Ust'-Koksinskiy District: Lakes, Mountains and Culture

Ust'-Koksinskiy District brings together striking mountain landscapes, lakes and cultural discoveries in its villages. From many points in the district, you can see the Belukha Massif, including its north face and main peaks. A trail on Red Mountain passes through different natural zones; the Multinskiye Lakes lie high in the Katun Mountains. There are also museums, Uymon Old Believer traditions and experiences along the Katun.

Mountain lakes and trails through changing landscapes

The lakes of Red Mountain are a natural monument of the Altai Republic. Several lakes lie on its slopes; the largest, Lower Lake, is in the forest zone. The trail to Red Mountain leads through deciduous and taiga forests to the mountain tundra. The landscape changes along the route, from forest to an open high-mountain zone.

The Multinskiye Lakes form a cascade of large bodies of water in the western part of the Katun Mountains, at elevations of at least 1,700 meters. Lower Multinskoye Lake is the third-largest lake in the mountains and reaches a depth of 21.5 meters. The Middle and Lower Lakes are connected by the Shumy watercourse; this section of the route is especially popular with tourists. If you want to compare lakes and mountain landscapes, you’ll find both a broad lake district and a specifically named stretch of water here.

Visiting the Katun Nature Reserve

A pass is required to visit the Katun Nature Reserve, as well as to stay, cross or travel through it. The administration issues passes at its headquarters in the village of Ust’-Koksa. In the reserve, you can travel in an organized group or independently, but you must stick to the trails and routes specified on your pass. The “Historic Trail of the Old Believers,” “Kuragan Ring” and “Katun High Mountains” routes may be visited only with instructors and mountain guides listed in the Unified Federal Register. Check the reserve’s current visitor regulations before your trip.

At the start of the tourism season, the Katun Nature Reserve welcomes visitors to its headquarters in Ust’-Koksa. There, you can visit the Ethno-Ecological Museum of Altaian Culture. Its collection includes traditional Altaian household items, such as national clothing, dishes, musical instruments, and hunting and livestock-raising equipment. At the central estate, the interactive educational nature trail “A Guest in the Forest” also teaches children and adults about forest mammals, birds, insects and forest flora.

Village culture, petroglyphs and river experiences

A museum is now housed in the home in Verkhniy Uymon where Nikolai Roerich lived with his family during his five-year Central Asian expedition. Ask about current visiting arrangements before you go. In Verkhniy Uymon and Multa, you can also learn about the way of life and traditions of the Uymon Old Believers. This combines a specific local history with insight into the region’s cultural traditions.

The Turgunda Petroglyphs archaeological complex lies at the mouth of the Turgunda Creek, where it flows into the Turgunda River, a left tributary of the Katun, about 17 kilometers downstream from the village of Tyungur. Also nearby is Koksinskaya Roshcha, a natural monument with bird cherry trees and hawthorn. People staying in Ust’-Koksa like to go for walks there.

Rafting on the Katun ranges from calm stretches in the Uymon Valley, considered suitable for families, to challenging rapids on the Upper Katun in the Ak-kem Gorge. If you’re planning a trip, check current operations and conditions with local providers. Activities differ not only in their landscapes but also in their respective visiting and planning requirements.

Plan your stay around your interests

When choosing a vacation rental, it can help to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: the lakes and trails appeal to nature lovers, while museums and Uymon Old Believer traditions offer a cultural perspective. Pass and route requirements are important for visiting the reserve; for rafting, check current operations and local conditions. Tailor your search to the kind of vacation you’d most like to experience in Ust'-Koksinskiy District.

Discover more destinations: Ust'-Kanskiy District, Ongudayskiy District, Blagoveshchenskiy District, Mamontovskiy District, Egoryevskiy District, Kulundinsky District, Barnaul, Nemetskiy National District

To the main travel overview: Altai Region.