Altai: Mountains, Nature, and Vast Spaces in Southern Siberia

• The Multinsky Lakes lie on the northern slope of the Katun Range; the group comprises more than forty lakes.
• The Lower, Middle, and Upper Multinsky Lakes are the best-known lakes in the group.
• The Chulyshman Valley, about 130 kilometers long, lies in Ulagansky District; the Katu-Yaryk Pass descends from the high plateau into the valley.
• The Chuya Tract connects the Seminsky and Chike-Taman passes with river valleys, petroglyphs, and lakes.

More than forty lakes lie on the northern slope of the Katun Range. The best known are the Lower, Middle, and Upper Multinsky Lakes, along with Poperechnoye, Krepkoye, and Kuiguk. The Shumy waterfall connects the Middle Lake with the Lower Lake. Pine and cedar forests line the shores, contrasting with the open high mountains.

The lakes lie in different protected areas; boundaries and access arrangements depend on the area concerned. An unpaved track leads to Lower Lake, and local operators use off-road vehicles to travel it. A stay can be planned in stages according to access, walking distance, and overnight location, rather than treating all the lakes as one short hike.

The Multinsky Lakes make a destination in their own right, combining a valley and lakes. Start a day trip at an accessible shore, and extend it only into an area for which you have the appropriate permit. The area is very busy in summer; staying in the nearest settlement is practical if you plan to visit several shores or mountain lakes along different routes.

The Chulyshman Valley extends for about 130 kilometers through Ulagansky District. The Chulyshman River runs through the valley and flows into Lake Teletskoye; its source is high-altitude Lake Dzhulukul. A route from Lake Teletskoye into the valley therefore links two distinct elevations and landscapes. The approach over Katu-Yaryk Pass follows a steep series of switchbacks down from the plateau. An off-road vehicle is recommended for this route.

Near the village of Balyktuyul, the Pazyryk kurgans—burial mounds of the Pazyryk culture—lie between the Great Ulagan and Balyktuyul rivers. The Uchar waterfall and the rock formations of Akkurum, also known as “stone mushrooms,” are other natural attractions. If you plan to visit several of these sites, treat the elevation changes and valley routes as separate stages. The Chulyshman itself is known for challenging whitewater; the powerful rapids near Yazula are suitable only for experienced rafters.

The Chuya Tract is a long highway running through the Altai Mountains. A two-day tour crosses the Seminsky and Chike-Taman passes. Stops include the confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers, the Kalbak-Tash petroglyphs, the Shirlak waterfall, and Lake Geysernoye. On the second day, the route enters Kosh-Agach District, with the colorful slopes of Kyzyl-Chin, often called the “Mars Mountains.” The drive links mountain passes, river valleys, and high-altitude scenery in a longer road trip.

The Chuya Tract is well suited to a multi-day road trip with an overnight stop along the way. Geographically, it is a different undertaking from the lake routes of the Multinsky group or the descent into the Chulyshman Valley. The duration and feasibility depend on the route chosen and road conditions.

The Altai lies in the south of Siberia’s vast region. To the east are Lake Baikal and Irkutsk; Yekaterinburg lies west of the Altai. The Yenisei flows through the region around Krasnoyarsk; Tomsk and Novosibirsk lie in other parts of Siberia. Russia extends far beyond these great distances; Samara lies far to the west on the Volga River.

In eastern Siberia, the region extends to Lake Baikal, whose shores form a distinct landscape. Irkutsk is the nearest regional center. Farther west are the cities along the Yenisei around Krasnoyarsk, while Novosibirsk on the Ob marks a different river region. Farther east lie the Russian Far East and its vast subregion of Yakutia. These areas are in the Asian part of Russia.

For stays of several days, choose accommodation based on your starting point and daily distances. A major highway and remote valley routes call for different stages; your specific journey to the region determines which destinations can be combined. Allowing extra time and making suitable preparations are part of planning routes across long mountain stretches.

Weather and road conditions on high-mountain routes vary with elevation and season. Driving over passes, hiking in valleys, and spending time by the lakes each require their own time and equipment planning.

Direct flights between Russia and the EU have been suspended; connecting flights through international hubs may be canceled at short notice. German bank cards and payment apps do not work, nor do cash withdrawals using German cards.

Which Multinsky Lakes are in the Katun Nature Reserve?

Upper Multinsky Lake and Poperechnoye are in the Katun Nature Reserve and require a permit. Lower and Middle Multinsky Lakes lie in the adjacent protected zone outside the reserve.