Great Baikal Trail

The Stars of Balan-Tamur

3. Starting and Ending points: The trail begins at «Kovyli,» at the border of the Dzherginskii Nature Reserve, and ends at Lake Amut, in the heart of the reserve, at the junction of three large mountains: the South-Muiskii, the Ikatskii, and the Barguzin ridge.

4. Purpose and Difficulty Level: This is a walking trail, with a difficulty level of «more difficult,» and is intended for prepared, experienced hikers.

5. Trail obstacles: The main obstacles on the trail include crossing the Kovyli and Barguzin rivers, and large, wet swamp areas.

6. Degree of trail development (what exists on the trail, including structures, rest areas, etc.): 20% of the trail corridor has been cleared, bridges have been built across 50 meters of one of the swamp areas.

7. Information about trail appearance (informational signs and displays, trail marking): The cleared portion of the trail has been marked with red paint on the trees along the trail. On parts of the trail that are not wooded and at river crossings, small stone trail markers have been installed. Banners with maps and nature reserve information have been hung at each of the huts along the trail. These banners also have information about the specific portion of trail on which they are located.

8. How to reach the start of the trail and how to leave the trail at its end: It is possible to reach the beginning of the trail by car or bus. One can travel the 500 km from Ulan-Ude to the town of Maiskii (the location of the nature reserve administration) by busses or minivans that run the «Ulan-Ude – Kurumkan» rout. From the town of Maiskii, it is only possible to travel the 60 km to the start of the nature preserve at Umkhei and the 20 km further to the start of the trail by arranging use of off-road transportation through the nature reserve administration. The route usually takes five days, depending on the goals and preparedness of the group.

9. Particulars of visiting the area: The trail runs through the territory of the Dzherginskii nature reserve. Therefore, visitation is only possible with permission from administration and with nature reserve staff escort. On this route, it is possible to encounter wild animals, such as ungulates (hoofed animals) and bears. On the trail, people should follow the rules designed to procted against wildfires. Building fires and camping in unsanctioned areas is strictly prohibited. It is also prohibited to leave trash on the trail, disturb trees and bushes, collect plants, and hunt.

10. Contact information (please write to find more detailed information about the trail): Svetlana Gennadyevna Buzina serves as crew leader for GBT projects in the Dzherzinskii State Nature Reserve, the Zabaikalskii National Park, and the Bauntii Evenk Region in the Buryat Republic. She can be reached by phone at +79243530488 and by e-mail at nerpa3108@yandex.ru.

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