Aktash, Russia

Aktash

 

The village of Aktash stands on the southern slope of the Kurai Range in Eastern Altai. When you look at the amazing landscapes of mountain plains and estuaries, the heart stops from beauty, and after all, Aktash was founded only for the extraction of mercury and logging. Today, this village is the epitome of charming authenticity and a real paradise for travelers. The sights of Aktash in Gorny Altai can surprise even experienced tourists. On its territory there are many tourist bases, organized places of mass recreation, as well as natural and recreational areas, stunning landscapes, the sight of which is breathtaking! Despite the fact that you are most likely hearing about this village for the first time, do not rush to underestimate the splendor of its nature and the ability to surprise you more than many popular holiday destinations. The Aktash village arose relatively recently - in 1957, it is the center of the Aktash rural settlement municipality.

The name "Aktash" itself betrays a truly oriental origin and in translation from Turkic means "white stone". Until 1994, the village of Aktash was an urban-type settlement. Its construction and development began in the 1930s, being aimed at mining ores. However, after the closure of the deposits, the area took on a tourist appearance. Well-developed infrastructure in the field of tourism and recreation does not even allow calling this place just a village. Aktash is an absolutely amazing, original and defiantly beautiful space that attracts researchers and lovers of nooks and crannies. Know that if you are going to make a trip to Altai, this magical settlement should certainly be your first stop!

Aktash is located where the Chuisky and Ulagansky tracts intersect, in the Ulagansky district. A significant area of the village is located on the southern slope of the Kurai Range, it is there that the confluence of two rivers - the Chibitka and the Menka - takes place. The population of the village is about 2500 people.

The village is located near the federal highway and is available for visiting all year round. You can get here by public transport, which runs regularly. There is no transport system in the village itself, but it is convenient to travel by car, and in the warm season - by bicycle. According to reviews, the most suitable car for these places is UAZ, it can be easily rented here.

 

Sights

One can write poems about the beauty of the nature of this area, but it is much better to see it live at least once. We bring to your attention a selection of wonderful places that you can visit upon arrival in Aktash.

 

Geyser lake

The geyser lake is a unique and iconic place, a find for connoisseurs of everything unknown and beautiful. The reservoir, hidden behind the trees, near the village of Aktash, is small - about 25-30 m in diameter, about 2 m deep. It is also called Silver or Blue Lake. The name “Geyser” was assigned to it thanks to the occasionally reviving underwater “geysers”, which raise sand and foam to the surface, forming noticeable circles at the bottom. Although the lake water is thermal, it is crystal clear and does not freeze even in winter, so these patterns will be visible from anywhere on the coast. This so-called eruption is a truly spectacular sight, and if at this moment you find yourself nearby, your camera roll will definitely be full of mesmerizing and magical shots ...

Despite all its cleanliness, the lake is not intended for swimming. This is evidenced by the muddy bottom, the abundance of algae and clay, as well as the lack of descents to the water. Although swimming is not at all the main goal of tourists, because looking at this fragile, melting beauty of nature, you want to hold your breath so as not to disturb it once again with your presence and not destroy this magic, barely held by your eyes. Many who arrive at the lake often spend several hours trying to take the best shots and snatch a piece of this unreal, in a sense, cosmic picturesque. Deciduous plants that frame the lake give a special charm to the area; they seem to hide it from prying eyes, turning it into some kind of fabulous portal.

Curious is the fact that the origin and age of Geyser Lake are still not established. Geyser activity makes the lake similar to some bodies of water in the Yellowstone Reserve, USA. However, there this phenomenon is explained by volcanic activity, and on the Kurai Range of the Altai Mountains, where the Geyser Lake is located, there have been no volcanoes for a very long time.

In 2017, the owners of the Little Paradise camp site rented the lake for 20 years and laid a short and convenient path to it, about a ten-minute walk from the base itself. Entrance fee - 50 rubles per person. Buses run to the lake during the tourist season. Unusual weather conditions and the cold climate of the Altai Mountains limit the possibility of visiting the lake all year round. The mountainous nature of the area causes temperature instability: you should be prepared for the fact that even in the warm season the temperature can drop sharply, wind and precipitation will appear.

Before hiking, make sure you have everything you need for a comfortable stay: a hat, repellents, a small first aid kit. It is also recommended to wear comfortable and waterproof, preferably sports shoes, warm clothes that protect against wind and moisture.

The geyser lake near the village of Aktash is located at 796 km of the Chuysky tract. In order to get closer to the shore of the mysterious reservoir, you need to drive from the village of Aktash towards Kosh-Agach no more than 7-8 km, and then from the camp site "Little Paradise" follow the signs on the eco-path to the water body.

