Recently, one can often hear the question of whether there are mountains in Rostov-on-Don. Obviously, everyone became interested in this topic after an American politician assured the world community that there was healing air in the Rostov mountains. Is there air, but mountains?
Gates of the Caucasus
Rostov Region is part of the Southern Federal District. If we consider the terrain, then it is very diverse. The predominant area of the region is represented by plains: vast steppes and endless fields intersect with numerous ravines, rivers and gullies. In the central part of the region, what experienced climbers call mountains, no. But there are other amazing places that attract not only tourists, but also athletes.
This is also a mountain. Not as magnificent as in the Caucasus, but worthy of being called such. In the north of the region, the Don Ridge formed gentle spurs of the Ergeni Upland, and in the west the Donetsk Ridge reaches a height of 253 meters.
The territories of the flat lands of Rostov, as they approach the Caucasus, change their appearance. And if you take 300-400 km as a short distance, then you can talk about the mountains in Rostov-on-Don, and the availability of ski resorts near the city.
Skeleton Rock
The town of Krasny Sulin, located 100 km from Rostov, rises a rock mass. This is the end of the watershed between the rivers Big and Small Gnilusha. An unusually picturesque place: a stream flows below, on a neighboring hill - a forest, and nearby the village of Skelevatka. At the top of the cliff there is a flat area where tourists and locals come to rest.
The name of the rock comes from the view of the mountain - from a certain angle of view it looks like ribs. There is another version, which says that she got the name thanks to the Ukrainian language, in which "skeleton" means "rock".
Zaitsevsky (Khmelevsky) rocks
These mountains are located near Rostov-on-Don, just 160 km to the west. In the valley of the Kundryuchya River, the Donetsk ridge formed a rock mass. In the nearby village it is called Zaitsevka. The highest point is 35 meters, and the length is about one kilometer.
These mountains have attracted climbers since Soviet times, namely from the 70s. The array is divided into sectors of complexity for the convenience of conducting classes. Novice climbers train in the Spartak zone. There are sites such as Taganrog, Ship's Nose, Heart, and Voronezh. They got their names either for their appearance or in honor of their “colleagues” - rocks. This place is used for competitions, gatherings and festivals.
Nature is famous for its special charm. There is a river, a forest, and space. And the complex terrain has formed its own, natural microclimate.
Prokhorov Rocks
These are the nearest mountains from Rostov-on-Don, located just 90 km from the city, near the village of Prokhorovka. The spur stretches for 500 m. It is formed by the same ridge as the Zaitsevsky rocks. And the same river flows here - Kundryuchya.
Climbers have long mastered these amazing places. Moreover, it is very convenient to come here with family on weekends to have fun and actively spend time.
Two sisters
There are amazing mountains near Rostov-on-Don, south of the city of Belaya Kalitva. On the right bank of the North Donets are two absolutely identical mountains. Having a height of 100 meters, they are very similar to the Crimean Bear Mountain, only in size, of course, much smaller. But there are two of them. Tourists joke, looking at this miracle of nature: "Find 10 differences!" Their beauty is emphasized by the floodplain forest and the spring with drinking water. They also assure that these places were chosen by UFOs.
There is a beautiful legend about these mountains. Two twin daughters, the father decided to marry old, but wealthy widowers. And young grooms, so as not to interfere, he sent to the mound to get treasures. When the girls were led by force under the crown, they fled for protection to the North Donets. Father caught up with them, wrapped braids on his hands and dragged him back. Yes, the river here swelled, stoned the shore and took the girls to themselves, turning them into mountains.
They became forever stubborn, stone mountains against their father's will and evil share. And their grooms, having returned, turned into eagles and fly next to the narrowed ones.
Ski resorts of the Caucasus
No wonder Rostov is called the gateway to the Caucasus. Unusual beauty of the steppe mountains of Rostov-on-Don open the way for travelers to the great mountain ranges. If the locals are not satisfied with the cliffs of the Rostov Region, you want more grandeur and monumentality, then you need to overcome only 400 km. Given the vastness of our homeland, this is quite a bit.
The ski resort "Laura" on Krasnaya Polyana successfully met guests during the 2014 Olympics. The height of its location is 886 m. It is equipped with sixteen slopes of varying difficulty. The lifts deliver the skiers to the start in 12 minutes.
Another complex in Krasnaya Polyana, located in the Mzymty Valley, is called the Mountain Carousel. This is a modern resort, in which the length of the tracks is about 10 km. A feature of the slopes is the intersection of tracks with different levels of difficulty. The sports center is chosen by fans of freestyle, snowboarding, skiing.
Mountains are large and small, but they are equally attractive to people in love with them. It's time to the mountains of Rostov-on-Don!