The Kuznetsky Alatau nature reserve is located in the Kemerovo region of Russia in the south of Central Siberia. Its name translates from the Turkic language as "motley mountains". The unique mosaic is composed of the colors of subalpine meadows, bright blue sky, inaccessible mountain-loaches, stone fields and dazzling white snow. A real miracle of nature is the glaciers of Alatau. At such a low altitude in middle latitudes, glaciers can be met nowhere else in the world. They feed dozens of rivers and lakes, turning mountains into a world of pure water. The main part of the Kuznetsky Alatau forests is coniferous trees, so the inhabitants of the reserve are typical taiga species. There are numerous squirrels, sables and beavers. The largest representative of the local fauna is the brown bear. In the open-air reserve complex on the territory of the ecological center visitors can observe ungulates: graceful roe deer, cautious marals, curious moose and restless boars.
The deer. Kuznetsky Alatau Nature Reserve.
The best time for visit is June-September.
What to see: Mount Chemodan, Mount Bobrovaya, Krestovskie wetlands, Lake Srednetersinskoe, Lake Rybnoe, Lake Panfilovskoe, glaciers, an open-air complex in the ecological center. The reserve organizes river rafting, snowmobile and hiking tours.
How to get to: The nearest settlements are Kemerovo, Novokuznetsk and Abakan. From Moscow you can reach them by plane or by train. Through the southern part of the Kuznetsk Alatau the railway branch Novokuznetsk-Abakan goes, including Mezhdurechensk, from which many tourist routes begin. The main type of transfer and delivery of tourists to the Kuznetsky Alatau is automobile. In hard-to-reach areas, helicopter rides are possible.