Zlatoust

Introduction

Zlatoust is a city in Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, situated on the Ay River roughly 160 kilometers west of Chelyabinsk. Use it as a stopover in the southern Urals, with Chelyabinsk as the nearest major reference point for your onward travel.

Getting there

Zlatoust has no airport of its own, so flying in means arriving at Chelyabinsk, roughly 150 km to the east, and covering the rest of the journey by train, bus or car. The city sits on a historic branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway that swings south of the main line, which makes it straightforward to reach by rail from either direction: from Chelyabinsk in the east, a trip of about three hours, or from Ufa in the west, about six hours away.

Getting around

Zlatoust's rail station sits apart from the city centre, so plan on a short onward transfer rather than a walk. Frequent buses and marshrutka minibuses link the station with the centre; when you come out of the station, look for these services instead of assuming you can walk straight in. Taxis are a flexible alternative and are especially handy for the station-to-centre leg if you arrive with luggage or late in the day.

Buses and marshrutkas — shared minibuses running fixed routes — are the mainstay of local public transport and will likely be your default for most journeys around the city. Routes and numbering are best confirmed locally, so ask at your accommodation which one serves your destination. Walking works well within individual districts once you're there, but don't count on covering the whole city on foot; use buses, marshrutkas or a taxi for the longer hops. If you're flying in, note that Zlatoust has no airport of its own — the closest is in Chelyabinsk, and you'll need to get into Chelyabinsk first, then continue by train, bus or car.

Where to stay

Food & drink

The source material for Zlatoust gives no detail on where or what to eat and drink, so there is nothing specific to recommend here. Treat this section as a gap to fill from other sources before you arrive.

What to see and do

Zlatoust is a base for exploring Taganay National Park, which stretches northeast from the city centre. The park has two main trails, an upper route and a lower route, with branches marked along the way; guesthouses can be booked online if you want to stay inside the park. The best-known sights are the Big Stone River, a stone run several kilometres long and up to a couple of hundred metres wide, and the peaks of the Big, Middle and Far Taganay ridges, including Double-headed hill and Kruglitsa.

To reach the park, take a marshrutka minibus from the city centre or the train station to the visitor centre; services are frequent. If you drive, there is a car park at the entrance.

Three days in Zlatoust

Day one: Start in Zlatoust itself, getting your bearings on foot before heading out. The Ay River runs through the city, and walking its banks gives you a feel for the place. From Zlatoust you can reach Taganay National Park, the reason many travellers come to this part of Chelyabinsk Oblast. Treat the park as your introduction to the Urals, and keep your first day gentle.

• Walk along the Ay River in Zlatoust
• Head into Taganay National Park

Day two: Give the whole day to Taganay. The park's ridges — Big, Middle and Far Taganay — reward a full day of walking, and the Big Stone River is among its distinctive sights. Kruglitsa and Double are further summits to aim for if your legs hold out. Weather in the Urals can turn quickly, so dress for cold and wet even when the morning looks fine.

• Walk the ridges of Big, Middle and Far Taganay
• See the Big Stone River
• Climb Kruglitsa or Double

Day three: Use Zlatoust as your base for the wider region. The city sits on the Trans-Siberian Railway, with frequent services toward Chelyabinsk and Ufa, and buses and taxis cover local routes. If you have time before you leave, return to the Ay River or take one more short walk in the foothills of the Urals.

• Take the train toward Chelyabinsk or Ufa
• Use buses or taxis for local routes
• Walk once more by the Ay River