Lake Baikal, the deepest in the world and filled with crystal clear water, is surrounded by a ring of picturesque mountain peaks and ridges.
The Baikal mountains are not very high, the highest point above sea level is the peak of Bayshint-Ula, 2995 meters high.
From the west, the lake is framed by the Primorsky and Baikal ranges, in the northeast is the highest of the Baikal ranges - Barguzinsky. The remaining ridges are not so high, but all very picturesque.
From this article you can find out which mountains on Lake Baikal, which peak is best to climb, from which ridge fantastic photos will be obtained.
Description of mountain ranges
- The Olkhinsky plateau is still not quite a mountain, a plateau with unusual rock massifs. It starts just sixty kilometers from Irkutsk.
- Tunkinsky Highlanders - located on the southern side of the lake, the easternmost spur of the East Sayan.
- The Khaman-Daban Range is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Baikal.
- The Baikal and Primorsky ranges, starting on the northwest shores.
- The Barguzinsky Range is the northeastern and eastern shores of Lake Baikal.
- Mountains of Olkhon Island and the Holy Nose Peninsula.
This is not a complete list of the names of the mountains of Lake Baikal, it is simply impossible to describe them all in a short article. Therefore, we dwell on the most remarkable.
Alpine landscape on Baikal
On the south side of a huge lake, mountain peaks with real glaciers rise into the sky. These are the Tunkinsky Goltsy, a terrain whose relief repeats alpine flood meadows and snow-capped peaks.
This is the spur of the East Sayan, the beginning of many mountain tourist routes. Coming here, you need to understand that these are practically deserted places, sometimes you need to get one and a half, or even two hundred kilometers, to the nearest village.
Here, nature has been preserved in almost pristine form, human intervention is still minimal. On the sidelines of rare paths, locals leave coins - a fee to the deities for disturbing their peace.
The beauty of these mountains is staggering, at first the trails of the tourists fall into the pristine pine forests, rich in mushrooms and berries. The paths are mostly trodden by numerous animals and lead to streams and small streams. The border of pine forests ends at an altitude of about 2000 meters.
The higher the mountains, the more often among the pines come across majestic Siberian cedars. There is always high humidity, sometimes the snow remains until July, therefore, at the roots of tall pines and cedars berry bushes and moisture-loving ferns grow in abundance.
The dark blue peaks of the mountains
When the strip of forests is left behind, the landscape changes dramatically. At first, a not very noticeable path winds among large stone blocks. The higher, the more foreign everything around seems: bushes and even grass have completely disappeared, and the rocky soil begins to resemble a frozen lava.
A narrow path continues upward, and the surrounding area changes again. A fast mountain river flows here, on its banks an abundance of greenery, meadow grasses green around.
If you raise your head, it becomes a little uneasy - the dark peaks of the mountains rise, the height of which reaches 2700 meters. Local residents call these massive monolithic rocks char, which is why the name of the Baikal mountains came from.
At their foot are several picturesque mountain lakes. The most famous of them, Lake Marabets, is located at an altitude of 2193 meters. The water in such lakes is crystal clear, but very cold, the proximity of icy peaks affects the proximity.
To conquer the peaks themselves without special training and equipment will be problematic. But, having reached the lakes, you can make unusually beautiful photos of the mountains of Lake Baikal.
Haman-Daban Range
These mountains are one of the oldest on our planet; they arose even in the Jurassic period. This is a whole mountainous country, which is conditionally divided into Small and Big Khamar-Dabany.
The unusual name of this part of the Baikal mountains came from the words of the local dialect: “hamar” means “nose”, and “daban” means “pass”.
On the slopes of the mountains relict forests grow, centuries-old poplars in several girths, dense thickets of ferns, green grass above the knee.
Among these mountains many fast full-flowing rivers flow, which gradually merge with each other. At the mouth of one of them, the Selenginka River, there are picturesque Sable Lakes.
This place is popular with hunters, as the name implies, there is always a lot of game in the pine forests near the lake. And the waters of the lake are rich in fish, which attracts lovers of fishing here all year round.
On one of the tributaries of the same river is a beautiful waterfall, which is a must see. Locals advise visiting this place at noon: then the sun's rays for several minutes illuminate the flow of water, and every drop of water begins to glow from the inside. Not for nothing that this waterfall was called a Tale!
Unusual warm lakes
In the foothills of this mountain range there are many natural attractions interesting for tourists. There are three warm lakes unique to this area, the water temperature in which rises to 28 ° C. It is believed that this temperature is due to the presence of hot underground springs. The most comfortable of them is the Emerald Lake, which is also the largest. On its sandy shores in the summer, many vacationers gather.
The second largest lake, called Teply, was supposedly formed from a glacier that had slipped into the valley in ancient times. Its banks are swampy, the water seems almost black, so people do not swim here.
The third lake, Fairytale, is absolutely lifeless due to the high content of various mineral salts in it.
Barguzinsky ridge
Of all the mountain ranges that surround Lake Baikal, it is the Barguzinsky ridge that is the most powerful and highest. Throughout, the ridge consists of very sharp peaks with steep slopes and deep gorges. The rocks of the Barguzinsky ridge descend in huge steps to the coast of Lake Baikal.
On the tops of the mountains, many glacial lakes remain, from which fast mountain rivers originate. The highest waterfall of the Sayan Mountains on Lake Baikal, the flow of water of which falls down 300 meters, is located on the Tykme River.
These mountains are still not well understood, it is relatively comfortable to move only along the river valleys, where there are a few hunting and animal trails. Despite the uniqueness of the local nature, traveling is better organized by a group, and always accompanied by an experienced guide.
Mountains on the sacred peninsula
The largest peninsula of Lake Baikal, the Holy Nose, is surrounded by small rocky islands. Buryat shamans have long held their sacred rites here.
At the top of the peninsula there is a fairly flat alpine plateau, overgrown with herbs and partially covered with coniferous forests. It offers amazing panoramic views of the surroundings of the lake.
The highest peaks of the peninsula are located in the north (1651 meters above sea level) and in the south (Mount Markova, 1878 meters).
The sacred center of Baikal
The largest island on the lake, Olkhon, is the geographical center of Lake Baikal and at the same time a historical and sacred place for local residents. To date, on the territory of this small island, scientists have found 143 archeological monuments (ancient settlements, ancient burial grounds, remains of masonry).
Olkhon cliffs break straight into the waters of Lake Baikal. There are many sandy beaches, cozy bays, beautiful cliffs, breaking off right into the lake.
The highest point of the island, Mount Jima, located on Cape Izhimey, has long been revered by the local population as a holy place, the abode of the formidable god of thunder.
The majesty and beauty of the Baikal mountains fascinates, attracts attention and excites the soul of everyone who comes here.