Trails and roads of Altai. Light trekking

Today we will go along the mysterious Tungur trail, the ghost road.

It appeared on many automobile maps, and modern navigators until recently built a route along it.

Only really… We will see with our own eyes an ambitious project abandoned in the middle.

The road, which was so painstakingly cut through the rocks, was never put into operation and gradually turned into a narrow path.

We will drive to the observation deck, and from there our trekking will begin to the confluence of the Yukhtiner River with the Katun.

You will be amazed by the skill and bravery of the builders who managed to cut down narrow shelves for the road in sheer bombs.

A striking contrast to the harsh cliffs will be the lush, lush greenery of the Katuni Valley.

Walking along the trail is generally not difficult, but at the end we will face a real challenge — a fairly steep climb.

In the evening we will return to our recreation center in Inegen village.

By car: 20 km. Walking: intensive 10/12 km, altitude difference 200 m.

Today we will continue along the legendary Chui highway, which will tell us the stories of different eras.

First, we will go back thousands of years by visiting the ancient Kalbak-Tash sanctuary.

Here, on the smooth rocks, you will see a unique chronicle in the form of petroglyphs — hunting scenes, rituals and mythical images left by dozens of generations.

Then we will plunge into the heroic and harsh atmosphere of the 20th century. Let's remember the first drivers who challenged the difficult road, and hear the true story of the driver Kolka Snegirev, the hero of the folk song.

We will also see a magical Geyser lake that paints pictures on the bottom.

And finally, another tracking is waiting for us.

A walk through the Kurai Hills will open up to us a grand panorama: the powerful North Chuisky ridge with sparkling peaks covered with glaciers.

And at your feet will lie the valley where the Chuya River winds.

This view is a real reward for the traveler.

We will stay overnight in Kurai village.

By car: 125 km. Walking distance: moderate 5 km, height difference 150 meters.

This day will start long before full sunrise.

We are going to meet with magic — let's hope that we will be lucky with the weather, and we will witness how the first rays of the sun touch the eternal snow and ice of the North Chuisky range with soft pink gold.

Next, our path lies in truly alien landscapes.

We will visit the colorful hills of Kyzyl-Chin, which are called "Mars" for a reason.

The palette created by nature itself is amazing: ochre, cream, fiery orange, chocolate and deep burgundy shades of clays are mixed here.

We are waiting for a walk along the path deep into this kingdom to the so-called Mars-2, where we will explore all the bizarre bends and hidden corners of the Red Gorge.

These hills are the former bottom of an ancient sea, and underfoot you can find clear evidence — ancient fossils.

We will spend this day at a considerable altitude, among landscapes that resemble the Mongolian steppes.

Eagles and vultures soaring in the sky, and sometimes camels grazing peacefully, will complement the feeling of being completely immersed in another, unfamiliar world.

On the way back, we will stop at Kosh-Agach, where you can buy Mongolian souvenirs, cashmere and camel wool items at the local market.

By car: 80 km. Walking: intensive 8 km, altitude difference 90 m.

A real adventure awaits us today.

We will turn off the main road in search of the lost Youki-Koba pass.

At the beginning of the 20th century, its serpentines were laid for the first wheeled transport, bypassing the formidable and impregnable Katun bombshells.

But with the advent of ferry crossings, the road turned out to be unnecessary, gradually plunged into oblivion.

Perhaps this is what allowed the pass to reach our days in amazing safety.

The stonework and the clear zigzags of the road, inscribed into the slopes, seem to have been frozen in time.

The climb, despite the decent height difference, seems gentle and feasible — our ancestors were able to build with the strength of horses and humans.

From the top of the pass, serene panoramas of mountain ranges, untouched by civilization, will open.

After going downstairs, we will check into a recreation center on the banks of the Katun River.

By car: 130 km. Walking: intensive 13 km, altitude difference 600 m.

The last day of our trip will begin with a leisurely drive towards Gorno-Altaysk.

But we won't let this day become just a road home.

Instead, in the village of Cherga, we will turn off the usual asphalt of the Chuisky highway.

Our path will follow the Chuisky highway of the 19th century.

This dirt road through the village of Altayskoye was once followed by all the first travelers, scientists, researchers and merchants, whose names are inscribed in the history of this region.

We will overcome two more picturesque passes — Komarsky and Biryuksinsky.

They are not as grandiose as the highland giants, but they have their own special charm.

Arrival in Gorno-Altaysk is scheduled around 16:00, where our big trip will end.

By car: 300 km. Walking distance: moderate.