Katun Nature Reserve, Protected area in Altai Republic, Russia

Katun Nature Reserve covers 151,664 hectares of the Central Altai highlands, from 1,300 to 3,280 metres, including the southern slopes of the Katun Range and northern slopes of the Listvyaga Range. Its 135 lakes are of cirque or moraine-dammed origin, and 390 glaciers cover 283 square kilometres. The Katun River rises here, its headwaters on Mount Belukha.

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's name comes from the Katun River, whose headwaters rise on Mount Belukha at the reserve's eastern edge. The river feeds the Ob, and the reserve forms part of the Golden Mountains of Altai UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1998.

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.