Molodetsky Kurgan in Samarskaya Luka national park

Molodetsky Kurgan is one of the most famous mountains in the Samara Luka National Park. It is located at the Western end of the Zhigulevsky mountain range, at the confluence of the Usa river with the Volga. 

It is at this point that the Volga, flowing from North to South, meets the rock ridge of the Zhiguli mountains. Unable to break through a straight channel, it turns to the East, forming a bend in the Samara Luka National Park. 

You can get to Molodetsky Kurgan by turning right after the Volga hydroelectric dam. To see the main attractions of the Zhiguli mountains, near the village of Shiryaevo, after the dam, you need to turn left. 

The name Molodetsky Kurgan is associated with the young robbers who settled here in the 17th century. They used this mountain to watch the ships that sailed along the Volga to loot them. From the Molodetsky Kurgan, the Volga is visible for many tens of kilometers.

Molodetsky Kurgan has two cascades that rise 242 meters above the level of the Kuibyshev reservoir. Above the water rise the steep cliffs of the mound (kurgan), and on the other side the slope is more gentle. At the foot of the Molodetsky Kurgan is a low rocky mountain Devichya. It is very picturesque, and it offers the most beautiful view of the mound.