Kzyladyr karst field

The Kuvandyk district of the Orenburg region is famous for its rich tourist resources, and one of the most amazing places in its territory is the Kzyladyr karst field. The length of the field is 12 kilometers from southeast to northwest, and its width ranges from 1 to 1.5 kilometers. Here mountain ranges intertwine with narrow valleys up to 300-500 meters wide, and the most impressive are the pointed hills. Numerous rock outcrops reveal a variety of gypsum rocks, mainly belonging to the Kungurian stage of the Permian system. Among them there are varieties of gypsum valuable for stone cutters, such as selenite and Maryino glass.

The highest point of the Kzyladyr karst field is Mount Burkutbay, reaching a height of 306 meters. It consists of conglomerates in which fossils of trees with a trunk diameter of up to 135 cm can be found. Gypsum, easily dissolved by water, forms many karst phenomena, such as sinkholes, grottoes, caves and sinkholes. Funnels can reach 15 meters in diameter and 20 meters in depth.

The karst field is a natural monument of the Kuvandyk district of the Orenburg region and is located three kilometers southeast of the small village of Lugovoy. This unique landscape extends over an area of approximately 24 square kilometers and features a characteristic gypsum karst topography. The change of hollows and hills, as well as protruding rock formations, create an impressive landscape that attracts the attention of tourists and nature lovers.

Cave complex

The Kzyladyr karst field is known for its variety of underground and surface landforms. Here, altitudinal changes reach about 190 meters and appear in the form of hills and ridges. The underground world of the field is rich in various formations, such as sinkholes, karst wells and mines, which accumulate in small groups. Observations show that new sinkholes are constantly being formed due to erosion, dissolution and cracking of gypsum layers.

Thanks to the abundance of groundwater, the underground world of the Kzyladyr karst field is vast and multifaceted. Currently, a little more than 20 underground cavities have been identified in the form of caves of short length, reaching up to 300 meters. Many of these caves are formed under the influence of underground waters. Some of them are inaccessible due to their narrow shape, others can be entered through small passages that require crawling. However, there are also more accessible caves in which you can stand on straight legs, such as the Candy Cave, the Mosaic Cave and the Pigeon Grotto. In addition, the karst field contains distinct large and short caves, known as grottoes.

Spring Ashchiblyak

Ashchiblyak spring is a unique source of clean drinking water located on the territory of the Kzyladyr karst field. This spring is a hydrological natural monument of regional importance. The water extracted from the spring is rich in salts and minerals, which gives it a slight salty taste.

The Ashchiblyak spring is the source of a small stream that flows into the Burlya River, enriching it with fresh and clean water. This place attracts tourists and nature lovers with its beauty and unique hydrological features.

Flora and fauna

The Kzyladyr karst field not only has breathtaking scenery, but is also valuable in terms of biodiversity. A unique flora flourishes in its expanses, including 7 species of plants listed in the Red Book. This unique ecosystem composition gives the area a special character and attracts the attention of researchers and nature lovers.

In addition, wildlife in the area is also abundant. Various species of animals live here, including moose, foxes, hares, jerboas and many others, but ground squirrels occupy a special place among them. In small reservoirs, crucian carp and marsh turtles are found, enriching the biodiversity of the local fauna.

In addition, in various corners of this karst field you can find outcrops of cuprous sandstone, which ancient settlements used many years ago. In one of the caves on the territory of the Kzyladyr field in 1977, geologist V.A. Garyanin discovered a burial place of the Huns of the 4th century. A copper cauldron was found in the burial, presumably made from local copper mined in local mines.

Due to its unique natural diversity, the Kzyladyr karst field is included in the list of natural heritage sites of national and world significance, emphasizing its importance and value for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem balances.