"The land of a thousand lakes", "the country of blue lakes" - these metaphors have long and firmly entrenched in Altai. Nature has very generously endowed these lands with mirror reservoirs, there are about 20 thousand of them here. And everyone has their own unique world, their colors, their own history. Among them are mountainous and lowland, salty and fresh, deep and shallow, inhabited by aquatic inhabitants and completely devoid of life.
The lakes differ in origin, nutrition, color and composition of the water, but they are all united by a delightful beauty. It is she who attracts romantic-minded tourists who are tired of the crazy pace of life here. With the development of the tourism industry, more and more lakes are becoming available for a comfortable and unforgettable vacation.
The most beautiful lakes of Altai
Teletskoe
One of the main attractions of the Altai Republic belongs to the group of the deepest lakes in the world. The length of the reservoir is 78.6 km, the average width is 3.2 km, and the depth reaches 325 meters. The state biosphere reserve is located on the right bank. The true pearl of the lake is the spectacular Korbu waterfall, which can only be reached by boat. In the northern part of the lake, in the vicinity of the villages of Iogach and Artybash, there is a well-developed tourist infrastructure.
Karakol lakes
Seven lakes of glacial origin in the upper reaches of the Karakol River in Gorny Altai. They are located at different heights, from 1800 to 2100 meters. They are located next to each other and are connected by streams, but differ in size, color and water temperature. The vegetation near the lakes is rich and varied - cedar taiga is below, alpine meadows stretch above, and high-mountain tundra plants are found near the upper lakes. The nearest village of Elekmonar is 30 km away.
Bolshoe Yarovoe
The main treasures of the famous lake in the Altai Territory are highly concentrated brine, which, in addition to salts, contains bromine, silt mud, which has a healing effect in a number of diseases, and no less salubrious air. The lake is located on the edge of the town of Yarovoye, the tourist infrastructure is well developed here. Beautiful beaches are equipped, there is a sanatorium "Chemist", a lot of hotels and boarding houses, a water park and other water activities.
Lake Aya
One of the favorite vacation spots for residents and guests of the Altai Territory. Lake Aya is located in a mountain basin, near the village of the same name and the Katun River. It has a small size, but a decent depth - up to 22 meters. One of the few reservoirs where the water warms up well in summer, and there is an opportunity to swim. An original attraction is the wooden gazebo of Love on an island in the center of the reservoir. A natural park has been created in the vicinity of the lake.
Kucherlinskoe
One of the largest bodies of water in Gorny Altai was formed as a result of the melting of glaciers, which continues to this day. It is located at the foot of the Katunsky ridge, in the territory of a natural park. The water has a greenish tint, the deepest depth is 55 meters. Despite the low water temperature, the lake is popular with locals and tourists. There is a tent camp here, and for lovers of comfort there is a recreation center of the same name with cozy houses and a swimming pool.
Geyser
An absolutely fantastic lake near the village of Aktash, in Gorny Altai. Firstly, it is blue in color, which gives it the clay lying on the bottom. Secondly, circles of various shapes and sizes are constantly spreading along its surface. They are created by sources that gush from the bottom and move layers of blue clay. The water in the lake is crystal clear, and it seems shallow, although it is about 2 meters deep. Algae grow along the edges of the reservoir, some are purple.
Kolyvanskoe
A large body of water in the Altai Territory, not far from Zmeinogorsk, is 4 km long and 3 km wide. It is famous for the huge outlier rocks surrounding it. In natural stone creations, you can see castles, animals, human faces. The water in the lake is clear, there is a lot of fish and unique vegetation, for example, chillim nuts. On the shore there is a sanatorium "Lazurny", tourist centers offering entertainment for every taste, excursions and boat trips.
