"Arsky Kamen" is a camp site located in the southeast of Bashkortostan in the Beloretsky district, in the very center of the southern part of the Ural mountain range. Guests will find here interesting and useful leisure: river rafting, hiking and horseback riding, speleological excursions. One of the most interesting natural sites - a high rocky ledge - gave its name to the recreation center. Tourists come to the famous Arsky stone to admire the work of the weathering forces, to see the time stamps. Many fascinating folk tales and legends are dedicated to the cliff. And his age is about 400 million years.
Recreation center "Arsky Stone" (Bashkiria)
Fans of ecological, educational tourism, lovers of outdoor activities enjoy visiting the mountains of Bashkortostan. In the northeastern part of the Beloretsk district is the source of the Belaya River (Agidel) - one of the most beautiful waterways of Bashkiria. On its right bank, 20 km from the regional center - the city of Beloretsk - is the oldest rocky ledge, and nearby is the Arsky Kamen camp site. In Soviet times, horseback riding and water tourism enthusiasts gathered around the Southern Urals. The camp site was created in 1972 on the site of a holiday home and over the years has become the hallmark of Beloretsky district and the whole of Bashkortostan.
The distance from the capital of the republic to Sosnovka is about 260 km. Some guests begin their journey to the place of rest from the Beloretsk bus or train station. The road lies southwest along the highway. Before reaching the village of Sosnovka, you need to turn right (there is a pointer). Heading to the camp site by car from Ufa, you can turn south without stopping in Beloretsk. About 1.5 km to Sosnovka there will be a turn with a pointer to the path to the recreation center.
The pristine beauty of the wildlife of the Southern Urals
In the vicinity of the Arsky Kamen tourist complex (Beloretsk), mountain peaks overgrown with coniferous and broad-leaved forests, subalpine meadows alternate with the green shores of the Belaya River valley. In prehistoric times, the entire South Ural territory went through long stages of development as part of the paleo-ocean. His retreat was associated with powerful mountain building processes. On the modern western slope of ancient ranges, limestones, dolomites and other sedimentary rocks are exposed. Debris and imprints of ancient mollusks and corals - inhabitants of warm and shallow sea basins - are found everywhere in rocky scree. Valuable igneous rocks were also found in the mountains of the Southern Urals, there are traces of ancient volcanism.
The Bashkir people preserved the legend of the ancient giant, who protected a belt in the place of the modern mountain range, composed of semiprecious stones and minerals useful in the household. To the riches of the mountains, nature has added the beauty of rivers and forests, the healing power of the air. The conditions of the recreation center are excellent for improving health, testing your abilities and activating the body's reserves.
Legendary cliff
20 km south-west of Beloretsk and a few hundred meters from the camp site is a historical and geological monument - Arsky stone. The height of this sheer rock outcrop of limestone rocks reaches 30 m. Weathering has changed its shape for 400 million years, leaving bizarre patterns on the surface. The rock is surrounded by a pine forest and the majestic bend of the Belaya River. Relict species of plants of forest and steppe flora are found here (Podolsk shiverekiya, Coin sunflower, poligranous scrub).
The spirit of the time, the power of natural forces are reflected in the folklore of the Bashkir people. Part of the legends and traditions associated with the Arsk stone and the Agidel river belong to the period of the popular uprising led by Emelyan Pugachev. According to one version, in 1774 the rebels captured the Beloretsk plant. Having been refused the demand to melt the guns, they threw the manager from the top of the Arsk stone into the river. After the execution, according to popular rumor, the waters of Agidel retreated hundreds of meters from the cliff of Arsky stone (photos of the mountain formation are presented in the article). According to another legend, in a cave under the cliff Pugachev hid looted treasures. The entrance to the underground grotto was deliberately destroyed in the 30s of the last century in order to cool the ardor of treasure hunters.
The infrastructure of the recreation center, guest accommodation options
The number of rooms of the recreation center "Arskiy Kamen" is designed to receive 200–250 guests. In summer, accommodation opportunities increase due to one-story houses. About half of the total number of tourists takes brick winter building. Cozy summer houses are picturesquely located on the territory and are almost adjacent to the pine forest. The categories of rooms offered are different: standard, junior suite and suite. Each room is designed for 2–4 beds, in some rooms additional places can be created to accommodate guests.
The complex has a dining room, which organizes three meals a day (for an additional fee). If desired, guests can cook their own meals; for this, the recreation center has all the conditions.
Camp infrastructure:
- Russian sauna;
- rink;
- sports ground;
- conference hall;
- entertainment center;
- parking for cars;
- places for picnics, equipped with everything necessary.
Rehabilitation Center Project
In 2014, the recreation center "Arsky Kamen" (Beloretsk) could be converted into a rehabilitation center for drug addicts. The project was initiated by public organizations with the support of the Office of the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia for Bashkiria. If it were to be implemented, the borders of the camp site would have to be closed, which would mean the end of a well-developed tourist brand. When the heads of the Beloretsk district administration and representatives of the national association of rehabilitation centers discussed the prospects, it was decided that it would be inappropriate to place the rehabilitation institution on the territory of the tourist complex. The opinion of residents and the public, who opposed the implementation of the rehab center project, was also taken into account. The recreation center on June 1, 2014 began to accept tourists as usual.
Summer sightseeing
In summer, horseback riding, hiking and cycling routes, caving trips, river rafting prevail in the recreation program. Themed bus excursions to historical and natural monuments of the Southern Urals are organized. Hiking routes introduce tourists to the protected corners of the region. Horseback riding is a tradition of the recreation center, which is over 40 years old. A popular equestrian and speleological route has been added to popular hikes in the mountains, river valleys and forests, historical places.
South Ural River Rafting
Traveling on the waters of the Belaya and Inzer rivers in kayaks, catamarans and rafts is an attractive type of outdoor activity for courageous and hardy people. The routes of rafts prepared by the recreation center “Arskiy Kamen” come in various complexity and duration. Experienced travelers and beginners in this type of tourism take part in fascinating hikes. For the first, an interesting 7-day route along the Inzer River and an 11-day water hike of increased complexity to the Shulgan-tash cave, which runs along the Belaya River. Beginners will like short introductory alloys lasting up to 5 hours. Even families with children can go on a hike on the water of the Ural rivers, because the course here is not as fast as in the Caucasus.
"Arsky Stone": a comfortable winter vacation
The camp site in the vicinity of the village of Sosnovka operates year-round, offering its guests fascinating routes, excursions and entertainment. On the complex's own territory there are also attractions: a ski run with night lighting and Arsky Castle. There is also a training ski complex, there is an installation of artificial snow, descent and ski jumps for snowboarding.
The ice rink at the camp site is also equipped with night lighting. Lovers of leisurely skiing are attracted by a pine forest. In winter, you can view the surroundings by horseback riding or sleigh rides. At the camp site there is a rental of snowmobiles, boats, boats, bicycles, tourist and sports equipment, fishing equipment.
Speleological excursions
The speleological trip to the Askinskaya ice cave is a bouquet of adventures associated with visiting an amazing natural site. On the route, participants will need a minimum knowledge of speleology and a maximum of enthusiasm. Ice cave is filled with ice stalactites and centuries-old ice. It is interesting to get into this kingdom of cold in the summer; the impressions received do not leave indifferent any participant in the campaign.