Peaks of the Khibiny mountains. Khibiny
There are many in Russia beautiful mountains. One of them is the Khibiny. Once here, you will see stunning snowy peaks, clear lakes, noisy waterfalls, mountain tundra and even northern lights. Let's find out where the Khibiny mountains are located and why they are interesting.
Geographical position
To get into it unique place, you need to go to the Murmansk region. The Khibiny Mountains are located on the Kola Peninsula, in its very center. On both sides they are limited by lakes - Imandra and Umbozero. There is always snow on the steep slopes, because the massif is located beyond the Arctic Circle (67th parallel). Adjacent forest-tundra.
Initially, the mountains were called Umptek. Translated from the language of the locals, the Sami, it means "a place where deer come to die." However, later another name took root - Khibiny ("plateau"). The array is shaped like two horseshoes, one nested inside the other. From space, it is very similar to a huge stone flower.
Formation
The Khibiny are the oldest mountains in Russia. It is believed that they are about 390 million years old. The array was formed in several stages. Initially, where the Khibiny Mountains are located now, powerful flows of hot magma flowed. Giant volcanoes gradually cooled, laying the main forms of the plateau.
The second stage was glaciation. It began 1 million years ago. Glaciers were advancing from Scandinavia, and this happened repeatedly. They smoothed crystalline ledges, cut wide valleys and narrow winding cracks that later became rivers.
The last glaciation (Valdai) occurred about 100 thousand years ago. The mountains turned out to be completely filled with ice, as evidenced by huge boulders on rocky peaks. The apogee was observed 20 thousand years ago, and then gradual melting began.
The third stage of the formation of the Khibiny has not yet been completed. It is characterized by tectonic uplift. It is known that 20 million years ago the mountains towered 500 m above the earth's surface. After 15 million years, this height doubled. Over the past 10 thousand years, the massif has grown by 20 m. Every year, the mountains rise by 0.3-1.2 mm. Sometimes this process is accompanied by earthquakes, mostly weak ones.
Relief
The Khibiny mountains rise above the surrounding hilly plain by an average of 800-1100 m. The massif has an annular structure. The plateau is dissected by deep faults in the earth's crust, which diverge radially from the Poachvumchorr ridge. Valleys divide the mountains into separate, fairly large blocks. They, in turn, are divided into smaller sections by less significant gorges. Steep ledges decrease towards Lake Imandra.
There are no pointed peaks in the Khibiny. All of them are paid. The slopes are steep, without ledges, many of them are covered with glaciers and snowfields. Through valleys have a U-shape, smoothed out during glaciations (the so-called troughs). Huge boulders remained on the surface of the plateau. Also worth noting a large number of ancient glacial kars and circuses (steep bowl-shaped depressions on the slopes). The youngest gorges are almost sheer, going several tens of meters deep. The sun's rays never reach their bottom.
Peaks
The height of the Khibiny mountains does not exceed 1206 m. The highest point is the top of Yudychvumchorr ("humming mountain"). According to other sources, it is slightly lower - 1200.6 m. Yudychvumchorr got its name because of the strong winds that constantly blow over its flat top, as if cut with a knife. Climbing here, you can see almost all the plateaus and mountain ranges.
For a long time, the highest point of the Khibiny was considered another peak - Chasnachorr ("woodpecker mountain"). She soars up to 1189 m. Today she holds an honorable second place. The third highest mountain is Putelichorr ("an array of newcomers"). It rises into the sky at 1111 m.
But for local residents - Samaams, the relatively low mountain Aikuaivenchorr (1075 m.) is sacred. Its name translates as "the head of the Mother of God". If you look at her from long distance, you can see a woman's face turned to heaven.
Geology
The Khibiny Mountains are composed mainly of nepheline syenites, a crystalline alkaline rock of igneous origin. Associated minerals are apatites containing phosphorus. The Khibiny apatite deposit is considered the largest in the world.
The array has a ring structure. The rock complexes form arcs nested into each other and open on the eastern side. This is explained by the introduction of magma between alternating faults.
