Katun Nature Reserve, Protected area in Altai Republic, Russia
Katun Nature Reserve is a protected area in the Altai Republic spanning a major mountain ridge and containing glaciers, alpine meadows, and around 135 lakes at high elevations. The landscape transitions from forested valleys to bare peaks high above the ground.
A Russian geographer proposed protecting this part of the Altai in 1917, but the reserve was officially created much later in 1991. The long gap between proposal and establishment shows how gradually conservation came to the region.
The reserve holds traces of ancient peoples through burial mounds and rock carvings scattered across its slopes. These relics show the long human presence in the Altai Mountains.
The area can be explored on marked hiking trails that lead to known lakes and mountain passes, offering visitors different difficulty levels. The best time to hike is during the warmer season when trails are snow-free and weather is more stable.
The reserve sits next to Mount Belukha, Siberia's highest peak, offering natural access to one of the region's most impressive mountain landscapes. Many visitors don't realize the nearest summit lies outside the reserve itself, yet the finest views of it come from within.
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