The Urals is a region serving as a natural border between Europe and Asia. It lies around the Ural Mountains, between the plains of western Siberia and Eastern Europe. Venturing to this part of Russia promises thrilling adventures in the heart of a unique landscape, made up of isolated valleys, steppes and forests.

When should you visit the Urals?

The Urals region can be explored at any time of year, even in winter when you can enjoy magnificent snow-covered landscapes. However, due to the climate which can sometimes be quite harsh in this region, there are better times of year to venture there.

From late May through September, the Urals climate is ideal for outdoor activities and particularly hiking. Camping is possible. Late spring marks the beginning of flowering, and you'll be welcomed by hundreds of fragrances and vibrant colors.

In autumn, between September and October, it's the perfect time to visit the towns and villages of the Urals. Nature dons a golden-yellow mantle and sometimes reddish tones for the pleasure of the eyes.

November marks the start of the winter season, which generally extends until March. If the cold doesn't bother you, you can plan your stay in the Urals during this period. Besides, you can enjoy winter activities while taking advantage of the beautiful blanket of snow. But pack warm clothes!

What to see in the Urals?

The must-see of the region is the famous Manpupunyor plateau, where you'll find rock formations with strange appearances that almost resemble the statues of Easter Island. It's located in the Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve. There are seven rock columns in total, often nicknamed the "seven giants of the Urals." These natural wonders stand between 30 and 42 meters tall. According to estimates, they appeared around 200 million years ago as a result of erosion and the movement of ice, wind and weather. Of course, locals have a far more intriguing legend: these were actually malevolent giants who wanted to harm the region's inhabitants. To neutralize them, a Mansi shaman, a people of Russia, cast a spell on them. But a backlash transformed the shaman himself into stone. This would explain the position of one of the stones, set back from the others.

Venturing into the Ural Mountains

Those who love hiking in the wild will be enchanted by the Ural Mountains. It's worth noting that this mountain range, traversing the country from north to south, extends for nearly 2,000 km and marks the boundary between Europe and Asia in Russia. Given this scale, trekking will take several days. For safety reasons, it's best to hire a guide who knows the region. Hikers can choose from several hiking trails suited to all levels.

Exploring Kongur Cave

A trip to the Urals can also be punctuated by a visit to Kongur Cave. This is a karst cave located near the locality of the same name. It's another of the region's must-see attractions. The ice formations and frozen lakes it contains have been attracting tourists for several decades. It's worth noting that even in summer, the ice doesn't melt. The site was first discovered in 1703 during an expedition led by geographer Remezov, under the orders of Peter the Great. Furthermore, the site includes nearly forty caves and approximately 70 underground lakes. Several circuits allow visitors to explore the depths of Kongur. The longest of these is 2 km and takes about one and a half hours to complete.

Visit the city of Perm to catch a ballet performance or attend an opera

This city is located at the foot of the Ural Mountains and enjoys a very continental climate with hot summers and harsh winters. It was founded by Vasili Tatishchev in 1723. This was part of a development plan for the Urals region established by Peter the Great. Take the opportunity to discover talented theater and ballet troupes outside Russia's two capitals, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The Perm Opera is one of the oldest in the country, founded in 1870 in honor of composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.