 

Gorge "Red Gate"

The Red Gate Gorge is a natural attraction of the Altai Mountains, because it is through them that you need to go to the places that experienced travelers mean when they say “go to Altai in the mountains”. Another spectacular corner of Aktash, once in which one gets the impression that a movie was shot here. The gorge is located in the Ulagansky district on the Aktash-Ust-Ulagan highway, 7 kilometers from the village. Nearby is the Chibitka River, passing through which you can see the mighty sheer cliffs rising high into the sky.

The rocks are composed of volcanic rocks and contain mercury minerals, which are responsible for the reddish hue of the mountains. In bright sunlight, it may seem that these are bloody marks on the stone layers, and thanks to this unusual phenomenon, the area is shrouded in many legends and myths. Specially, tourists rarely drive up to the red gates themselves, since the Altai Mountains start a little further. But the variety of petroglyphs often makes travelers stop and capture such rare shots in photographs.

Near the gorge, you can stay overnight at the hostel of the same name, which is located 4 kilometers from the natural object itself. To get to the area where the Red Gate is located, you need to go along the Chuisky tract to the village of Ust-Sem. At the fork, you need to turn to the village of Tashanta and move to the Seminsky Pass, passing over the bridge over the Katun. It remains only to overcome 8 kilometers, and the Red Gate will appear in all its majestic beauty.

 

Lake Cheybekkol

Cheybekkel Lake received its mystical prefix - “Dead” - once upon a time only for the reason that there was no fish in it before. According to initial assumptions, the level of mercury in Cheybekkol exceeds the norms necessary to support life in the reservoir. But studies by Tomsk scientists revealed a normal level of mercury, and the reason for the lack of living creatures in the reservoir was nothing more than a too steep drop in the height of the Chibitka River, which the fish could not overcome on their way to the lake. Now Cheybekköl is leased and various ichthyofauna are successfully bred in it. The lake is alpine and is located in the Ulugansky district of Gorny Altai at an altitude of 2 thousand meters, in the valley of the Chibitka River. Cheybekkel is only a few kilometers away from the Red Gates along Aktash - Ust-Ulagan. Cheybekkol (Cheybek-Kol) is translated from Turkic as "elongated lake".

 

Ulagan plateau

The Ulagan Highlands, or the Ulagan Plateau, is a plateau located within the borders of the region of the same name in the Altai Mountains. This in its own way natural attraction is famous for its unusually beautiful lakes. The highway Chibit - Ust-Ulagan - Balyktuyul - Balykcha passes through the plateau. This is an incredible, striking in its beauty, a place that any enthusiastic connoisseur of nature dreams of visiting.

The location of the plateau is unusual: from the east it is surrounded by the Chulyshman River and the Chulyshman Highlands, in the south it is guarded by the unshakable Kurai Range, the western side is bounded by the Tongosh Range, and in the north by the Tonkulak Range. The area has a real powerful mountain energy. Wonderful views of the local lake bowls open from here. The plateau is not very popular with tourists, but nevertheless deserves attention. And if you are relaxing in Aktash, the attraction is worth a visit.

 

Repeater

The Aktash repeater is a transceiver television and radio station with the pathetic name URS 08609, which provides communications to the entire Altai Mountains. The tower is considered one of the best viewing platforms in Altai. From the village of Aktash to the repeater, about 15 kilometers to the east. From here, from a height of more than 3 kilometers, a magnificent view of the snowy peaks of the North Chuya Range and the Kurai Mountains appears. These are breathtaking landscapes, as if descended from the canvases of the American Impressionists.

The tower is not a closed area, but is considered one of the most inaccessible. To get to the Aktash repeater, you need to leave Aktash in the direction of the Red Gate and drive along the Yarlu-Ayra river, without passing the bridge, towards the mercury spring. Further, a rather difficult section of the forest road begins, which then gives way to a better meadow path. After some time, the road will begin to gain height - about 150 meters per kilometer. There will often be sharp turns on mountain clamps, which, by the way, look quite cinematic. Somewhere the road goes serpentine up. Care should be taken when driving towards the repeater, the route is called difficult and dangerous for good reason. For convenience and more confidence in your own safety, the best solution would be to make this trip in a four-wheel drive car.

Since the Aktash village itself was closely associated with mercury mining in the past, there is a quite expected abandoned place on the territory of the repeater - the quarry of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Aktash Mining and Metallurgical Enterprise", where cinnabar was previously mined, from which mercury was then isolated. The mines have not been functioning since mining ceased in 1993, but there is still a booth with security and a barrier through which they pass after paying a fee of 100 rubles per person. But it's worth it!