Multinsky lakes
Several delightful lakes of glacial origin on the slope of the Katunsky ridge, in the Altai Republic. They are located along the Multa River, at an altitude of 1700 meters to 2200 meters. They are part of the state reserve. The magnificent Multinsky waterfalls are located nearby. Despite the great distance from civilization, this is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Altai. Care should be taken as there are bears in these places.
Shavlinsky lakes
The group of magnificent lakes on the Shavla River is one of the most picturesque in the Altai Republic. Their unique charm is given by the turquoise hue of the water - a consequence of admixtures of glacial turbidity. Popular hiking and horseback riding routes, starting from the village of Chibit, pass through the lakes. The upper lake is located at an altitude of 2164 meters near the Shavlinsky glacier. The lower one is at an altitude of 1983 meters; there are many convenient tourist sites on its shore.
Manzherok
A small freshwater lake at the foot of Malaya Sinyukha in the Altai Mountains. Has the status of a protected natural monument. Due to the shallow depth, the water in the lake warms up well and is suitable for swimming. Numerous tourist centers are located along the banks, and a year-round ski complex "Manzherok" has been built here, offering recreation and entertainment for the whole family. The lake is rich in aquatic plants, among which there is a rather rare water nut.
Manas
One of the mountain lakes of Altai, which is of volcanic origin, lies at the foot of Mount Kabarga, at an altitude of 1520 meters. Its dimensions are small: length - 700 meters, width - 300 meters. The nature here is unique - a combination of alpine meadows and tundra vegetation. The lake water is clean and crystal clear, but even in summer it does not exceed + 18 ° С. Local residents consider the lake sacred and attribute life-giving power to it. The nearest village of Edigan is 20 km away.
Zavyalovskie lakes
The outskirts of the village of Zavyalovo are famous not only in the Altai Territory, but also beyond its borders. Glory was brought to them by three small unique reservoirs - salt, fresh and alkaline. They are located next to each other, surrounded by pine forests. All medical and health-improving factors are collected in one place - coniferous ozonized air, therapeutic mud, blue clay, salt water. On the shores of the lakes, there is a tent camp and a recreation area with cozy cottages.
Cheybekkul
Residents of Altai call this lake, located in the valley of the Chibitka River, Dead. It lacks fish and any vegetation. This fact is associated with the presence of mercury compounds in the reservoir. In the 30s of the XX century, a deposit of mercury ore was indeed found here. But, according to scientists, the concentration of mercury in water is normal and does not pose a threat to all living things. Cheybekkel translates as "elongated". The lake is 2.5 km long and no more than 80 meters wide.
White
A small freshwater lake of a rounded shape in the Altai Territory, on the shore of the village of 8 Marta, is very popular with tourists. The water is warm, there is a beautiful beach on the shore, the surroundings are replete with picturesque landscapes. Sinyukha Mountain is located nearby. In the center of the lake there is a granite island covered with spruce and bushes. According to local legend, during the time of Elizabeth, there was a factory for the production of counterfeit coins. The lake is rich in fish. It is declared a natural monument.
Julukul
It is located on the territory of a protected biosphere reserve, at an altitude of 2200 meters. It is one of the largest lakes in the Altai Republic, has a length of 10 km and a width of 3 km.Due to the inaccessibility of these places, the ancient natural landscape, as well as the unique flora and fauna, have been preserved. In particular, only here in Altai do numerous gulls and cormorants nest. The lake is rich in fish, but fishing is prohibited. The nearest settlement Kosh-Agach is located 100 km away.
Kulundinskoe
Lake with an area of 700 km2 - the largest in the Altai Territory. This popular vacation spot is located near the village of Znamenka. It is the remains of a sea that was here 200 million years ago. The water is salty, and the lake's Glauber's salt is very useful, as well as the mud at its bottom. About 150 species of birds nest on the coast, flamingos often arrive. A nature reserve with rare species of animals has been created in the vicinity. Hunting is prohibited, but fishing is permitted.
