mining center of Satka. There, as we remember, is the administration of the park. Lake Zyuratkul lies 32 kilometers from Satka. This distance can be overcome by a local bus or shuttle bus. The South Ural railway provides an opportunity to get close to the nearest stations Berdyaush or Suleya. From these two points shuttle buses run to Satka. And there you need to change to the bus to come to Zyuratkul - the national park. How to get to the place on your own car? The turn to the settlement of Magnitogorsk is 177 km from Chelyabinsk and 223 km from Ufa, on the route linking these two regional centers. Turning off the motorway to the side road, go another twenty-three kilometers to the checkpoint of the national park. There you will be prompted where you can put the car in the parking lot.

Climate

The Urals itself is a unique place. Here Europe and Asia converge. The Zyuratkul National Park in the Southern Urals lies immediately in two natural zones - the forest-steppe and the taiga. In addition, there is clearly a high-altitude zonation, although the mountains, according to the standards, are low. The highest point of the park (and at the same time the entire Chelyabinsk region) - the Nurgush Range - is only 1406 meters above sea level. But, nevertheless, its tops are covered by the mountain tundra. Less common are alpine meadows. And the foothills of the ridges are under the canopy of a dense forest. The climate here is continental, with a frosty winter and a warm summer. The off-season does not last long. Precipitation is plentiful - the fact that the park is located on the western slopes of the Ural Mountains is affected. Snow can begin even in May and June. A stable winter comes here at the end of October and lingers for a long time. The lake is released from the ice only in late April or early May.

Blue pearl of Sinegorye

The national nature park "Zyuratkul" got its name from the lake of the same name. This is the biggest landmark of the region. The lake is unique in that it lies at a considerable height - more than seven hundred meters above the level of the World Ocean. In addition, this reservoir is the only one on the western slopes of the Urals. The lake was formed as a result of the natural dam by products of washing away soft rocks. Until the end of the XIX century it was a small pond, the area of which did not exceed six square kilometers. And the depth was not impressive: an average of 1.2 meters, and a maximum of 1.7. But since in this region not only the valuable stone was mined, but also the timber was melted, in 1898 a dam was built. At the end of World War II, a hydroelectric power station was built, which caused great damage to the environment. As a result of the artificial increase in the area of the lake, many hectares of valuable forest turned out to be under water, which is now rotting. But the lake looks beautiful. Its area has doubled, and the maximum depth is now 12 meters. 29 mountain rivers and streams flow into the reservoir. Thanks to them, you can drink water from the lake. Surrounded by mountain ranges and the green frame of the taiga, it seems like a sparkling pearl.

Sights of the National Park

At the checkpoint and the site, you can get comprehensive and up-to-date information about upcoming excursions and many-day hikes. The sights of Sinegorye are so numerous that one enumeration of them will turn into a long list. Let's name the most popular among them among tourists. What is so memorable for holidaymakers "Zyuratkul", the national park? The reviews mention the rocky remnant "Grebeshok" that is on the bank of the Berezjak river in the Vinohrad Farm. There was once a pagan temple of ancient Bashkirs, back in pre-Islamic times. They love tourists to conquer the highest peak of the Chelyabinsk region, the Nurgush Range, where the tundra plateau extends. In the upper reaches of the Malaya Satka there is a unique onion glade. On the shores of Lake Zyuratkul archaeologists have discovered about 12 sites of primitive people. The study of artifacts helps to study the way of life of ancient tribes from the Late Paleolithic to the Neolithic and Iron Age.

Natural attractions

The national park "Zyuratkul" became a kind of sanctuary for many endangered species of animals and plants. The national Red Data Book includes 70 species. From flora it is an endemic windswept Urals, as well as a large-flowered slipper, a male orchus, a pulmonary pulpia and a lepidoptera without leaf. The fauna of the park includes 214 species. There are predators - bears, wolves, foxes, ermines, martens. Especially a lot of clumsy people are found on the slopes of the protected ranges of Nurgush and Urenga. Wander among the taiga and giants-moose. Under the protection of the state are the golden eagle, European mink, eagle owl, peregrine falcon, grayling fish. From natural objects one can not ignore the ancient paleovolcano. In its extinguished long time ago the muzzle found more than seventy valuable minerals.

Rest and Accommodation

The national park Zyuratkul is an excellent place for spending a vacation or a weekend with the whole family. On the shores of the lake and numerous rivers, special zones have been created, where it is permitted to break tents. On the way to the peaks there are mountain shelters, where you can spend the night or wait out the bad weather. The same tourists who wish to get more amenities are accommodated on holiday bases in the lakeside villages of Tyulyuk, Sibirka and Zyuratkul. The administration of the park can also rent forest houses (the so-called winter huts). In Zyuratkul settlement there is a mini-zoo at the tourist complex. True, some animals (Himalayan bear, camel and others) are not endemic. Although children are not bothered by this - they are happy to feed both "native" and "newcomer" animals.

The Urals "Disneyland", or "Whale Quay"

National Park "Zyuratkul" until recently decorated another tourist attraction, attracting as a magnet holidaymakers with children. This is the town of attractions "Whale Quay". In 2003, Yuri Kitov, an entrepreneur from the town of Satka, built his own money on the shore of the lake. It is noteworthy that the entrance to Zyuratkul is paid, but on the "Prystan" was absolutely free. The amusement park attracted both adults and children for a long time. This place became so popular that it was called "Urals Disneyland". But the management of the park declared a real judicial war against Kitov. Entrepreneur literally showered with claims. Despite public protests, the court decided to dismantle the Whale Quay. The buildings were demolished in the fall of 2012. Now the park's director Alexander Bryukhanov initiated a case against the liquidation of housing for some ordinary residents of Zyuratkul village, whose houses are on two streets that allegedly "climb" into the territory of the national reserve.

Hunting and fishing

In the lake and the rivers of the park there are about 20 species of fish. Among them, the most interesting is the Ural trout - grayling. You can also catch a thunderstorm of rivers - pike, burbot, bream, perch, ruff, roach, etc. Zyuratkul National Park has created all conditions for amateur fishing. You can hire an experienced instructor who knows the "bread" places and habits of local residents, rent equipment and equipment. There are trout farms on the territory. Grayling is abundant in the abundant oxygenated water of the mountain rivers Yuryuzan, Kalagaza and Berezyak. Amateur hunting is allowed only in the allotted for this season and only on the game. In the village of Magnitsky there is a marvel farm "Bear's joy".

Tourist routes

The administration of the national park pays much attention to the development of active recreation. At the foot of the Zyuratkul ridge, a comfortable "ecological path" is laid, which even unprepared tourists can overcome. And who do not intimidate long-distance hikes, they can sign up for interesting one- and multi-day excursions. Thirteen routes have been developed, including hiking, biking, and even skiing. In the period of high water, there are also alloys on the mountain rivers. From one-day summer hikes are very popular excursions to the rocks Zyuratkul pillars, on the ridge Lukash, Nurgush and Moskal, along the shores of the lake. On skis it is interesting to go to the artesian spring Fountain and to the Sukan Range.