Skvoznaya Cave (Muradymovo Gorge)

Skvoznaya Cave, also known as Salavat's Cave or Muradymovskaya-14, is a small karst cave in the Muradymovo Gorge, inside the nature park of the same name in the Kugarchinsky District of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. It sits on the right bank of the Bolshoy Ik River canyon, upstream, and is known for its two entrances: you can pass right through it, which is what its Russian name, "through cave", means.

Description

Skvoznaya is one of the many caves of the Muradymovo Gorge, where caves open at heights of 45 to 95 metres above the river. The passage between the two entrances is about 12 metres long. The ceiling is low, around 0.7 metres, so you have to stoop or crawl. The floor slopes gently down from the entrance and is strewn with large boulders.

The cave is dry, with few formations: only a handful of small stalactites and stalagmites. No special equipment is needed, but bring a torch and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

Legends of Salavat Yulaev

The name Salavat's Cave comes from stories about Salavat Yulaev, the national hero of Bashkortostan. According to local legend, he kept weapons here, which is why the cave is also called the Armoury or Salavat's Store. Another story says he climbed down into the cave on a lasso. None of this is documented; the tales remain part of folk memory of the uprising.

Muradymovo Gorge

The Muradymovo Gorge Nature Park is said to have the highest concentration of caves in the Urals, about 46 within the park. Skvoznaya is easy to combine with the neighbouring caves and rock outcrops on a walk along the Bolshoy Ik canyon.

Getting there

The park lies about 300 km from Ufa and 200 km from Orenburg. A car is the most convenient option; the road to the gorge starts at Mrakovo, the district centre. Cars are not allowed inside the park: leave yours at the entrance and continue on foot. The trail along the gorge has several river fords, so bring footwear that can get wet.

Good to know

Camping is allowed only at designated sites. The caves are part of a protected area: no fires, no litter and no writing on the walls.