10 most beautiful natural reserves in Russia

Russia - a truly beautiful country, where there are many quite staggering in its beauty places. That's only in contrast to the Western resorts, they are not advertised, so for them, few people know. It is time to fix it. We have compiled for you a selection of the most beautiful Russian reserves.

1. Baikal Reserve

Around the deepest on the planet Lake Baikal - one of the largest sources of fresh water in the world - Baikal stretches fabulously beautiful park. The main part of the protected area lies on the southern shore of the lake in the central part of the Khamar-Daban. Around grow coniferous and deciduous forests, which are home to over 300 animal species and 80 plant species, about 25 of which are listed in the Red Book. In the rivers of the Baikal nature reserve inhabited black grayling, goldilocks, burbot and trout. They can even catch (not abuse, of course), and this deal with tourists and locals. If you've never tried fresh grayling, I assure, you should rectify that omission.

Those who have ever been in the Baikal nature reserve, talk about his amazing influence on the state of mind. If you walk along the tourist routes (a reserve is open to visitors, you can safely walk with a backpack for weeks), then penetrate into the soul of spirituality and peace of mind, and you're back to the usual bustle of the city has a completely different person. If you are seeking an active holiday, you can just stay in one of the tourist camping on the lake: the prices are very democratic, and local residents and owners of "tourist villages" - welcoming and friendly.

In Lake Baikal inhabit one of the three species of freshwater seals - seals, that says a lot about the quality of water in the lake: the seal in dirty water can not live. In the reserve there are predators: wolverines, bears.

2. Kuznetsky Alatau

Kuznetsky Alatau Reserve is located in the south central Siberia. This is an amazing place with a unique ecosystem. The valley surrounded by high mountains stretches virgin pine forest, where there are thickset cedars, flowing crystal-clear mountain river with ice water, and the glaciers and underground water table is fed huge deep lakes.

The reserve is extremely popular with local tourists both in winter and in summer you can meet a whole group of people with heavy backpacks on their backs. Routes in this tourist area is not complicated, there are convenient trodden trails and shelters - houses where you can stay if you do not like to spend the night in a tent. As a rule, the distance between them takes a day's march or less.

However, everything is easy only as long as you do not pass through the pass Karatashsky and not get into the most interesting place of the reserve - Golden Valley. Part of the valley is well understood, but there is much more wild places not walk anybody, except deer and bears. However, getting lost is impossible: with a map of the rivers can go to people's houses, shelters above. Being in the valley, it is necessary to look at the beautiful lake Haratas. It is fed by a huge descending from the high mountains waterfalls, and water is found a real trout.

3. Altai Reserve

Altai territory of the reserve included in the list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage under the name "Golden Mountains of Altai", and this is one of the major Russian reserves. He almost all sides surrounded by high mountains, and to the south it is adjacent to the huge Lake Teletskoe. It is noteworthy that on the whole territory of the natural zone of no one road. Nevertheless, this fact makes it even more attractive for tourists. The main part of the reserve occupies a wild forest, where you can only find rare foresters paved trails. Yet there are 1190 lakes - all with clean cold water.

Nearby is the highest peak in the Altai Mountains and Siberia - Belukha, which is already without special equipment and good training is not up. In general, the average height of the mountains - about 2000 m above sea level, which is not too high: the pass can climb any person. In the mountains, roam the most interesting: you can see the landscape of extraordinary beauty, and if you're lucky, an extremely rare and precious animals, listed in the Red Book of Russia, - the snow leopard.

I can honestly say: the beauty of the Altai mountains in no way inferior to those same Alps, only Altai - the territory is much more wild. Luxury hotels you will not find here, but adventure, extreme climbs, descents - as much as necessary. Fans of quiet rest can be advised village on the shore of Lake Teletskoye: it offers a cozy wooden house at the price of 300 rubles per person per day, delicious skewers of fresh meat and a real Russian bath.

4. Columns

The state natural reserve "poles" - a truly unique phenomenon. It includes a part of the hot Oriental Sayani. amazing syenite outcrops are the main attraction of the area - the so-called "pillars". Some of the rocks are open to tourists, and some are located in the deepest part of the reserve, and access to them is limited in order to preserve intact the unique natural phenomenon and a special, peculiar only to these places ecosystem.

These rocks were the cause of so-called "stolbizma". People often come here and climb over rocks in an informal atmosphere, sometimes even without insurance. In general, then, from the standpoint of alpinism poles - not the most complex objects, so as insurance in most cases an ordinary rope. The goal - to climb to the top of a column. As with most Russian reserves, most of the territory of the "Pillars" is covered by forests, here - fir. By the way, part of the reserve is almost directly adjacent to Krasnoyarsk, and here is a great ski resort.

