Climate & Weather

Western winds from the Atlantic Ocean play the main role in the formation of regional climate. Weather often changes during the week because of the change of warm and cold flows. Remoteness from the Atlantic Ocean and vicinity of Siberia amke its climate continental, which has an impact on sharp temperature changes. Ural Mountains, stretched from the north to the south, prevent from movement of western air flows. That's why there are more precipitations on the western slope of the mountains than on the eastern one. But the mountains don't impede air movement in southern and northern directions.
Average air temperature in January can be from 16 to 20 degrees below zero, in July - 18-19 degrees above zero. There can be frosts sometimes - 40-50 degrees below zero. 
One can choose any routes in this region. Hikings of first and secon categories of complicacy are in any area of Middle Ural. More complicated routes are held in mountain and taiga parts. On the border with Northern Ural the most difficult routes are possible.
Rather short Ural summer limits the time of hikings from May to September.

Rafting

Like in other Ural regions rafting is a very widespread king of tourism here. Most popular raftings are tours along Chusovaya and Koyva Rivers.
River Chusovaya is the most famous and picturesque river of Middle Ural. Its waters used to be one of the main transport arteries of Ural, which allowed merchants to transport its goods in wooden barges.
This is the only river to flow on both sides of the world. Its origins are in Asia on the eastern slope of the Urals, ше it crosses the slopes and finishes its way in Ural mountain ridges, flowing into Kama.Limestone rocks, giants " STONES" make the river even more beautiful.Mountains and rocks are called in Ural " stones ", there are about 200 " stones " along Chusovaya River. One, who ever visited Chusovaya River, will never forget monumentous rocks-giants, brilliant night stars.

Another river Koiva is one of the cleanest Ural rivers. Its historical destiny is like the history of Chusovaya : ancient settlements, robber bands. This river is much smaller than Chusovaya - its length is 180 kilometres.180 kilometres of legends and mysteries, hidden in every small stone and stream. The name of the river is Komi-Perm : " koi" means " splashes" , " va" means "water". This name suits tthe character of the river: it is full and headlong in spring and calm in summer.

Hiking & Rock Climbing

There is a favourite route in Middle Ural among tourists - road to Shunut Stone. It is one of the most grand mountain constructions of this region. It consists of pointed tops, the highest of which is 724 metres at the sea level. Rocks of Shunut, covered with virgin forest, are solitary and abandoned. In 17th century this place was the beloved one among Old Believers, persecuted by patriarch Nikon and Moscow authorities.
One of the hermitages of Old Believers became very famous. Long time ago young woman Platonida left the settlement Krasnoyar and doomed herself to loneliness and seclusion in wild forest. She lived beside the clear wood spring till the last day of her life. All these years she remained strong and healthy.After her death a real piligrimage started to her grave. The spring she was libing beside considered to be miraculous.It is a light and clean place, where peace and harmony reign.Water of the spring andcdeep faith gives power and helps against diseases.
You can spend one day on Shunut Stone, but you need to understand that you'll have to get up very early and walk a lot.
Another place to visit is Devil Ancient Settlement. These rocks are geomorphological, botanical and archaelogical nature monument ( sacrificial place of  the Iron Age ). Granite rocks-ribs are 20 metres high. Big number of rock-climbing routes of different levels of complicacy and amazing beauty make this site a wonderful place for active rest.
Rocks Seven Brothers are located on the mountain of the same name, it is a group of seven stone columns, growing from the general foundation. It can be considered as a historical place as on this very site meetings of workers were held in the beginning of the 20th century. Mountain slopes are covered with pine forest, here and there with lime trees. Rock massif  " Seven Brothers and Sister " is the most interesting and various nature rock climbing place in Middle Ural.
There may be seven rocks or may be not, but the figure " seven " is very widespread  in the names of mountains, rivers, streams and other natural objects. High rock mountain with joined or separated tops attracts rock climbers and lovers of Ural nature.

Some tour agencies prepare a special seven-day rock climbing route along Middle Ural and it is meant for people who want even more adrenaline. This route includes the most picturesque and popular places of rock climbing gatherings such as places on the shore of Chusovaya River and stunning Arakul Lake. Participants of the tour will see Devil Ancient Settlement, Tolstik, Georgian, Seven Brothers, Shikhan.

Quad Bike

Special feature of tourism in Middle Ural is travelling by quad bike. The best way to start your acquaintance with this kind of tourism is to take a simple and nice route along forest highways and outskirts of settlement Kashino. You'll be able to enjoy amazing summer landscapes and get a lot of unforgettable feelings. Experienced guides will show you all the details of driving this all-terrain vehicle and will be accompanying you during the whole trip.
If you're interested in Ural fauna, take winter quad bike tour. Winter is a perfect period for it : traces of animals are clear on the snow, tour guide will tell you a real story about the habits of the animals. You will not only be impressed by the speed and snow, but also by the beauty of taiga.
If you want to take part in this programme, you'd better be in good shape, as during the ascents the height can reach 800 metres. Sequence of programme elements ( taiga alphabet ) can vary depending on weather.
 
Another places of interest of Middle Ural are carst caves. The biggest ones are Kungur Ice Cave, Kizel and Wonder Caves. The whole number of caves is more than 1000. Generally they are of labyrinth form, but there are also vertical ones.
For true extreme lovers there is a special wedding programme " Wedding in Kungur ". it will be the most unusual experience in your life, without any doubts.
You can order a wedding prhoto session in the cave, the decoration of the cave with flowers and balloons and musical accompaniment.

sources:
http://www.kungurcave.ru/index.html , http://x-adventure.ru/index.php , http://x-adventure.ru/index.php

Alexandra Dibizheva