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Picturesque Landscapes of the Karkaraly Mountains
No comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in Nature, Regions, Travel
The Karkaraly Mountains are located in the eastern part of the Kazakh Uplands, 178 km southeast of Karaganda, 283 km northeast of Balkhash, 264 km southwest of Kurchatov, on the territory of the Karkaraly Nature Park, in the district of the same name in the east of Karaganda Oblast.
These mountains are a natural and historical heritage of Central Kazakhstan, one of the most picturesque and geologically interesting areas of the Kazakh Uplands. These mid-altitude granite ridges rise from the plains of Central Kazakhstan, forming a unique mountain forest oasis amidst the steppes. The Karkaraly Mountains on Google Maps. Photos by: Zekkadrb.
The highest point of the massif is the Zhirensakal (Red Beard) peak, 1,403 meters above sea level, located in the southern part.
The Karkaraly Mountains represent a system of isolated low-mountain and steep-sided massifs, consisting mainly of granite. The rocks are over 1.5 billion years old. Centuries of erosion and weathering have shaped the granite boulders into unusual shapes – towers, domes, and stone walls – giving the mountains their distinctive appearance.
The relief is dominated by rounded hills, narrow gorges, rocky outcrops and forest valleys with small rivers and streams.
The local climate is continental, with cold winters and warm, dry summers. Average January temperatures are around -15°C, while July temperatures reach +20°C. Precipitation is relatively rare, but the mountainous terrain creates dozens of springs and small lakes. These bodies of water are fed by meltwater and groundwater, creating a distinct microclimate in the mountains, which is wetter and cooler than the surrounding steppe.
The Karkaraly Mountains have a noticeable landscape asymmetry: their northern slopes are steeper and richer in springs and vegetation. Situated deep in the dry steppe of Central Kazakhstan and close to major mining sites, the mountain and forest landscapes offer excellent recreation and tourism opportunities.
The Karkaraly Mountains are one of the few places in Central Kazakhstan where natural pine and birch forests remain. More than 180 bird species and 50 mammal species have been recorded within the park.
The Karkaraly Mountains have been a sacred place for nomadic peoples since ancient times. Traces of Bronze Age settlements, ancient burial mounds, and petroglyphs have been discovered here. The name “Karkaraly” is associated with the Turkic word “karkara,” a decoration on a woman’s headdress, symbolizing the beauty of the mountains, which seem to crown the steppe.
These mountains are associated with many legends. One tells of a girl named Karkara, whose beauty eclipsed everything around her, and the heavens transformed her into mountains to preserve her forever. Another says that every cliff in Karkaraly holds the soul of an ancient warrior who guards these lands.
Today, the Karkaraly Nature Park is one of the main tourist attractions of Karaganda Oblast. Dozens of trails are laid out here, from short walks to caves and lakes to mountain climbs.
The park features eco-trails, observation platforms, and campsites. The best time to visit is from June to September, when the air is clear and the scenery is especially picturesque. Travelers are advised to have comfortable shoes, plenty of water, and a hat.
The Karkaraly Mountains are a place where the steppe meets the taiga, and ancient history merges with living nature. Anyone who has climbed their peaks feels the breath of eternity still resonating here.
Tags: Karaganda oblast