Aktru and Maashey glaciers spread majestically at eye level and seem very, very close. They say that with good visibility, you can capture the highest peak in Siberia - Mount Belukha. A delightful, striking beauty, strength and energy place!

In our selection of sights of the village of Aktash, we could not help but mention the Chibitka River, which we have met more than once along the way, on which Aktash stands directly. The name is translated from the South Altai as “yellow river”, the water artery is also called “Chibit”. It flows between the Aigulaksky and Kuraisky ridges, where it forms the lake Cheybekkel already known to us. Chibitka is a tributary of the Chuya, about 40 km long, and there are 20 lakes in its basin. From the narrow banks of the river you can see how vividly and fabulously streams run, forming an endless picturesque stream. A truly captivating spectacle that will decorate the film and immortalize your stay in Altai!

 

Waterfalls

The village of Aktash is rich in a wide variety of natural attractions, and what luck that among them there is a parsec of very beautiful waterfalls located close to each other. On the Lower Karasu River - Ularsky, and on the Upper Karasu - Chibitsky.

The Big Ularsky waterfall is indeed much larger than the Chibitsky one: surrounded by rocks, the high water cascade looks very impressive. Despite easy access, the area is practically not trampled by tourists, which contributes to the preservation of the surrounding nature and the cleanliness of the territory.

The atmosphere around Chibitsky Falls is more chamber and cozy. The 10-meter spillway itself is sandwiched in a rather narrow gorge. Due to the compact nature of this natural object, tourists can approach it so that they can feel the water cloud, which can slightly dampen their clothes. It is best to visit there in spring and summer, besides, there are great places near the waterfall to put up tents. A fabulous vista for any traveler!

To get to the waterfalls, you need to go towards the village of Aktash, then turn right, before reaching the village of Chibit, and cross the wooden bridge over Chuya. On the opposite bank, you will need to drive back about 2.5 kilometers. After the sign for Chibitsky Falls appears, you need to keep to the left, and the field road will soon be replaced by a forest path at the foot of the mountain. As soon as you reach the Nizhny Karasu River, you are almost at the goal - in the clearing you can already hear the loud sounds of water beating against the rocks. Here you can also leave the car, then it remains only to go about half a kilometer of the road through the forest, and you will see the Chibitsky waterfall. To get to Bolshoy Ularsky, you need to go a little further.

 

Recreation centers near Aktash village

You can talk endlessly about the unearthly beauty of the natural places of Aktash, but in fact, the recreation centers located near the village have a separate charm. These tourist locations seem to be specially created for those who dream of escaping reality, at least for a while, to find themselves in a world of tranquility and harmony with nature and themselves.

We invite you to plunge into the world of endless warmth and restrained Altai mood, which is manifested in the style and forms that reign on the territory of the bases. Here is a selection of several tourist bases near Aktash village.

Recreation center "Mazhoy"
A small and cozy recreation center "Mazhoy" with a special atmosphere will definitely appeal to those who are looking for a secluded corner with magical views of the mountain ranges. The tourist complex is located near the village of Aktash, in the Altai Mountains. A peaceful and very beautiful place to relax among the mountains, half a kilometer from the highway. Vacationers here will not be disturbed by the noise of passing cars or the lively sounds of a bustling city.

The picturesque mountains are full of picturesque mountains and the river Mazhoi murmurs in the vicinity, and 150 meters from it, Chuya, one of the main and powerful water arteries of the Altai Mountains, carries its waters. Within walking distance are the gorge and the Mazhoysky bridge - the starting point of water tourists. The season runs from May 1 to November 1.

Recreation center “Sartakpai”
The Sartakpai tourist recreation center has created ideal conditions in all respects for a relaxing and active holiday for tourists of all categories, including parents with children. The houses have a brick stove, comfortable beds and furniture. A bathhouse with a font, a kitchen and a clean spring are located on the territory of the base. Here you are guaranteed clean air and a magnificent view of the mountains and the Chuya River, which are in no way inferior to the natural locations of Aktash. Tourists will be delighted with excursions to the Chulyshman Valley, Stone Mushrooms, Mars and waterfalls.

Tourist complex “Chuiskaya Dolina”
The tourist complex "Chuiskaya Dolina" is located in the Altai Republic, near the village of Aktash, next to the river Menka. On the territory of the base there is everything to relax and feel the inexpressible greatness of the mountain spirit. Beautiful views and unfailingly clean air will help you recuperate and start the path to recovery. Accommodation in small houses and comfortable rooms of the "Studio" class. You need to cook your own food, for this there is an equipped kitchen.

On the territory of the tourist complex there is a swimming pool, sauna, parking for cars. For a wonderful idea to organize a picnic, there is a special area with barbecue facilities. Exciting excursions to local attractions are regularly held.

Tourist base "Little Paradise"
The tourist base "Little Paradise" is located on the 796th kilometer of the Chuysky tract, 6 kilometers from the village of Aktash. This is the base through which the most convenient and safe passage to the Geyser Lake, which we talked about above, is carried out. Therefore, if your plans include visiting water bodies, “Little Paradise” is a great accommodation option.

Recreation center "Forest Yard"
The recreation center "Forest Yard" is located at the very entrance to the village of Aktash on the banks of the Mena River. Almost the entire territory is a large lawn, surrounded on all sides by deciduous trees. Tourists are offered comfortable accommodation in cozy houses. Fishing, excursions and hiking are organized for those who wish. There is a great opportunity to see and purchase unique products of local craftsmen and home-made products that are excellent in taste. For example, the most valuable honey from the local apiaries of the Altai Mountains and stone oil. The capacity of the recreation center is 29 people. In addition to magnificent natural attractions, Aktash can attract with memorials and objects of religious worship. Among them:

Monument to the participants of the Great Patriotic War who went to war from this village
Church of the Holy Martyr Eugene of Miletinsky, built in memory of the border guard who died in Chechnya
Church of George the Victorious
The Ominy Museum, the exposition of which is made up of unique souvenirs made by a skilled master carver - Sergey Tanyshevich, from bone, deer antlers. Also, the collection includes national costumes, belts and jewelry decorated with beads.
Souvenir shop with paintings by local artists - Cherepanov and Shcherbakov

 

Geography

Located on the southern slope of the Kuraisky ridge. Founded for mercury mining, logging, wood processing.

The village is located at 788 km of the Chuysky tract. The beginning of the Ulagan tract, leading along the valley of the Chibit River, through the Red Gate, along the Cheybekkol lake to the Ulagan village.

 

History

Until 1994, it was an urban-type settlement.

As a result of a strong earthquake that occurred in the autumn of 2003 in the Kosh-Agach district, many residential buildings and administrative buildings in Aktash were damaged.

 

FSUE "Aktash Mining and Metallurgical Enterprise"

The mercury deposit was discovered in 1842 by P.A.Chikhachev. In 1914 V. A. Obruchev and in 1925 V. N. Nekhoroshev made maps of the geological structure of the Aktash region. In 1934-1935, a prospecting party of geologists VA Kuznetsov and AS Mukhin established that the deposit could be successfully used. Only in 1942, during the Great Patriotic War, when the main deposits of mercury were in the territory seized by the enemy, the development of the Aktash cinnabar deposit began.

The artel came not only for mining, but also for ore processing. A metallurgical plant was built, which used primitive crucible furnaces. By the end of the war, the artel was transformed into a state enterprise. This is how the Aktash ore melting arose.

Since those years, there have been rows of two-story wooden houses lined up in straight streets. The settlement was built for the workers of the mine. Not far from the village there is an adit, to which the road goes. A kilometer-long tunnel, illuminated by lanterns, ran deep into the adit; a narrow-gauge railway ran along it, along which an electric locomotive carried trolleys with ore. The temperature in the mine was about 0 ° C, further, in the permafrost zone, it dropped lower. The walls and ceiling were lined with wood, the floor was covered with wood. A huge pipe runs through the only workshop of the plant. On the one hand, ore was poured into it, and it was heated up to 1000 ° C, while mercury sublimated, then it condensed and took on its usual form.

Then the metallurgical shop, in connection with the depletion of the deposit, began to process mercury-containing wastes from the chemical industry, which are brought to the mine. Until now FSUE "Aktash Mining and Metallurgical Enterprise" is the only enterprise in Russia for the production of metallic mercury.

As of 2019, the enterprise is not operating. The mine is in ruins, tourists are walking on its territory.

In the 1960s, the Aktash hydroelectric power station was built on Chuya to supply the enterprise with energy, but its construction was not completed.

 

Infrastructure

Branch of Russian Post, telegraph, shops, market, cafes, hotels, gas stations, branch of Sberbank of Russia.
Regional hospital.
Cellular communications: Beeline, MTS, MegaFon.

 

Education and culture

Middle School of General education. Destroyed in 2003 by the Chui earthquake. Restored in 2010.
Children's music school.
In 2022–2023, it is planned to build a settlement house of culture in Aktash.

 

Economy

Enterprises: RRTs-17 GU "El Telcom", DRSU road repair and construction department, housing and communal services.

Radio
67.10 VHF Radio of Russia / GTRK Gorny Altai (Silence).
68.96 VHF Radio Mayak (silent).
102.0 MHz Radio Russia / GTRK Gorny Altai.