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RussiaSoka tunnels - this is a relatively new sights of Samara and the area previously known only to a narrow circle of local tourist enthusiasts and local residents of the neighboring village. Today, everyone can visit the tunnels, including excursions (so far unofficial). True, there are some features of the visit, which are further discussed:
Soka tunnels are located at the base of the tip-Tyav mountain (sometimes called Tip-Tyaf) on the outskirts of Samara near the Sok River. Hence the name - Soksky. In the middle of the last century, until 1980, large-scale lime mining was carried out here. Then the production was transferred from the tunnels to the top, organizing a quarry for open mining, as a result of which a considerable part of the tunnels was destroyed. However, after the final development and closure of the quarry in the mountain, a network of tunnels remained, considered one of the longest in Russia. According to various estimates, the length of the passages here is more than 40 kilometers, and therefore their visit is associated with certain risks. There is a possibility of collapses, it is easy to get lost here, and they say that there are sinkholes. Of course, the history of the tunnels is overgrown with all sorts of legends about people who disappeared under mysterious circumstances, which are told by local guides, but believe them or not, it's up to you. Inside you can see bizarre stone formations, bats, structures for mining of the last century, ancient artifacts, cavers ' camps, objects brought by enthusiasts "from the surface" that are not related to mining at all.
In addition to walking through the tunnels in these places, you can climb the trails to one of the observation points on the slopes of the mountain with views of the Volga River and Sok, and from there go down to the Soka quarry. And the nearby Sok River is known as a great place for fishing.
Attention! Despite the possibility of visiting the tunnels on your own, we do not recommend delving into them on your own, especially if you do not have experience. If you really want to visit them without a guide, we advise you to limit yourself to a few tens of meters for safety reasons for the first time.
To visit the tunnels, you can find excursions with experienced guides in one of the clubs of extreme sports and tourism in Samara via the Internet. You can also independently come to the entrance to the tunnels and wait for a group of experienced cavers or excursion groups, they appear here quite often at any time of the year.
If you still decide to explore the tunnels yourself, then be prepared in advance for possible dangers, warn friends or relatives about your plans. After entering the tunnels after about 20 meters on the stone you will see a log of visits, where you should definitely register at the entrance, and put a mark that you left at the exit.
For a hike you need good shoes, sandals or sneakers will not work. The tunnels are cool all year round (around +5C), so warm clothes won't hurt. And even better, just in case, change into old unnecessary clothes. And, of course, be sure to bring a powerful flashlight, and even better two or a set of spare batteries. In general, we recommend that each tourist has a lantern, and not one per group. Also, in an emergency, take water and food with you, because anything can happen.
Of particular danger are fire-hazardous logs, which were actively used in the last century in the development. Because of their fire in 1999, a tragedy occurred – 7 people died of suffocation. Therefore, at the first sign of smoke, immediately leave the tunnels to the exit.
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.
🚶 How to get there: the tunnels are located on the outskirts of Samara at the confluence of the Sok river with the Volga. There are several entrances to them, the main one No. 1 is located on the side of the Sok river almost at Road level, here is its exact position on the map (main entrance Soka tunnels on the map. Nearby there is a dirt parking lot, from where you need to climb to the entrance just a couple of dozen meters along the trail. Other entrances for self-visits without experience are highly discouraged.
It is best to get to the main entrance by car, but if this is not possible, then you can take buses. Buses (minibuses) № 392, 389, 447, 113, 406, 79, 78 and others in the village of Volzhsky from the Frunze Glade and the main bus station often depart during the day, but do not go directly to the entrance to the tunnels. You need to get off at the stop "Post DPS", and from there to the entrance on foot a little more than a kilometer.
And we also advise you to see ready-made excursions around Samara, with which it will be much more interesting to get acquainted with the city. You can find and Book Group or individual excursions around Samara from local residents on these verified sites with reviews: