Altai Nature Reserve

Lore & Background

The Altai Reserve has an elongated shape running from the northeast to southwest along the Teletskoye basin and into the high interior. Elevations rise to 3,500 metres (11,500 ft). This territory averages 35 km (22 miles) wide through its 230 km (140-mile) length. Lake Teletskoye is in the upper northwest end. The Chulyshman River runs into the lake, with the Chulyshman valley forming part of the western border of the Altai Reserve. Most of the reserve is the plains and alpine ridges of the Chulyshman Highlands. Over 20% of the territory is rock, scree and gravel. On the high plateaus there are over 1,000 alpine lakes greater than 1 hectare (2.5 acres) in size. The Altai reserve has been for the most part undisturbed by human activity, and is one of the few remaining pristine areas of this ecoregion. It covers 9.4% of the entire Republic of Altai, and there are no roads in the reserve.

Reader's Guide

The Altai Nature Reserve is significant as a core component of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Golden Mountains of Altai' and as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It protects a highly biodiverse and isolated mountain ecosystem, including over 1,500 species of vascular plants, 70 mammal species, 331 bird species, and 19 fish species. Among its notable endangered species are the Snow Leopard and the Altai argali. The reserve's forests contain ancient Siberian cedars up to 1.8 metres in diameter and 400–450 years old. As a strict nature reserve, public access is limited, but six ecotourist routes are available with permits obtained 2–3 months in advance. The reserve covers 9.4% of the entire Altai Republic and has no roads, preserving its pristine character.

Did You Know?

• The Altai Reserve includes the 30 km (19-mile) east bank of Lake Teletskoye and stretches 230 km (140 miles) into the high mountains.
• Over 20% of the reserve's territory is rock, scree and gravel.
• There are over 1,000 alpine lakes greater than 1 hectare (2.5 acres) in size on the high plateaus.
• The reserve covers 9.4% of the entire Republic of Altai, and there are no roads in the reserve.
• Over the past 50 years, the warmest month in the reserve has been July (16.8 °C; 62.2 °F) and the coldest month January (−8.3 °C; 17.1 °F).

Geography & Topography

The Altai Nature Reserve sprawls in a long, narrow corridor that stretches roughly 230 km (140 miles) from the northeast toward the southwest, threading along the Teletskoye basin before plunging deep into the high interior mountains. Its average width is around 35 km (22 miles), and at its upper northwest tip it cradles the shoreline of Lake Teletskoye, where the Chulyshman River pours its waters into the lake. That same river valley traces the reserve's western border. Elevation climbs dramatically across the territory, reaching as high as 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) above sea level. The landscape is dominated by the plains and alpine ridges of the Chulyshman Highlands, and more than 20% of the ground surface is bare rock, scree, or gravel rather than soil. Perched on the high plateaus, over 1,000 alpine lakes each exceed 1 hectare (2.5 acres) in area. Administratively, the reserve spans Ulagansky and Turochaksky Districts in the northern and eastern reaches of the Altai Republic.

Biodiversity & Living World

The reserve's forests are anchored by three coniferous giants: Siberian larch, Siberian cedar, and Siberian fir. Along the slopes hugging Lake Teletskoye, secondary stands of birch and alder appear, but the deeper southern reaches remain largely untouched. Some of the cedars on site have been measured at nearly 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in) in diameter and are estimated to be 400 to 450 years old. Scientists working within the reserve have catalogued more than 1,500 species of vascular plants, among them 22 species flagged as vulnerable in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. The mammal community exceeds 70 species and includes two endangered species: the Snow Leopard and the Altai argali. Aquatic life is concentrated largely in Lake Teletskoye, where 19 fish species thrive, including pike, perch, and whitefish, while grayling dominates the flowing streams. The avian roster stands at 331 species, with nearly half being passerines (159 species), followed by waders (48 species), Falconiformes (30 species), and geese (29 species).

Climate & Ecoregion

Altai sits within the Sayan montane conifer forests ecoregion, a landscape defined by mountains dissected by river valleys, high levels of precipitation, and high biodiversity. Vegetation shifts with altitude into three distinct forest subzones: light needle-leaf sparse taiga, dark needle-leaf taiga, and dark taiga. Because the reserve has remained largely free of human disturbance, it stands as one of the few remaining pristine areas of this ecoregion. It encompasses 9.4% of the entire Republic of Altai, and notably, not a single road cuts through its territory. The climate is a Humid continental climate, with a cool summer (Köppen climate classification Subarctic climate, Dfc). This climate is characterized by mild summers (only 1–3 months above 10 °C; 50 °F) and cold, snowy winters (coldest month below −3 °C; 26.6 °F). Over the past 50 years in the Altai reserve, the warmest month has been July (16.8 °C; 62.2 °F), the coldest month January (−8.3 °C; 17.1 °F), and the average rainfall has been 865 millimetres (34.1 in).

Access, Permits & Ecotourism

As a strict nature reserve, the Altai Reserve is mostly closed to the general public, although scientists and those with 'environmental education' purposes can make arrangements with park management for visits. There are six 'ecotourist' routes in the reserve, however, that are open to the public, but require permits to be obtained in advance. Park management recommends allowing 2–3 months in advance for obtaining permits. The main office is in the city of Gorno-Altaysk. The six ecotourist routes open to the public (permits required) are: Chichelgansky Zigzag (overlook of Lake Teletskoye, ethno-cultural visitor center, Yaylyu waterway hike); Belinskaya Terrace (ancient monuments of the Turkic period - 'Kaeser-Tash' stone warrior, 'IT-Bash' stone-dog); Corbou Waterfall (25 km boat ride and hike, 13 meter waterfall); Cordon Chelyush - Waterfall (softwood forest, overviews of Altai); Kokshe Waterfall (orientation by reserve ranger, hike to Kokshe Waterfall on the Koskhe River, largest right bank tributary of Lake Teletskoye); and Great Falls of the Chulchinsky (hike for experienced mountain hikers only).