A Guide to Best Attractions in Ridder
Ridder is a town in the Kazakh Altai region, founded in 1786. Its history is closely tied to the production of polymetallic ores, discovered in the region during the reign of Catherine the Great. The town was named in honor of explorer Philip Ridder, who identified the polymetallic deposits in the region. Over time, Ridder became a major source of non-ferrous metals in Kazakhstan. Today, it stands as the industrial hub of the Abay region, with mining, metallurgy, and mechanical engineering as its primary industries.
Breathtaking Nature
While Ridder may not have many places of interest, its surrounding area attracts visitors with its stunning natural beauty, mountains, and taiga. The town and its surroundings boast twelve recreation centers, three ski resorts, four guest houses, and ten hotels. Here are some of the best places to enjoy a pleasant and comfortable stay:
Ulba Village: Home to the Ridder Resort Hotel and Sinegorye Ski Resort, Ulba is perfect for winter sports enthusiasts looking to ski or snowboard. The village is located 19 km (12 mi) southwest of Ridder.
Ridder Hutte: Another popular spot for skiing and snowboarding, offering excellent facilities and picturesque views. Ridder Hutte is situated along the road between the towns of Ridder and Zyryanovsk, at an elevation of 1,860 meters (6102 ft) above sea level.
Poperechnoye Village: Features four guest houses operating in summer, offering home-cooked food and cozy cottages. It's an ideal retreat for those seeking peace and quiet away from city life. The village is located 32 km (20 mi) northeast of Ridder.
Berezovka Recreation Center in Konovalovka Village: Known for its folk crafts, Berezovka also offers skiing, hiking, steam baths, rafting, and medicinal herb collecting master classes. The center is located 11 km (7 mi) east of Ridder, along the A-9 road.
Black Uba (Chernaya Uba) Recreation Center: This center boasts unique tree observation decks for spotting rare Siberian birds. Additionally, it offers organized hiking tours through the forests. Black Uba is situated 50 km (31 mi) northeast of Ridder, near the border with Russia.
Certainly, this is not the full list of recreation areas in Ridder. Below, we highlight several more attractions that are ideal for tourists who enjoy active adventures in the wild:
- Klimovka Village
- Grey Meadow (Seryi Lug) Recreation Center
- Edelweiss Recreation Center
- Stardust Camp Ski Resort
- Zimovskaya Tourist Base
- Gromotukha Recreation Center
Attractions within Ridder
If you prefer to stay within town, Ridder offers several interesting places to visit:
- Republic Square
- Palace of Culture (14 Nezavisimosti Ave.)
- Gogol Street
- Veterans' Alley (between Republic Square and Gagarin St.)
- St. Nicholas Cathedral (7 Kuznechnaya St.)
- Ridder Museum of History (11 Nezavisimosti Ave.)