Lake Kalkan, Bashkortostan: description, sights and interesting facts

Bashkiria is famous for its lakes, which there are so many that would be enough for several countries. Each of them is unique in its own way, but not all can be called primitive. There are few reservoirs where no tourist camps or sanatoriums have been built, so probably Lake Kalkan is so loved by tourists who prefer living in a tent to any comfort, but with nature to "you".

Lake Uchaly District

Uchalinsky district of Bashkortostan can "boast" five lakes, each of which is original and has its own legend of occurrence. For example, on Lake Auskul there is an island in the form of a heart that attracts lovers from all over the country.

In the waters of Vorozheich, white and yellow water lilies are rare for Bashkiria, which indicates its purity. According to the local legend, these are mermaids who do not tolerate sunlight, so every morning they turn into beautiful flowers.

Lake Kalkan has an elongated shape with a peninsula that looks like a giant's hand holding a shield from a bird's eye view. And how did the ancient Bashkirs understand this, since the name given to the reservoir?

On Lake Urgun there is a floating peat island, which in itself is amazing, and also it is the largest reservoir of the Northern Trans-Urals.

Lake Uzunkul has waters of a rare turquoise color, and since tourists rarely get to it, rest on it can be considered truly wild.

Each pond of the region is beautiful, but not all have gold and gems, which are so rich in Lake Kalkan (Bashkiria).

Description of Lake Kalkan

In Bashkir "kalkan" means "shield", and this is what the surface of the reservoir looks like, which exactly in the middle is cut by a narrow peninsula resembling a hand with a fist clutching it. Lake Kalkan is famous for its clean, but cold waters. It is nourished by numerous springs, therefore, when on other reservoirs have long been swimming, the warming of the water surface is just beginning.

The lake is small, elongated only 2 km long along the meridian and a little less than a kilometer wide. The peninsula is also small, only 05 km ² , but all covered with forest. In general, the first thing that tourists notice here is the air, which is saturated with the aroma of pine resin.

Looking north, Kalkan Lake is somewhat swamped, but the southern part from the west to the east is surrounded by hills, which in themselves are sights. It is here that the famous quarries are located, in which they extracted jasper.

Jasper Lake Kalkan

The western shore of the reservoir rests on the mountain Kalkan-tau, on which there are still rocky outcrops, in which you can find jasper. It was extremely unique, so its appearance is known in the world as "Kalkan jasper".

Surprising was the fact that the gem deposit was located almost on the surface of the earth, as here passed the jasper Ural belt, which was intensively developed in the 18-19 centuries. Thanks to this deposit, Lake Kalkan became known far beyond Bashkortostan.

It's all about her properties: they were extremely good. The stones were distinguished by their homogeneity, solidity, strength and viscosity. Of these, you could make vases of any size, caskets, ornaments. For example, the most famous vase from Kalkan jasper (2 meters in height and 1 meter in diameter) was exhibited in 1867 at the World Exhibition in Paris. Today it stands in the Hermitage (Malachite Hall) and still impresses visitors with its size.

So, arriving at Lake Kalkan (tourists' reviews are strongly recommended), it is necessary to climb the mountain of the same name, first, to admire the surroundings, and secondly, to look for a piece of jasper as a souvenir.

Active life on the lake

There are no tourist centers on this pond, but this in no way prevents the Bashkirs from carrying out various activities here. One of them is a bard song festival, named after the lake. Songwriters fly here not only from all over Bashkortostan, but also from neighboring republics. In 2016, the 29th meeting was held, which indicates an invariable interest in the event.

In it participate, except for bards, singing groups, and those who could not for any reason submit a timely application, are allowed to participate in the contest "free microphone." Three days on the shore of the lake music and laughter sound, the participants exchange their impressions and at the end of the festival participate in a gala concert.

The local Sabantuy holiday, held in early June, is dedicated to the achievements of local producers.

For this, an exhibition is organized on the shore, after which competitions begin (both national sports games and football, familiar to everyone). Since the Bashkirs like horses, they can not do without jiggeting and equestrian competitions, and a concert of local musical groups completes the festival.

Such an active life offers its guests Kalkan Lake in the summer.

Recreation and Fishing

Despite the fact that the lake's waters are quite cold, fishing here is excellent. Underwater inhabitants here are the same as in other reservoirs of Bashkiria, and although their reserves here are quite enough for economic fishing, it is not conducted here, which is extremely pleasing to fishermen.

To get an excellent result, it is better to have with you or rent a boat and explore the lake of Kalkan. Fishing (reviews of experienced fishermen say that there are a lot of lured places here) can bring catch of carp, perch, white cupid, roach, pike perch, carp, bream and carp.

As the influx of tourists to the reservoir grows year after year, a special parking for cars and tents with barbecues, places for campfires and pavilions was built here. Behind the parking are garbage cans, which are the subject of attacks of eternally hungry seagulls, raising the noise in the mornings better than any alarm clock.

Excursions

Active people are expected to ride horseback tours not only in the surrounding surroundings, but also tours to Big Iremel, a mountain located 26 km from the lake. Deciduous and pine forests, a dilapidated steam mill, a picturesque peninsula, all this is part of walking or horse riding.

Those who first travel to these regions, are interested in how to get to Lake Kalkan. It is located 10 km from the town of Uchaly, so first you need to take a direction to this city, and then proceed to the village of Kalkanovo, near which to take a right towards the village of Rysaevo. Go past will not work, as the road goes along the shore of the lake.