10 most beautiful and unusual places in Altai

Altai is a beautiful place in Russia. This is the land of snow-capped mountains, mirror-like lakes, historical and cultural monuments. In this article we’ve combined the sights of two regions: the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic. Do you want to look at ancient ritual labyrinths, visit mountain spirits and stand on glaciers? Welcome to Altai!

1. Multinskie lakes (Multa lakes)

If you see tourists with large backpacks, most likely they are going to the Multinskie lakes, one of the main attractions in the Altai Mountains. This is a cascade of lakes of rare beauty, consisting of 5 reservoirs: Lower, Middle, Upper, Poperechnoe, Strong. The lakes originate in the basin of the Multa River and are located in the upper part of the Katunsky ridge. This is a remote place with pristine nature, and tourists love it. There are various hiking trails leading to the lakes — it can take you fr om somewhere between a couple of days to a week to properly explore this area. 

When to go and how to get there: the best time to come here is in summer. The nearest village is Multa, with several tourist camps. Multa is 350 km fr om Gorno-Altaysk and 600 km from Barnaul. Bus services are available from both cities. Coordinates.

Tip: do not forget your passport. The Multinskie lakes are located near the border with Kazakhstan, so sometimes you’ll come across border patrols.

2. Valley of Mountain Spirits

The Che-chkysh tract is better known among locals and tour guides as the Valley of Mountain Spirits because of its truly magical atmosphere and a large number of myths and legends about it. The narrow gorge in high cliffs with the flowing Che-chkysh mountain river is famous for its magical landscapes. Here you can see a waterfall, examine ancient petroglyphs on the rocks and climb to the observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of the Katun River. Another attraction of Che-chkysh is the Oroktoy Bridge, built over a bubbling river surrounded by rocks.

When to go and how to get there: you can visit the Valley of Mountain Spirits all year round. It is fairly easy to yet here, Chemal is the nearest place to this valley. Gorno-Altaysk is 100 km away, while Branaul is 350 km away. Coordinates. 

3. Ukok Plateau

Ukok Natural Park is located in the plateau of the same name at the intersection of the borders of Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Here, in addition to stunning landscapes, you can see many archaeological finds dating back to the Paleolithic era. Scientists are sure that the Ukok plateau served as a ritual place for the Huns, Scythians and other ethnic groups of Central Asia. Today locals and thousands of tourists consider this area a place of special power. In 2006 a 2500 years old mummy of the Altai princess was discovered here. To get to the plateau, you need to receive a park pass (issued on the spot, from the staff of the park), as well as a border pass (this can be done on the website of state services two weeks prior to arrival). You will also need to get a vaccine against the plague (it can be done in Gorno-Altaysk), since the Kosh-Agach region in the Altai Republic is a natural center of this disease.

When to go and how to get there: it is best to visit this place in May-June and August. The nearest village is Kosh-Agach (100 km away), Gorno-Altaysk is 460 km away. Coordinates.

4. Tarkhatinsky megalithic complex

In the Kosh-Agach region you will find another unusual sight of Altai — an ancient structure of megaliths dating from the end of the Bronze Age. 60 boulders with rock paintings are laid in a circle, 60 meters in diameter. Scientists believe that this place served as an observatory for the ancient people — the whole structure is precisely oriented to the 4 cardinal directions. Tourists come here for the special atmosphere and stunning sunsets.

When to go and how to get there: it is better to come to the Tarkhatinsky megalithic complex in autumn or spring. The nearest village is Kosh-Agach (25 km away), Gorno-Altaysk is 460 km away. Coordinates. 

Tip: this archaeological site is located just 70 km from the Ukok plateau, so you will have time to visit both of them in one day.

5. Aktru Gorge

Not all tourists are mountain trekking professionals. And you don’t need any special training to hike in the Aktru Gorge. You can get pretty close to the Aktru glacier by car. And next to it there is another popular tourist destination — Blue Lake, located at an altitude of 2900 meters above sea level. A trip to Aktru takes no more than one day, so this is a good option for tourists who want to see as much of Altai as possible in one trip. There is also a mountain camp up there.

When to go and how to get there: the best time to come to the Aktru Gorge is in summer and autumn, it can be dangerous here during spring due to melting snow. Kurai is the nearest village, and Gorno-Altaysk is 400 km away. Coordinates.

6. Petroglyphs of Kalbak-Tash

Altai is a real treasure trove of archaeological sites. One of them is the Petroglyphs of Kalbak-Tash on the banks of the Chuya River in the Ongudai region. This is a whole exhibition hall of rock art, the largest complex of drawings in Siberia. 3000 of the most different images have been created here for thousands of years — from the Neolithic period to the ancient Turkic era.

When to go and how to get there: tourists come to Kalbak-Tash all year round. The nearest village is Inya (18 km away), and Gorno-Altaysk is 260 km away. Coordinates.

7. Lake Teletskoye

In the northeast of the Altai Mountains there is Lake Teletskoye, one of the deepest and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Russia. The lake and the surrounding reserve are included in the list of Cultural and Natural Heritage of UNESCO. The stunning nature around the lake (meadows, mountains and waterfalls) are the reason for the lake’s popularity. Travelers can enjoy rock climbing, rafting, fishing and trekking. Cycling and car routes are also available.

When to go and how to get there: tourists usually come to Lake Teletskoye in summer. There is a fee for staying in the reserve — 50 rubles per day. The lake is located in close proximity to the village of Artybash, wh ere there is a regular bus service fr om Gorno-Altaysk (150 km away). Coordinates.

8. Red Mountain

There is a mountain in the Ust-Koksinsky region, which, oddly enough, is not part of any mountain range. Scientists agree that Red Mountain is a volcano that went extinct thousands of years ago. This is not the highest peak in Altai, but it is definitely the most unusual one. The area around Red Mountain attracts thousands of tourists because of the beautiful nature: here you will see crater lakes, alpine meadows, 300-year-old trees and a glacier that does not melt even in summer. There are trails leading up the mountain, wh ere you can hike or cycle.

When to go and how to get there: the most popular time to visit Red Mountain is in spring, when the meadows bloom. The nearest village is Ust-Koksa (50 km away), Gorno-Altaysk is 300 km away. Coordinates.

9. Park of Labyrinths

In the Ust-Uba tract you will find one of the most mysterious sights of Altai — spiral stone structures from the Neolithic times. Scientists believe that in such places (which, incidentally, are found in other countries as well) ancient priests and shamans performed magic rituals. There are 5 labyrinths in the Altai park with different purposes: according to old legends, if you go through one of them, you’ll receive love, health, energy, strength or luck.

When to go and how to get there: the Park of Labyrinths is visited all year round. There are several tourist centers nearby. It is 30 km from Gorno-Altaysk. Coordinates.

10. Tavdin Caves

On the left bank of the Katun River there is a complex of 30 karst caves. Ancient people also lived in these places, which is proven by rock paintings found here. The caves are easily accessible and are equipped with steps, turnstiles and lighting. This single network of tunnels with a length of 5 km is an excellent place for an underground walk.

When to go and how to get there: Tavdin Caves are open to the public at any time of the year, every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance to the complex is possible at a fee: 150 rubles for adults and 100 rubles for children. The caves are 45 km from Gorno-Altaysk, and the nearest village is Izvestkovy. Coordinates.

Tip: you can visit the Park of Labyrinths and Tavdin Caves in one day as they are just 15 km apart.

We’ve covered only 10 beautiful places in Altai, which are definitely worth visiting while traveling around this amazing region. If you like unique nature and monuments with a long and mysterious history, then Altai will surely win over your heart.