The mountains are called the natural museum of minerals. There are about 500 of them in total. It is interesting that 110 minerals are not found anywhere else. Some of them are not characteristic of massifs composed of alkaline rocks. Examples include topaz and spinel. Besides apatite and nepheline, micas, ores of copper, iron, nickel, and some other metals are of practical value. On Mount Eveslogchorr, outcrops of rare minerals, in particular, blue sapphire, used in the jewelry industry, were discovered.
Climatic conditions
The Khibiny Mountains are located beyond the Arctic Circle, so the average annual temperature here is minus 0.1 °C. The polar night begins on December 10th and ends on January 3rd. The polar day lasts from May 31 to July 13. Summer and spring are cool and rather late. The snow begins to melt at the end of April when the temperature rises above 0°C. The frost-free period in the mountains lasts no longer than 60-80 days.
The average summer temperature is +12 °C. On the hottest days, it can rise to +30 ° C and above. Usually this weather is accompanied by thunderstorms. However, after the sun, a sharp cooling down to minus 1-4 degrees and sleet can come.
September to April locals admire northern lights. The snow cover finally falls in early November. Winters in the Khibiny are warm, which is explained by the proximity to the Barents Sea. Its waters are warmed by the Gulf Stream. average temperature is -11 °C, but it is usually 10-15 degrees colder at the tops. Mountain avalanches come down quite often, presenting a serious danger to tourists.
The average annual rainfall in the valleys is 600-700 mm. On the mountain peaks this number increases to 1600 mm. The winds are very strong and gusty. Their average speed exceeds 5 m/s. Instantaneous gusts can reach 60-80 m/s. They are able to blow away a person standing on the edge of a plateau.
Flora and fauna
The Khibiny Mountains in the photo look very picturesque. Their slopes are covered with evergreen forests, moss and reindeer moss. Vegetation changes with increasing altitude. The foothills of 300-400 meters are dressed in coniferous forests with a predominance of spruce and pine. Then the birch crooked forest rises up about 100 m. After it begins the tundra zone. It is represented by lichens and small shrubs: crowberry, lingonberry, bearberry, blueberry. After the first frost, the leaves of the plants acquire a bright color, creating an amazing multi-colored carpet.
With increasing height, the plants thin out, they are replaced by stony mounds. In some places you can see patterns of green, gray or yellow lichens. The flora of the mountains is valuable, many plants are listed in the Red Book. Animal world represented by 27 mammals. There are only 3 species of reptiles, 1 species of amphibians. Most of all, birds are found in the mountains - 123 species.
Mountain exploration
For a long time, the Khibiny remained unexplored. For the first time, academician Lepekhin writes about them, who in 1772 visited the Kola Peninsula and studied its central part. He notes that the steep gorges can hide minerals. In the summer of 1834, the mining engineer Shirokin began to explore the Western slope of the Khibiny.
In 1891-1892, an expedition led by geologist V. Ramsay arrived on the peninsula. She studied the area in detail in two seasons, collected a lot of geological information and compiled a map of the mountains. Further exploration of the region was prevented at first World War and then the revolution.
Only in 1920 did the next scientific and fishing expedition headed by A. Fersman arrive on the Kola Peninsula. They discovered previously unknown minerals. Already in 1921, the development of apatite ores near Mount Kukisvumchorr began. A year later, it became clear that the Khibiny deposits are much richer than originally thought.
Industrial development
1926 is considered the official date of the discovery of large deposits on the Rasvumchorra plateau. Since that time, miners began to come to the Kola Peninsula. In 1929 the "Apatity" trust was created. A year later, the construction of an enrichment plant began. In 1931, the city of Khibinogorsk was founded, later renamed Kirovsk.
In the Khibiny mountains, ore mining was put on stream. In 1966, near Kirovsk appeared New town, which is now called Apatity. Settlements were actively created. In 2012, the North-West Phosphorous Company built on the banks of the lake. Umbozero GOK "Deer Stream". The construction of another mine was planned, which caused outrage among the local population. The environmental movement has started. People demanded to ban further development and recognize the Khibiny as a national park. This was done in 2018.
Rest in Khibiny
Many climbers flock to the Kola Peninsula in summer. There are routes here of varying complexity up to category 5B. But most of the passes have 1-2 categories. In the rocks there are almost always shelves for spending the night, the rock danger is small. The slopes are simple and picturesque. Many easy routes have been developed for hikers, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauties of northern nature.
