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  • Водопад Атыш. Photo 1

Description

Atysh Waterfall in the Republic of Bashkortostan, also known as the outlet of the underground river Atysh Grotto, is one of the unique natural phenomena of the Southern Urals. This waterfall was formed from a grotto, which is also known as the Atysh Cave, located in the Yash-Kuz-Tash mountain.

Inside the Atysh grotto, water flows out of an inclined hole in a powerful upward stream 6 m wide and 4.5 m high, which gave the name to the waterfall. At the foot of the rock, two water boilers with a diameter of 20 m and a depth of 7-10 m were formed. The Atysh River continues its path from the lake to the Lemeza River.

The mountain where the Atysh waterfall is located is composed of limestones 570 million years old. The waters of the Aguy and Atysh rivers passed through the upper part of the limestone mountain and reached the southern slope of the mountain, becoming the main bank of the Lemeza River.

Currently, the Atysh waterfall has become one of the most popular places among connoisseurs of Bashkir natural beauty, despite the environmental situation around it. There is a road leading to the waterfall from the bank of the Lemeza River, which makes it easier to access by car.

Around the Atysha waterfall, mixed broad-leaved forests grow, and there are also other interesting speleological sites, such as caves and ponors. The Reserve Cave is also located nearby.

The name of the Atysh waterfall is translated from Bashkir as “shot”. This name is especially true in the spring, when a stream of water seems to shoot out of a rock.

The Atysh waterfall was formed due to the activity of the Atysh and Aguy rivers, flowing in the zone of soluble limestones of the Lower Carboniferous. These rivers are lost in the floods, and after a few kilometers they emerge to the surface in the form of a waterfall. The Bashkirs nicknamed the place where the Atysh River disappeared “Atysh-Sumgan”, which means “Atysh failed.”

The underground river comes to the surface in the cave-grotto of Mount Yash-Kuz-Tash, and then falls down from a steep ledge, forming the most beautiful Atysh waterfall 4.5 m high. The sound of falling water can be heard from afar, even on the approaches to this place. When the trees part and a lake with a waterfall appears ahead, most tourists cannot contain their delight! This attraction is not like others in the Urals. It felt like I was in another, exotic country. I only had similar impressions when visiting the Dry Waterfalls on the Ai River.

The water in the lake under the waterfall has a turquoise hue, and the depth is about 7 m. Birds - wagtails and dippers - often sit on the stones near the waterfall.

The Atysh River flows out of the lake, which after a few hundred meters flows into the Lemezu River. An underground river emerges from a depression in the near part of the grotto, creating a unique waterfall.

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