Karabash – City Pond and Ural Mountainside

• Karabash lies in the northwestern part of Chelyabinsk Oblast, in the Soimanovskaya Valley and on the watershed between the Atkus and Sak-Elga rivers.
• Mount Karabash, at 430.6 meters, rises west of the city.
• The Karabash Pond is an artificial body of water in the bed of the Serebryanka River.
• The floating fountain on the city pond operates seasonally, from May to October.

The city lies on the eastern slope of the Ural Mountains, among mountains, forests and lakes. It is situated in a hollow surrounded by mountains, in the Soimanovskaya Valley. Karabash is also on the watershed between the Atkus and Sak-Elga rivers; both flow into the Miass.

Mount Karabash rises to 430.6 meters west of the city. Also to the west is Mount Yuruma in the Bolshoy Taganay Range: it is 1,023.5 meters high and 12 kilometers from Karabash. The wider area also includes numerous lakes and rivers. Places in the area officially recognized as natural monuments include Lakes Ufimskoye, Serebry and Uvildy, the Bolshoy Kialim and the Kialim Reservoir. Lake Uvildy is 14 kilometers long and up to 40 meters deep.

Karabash Pond is an artificial body of water in the bed of the Serebryanka River. It was created for the Karabash Copper Plant, which began operating in 1910. Since a closed water cycle was introduced at the Karabashmed plant, the pond has no longer been used for the plant’s needs.

A promenade runs along the shore near Oswoboschdenija Urala Street. It has walking paths, recreation areas and landscaped grassy spaces. The shore is also home to the Monument of Glory, reconstructed with support from RMK and featuring an Eternal Flame, as well as a memorial complex dedicated to Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Sugonyayev and the front-line soldiers from Karabash.

The floating light and music fountain on the pond operates in two seasonal modes. From May to October, jets of water dance to music during the day; in the evening, laser and fire shows take place on the water. Check the current schedule if you are planning your visit specifically around the shows.

In September 2026, the “Ya lyublyu Karabash” (“I Love Karabash”) stele was officially unveiled as a new art installation on Central Square. The Veteran Alley features “Lenta vremeni” (“Timeline”), a landscape sculpture. Along the walking paths, information boards on posts mark key moments in Karabash’s history since the city was founded.

A more recent event is also connected with a historic site: during the restoration of the Church of St. John Chrysostom, which began in 2018, specialists discovered an image of the icon of the Mother of God “Seven Arrows” that had become visible on a wall.

An annual tradition is the procession for the feast day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on May 22. Participants walk around the city and climb to the top of Poklonny Cross. If you are planning to attend in a particular year, check the local arrangements in advance.

The wider range of nature attractions in Chelyabinsk Oblast includes Taganay National Park in the western part of the region. The “Ves Taganay za 600 shagov” ecological trail is just over 1.5 kilometers long and passes through scenic areas of the Chernaya Skala area and natural complexes typical of the national park. The paved path and an observation platform are accessible to wheelchair users. The park describes the route as one of its easier excursions, requiring no special physical preparation; after the excursion, the group has free time for photography. Check current trail conditions before your visit.

A different level of challenge is offered by the ecological trail to the Zyuratkul Range, also in Chelyabinsk Oblast: it is 6 kilometers one way and climbs 460 meters; children can complete it too. The distance and elevation gain give you a concrete point of comparison when planning your own outings in the region.

Discover more destinations: Karagayskiy, Gubernskoye, Tyulyuk, Ust-Katav, Troitsk, Varna, Verkhny Ufaley and Zyuratkul.

When does the floating fountain at Karabash Pond operate?

The fountain operates seasonally, from May to October. Jets of water dance to music during the day, and laser and fire shows take place on the water in the evening. Check the current schedule before your visit.

How far is Mount Yuruma from Karabash?

Mount Yuruma, at 1,023.5 meters, lies 12 kilometers west of Karabash in the Bolshoy Taganay Range. Mount Karabash, at 430.6 meters, also rises west of the city.

Which hiking trails are described in Chelyabinsk Oblast?

The “Ves Taganay za 600 shagov” trail in Taganay National Park is just over 1.5 kilometers long and has a paved path and an observation platform. The trail to the Zyuratkul Range is longer: 6 kilometers one way, with an elevation gain of 460 meters.

When does the procession for the feast of St. Nicholas take place?

The procession takes place annually on May 22. Participants walk around Karabash and climb to the top of Poklonny Cross; check the local arrangements for the year in question.

Back to the regional travel overview: Chelyabinsk Oblast.