In winter, ski slopes open on the Aikuaivenchorr and Kukissvumchorr mountains. Sports enthusiasts can go skiing, snowboarding or brightly colored buns. Thrill-seekers choose off-piste descents along virgin fields, the steepness of which can reach up to 55 °, or along avalanche flows. Of course, such entertainment is associated with great risk. As, however, and winter hiking in the Khibiny mountains. Instead, tourists are offered exciting excursions on snowmobiles.
We hope that now you will not be at a loss looking at the atlas. The Khibiny mountains seem small on the map, but in fact this is a harsh region, fraught with a lot of dangers. Despite this, it attracts people with its beauty and an unusual combination of rocks, marshy massifs and clear northern lakes.
They are beautiful, mysterious and dangerous. All this is about the Khibiny Mountains or simply the Khibiny - the largest massif on the Kola Peninsula. He saw this land as it was many centuries ago, because the age of the mountains is estimated at over 390 million years.
If you look at the Khibiny from above, you can see an oval ring. For the most part, there are plateau-like peaks and river valleys, deep gorges, cirques (amphitheater basins) and kars (bowls on the slopes), and all this is surrounded by the Khibiny tundra.
Even in a rare hot summer, snow lies on the peaks; it is also here that the first snowflakes are met in the region before the onset of winter. It often snows here at the end of August.
Many animals are found in the tundra, including those with the status of rare and protected. Reindeer, arctic fox, marten, hazel grouse, capercaillie, Norwegian lemming, freshwater pearl mussel mollusk, common viper, viviparous lizard. There are brown trout, whitefish, char, grayling and others in the rivers.
The vegetation of the Khibiny is the filling of a multi-layered pie. Tundra, forest-tundra and taiga replace each other with height. The forest zone at the foot smoothly passes into the belt of birch forests of the subalpine type and alpine tundra on the tops of the mountains.
On the high altitude an interesting phenomenon can be observed: it is very difficult for trees to grow here due to strong wind and constant cold. Therefore, birch trees grow to the level of grass or even spread along the ground. But here you can find many types of flowers, cereals, berries and others: sorrel, ragwort, alpine bluegrass, saxifrage, cloudberries, lingonberries, crowberries, blueberries.
They began to explore and study the Khibiny only in the 20th century, when people realized that it was not only beautiful place, but also rich: hitherto unknown minerals were discovered here.
The Khibiny are living mountains in every sense of the word. The formation of their relief continues, although the main artist was the glacier, which covered the massif millions of years ago. But even today, the Khibiny rise by about 1-2 centimeters per year. Occasionally, earthquakes occur here, mainly by 3-4 points, mostly caused by the development of deposits in the mines. With each decade, the surface of the mountains becomes sharper, this is due to weathering.
This makes the Khibiny even more dangerous, although even without that, people here should be as careful as possible. In winter, there is a high risk of an avalanche. Rockfalls occur in summer, tourists stumble on narrow mountain paths. Sometimes, even on a seemingly flat surface, there are dangerous surprises - holes that serve as an entrance to underground caves.
That is why it is better to go to the Khibiny with an experienced guide and as part of an organized group. You must first register with the regional Ministry of Emergency Situations.
The same rules apply to those who want to go in for winter sports in the Khibiny. This is the best place in Murmansk region for skiing and snowboarding. For athletes, several slopes and recreation centers are equipped, where the tracks are checked by specialists of Russian and international level.
Also, the following sights of the Khibiny will be of interest to tourists: the lakes Maly and Bolshoy Vudyavr, Akademichesky, Geographers' passes, Yuksporlak, Schel, Ganeshina circus, Beautiful waterfall and others.
Especially for lovers of walks and spending the night under open sky several hiking routes have been developed: the Blue Lakes Gorge - the Pyrrhotite Gorge, the molybdenum mine - the Geographers' Pass, the Geographers' Pass - Mount Vudyavrchorr, the Ramsay Gorge - the valley of the Malaya Belaya River, the western and eastern passes of Petrelius, the North and South Chorrgor aerevals, Kuelpor - the South Chorrgor pass - Imandra lake, Aku-Aku gorge, Risjok river - South Rischorr pass - Marchenko peak, astrophyllites of Mount Eveslogchorr.
