Rezh: Hiking Trails and Minerals in the “Rezhevskoy” Reserve
Accommodation in Rezh
The Rezhevskoy State Nature and Mineral Reserve lies on the eastern slope of the Ural Mountains, in Sverdlovsk Oblast, 60 km northeast of Yekaterinburg and west of the city of Rezh. The villages of Lipovskoye, Firsovo, Cheremisskoye, Oktyabrskoye and Koltashi lie near the reserve. These geographical reference points help orient visitors to a destination whose natural and geological features are particularly evident in the reserve.
Protected Area and Mineral Province
The reserve was established in 1995 to protect and preserve a unique natural complex. This complex includes the “Samotsvetnaya Polosa Urala” mineral province, known for more than 300 years. The protection of a larger natural area is thus directly linked to the region’s geological distinction.
A Diverse Mineral Landscape
The “Samotsvetnaya Polosa Urala” province is known worldwide for the diversity of its precious and ornamental minerals within a relatively small area. More than 170 mineral species are found there. Examples include Shaitansky agate-pereliv, multicolored tourmaline, amethysts, emeralds, alexandrite, topaz, aquamarine, sapphire, ruby and beryl. The combination of a large number of species and a limited area defines the geological character of this province. For travelers interested in minerals, it offers a specific focus that can be distinguished from individual named sites in the reserve.
Hiking Trails in Lipovsky Geological Park
Lipovsky Geological Park is located within the reserve. It has three hiking trails: “Plyazh,” at 1,400 m; “Tsvetnye gliny,” at 1,900 m; and “Smotrovaya ploshchadka,” at 4,860 m. The shortest and longest trails differ by 3,460 m, so they vary considerably in length. The trail names and distances provide a concrete basis for comparing the park’s routes by the desired distance.
Hikes with Specific Destinations
Two longer walking routes to different destinations start in the village of Oktyabrskoye. “Svyatilishche drevnikh” leads to the “Shaitan-Kamen” rock; the hike takes six hours and covers 8 km. “Po Samotsvetnoy polose” leads to the Shaitansky Pereliv deposit and is listed as taking seven hours and covering 10 km. Both hikes are described as suitable for people with an average level of physical fitness, and each is listed for groups of up to ten people. Compared directly, the second route takes one hour longer and is two kilometers farther. As routes may change, check the current trail information and hike arrangements with the operator before planning.
Mines and Deposits in the Shaitansky Section
The Shaitansky section forms the central part of the Rezhevskoy Nature and Mineral Reserve. Several mines are located near Oktyabrskoye and the village of Shaitanka: Yepishkina Yama, Granatovaya Kop, Kasyonnaya Yama and a mine on the Kozikha River. The Shaitansky Pereliv deposit is also located there. Two scales of the geological profile are represented side by side: the wide variety of mineral species in the province and the specifically named mines and deposits in the Shaitansky section.
Discover more destinations: Tavda, Bogdanovich, Yekaterinburg, Prigorodny District, Alapayevsky District, Nevyanskiy District, Artyomovsky District, Asbest
Go to the regional travel overview: Sverdlovsk Oblast.
