Red gate, Altai Mountains

Two red sandstone cliffs rise vertically on both sides of the Chuya Highway, forming a natural passageway through the Altai Mountains at 1500 meters elevation.

The Red Gate formation emerged through tectonic forces during the Altai Mountains uplift, exposing ancient sandstone layers that date back millions of years.

The formation holds significance for local Altai people who incorporate the red cliffs into their traditional stories about the formation of the mountain landscapes.

Travelers can access the Red Gate formation via the M52 Chuya Highway, which connects the Russian city of Novosibirsk to the Mongolian border.

The iron oxide content in the rock creates intense red coloration that changes throughout the day as sunlight moves across the vertical cliff faces.

Location: Ulagansky District

GPS coordinates: 50.36500,87.63340

Latest update: April 26, 2025 20:40