The Manpupuner rock formations (Man-Pupu-Nyer; Мань-Пупу-нёр) or the Seven Strong Men Rock Formations or Poles of the Komi Republic
are geological monuments in Troitsko-Pechora region of the Komi Republic of Russia. They are located on the territory of Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve on Mount Man-Pupu-Ner (Mansi language - "small mountain of the idols") between the rivers Ichotlyaga and Pechora. There are 7 outliers, they are around 30 to 42 m high. About 200 million years ago there were high mountains on the place of the stone pillars. Rain, snow, wind, frost and heat gradually destroyed the rocks. Solid sericite-quartzite schists which the outliers are made of were destroyed more slowly and preserved to this day, and soft rocks were destroyed by weathering and demolished by wind and water.
Pillars are quite far from inhabited places. There is a hiking route from Sverdlovsk Oblast and Perm Krai, and a mixed route: road, water, hiking route on the part of the Komi Republic. Tourists also get there by helicopters.
Deemed one of the Seven Wonders of Russia, the Manpupuner rock formations are a very popular attraction in Russia.
Photo by Anton Agarkov