Mount Grebenskaya (Grebeni)

Mount Grebenskaya, also known as Grebeni, is one of the most famous and closest mountains to the city of Orenburg. Despite its small height, about 100 meters, it attracts the attention of local residents and tourists with its picturesque nature and unique location. Just 3 kilometers from Grebenskaya Mountain is its “neighbor” - Camel Mountain. Both of these mountains form the so-called Grebensky Gate, through which the Orenburg-Orsk railway passes.

At the top of Grebenskaya Mountain there is an abundance of grass, as well as trees such as small-leaved linden, birch, hawthorn, bird cherry and viburnum. From the height of the mountain there is an impressive view of the surrounding area. In the distance you can see the railway, the flowing Sakmara River, as well as several nearby villages. One of them, the village of Izvestkovoe, is characterized by a very small population, while behind the railway you can see dacha settlements.

Ski slope

In winter, ski slopes are organized on Grebeny, giving tourists the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities. However, getting to this ski resort can be a challenge. The road to the mountain is not paved and is a dirt track that is not maintained in winter. Sometimes snowfalls can make travel so difficult that even off-road vehicles cannot pass. Therefore, the most reliable option is to travel by train from Orenburg to the 25 km station, the stop of which is located on the outskirts of the village of Grebeni. From there you will need to continue on foot with your equipment to the mountain, which will take approximately 2 km.

The Grebeni ski resort is one of the oldest in the Orenburg region and was founded in 1982. However, it is rather characterized by its small size and lack of entertainment infrastructure. There are no cafeterias or canteens on the territory of the camp site, so visitors will have to take care of food and drinks in advance. Lifts are installed only in winter, and are removed during the summer season. The downhill runs may seem a little more challenging compared to other ski resorts as they are steeper and shorter. However, for those who have already gotten used to the Crests, skiing on similar slopes in other places may seem easy and familiar.

Legends of Grebenskaya Mountain

Several fascinating legends are associated with Grebenskaya Mountain, which relate to the period of Pugachev’s uprising. One of these legends claims that Emelyan Pugachev, during his stay in these places, hid a treasure here. To check the authenticity of this legend, in September 1833, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin and Vladimir Ivanovich Dal went to Berdy. Dahl later recalled:

“In Berdy we met an old woman (I.A. Buntova B.K.), who saw and remembered Pugachev. Pushkin talked with her the whole morning. She showed us where the hut was, which served Pugachev as a temporary shelter, and which was converted into something like a golden palace... She also told us about the ridges, where, according to local legend, there is Pugachev's huge treasure, hidden in a shirt, buried under a layer of earth and hidden by the corpses of people. This was done in order to distract attention from the treasure and deceive those who tried to find it. Pugachev ordered the corpses of his comrades to be placed on top of the treasure, so that anyone who gets to it will think that it is just an ordinary burial."

This legend gives Grebenskaya Mountain a special mystical grandeur, attracting researchers and treasure hunters with its riddles and secrets.