The salt tract Tuzlukkol (or it is also called Tuzlukkol mud) is located 9.5 km southwest of the village of Burlyksky in the Belyaevsky district, Orenburg region. It is a hydrogeological and balneological natural monument with an area of ​​21.9 hectares, famous for its mineral mud and unique water sources.

### Geological and hydrogeological description

The tract is located in the valley of the Tuzlukkol River, where spring outlets with sulfate-calcium and calcium-sodium waters are observed, as well as a self-flowing well with highly mineralized chloride-sodium waters. Geologically, the salt marsh is formed on the basis of the near-surface occurrence of salts and gypsum of the Kungurian stage of the Permian in the core of the salt dome. Karst pockets filled with cherry clay and ochre-brown pebbles are exposed in the gypsum.

### Mineral muds and waters

The Tuzlukkol floodplain has formed reserves of mineral mud of balneological quality. These muds are used by local residents and vacationers for self-medication. The mineral waters in the tract are distinguished by a high content of chlorides and sodium. In 1949, the water had a chloride-calcium composition, but in later years, after drilling a well, the composition of the water changed to chloride-sodium, with a mineralization of up to 107.3 g / l.

### Historical and cultural aspects

According to legend, a salty spring called "Maiden Tears" beats in the tract, which is associated with the tragic story of a bride whose heart was broken.

A.S. Khomenovsky, who studied the waters and muds of Tuzlukkol, recommended creating a steppe sanatorium similar to the Staraya Russa resort on the basis of these resources.

### Current state

Today, the tract attracts tourists who want to take advantage of the healing properties of local muds and mineral waters. Despite this, the extraction of mud and the organization of tent camps are prohibited in accordance with the protected regime of the territory.

### Ecological and recreational aspects

The Tuzlukkol tract is a unique place for recreation and treatment due to its natural resources. However, due to the protected regime, independent visits, collection of mud and the installation of tents in this area are prohibited. This place continues to attract those who seek balneotherapy and recreation, providing an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature and the beneficial properties of mineral resources.

Salty tract Tuzlukkol (Tuzlukkol mud)

Небольшой грот и деревянная пристройка с печкой служили&nbsp;монахам молельней. Самого старого, не ходячего, монаха поднимали на верх с помощью тросового подъёмника, от которого остались только металлические столбы!

Келья трёх монахов

Заброшенные и полуразрушенные дачи на которых можно увидеть что то интересное!

Некогда это был большой дачный комплекс &quot;Звезда&quot;. Располагался у подножия холма, на котором установлен памятник участникам ВОВ &ndash; зенитное орудие, &quot;пушка&quot;. В 1990-х годах этот дачный массив зачах, и сейчас от него практически уже ничего не осталось. На исторических снимках Google Earth деградация этого дачного массива хорошо видна по годам.&nbsp;

Заброшенный дачный массив.

Kargalinsky Waterfall, located on the Srednyaya Kargalka River near Orenburg, is a unique natural phenomenon for a flat area. This waterfall is formed when the river flows through the steppe and tears out rapids from the red sandstone, creating an impressive sight.

#### Time of visit

The waterfalls are most full-flowing and impressive in spring or early summer. At this time, the lush greenery of the surrounding vegetation creates a contrast with the red sandstone, making the waterfalls especially picturesque. These moments often become the subject of photographs capturing the natural beauty of the region.

#### Autumn landscape

A visit to Kargalinsky Waterfall in late summer or autumn can leave a different impression. Due to the decrease in water levels, the waterfalls become less full-flowing, but the surrounding landscape acquires its own special charm. The landscapes around the waterfall at this time of year sometimes resemble a Martian landscape, which also attracts tourists and photographers.

#### Ease of access

Kargalinsky Waterfall is located relatively close to Orenburg, which makes it easy to get to it both by car and by bike. The proximity to the city makes this place popular for short trips to nature. In addition, trees grow near the waterfalls, creating a pleasant shade for vacationers, where you can have a picnic or just relax after a walk.

Kargalinsky Waterfall is a wonderful place for rest and photography, where you can enjoy unique natural landscapes and spend time outdoors.

Kargalinsky waterfall

Повесной металлический мост с деревянным настилом, соединяющий д. Светлогорка и МТФ на другом берегу.

Подвесной мост на реке Донгуз

По легенде той могиле более трёхсот лет! Посещение её имеет свои правила! Подниматься к ней необходимо по крутой тропе от родника под холмом, пройти в ворота, загадать желание и повязать ленточку! А вот отходить от неё можно по пологой тропинке спиной вперёд, ровно сорок шагов! Когда могила скроется за холмом можно разворачиваться! Перед подъёмом нужно сделать несколько глотков из солёного родника!

