Mayna on the Yenisei: Izerbel Park and Hiking Trails

Discover Mayna through specific nature and hiking themes: Izerbel Park on the Yenisei and trails associated with Mayna and Sayanogorsk. There is also an opportunity to buy fresh fish. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether these local highlights should shape your stay or whether other destinations in the Republic of Khakassia should also play a part.

Nature on the Yenisei

Izerbel Park is a landscaped natural area on the banks of the Yenisei, at the foot of the Borus Mountains. It brings together three distinctive features of the area: a landscaped natural space, a riverside location and a connection to the mountains. If you are interested in Mayna, this is a specific starting point for getting a sense of the local landscape. The park and the trails appeal to different interests: the area combines landscaped nature with the riverbank, while the named hiking trails draw attention to routes between Mayna and Sayanogorsk.

Hiking trails associated with Mayna

The four-kilometre Mainsky Klyuch hiking trail runs between Mayna and Sayanogorsk. It follows the embankment of a former railway line, which was built during construction of the Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Station. As well as offering a hike, the route has a historical connection to the infrastructure created in connection with the power station’s construction. You can factor the four-kilometre route into your day’s plans.

The “Upper Mainsky Klyuch” hiking trail begins at the entrance to Mayna from the Sayanogorsk side. There is an important restriction to bear in mind: the trail is not equipped and can be dangerous. Take this into account when planning your hike.

Fresh fish near the park

If you would like to buy fresh fish, there is a trout farm 20 metres from Izerbel Park where you can make a purchase. Check before visiting whether it is currently available.

Other landscapes in the Republic of Khakassia

Beyond Mayna, the Republic of Khakassia offers other landscapes and historical sites to explore. The Ivanovskie Lakes are a cascade of four freshwater lakes, fed by melting glacier water and linked by small waterfalls. The lakes lie in the Kuznetsk Alatau at an elevation of 1,300 metres. They attract hikers in summer and freeriders and snowmobilers in winter. The third and fourth lakes are accessible only to prepared or experienced visitors; conditions can vary by season. When planning, the first two lakes are therefore different from the two farther back, which require experience and preparation.

The Tuimsky Sinkhole tells a different story from the Republic of Khakassia. It formed at the site of an underground mine that closed in 1954 and is about 1.5 kilometres from the village of Tuim. Here, geological landscapes and industrial history come together: the sinkhole’s formation is directly linked to the former mining activity. The Ivanovskie Lakes, by contrast, focus on freshwater, elevation and seasonal activities. If you are considering several destinations in the republic, you can compare different interests without equating them with the local offerings in Mayna.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Mayna, the Yenisei, Izerbel Park and the hiking trails provide a clear local focus. If you would also like to include the mountain lakes or the mining history of the Republic of Khakassia, that adds a different landscape to your plans. Deciding which of these themes you want to shape your stay is a useful first step in choosing the right area to search.

For the broader travel overview: gorod Sayanogorsk.