Katu-Yaryk Pass, Mountain pass in Ulagan district, Altai Republic, Russia.
The Katu-Yaryk Pass is an unpaved mountain road that winds down through the Altai Mountains over 3.9 kilometers with nine sharp hairpin turns. The route drops roughly 892 meters in elevation with slopes reaching up to 35 degrees in places.
The pass was built between 1989 and 1991 by three bulldozer operators: Arkadii Abramovich, his son Anatoli, and his nephew Viktor Uhanov. This road opened the remote Chulyshman River valley area to vehicle traffic for the first time.
The name comes from the Altai language and means 'Fracture in rock, narrow gorge,' reflecting the tight, jagged geology of the area. Visitors see steep rock walls standing close together, creating the impression of passing through a narrow gap.
Visitors need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to safely navigate the unpaved, steep road. Several pullout spots along the descent allow stops to view the Chulyshman River valley below.
Unlike typical mountain passes, this road descends into the valley without climbing back up on the other side. Travelers return via a different route, giving the drive its unusual character.
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