As you know, the Khibiny Mountains are the largest mountain range located on the Kola Peninsula. The name "Khibiny" appeared not so long ago, because before that the mountain system was called the Sami word "Umptek". It is believed that the geological age of this rock reaches about 350 million years. The exact origin of the Khibiny is still unknown, although according to the Russian dialect of the Arkhangelsk region and the Kola Peninsula, the term "Khiben" prevails, which means "plateau".
The mountains are composed of igneous rocks or nepheline syenites. The Khibiny massif has plateau-like peaks, rather steep slopes, in some places of which there are glaciers and snowfields. The highest point of the mountain system was Mount Yudychvumchorr, whose height reaches 1200.5 m above sea level and which breaks rather steeply in the form of impregnable sheer cliffs.
The Khibiny mountain massif in its shape is more like a horseshoe, somewhat open towards the east. High flat plateaus, as well as a complex system of especially deep valleys, became a characteristic relief. Most of the valleys end in the form of global glacial cirques, in which there is snow throughout the year. The inherent plateaus are flat surfaces completely covered with bare stone placers. A huge number of minerals are located in the Khibiny, the vast majority of which were discovered at this place for the first time - that is why the Khibiny massif is also called the mineralogical natural museum. The minerals located here are of the greatest importance. In this place there are the world's largest deposits of apatite containing phosphorus, as well as titanium, sphene, molybdenum ores and many other rare elements, which have become a reliable base for the mining industry of the North.
Concerning flora mountains of the Khibiny, it changes more and more with increasing height. The slopes and foothills of the mountains, reaching a height of 350-400 m, are occupied exclusively by coniferous forests, represented by spruce forests, pine forests, which can most often be seen with an admixture of birch species. A little higher there is a birch crooked forest, even more rising in height by 100 m. In an even more elevated zone there are crooked forest zones - this is the tundra, almost completely covered with small shrubs - blueberries, lingonberries, crowberries, bearberry, as well as various types of lichens. After the first frosts have passed, the leaves of all plants quickly become saturated. bright paint while creating an incredibly beautiful multi-colored carpet. As the height increases along the slopes, the vegetation cover becomes more and more sparse, and bare areas of rocky embankments can often be found. All the peaks of the mountains are almost completely without vegetation, and on the rocks and in some places there are yellow, gray and green patterns of lichens prevailing in these places. The flora of the Khibiny mountains is especially valuable, because a considerable number of representatives of local vegetation are listed in the Red Book. As for the local fauna, terrestrial vertebrates mountain range represented by 27 species of mammals, 2 species of reptiles, one species of amphibians and 123 different species of birds.
To date, the following mines operate on the territory of the Khibiny mountain range: Rasmvumchorrsky (Rasvumchorr plateau and Apatite cirque deposits), Kirovsky (Yukspor and Kukisvumchorr), Central (Rasvumchorr), and Vostochny (Nyurkpakhk and Koashva). Mining is carried out both open-pit and underground. The number of open mountain ranges is decreasing more and more, and after some time the development of deposits will be carried out exclusively by underground methods.
For quite a long period of time, the Khibiny Mountains have been one of the most favorite vacation spots for tourists, because this is the first alpine region in the entire Arctic, in which a proper system of routes has been carried out, ranging from training to the most difficult ones. Even the low height of the mountains can be deceptive, because the climate peculiarities inherent in this area often create extreme conditions for the ascent process.
Not everyone dreams of golden beach sand on hot summer days. For some, plunging into the warm sea is the highest point of enjoyment, while others choose the snow-white tops of mountain ranges as a break from gray boring everyday life. Fans of the Alps and the Carpathians sometimes do not even realize the existence of another picturesque and dynamic mountain system near the Barents Sea, the Khibiny (Murmansk region).
If you know the location of the Khibiny massif on the map of Russia, it is easy to compare the favorable location and the existence of an entire tourist infrastructure in order to decide where the next ski vacation will take place.
