Trail of the woodsman

 

 

1. Name of trail: Hunter and fishermen’s trail.

 

2. Length of trail: 20.15km with an incline factor of 1.1

 

3. Start and end point of trail: The trail begins where the road from Ulan-Ude forks to Kurumkan, near the campsite “Maksimikha”. The trail ends at “Kholodyanki”, near the village of Uct-Barguzin.

 

4. Purpose of the trail and its grade of difficulty: advanced level foot trail suitable for trained and experienced hikers.

 

5. Areas of difficulty along the trail: steep slopes (up to 25%), sheer cliffs right up to the shore, particularly  near the village of Ust-Barguzin. The area by the sheer cliffs is considered to be the most dangerous. Hikers are advised to take the upper bypassing trails.

 

6. Trail layout: (type of structures, rest points etc that are on the trail): The first half of the trail is built to a high standard ready for 2008 (from the Maksimikha campsite to cape Chernyiy. At the start of the trail there is an observation platform with a table and benches. On the trail there are four rest points, four observation platforms, and a clear tread.

 

7. Provision of information along the trail (information boards and signs): Only the start of the trail and the turns are signed. Directions along the trail are marked on trees in red paint. Information boards and signposts are not in place for 2008.

 

8. How to get to and from the start and end points of the trail: The start point of the trail may be reached by vehicle. It is 230km from Ulan-Ude to the Maksimikha campsite. Scheduled minibuses run twice a day from Ulan-Ude to Ust-Barguzin (the price in 2008 is 400-500 roubles). You can return to Ulan-Ude on these minibuses, although seats need to be booked in advanced. Travelling from the start of the trail to the end takes on average about 8 hours.

 

9. Particular considerations for visiting the area (for national parks and nature reserves) and rules of behaviour on the trail: The trail runs through Maksimikha and Ust-Barguzin forestry territory. Hikers should follow fire safety rules whilst on the trail. It is forbidden to leave litter on the trail, cut trees and bushes and to hunt animals and birds.

 

10. Person to contact for further information about the given trail: Mikhail Sergeevich Ivanov, project coordinator for the Great Baikal Trail. Contact no: 89246543534. Email: ivanov_gbt@mail.ru