Mount Steep Key

Mount Krutoy Klyuch, located in the Southern Urals in the Chelyabinsk region, is a peak with a pronounced rocky peak. Its height is 782 meters above sea level, and it is located at the southern tip of the Small Ural Range.

The wide and majestic rocky ridge of the mountain stretches for about 2 kilometers. The highest point of the Small Ural Range is located near Krutoy Klyuch in the north and reaches a height of 913 meters.

The mountain is located on the left bank of the Suhokamenka River, and the path to it from Mashgorodok takes about 50 kilometers.

Although the mountain is not very high, its popularity is due to the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains that open from its top. With a 360-degree view, you can see the following objects from Krutoy Klyuch:

• In the north is the Maly Uralsky ridge.
• In the west is the Bolshoi Uralsky ridge, along the top of which runs the border of the Taganay National Park.
• In the south are Mount Varganova.
• In the southeast is Lake Turgoyak and the city of Miass.
• In the east is the Ilmensky ridge.

The climb up the mountain takes about 6 kilometers with a height gain of approximately 400 meters. The journey uphill can be tiring, especially if you walk or bike on rocky roads. However, the impressions of the steep descent from the mountain, as well as the gentle descent to the Kushtumga River, are worth the effort.

The most beautiful view from the mountain opens towards the Big Ural ridge, behind which you can see the Taganay Mountains.