Khibiny is a low mountain system with greatest height at 2,200 m. Of course, the adrenaline is not the same as in the Alps, but the tourist will definitely not have a reason to worry about the presence of snow, because there is plenty of it. Such a guarantee of snow-capped peaks is given by the location of the Khibiny - the Arctic. The main city here is Kirovsk. The entire infrastructure for tourists is concentrated here, divided into 4 ski areas. Nearby there is also the city of Apatity with its lifts and ski slopes. O Khibiny mountains ah murmansk The region is not much written even in the famous Wikipedia, and not everyone knows how to get there, but this information will certainly come in handy for the most purposeful.
Khibiny: where to find and how to get there
This massif is already more than 300 million years old. Yudychvumchorr acts as the highest point of the mountains and occupies a height of 1,200 m above sea level. Despite the very modest size, the massif is the most majestic in the entire Arctic. According to tourists who have already been lucky enough to visit the Khibiny, the air here is very rarefied, but not from a high location, as is commonly believed, but because of the Arctic currents.
Kola Peninsula- this is where the Khibiny mountains are located. Kirovsk, which is the main city, is located near Helsinki, the Finnish capital, and is one of the most influential in the Murmansk region. The beauty of the Khibiny town is enclosed in a mountain semicircle, closed on the fourth side by Lake Bolshoy Vudyavr. The city arose relatively recently, in the 1920s, as a result of industrial development of the mineral apatite. Kirovsk can be found on the southern slope of the mountains and just 12 km from it, on the banks of the Belaya River, Apatity is located. The territory is part of the Zasheikovsky forestry.
Getting to the snowy Russian fairy tale is easy. Khibiny Airport is an hour's drive from Kirovsk and receives flights from St. Petersburg and Moscow. Since the passenger traffic is quite large, the small airport simply cannot cope, and most tourists prefer to fly through Murmansk, which receives daily flights from any corner of the vast Motherland.
Which airlines fly to Khibiny:
- "RusLine";
- "Russia";
- UTair.
Already from Murmansk you can get to Khibiny by regular bus in just 3–3.5 hours. Transfer by train will take the tourist a whole day.
Climatic conditions of the mountains
The climate of the Khibiny regions is very mysterious and unusual for the average Russian living somewhere in the central regions. The Khibiny are located a little to the north arctic circle
, which means that in addition to the mountains and active rest the visitor has the opportunity to experience the famous polar night, which lasts here from mid-December to the second half of December. During this period of time, the sun does not rise in the sky at all. For those who came in the summer months, nature provided a polar day that lasts the whole of June and the beginning of July. During this period, the sun constantly shines in the sky and does not set even at night.
The polar region is famous for its very harsh climate, but the Khibiny retain enough o mild and hospitable weather all year round. Of course, the weather is often unpredictable and it snows heavily even on Egypt, so it should not surprise anyone that in the Khibiny the temperature in winter can reach -30–35 degrees Celsius. Sparkling snow covers the ground from autumn to late spring, and in some places, especially loved by tourists, the cover can be seen in the summer.
According to the habitues of these places, the Khibiny is most hospitable in April - May, since during this period the weather is the most clear, the longest daylight hours and the most favorable snow cover for skiing. Those who come to meet in the mountains New Year and Christmas, can observe incredible beauty and magic
Nature Khibiny
At the entrance to Kirovsk ski resort Khibiny appears before the eyes of the tourist in all its glory. The peaks of the Vudyavrchorr and Aikuaivenchorr mountains rise majestically above the city. One of the three unique polar botanical gardens is located on the slopes of the first one. Climbing higher and higher on the slope of the Khibiny mountain, one can observe how one natural landscape replaces another. The ascent begins from the valley tundra, then passes into the spruce taiga, after - birch crooked forest, which is replaced by alpine mosses and ends with the Arctic desert.
If you are tired of mountain trails, you can change the slope with a flat ski track, which has a length of 14 km. The track is equipped for the convenience of tourists and is equipped with snowmobiles and scooters. fans hiking can use the services of a helicopter, which for very modest money will deliver extreme sports to any of the four Khibiny peaks. Here, tourists can test their survival skills and, going down the slope, enjoy the pristine nature of the Khibiny . Experienced athletes can ride on one of the mountain paths like heli-ski, but only under the supervision of an instructor, as these slopes are prone to avalanches.
