West of the city of Rezh lies the Rezhevskoy State Nature and Mineral Reserve. It is located on the eastern slope of the Ural Mountains in Sverdlovsk Oblast, 60 km northeast of Yekaterinburg and near the villages of Lipovskoye, Firsovo, Cheremisskoye, Oktyabrskoye and Koltashi. It was established in 1995 to protect and preserve a unique natural complex. This complex includes the “Samotsvetnaya Polosa Urala” mineralogical province, which has been known for more than 300 years.
A Mineralogical Province with Many Facets
Within a relatively small area, the province is known worldwide for its variety of precious and ornamental minerals. More than 170 mineral species occur there. Examples include Shaitansky agate-perelivt, multicoloured tourmaline, amethysts, emeralds, alexandrite, topaz, aquamarine, sapphire, ruby and beryl. Its long-standing renown and variety of mineral species make the province a distinctive geological focus. The term “mineralogical province” draws attention to an entire region and its mineral diversity, rather than to a single gemstone.
Hiking Trails in Lipovsky Geological Park
Three hiking trails run through Lipovsky Geological Park within the reserve: “Plyazh” is 1,400 m long, “Tsvetnye gliny” 1,900 m, and “Smotrovaya ploshchadka” 4,860 m. For those choosing by distance, this means two trails under two kilometres and one route of almost five kilometres. As route lengths can change, check the latest distance information with the operator before setting out.
Two Longer Hikes from Oktyabrskoye
Two longer hiking routes lead from Oktyabrskoye to different destinations. “Svyatilishche drevnikh” leads to the “Shaitan-kamen” rock, covers 8 km and is listed as taking six hours. “Po Samotsvetnoy polose” leads to the Shaitansky perelivt deposit, covers 10 km and is described as taking seven hours. The second route is two kilometres longer and takes an hour longer; the destinations also differ—a rock and a mineral deposit. Both are classed as hikes for people with a moderate level of fitness, and each is listed for groups of up to ten people. Check the current arrangements with the operator before planning.
A two-hour overview tour of the Lipovsky Geological Park area is also listed for groups of up to ten people. Compared with the six- and seven-hour hikes, it is the shorter option; check with the operator before planning whether the tour can currently be arranged.
The Shaitansky Section
The Shaitansky Section forms the central part of the reserve. Several pits are located near Oktyabrskoye and the village of Shaitanka, including Jepishkina Yama, Granatovaya Kop, Kasyonnaya Yama and a pit on the Kozicha River. The Shaitansky perelivt deposit is also located there.
Discover more destinations: Sukhoy Log city, Nizhnyaya Tura city, Polevskoy city, Yekaterinburg, Pervouralsk, Sysertsky District, Prigorodny District, Artemovsky city.
For the broader travel overview: Sverdlovsk Oblast.
