Arakul Shikhan

Arakul Shikhan is a granite rock ridge in the Middle Urals, in the Verkhny Ufaley urban district of Chelyabinsk Region, right on the border with Sverdlovsk Region. The ridge stretches for more than 2 km along the eastern shore of Lake Arakul. Its height above sea level is about 563-564 meters, while the rocks rise roughly 262-264 meters above the lake surface. The massif is also known as "Diky Kamen" (the Wild Rock).

Terrain and rocks

The shikhan is built of large granite slabs and boulders, shaped by centuries of weathering. The maximum width of the rock ridge is 40-50 meters. The massif's main summit, the Chemberlen rock, rises 50-80 meters above the ground. The ridge is divided into several sections: Pionerskie Skaly (Pioneer Rocks), Bolshoy Shikhan (Great Shikhan), the rocks called Pod Lagerem (Below the Camp), and Dalnie Supertrassy (Far Super-Routes). Lower on the slope stands a separate rock, Maly Shikhan (Small Shikhan). Several rocks have their own names: Kuritsa (Chicken), Kamennaya Golova (Stone Head), Starukha (Old Woman), and Ladon (Palm).

Archaeology

Nine ancient human campsites have been found on Arakul Shikhan, dating from the early Bronze Age to the late Iron Age. A menhir, designated Sredny Shikhan V, was discovered among the rocks, and 125 meters south of it lies the Arakul petroglyph site with rock carvings. The rocks of the massif also preserve stone bowls bearing traces of fire. According to one version, these hollows were formed by fires that ancient people lit for sacrificial, production, or signaling purposes.

Rock climbing

The massif's eastern slope, with sheer walls up to 60 meters high, is used by rock climbers for training and competitions. The name "Dalnie Supertrassy" belongs to one of these climbing sections. This makes Arakul Shikhan one of the well-known rock-climbing areas of the Southern Urals.

Getting there

On foot, the shikhan can be reached from Silach railway station: walking east along forest roads takes about an hour and a half. By car, the massif can be reached via the town of Kasli or via Verkhny Ufaley. Coordinates of the rocks: 55°59.151'N, 60°29.496'E.