The minerals of the Khibiny are carefully hidden in the tectonic structure of the mountains. There is also iron ore, and copper-nickel ores, and oil. But the main asset, of course, are bluish-green apatite stones.
Accommodation
Ski resort Khibiny is currently undergoing rapid development. Unfortunately, the hotel business has not yet reached the level of popular European resorts, but tourists note that in recent years many cozy hotels have appeared in Apatity and Kirovsk. Tourists who have visited the Khibiny are advised to approach the choice of housing with special attention and look for a hotel near your favorite ski slope. In each of the four ski complex There are hostels and hotels. Also, tourists may like accommodation in the private sector. The rates for accommodation in hotels and the private sector are relatively low, but the hostel remains the most economical option.
What to expect from the tracks?
Khibiny are real paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to standard tracks of any complexity, there is a modular stadium, ski jumps, and a skating rink. Austrian snowcats are tamping down the track. Companies can climb up on chair lifts or numerous ski lifts. Equipment rentals and cafes are open 24/7. Choosing a route for the entire period of rest, you need to take into account your skills, since each of the complexes has different level characteristics. The most gifted and trained skiers prefer the slope of Kukisvumchorra and the Twenty-fifth Kilometer, while the athletes more simply respect the North Slope. Board lovers are advised to visit the Khibiny Snow Park.
Ski resort prices
Apatity and Kirovsk are considered places for the budget ski holidays. The cost of ski passes and lifts is completely different everywhere, depending on the length of the lift and the ski area:
This ski resort which is only at the development stage, but the dynamics are impressive. That is why foreign and Russian investors are trying to invest in it to the maximum and make the Khibiny a worthy, and most importantly, affordable replacement for expensive European resorts for everyone.
Khibiny - the name of this mountain range caresses the ears of travelers. Stunning snowy peaks, tundras with dwarf birches, powerful waterfalls and quiet clear lakes appear before your eyes. The combination of mountains and swampy massifs of the Khibiny looks unusual: it is worth seeing it at least once in a lifetime. Experienced tourists say that the Kola Peninsula does not let go just like that: its mysterious beauty attracts from year to year, and the inaccessibility of sharp rocks makes you come back again and again.
Where are the khibiny
Khibiny can be reached by car, train and plane. If you prefer the first option, go towards Murmansk along the P21 highway. Then exit onto E105. Continue driving until 1230 kilometers - there you will see a crossroads to the city of Apatity. There will be 28 kilometers to it: at the entrance there will be a sign to Kirovsk - turn left and drive another 17 kilometers.
You can get to Apatity on any Murmansk. They depart from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vologda, Minsk. In summer, resort routes from Novorossiysk, Adler, Astrakhan are added. The cost of a reserved seat depends on the station at which you stepped into the car. If this is Moscow, you will have to pay 3,000 rubles. The train follows the route within 30-32 hours.
You can fly to Khibiny by plane from Moscow, St. Petersburg or Cherepovets. The aircraft arrives at the Khibiny airport - it is common for Apatity and Kirovsk. There is another option - a flight to Murmansk, and from there to Apatity. We have to overcome another 200 kilometers along the highway.
If you are in Apatity, a minibus or buses No. 131 and 8 will take you to Kirovsk. Both modes of transport run infrequently. The best option get to Kirovsk by taxi and get out at the Pirozhkovaya stop. So you will spend 100 rubles against 600 for delivery to the city center. Many Kirov minibuses depart from Pirozhkovskaya.
What are Khibiny
Khibiny consider ancient mountains in Russia. Their age is 350 million years. The mountains are located beyond the Arctic Circle at the 67th parallel. This greatly affects their nature: there is no vegetation on the slopes, here and there you can see bald patches of snow, regardless of the time of year. The height of the mountains is 800-900 meters, the most high point Mount Yudychvumchorr - 1200 meters.
