Shavlinsky lakes in the Altai. The upper Shavlinsky lake. Lower Shavlinsky Lake

The highest mountainous region of Siberia is called Mountain Altai. In addition to the mountains in this fabulous country, there are many glaciers, caves and lakes. And all these numerous natural phenomena, surrounded by wild nature, are surprisingly beautiful and unique.

Which one is Lower?

Shavlinsky Lake belongs to the most picturesque objects of the Altai Mountains. It will be more correct to say Shavlinsky lakes, because there are several. And how much - the data varies, but not much. The question concerns only the reservoir, located at an altitude of 1725 meters above sea level. If it is attributed to the Shavlin Lake Massif, then it should be called the Lower Lake, and the next, the most beautiful and occupying the largest area, should be called Middle. All the subsequent reservoirs are called Upper. They, too, according to different data from 5 to 7 units.

Origin and location

This lake cascade administratively belongs to the Kosh-Agach region (the Republic of Altai). Geographically, it is located in the center of the North Chuya Range, in the upper reaches of the Shavly River, which flows along the southwestern slope of the Bish-Iyrdu mountain range.

All these basins, including the Lower Shavlinsky Lake (located at 1,725 m), belong to small water bodies. Their origin is associated with glacial activity and is called moraine-pond.

Non-competitive pond

The reservoir, referred to in this article as the Lower, loses in beauty the lakes, which are just above - only 5 kilometers separate it from the most beautiful pond of the Shavlinsky cascade. It is silted, more like the spill of a river, separated by small, sago-covered islets. In addition, its banks are marshy, the vegetation is rare, there are almost no places for parking, except for the eastern shore. Dimensions of the lake are not large - 800 x 500 m. Perhaps, therefore, connoisseurs of the beauty of high-mountain lakes do not consider it to be a Shavlinsky massif.

Beautiful and affable

The next Shavlinsky lake (whether Middle, or Lower) strikes the imagination with its beauty. It is the largest, its length is 1.65 km, and its width is 500 m (here and there the width is only 400 meters), it is located at an altitude of 1983 meters above sea level. This lake is the object of pilgrimage - its unique beauty does not leave anyone indifferent. And nature took care of places convenient for parking. They are many in the eastern, canopy, covered with deciduous forest with cedar patches of forest.

The brand place of Altai

The western coast is steep and stony. The water in this lake is milky emerald, and it reflects the peaks that are visible in the distance, covered with eternal snows - Fairy Tale, Dream and Beauty. The names speak for themselves. They belong to the Main Ridge of the North Chuy Range and are located at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level. This unique view, which, however, opens only from the middle of the lake, is the highlight of this pond. It is this Shavlinskoye lake that is most equipped - even horse routes are laid here.

Local service

Recently, during the summer period, the Altaian family who has settled here renders services to the vacationers - bathing and horse-riding, guide-guides and by arrangement meals, as well as selling certain products. There are a lot of tourists here. The craftsmen leave the woodwork, which becomes a local landmark - the glade of idols is located in the middle of the eastern shore.

Tourist paradise

The lower Shavlinskoye lake (it is the largest, located at the level of 1925 m), too, has recently been swamped. In the middle of it there are shoals, here and there the sedge already grows. Clear, open water areas are located mainly along the coast. Wild tourists, and planning groups come here. There are no problems with firewood for fires here. Numerous clear mountain streams provide resting water. In the lake there are enough fish, especially grayling. In certain seasons in the valley of the Shavly river there are many berries and mushrooms. As mentioned above, you can rent horses and guides here. The following routes and one-day walks are possible: to the Zelinsky and Abyl-Oyuk glaciers.

A starting point

This main Shavlinsky lake (Altai) is the starting point to the Nizhne- and Verkhne-Shavlinsky, Orbit and Abyl-Oyuk passages. From it (preferably accompanied by a guide), you can climb to the moraine, from where the views of the Upper Lakes are accessible. It is visible from here and the valley of the Left Shavly (Upper Lakes are located along the channel of Right Shavla), in the upper reaches of which there are also their reservoirs. More prepared groups of tourists can get to the Alenkin lakes and Lake Maash through the Nizhne-Shavlinsky pass. The abundance of natural reservoirs fully justifies such a name, as the edge of the lakes, which bears the Gorny Altai. Shavlinsky Lake is one of the tourist Mecks of Altai, and not only. They come here from all over Siberia.

At the very top of the cascade

The upper Shavlinskoye lake, or rather a group of several small bodies of water, is located to the south of the lower reservoir, where the boundary of the forest has already ended, in the mountains, at an altitude of 2,164 meters above sea level, in the area of the Great Shavlin Glacier, otherwise called Shavlinskaya Horseshoe. They are located cascade at the sources of the Shavly river. And 5 of them, among them the largest and the second from the Lower Lakes, are at the same source, and the remaining two - at other sources.

The way from the main Shavlinsky lake to the upper reservoirs takes a day. The banks near the upper reservoirs are gentle, characterized by a large heap of stones, some of which are 5 meters in diameter. Famous lakes are beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

Distance to major cities

As already mentioned, the largest Shavlin lake enjoys special popularity. How to get to this highland pond? The main reference point and starting point is the village of Chibit. They reach him on the Chuysky tract. Trains do not come here, they only come by road: from Gorno-Altaisk, the nearest city, to 340 km from Chibit, 442 km from Biysk, 630 km from Barnaul, 772 km from Novosibirsk.

From Gorno-Altaisk there are regular buses. In any of the listed cities, you can rent any car.

From a relative civilization - to the very outback

From Chibita (Ulagansky municipal district of the Altai Republic), from either of its two bridges - the Old one, located 4 km downstream of the river, or Novy, 4 km upstream of the Chibitki River, you need to go through the Oroi Pass and the Yeshtyk- Köl, along the river Shabagi, in the valley of the Shavly river. This is the most popular way for both commercial groups and individual tourists. The road from the village of Chibit to the tourist base on the shore of the main lake takes 2-3 days.

Because of the beauty of the edge of the Shavlin lakes are called the Altaic Switzerland, or the pearl of Altai. Shavlinsky Lake reviews are the most enthusiastic. After all, it forces people to overcome such distances and all the difficulties of the way. Obviously, the beauty of these places pays for everything.