Могила лекаря

На сегодняшний день от берёзы с первого фото осталась часть ствола! На камнях к нацарапаным надписям добавились надписи краской! Но вокруг пока чисто.

The Holy Stone tract, also known as Mount Aleutas, is located in the Sol-Iletsky district of the Orenburg region, 2 km north of the former village of Prokhladny. It is located on the interfluve of the Kuraly and Berdyanka rivers, near the elevation mark of 284.9 meters, and 10.5 km southeast of the village of Perovka.

This unique place consists of blocks of quartz sandstone, up to 2.5 meters high, scattered over an area of 120 square meters. Various plants grow here, such as birch trees, rose hips and St. John's wort.

The Holy Stone, or Mount Aleutas, has been significant since ancient times and is revered by local residents, especially Kazakhs, as a sacred place. Various ceremonies and rituals are held here.

A visit to this place in early May allows you to see nature at its awakening. At this time, the grass is just beginning to turn green, the leaves are blooming, which creates a special atmosphere of mystery and renewal. By mid-May, tulips bloom around the mountain, adding even more color to this unique place. It is important to note that these field tulips belong to the species listed in the Red Book.

### Geological description

The Holy Stone tract represents unique ruins of dark brown quartz coarse-grained sandstones with plant imprints that date back to the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era and existed for 50 million years. This natural miracle took 188 years to form until people realized its uniqueness.

The territory of the tract was filled with sandstones, sands and clays at the junction of three structural zones, creating depressions up to 500 meters deep. Today, piles of sandstone blocks reach a height of up to 2.5 meters and occupy an area of 15 by 8 meters.

Geological sections of the Jurassic system preserve evidence of intensive migration of iron during the accumulation of continental sediments. Because of this, Jurassic sands and clays in most sections are white in color. Sandstones on limonite cement on Mount Aleutas are the remains of one of the ferruginous lenses of the Jurassic period.

### Legend of the Holy Stone

The legend of the Holy Stone (Aleutas) is permeated with mysticism and romance, adding a special charm and significance to this place for local residents. She tells about a mysterious and sad story connected with an unearthly beauty of a girl and her young man in love, turned into an eagle.

Since ancient times, this mountain was the center of a religious cult, attracting nomads who considered the place sacred and made sacrifices. The stone monolith located in this place served as a symbol of tragic history, and the cycle of life and death, expressed in the form of natural elements.

The holy stone, surrounded by legends and myths, became a place where people brought symbols of their hopes and sorrows. The tradition of leaving pearls or money here as symbols of human tears traces the deep meaning of human experiences and aspirations for a brighter future.

Tourists visiting this place follow the tradition by tying ribbons on the trunk of a birch tree and making wishes, believing that they will definitely come true. Thus, the Holy Stone continues to be not only a natural miracle, but also a place where faith, hope and mystery come together.

### Note

Not far from the tract there are several “frozen” gas wells, with signs dating back to 1982! There is no good asphalt road to this place; you will have to get there along a dirt road, over bumps and potholes. You can get there both from Orenburg and from Sol-Iletsk. In winter and summer, after rains, it is very difficult to get to this place - the road is either washed out or there is no road at all.

Holy Stone tract (Aleutas)

Сегодня побывали тут. Многое уже пообвалилось но основные "фигурки" ещё крепенькие! И даже стали похожи на дракончиков!))

The Bukobay Yars, located within the Sol-Iletsk urban district of the Orenburg Region, represent a remarkable natural monument. Over millions of years, nature has shaped massive spherical and mushroom-like sculptures from sand, creating stunning compositions. These natural formations, resembling giant mushrooms, have cap diameters ranging from 50 to 90 cm and cover an area of about 136 hectares.

Aged approximately 201 million years, the Bukobay Yars are a geological and geomorphological natural monument. Composed of sandstones, they acquired their rounded shapes through weathering, with patterns resembling winding stripes visible on their surfaces.

These нars hold significant scientific value, as archaeologists have discovered unique artifacts here, including the remains of ancient animals, representatives of ancient vertebrates. This evidence suggests that these lands were once submerged by the waters of an ancient ocean.

The Bukobay Yars are considered a place of power, attracting people for solitude and meditation. They are recognized as a national heritage of Russia and have been featured in National Geographic magazine.

Thousands of tourists visit these нars annually, drawn by their beauty and uniqueness. Local residents and tour organizers arrange visits to the Bukobay Yars, offering tourists the opportunity to admire their beauty and experience their special energy.

Алексей Л

Photos