Khibiny from space is a fascinating sight. They look like a stone flower, opening its petals towards the northern sun. In clear weather, the mountains are especially clearly visible - the sharp peaks of the rocks cut the blue sky and inspire fear in travelers. Local residents are afraid to approach the Khibiny in winter time- they understand how much danger is fraught with icy slopes.
The name of the mountain was due to the peculiarities of the local dialect. Previously, the Sami called them Umptek, and later they began to call them Hiben, which means plateau. Over time, the name stuck and remained, and the locals changed it to the Khibiny.
Attractions Khibiny
Visitors to the Khibiny are advised to explore the numerous hiking trails and walk to the Gorge of the Blue Lakes and the Pyrrhotite Gorge. On the way you will come across a 1950 adit. An interesting hike is ahead if you have chosen the Molybdenum Mine as the Khibiny attraction. To get there you need to go out on the road laid in 1930. In turn, the ford of the river leads to it. From the mine opens great view to Small Vudyavr and Mount Poachvumchorr.
Takhtarvumchorr plateau - landscapes for lovers of surrealism. The pictures that open to travelers are similar to Martian ones. Unusual minerals are scattered on the ground. Along the way, you can find abandoned miners' tools.
Aku-Aku Gorge is considered romantic place. According to Sami legends, there was a fierce struggle between the Sami and the invaders. Where Lappish blood fell, eudialyte, a reddish mineral, grew. Not far from the gorge there is a waterfall and a clean, bright lake.
The Kukisvumchorr plateau is another attraction of the Khibiny, famous for the lake Academic. It is sky-emerald in color, the water is clear and very cold. A delightful route goes along the banks of the seething river Risjok, through the South Rischorr pass. On the way there is a grouchy waterfall and slopes of incredible beauty.
The sights of Apatit are interesting for both adults and children. There is a research center for experiments, the Museum of Mineralogy. The exposition is represented by hundreds of unique minerals. Some of them are not found anywhere in the world.
There are many other museums in Apatity: the museum-archive of the history of the study and development of the European North, the Museum of International cultural center and art gallery "M". Tickets to these places cost several hundred rubles and are available to everyone. For young parents with children, it will be interesting to visit the children's art gallery "Ark".
If you are lucky enough to visit Apatity in February, visit the annual exhibition " Stone Flower". Hundreds of craftsmen offer to purchase stone products: jewelry, household items and kitchen utensils. It is impossible to imagine this magnificence: you just need to see it.
In the summer in Apatity, Akademgorodok and the square near the Polyarny cinema are noteworthy. Roses, wild roses, lilacs and other beautiful flowers grow in the square. Everything is fragrant. Nearby is a monument to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War.
Tourism in Khibiny starts from Kirovsk. It is located next to the Bolshoy Vudyavr lake. The Temple of the Savior of the Image of Jesus Christ is considered a significant attraction. The sanctuary is decorated with nine bronze bells. Especially for Kirovsk they were made by the Ural masters. The decoration of the temple is rich: many icons, some of which are myrrh-streaming.
Visit local history and mining and geological museums. Go to the Museum of Literature. It is designed in the thoughtful and philosophical spirit of the writer Erofeev. Admirers of his work will feel in their native element.
Obligatory attraction of Kirovsk is the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute. ON THE. Avrorin. This is a protected area with hundreds of plants. Many are unique. The administration of the garden offers excursions to the nursery and the greenhouse. It definitely won't be boring.
In winter, close to botanical garden there is an area called "Snow Village". As soon as the first snow falls, dozens of ice and snow figures are erected on its territory. They are life-sized characters and look magical. A visit to the village will be a real treat for children and adults.
For tourism in the Khibiny, we recommend paying attention to the Amethyst Hotel. It is located on Lenin Street, 3 in an eight-story building. It is in the center of the city, so you can easily get to the main sights and train stations. Nearby there is a restaurant where you can have a tasty and inexpensive dinner. The rooms are comfortable and new furniture, private bathrooms.
On Victory Street, 29a there is a hotel Izovella, which in Sami means "Light breath of wind." The peculiarity of the hotel is its location - half a kilometer from the city, among the thicket. In the evening you will be provided with wonderful walks and fresh air. Another representation of the hotel is the recreation center Apatit "Rus". From her windows opens beautiful view to Lake Imandra. There is a hall, billiards, a gym. There is a banquet hall for celebrations.
