Southern Ural, Mountain range in western Russia
The Southern Ural forms a mountain system in western Russia that divides Europe from Asia and consists of several parallel ridges running north to south. Jamantau rises as the highest point, surrounded by deep river valleys and forested slopes that give the area a layered appearance.
Russian merchants and settlers reached these mountains in the mid-16th century as the tsardom expanded eastward after taking control of territories along the Volga. The founding of Ufa in 1574 marked the beginning of a permanent Russian presence in the region.
The mountain range territory houses different ethnic groups including Russians, Tatars, and Bashkirs, each maintaining their traditional customs and languages.
The western side receives more rainfall and is more densely forested, while the eastern slopes are drier and feature open terrain. Visitors should be aware that some areas are restricted military zones and access may be limited.
The western slopes contain numerous karst caves and underground streams formed by limestone dissolution over time. In contrast, the eastern side displays rocky outcrops of volcanic origin that give the landscape a completely different character.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
