Khibiny Mountain range

Khibiny is the largest mountain range on the Kola Peninsula and one of the most interesting in its mineralogy in the world. Its geological age is 350-380 million years.

The mountain range is located in the center of the Kola Peninsula at a distance of 80 km from the White Sea and 120 km from the Barents Sea. From the west and east, the massif is bordered by extensive valleys with large lakes stretching from north to south: Imandra in the west and Umbozer in the east.

A striking feature of the Khibiny relief is plateaued peaks, rather steep slopes and deep gorges, which are full of an abundance of tourist routes intertwined with each other. Although the height of the peaks of the mountain range is relatively small (the highest point – Mount Yudychvumchorr – is located at 1200.6 m above sea level), the natural beauty of these places is fascinating.

Khibiny is extremely popular with tourists – this is the first alpine region in the whole Arctic, in which a proper system of routes from educational to the most difficult was carried out. The peculiarities of the local climate often create extreme conditions for climbing.

In 2018, a national park was created on part of the territory of the Khibiny Mountains. On its territory you can find a large number of plant species included in the Red Book. It is also home to rare animals, including specially protected ones.

Nature has endowed the Khibiny with a unique variety of minerals – there are about 500 of them, including more than 115 minerals discovered here for the first time. In the southern part of the massif, which is not part of the national park, mining is carried out: apatite, nepheline, sphene, aegirine, titanomagnetite.

Travelers traveling to Khibiny need to be prepared for dramatically changing weather conditions:

• in summer, sharp temperature changes occur in the mountains, the heat can be replaced by cold with gusty winds and blizzards
• in winter, avalanches are a serious danger

But the weather is not an obstacle for outdoor enthusiasts. Skiers, climbers and lovers of hiking over mountain passes rush to the Khibiny.

The length of hiking trails in the Khibiny reaches 130 km, the duration is up to 12 days. During such trips, you can see cliffs and waterfalls, visit valleys and gorges, enjoy the picturesque view from the peaks.

Combined tours can include water trekking, kayaking on the Umba River, ski trips, including long ones, up to 8 days.

And skiers from all over the country have chosen the resorts "Kukisvumchorr" and "Bolshoy Voodyavr", which received their names from the mountain and lake, respectively. The ski season lasts from November to May. 

When planning a trip, it is important to take into account that there may be no communication in mountain gorges, passes and terrain depressions. If you are going on a hiking or skiing trip to the Khibiny, you need to register with the attendant at the station of the Ministry of Emergency Situations before the start of the route and inform after the end that everything is in order.