The Sheri Hotel on Gladysheva Street, 6a is popular. It has only five rooms, but each is furnished in a homely and tasteful way. There is a TV, a wardrobe and a seating area. Linen is provided free of charge. Catches WI-FI.
In Guba Kislaya there is a secluded recreation center Apatit - Berloga. Beautiful log cabins, Sami milestones and a birch-wood sauna - what else does a weary traveler need after a long journey to the Khibiny? The houses are spacious, suitable for a company of 3-5 people. The recreation center rents out snowmobiles and turntables.
Hotels in Kirovsk
There are expensive hotels in Kirovsk. This is due to the availability of routes along the Khibiny beauties. If the price does not bother you, go to the city center to the Severnaya Hotel. It is in it that Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin likes to relax. At the same time, prices are not too high: a tourist with a modest budget can stay here, paying 1,500 rubles for a room. Expensive room costs 7000. Close by ski slopes Aikuaivenchorr.
Hotel Ekkos has earned positive reviews from travelers. The fund is represented by 13 bright rooms with a total capacity of 40 people. Each room has a refrigerator, bath or shower, air conditioning. There is free internet. Families with children are offered rooms with a kitchen.
You can comfortably spend your holidays in the Khibiny at the Parkovaya Hotel. It is located on the street of the same name and combines maximum comfort and a pleasant price. The rooms are freshly furnished and have free WI-FI.
The Khibiny mountains have a unique climate. It is formed by arctic and Atlantic winds, changeable even in warm weather. There is a polar night, which has a significant impact on the formation weather conditions. Very humid: it rains often, but the evaporation is weak. Coupled with sharp gusts of wind, ordinary rains turn into mountain thunderstorms.
There is no concept of "season" on the Kola Peninsula. All the seasons are intermingled and last longer than expected. For example, winter is the longest - 7-8 months. All this time frosts keep, the slopes are covered with snow. In the gorges, it does not melt all year round.
The ice melts at the end of spring, so from May 12 to July 19, the polar day begins, which is also summer. The weather is unstable, not warm. In September, frosts begin again, and winter sets in.
Summer rest In the Khibiny, climbers will like it first of all. However, if you are not active tourist, dont be upset. The mountains offer plenty of easy hiking trails allowing you to enjoy the stunning nature of the north. Visit Lake Maly Vudyavr: it is located between dense forest and mountains. Beautiful place for picnic and outdoor games.
Another unusual place worth visiting on a summer vacation is the Ganeshina Circus. It offers a gorgeous view of the granite rocks and Lake Maly Vudyavr. If you went on a hike for more than one day, choose the circus as a place to sleep - there are no mosquitoes and it is relatively warm.
Be sure to reach Mount Kukisvumchorr. A fast river Yuksporryok flows there - it will lead to the Schel pass. Overcome it to reach an untouched corner of the planet - you will be amazed at how clean and majestic the mountains and lakes look. Look to the south - there you will see apatite ore quarries and the Tulyok River.
Not far from the Umbozersky pass there is a beautiful waterfall. It fully justifies its name and is considered one of the most wonderful places in Russia. Summer holidays in the Khibiny will be remembered for a long time, and photographs will cause aching boredom in the heart for many years to come.
Winter holidays presented in Khibiny ski resorts and exciting snowmobile excursions. Famous trails run along the slopes of the mountains Aikuavenchorr and Kukisvumchorr. There are three complexes on the top of Aikuavenchorr - Aikuay, Colasportland and Big Woodyavr. The length of the trails is more than 30 kilometers. Here you can find something for every taste - go skiing, snowboarding or go down the hill on a colored bun.
Stopped in Apatity? Then go to Sparrow Hill. It is perfect if you are a beginner or teaching children. In addition, the slope is protected from the wind, so skiing here is comfortable and warm.
Khibiny is a magical land where phones and tablets are not needed. Nature penetrates the soul, disturbing the most intimate memories. It is easy to fall in love or, conversely, to forget. Unbridled joy is not alien to the Khibiny - hiking in a big company will become a vivid life impression.