Kuchukskoe
In the Altai Territory, this is the second largest lake. It is connected with Kulundinsky by a common channel, on which the dam is built. The water of the lake is a highly concentrated salt brine, the bottom is rich in useful mud. The reservoir is one of the main deposits of the natural mineral mirabilite in the country. In addition to its health-improving qualities, the lake is famous for the fact that in summer it warms up to 25-26 ° С. There are two villages nearby: Stepnoye Lake and Blagoveshchensky.
Utkul
A clean flowing reservoir is located in a picturesque area of the Altai Territory, surrounded by a pine forest and a birch grove. On the coast are the villages of Utkul and Vershinino, the recreation center "Utkul" and other tourist centers offering water activities and excursions around the lake and its environs. Archaeological finds in the area of the lake indicate that the first settlements appeared here about 8000 years ago. The lake is rich in fish and famous for notable fishing.
Raspberry Lake
The lake on the shore of the village of the same name in the Altai Territory owes its amazing shade to aquatic microorganisms that produce a special pinkish pigment. Water acquires the most intense crimson color in spring. The lake is famous not only for its fabulous view, but also for its excellent healing properties. In terms of the concentration of salts, its water is in no way inferior to sea water, and sulphide-silt mud has a healing effect in many diseases.
Blue lakes of Katun
The water in several lakes on the Katun in Altai has an amazing turquoise hue. They appear at the end of summer, when the water level in the river decreases. The total area of the lakes is small - 400 m2but they are deep enough. In winter, reservoirs do not freeze, as they are fed by springs with warm water. In spring, the water level rises, and the lakes, having united, turn into one of the river branches. The lakes are about 25 thousand years old. The nearest village of Askat is 5 km away.
Uzunkel (Ulagan Lakes)
Alpine lake in the Altai Republic, surrounded by dense thickets of birch, lichen, cedar and larch. Located at an altitude of 2000 meters, it belongs to the Chibitka river basin. Translated from Altai, its name means "long". This lake stretches for 3 km, and is no more than 500 meters wide. The flora and fauna in the vicinity of the lake is diverse and unique. Lovers of pristine nature and avid fishermen come here. The tourist center of the same name is located on the shore.
Akkemskoe
Mountain lake at the foot of Belukha in the Altai Republic. It is located at an altitude of 2050 meters and is of glacial origin. The water in the lake is unclear, the temperature does not exceed + 5 ° С, there is no fish. On the shore of the reservoir there is a meteorological station, an alpinist camp, a base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, a tourist center "Vysotnik". Nearby there is another Akkem lake, called "pulsating". This is explained by the fact that the lake is filled with water only in spring during floods, and even then not every year.
Light (Swan)
The first name of the lake - Svetloe - is associated with the many springs at its bottom, thanks to which the water is incredibly clean and transparent, never freezes. And the Swan Lake is called because of the whooper swans that fly here for the winter. There are only two such places in Russia - in Chukotka and in the Altai Territory. A nature reserve has been created on the lake in order to preserve this natural complex. The swans are taken care of and fed here. The nearest village is Urozhainoe, 15 km away.
Talmen (Taimenye)
The environs of this mountain lake in Altai, in the valley of the Katun tributary - the Ozernaya River, have the status of a national nature monument. The reservoir is located in a hard-to-reach place, at an altitude of more than 1.5 km. The water in it is greenish with a slight turbidity, this is a consequence of glacial nutrition. Numerous butterflies, including very rare ones, add a special flavor to the harsh nature. The nearest settlements are more than 100 km away.
Burlinskoe
One of the largest deposits of table salt in the west of Siberia is located in the Altai Territory. The lake area exceeds 30 km2, and the depth is on average 1 meter. The salt concentration in it is higher than in the Dead Sea. Nearby is the village of Bursol, its main enterprise has been engaged in salt production for over 200 years. Salt is transported by rail, rails are laid along the bottom of the lake. Lake water changes color: when it is hot it is pink, in cold weather it is steel gray.