5. Kronotsky

Kronotsky reserve - one of the oldest protected areas of Russia. It is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula and adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. It was here that the famous active volcano kronotsky, numerous waterfalls, Valley of the Geysers and the thermal lakes.

About the Valley of Geysers is a special subject. Let's start with the fact that it is included in the official list of the Seven Wonders of Russia. This is the only place on the continent of Eurasia, where there is a geyser field, and the size of this area is many times larger than the famous geyser field in Iceland. This ecosystem is extremely fragile and vulnerable to external influences. Bonfires on the reserve is strictly prohibited. Despite the difficult conditions, the Valley of Geysers - a popular destination for tourists. In 2007-the year access to it tried to limit almost at the legislative level, but Vladimir Putin said: "This decision should be based solely on expert opinion." So that the entrance to the valley is still free.

Actually opening the mountain view of the steaming plains - an exciting spectacle, which saw one day you will not forget ever been. In addition, it contains Russia's largest population of brown bears: according to recent data, this species there are about 700. But since the peninsula is not conducted any mining operations, and therefore, a person practically does not interfere with the natural development of the life of this natural edge , the extinction of the bears have not yet threatened.

6. The Caucasian Reserve

The Caucasian reserve is mainly mountainous territory. It is located on the northern and southern slopes of the Western Caucasus, and also included in the list of World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. Caucasian Reserve - untouched by human land that makes it comfortable to live and breed rare and bison tours. By the way, it is not far from the famous city of Sochi, and rivers that originates in the mountains of the Caucasus Nature Reserve, supplying water Sochi resorts, and numerous forests provide fresh air.

In the territory of the reserve includes the Caucasus Mountains. It is here that the mountain-five thousand meters Elbrus and Kazbek, the slopes of which have never been snow melts. By the way, Mount Elbrus - the highest point in Europe, and to conquer her go climbers from around the world. By the way, even for an experienced climber Elbrus - not the easiest route.

We should also mention the fabulously beautiful lake Lake Kezenoyam. His water in sunny weather have a bright blue color, and it is - the deepest and largest lake in the North Caucasus. The lake is home to fish species not found anywhere else in the world - Salmo Ezenami. Currently on the lake built hotel complex.

7. The Great Arctic Reserve

There are vast arctic deserts and arctic tundra. Most of the year in the area immediately adjacent to the Arctic Circle, snow, coming down only for a short time in the summer. Great Arctic - the largest nature reserve on the territory of Eurasia and home to polar bears.

Unlike other parks, there are also industrial areas, for example, in some places produce oil. Coastal Reserve line is washed by the Arctic Ocean.

8. The Sayano-Shushenskaya Reserve

In the Sayano-Shushenskoye Reserve are the largest area (about 1000 square kilometers), cedar forests. The main terrain - mountains and mountain valleys, with some peaks reach a height of nearly 3000 meters above sea level. This reserve is home to about 100 species of rare or endangered animals. For example, here lives the largest population of snow leopards in the world. However, according to some sources the situation with leopards critical: according to Deputy Director for Science of the Sayano-Shushenskoye Biosphere Reserve Sergei Istomova, there remains no more than ten wild snow leopards, and not dozens, as stated in the official documents. Unfortunately, in 1975, the year in these places reservoir was opened. Yenisei River was blocked, and as a result there was extensive flooding of land. Then disappeared all that dwelt in the narrow coastal strip. Fortunately, after about five years the situation has returned to normal, but some species have not been able to adapt to new conditions and leave these places.

Of course, where the mountains - there and tourists. However, here it is developed mainly hiking and rock climbing, and hotel complexes virtually none.

9. Vasyuganskoye swamp

In Western Siberia, between the rivers Irtysh and Ob, spread some of the largest wetlands in the world. The region is one of the main sources of fresh water. Tourists visit these places rarely, few risks to roam the vast expanses of flooded water, but in most places are not deep swamp. Of course, in these wild places home to rare species of birds and animals.

However, walking through the swamps for many days visitors can: the boundless fields of water there is quite dry forest covered islets. That's only for the ignition of the fire you light a huge penalty: such human intervention causes the ecosystem of these places considerable damage.

Unfortunately, the safety of the reserve is under threat because the swamp - it's not only fresh water and abundant wildlife, and more and peat reserves of oil and natural gas. So far, no industrial development in this area is not conducted, but the development of mineral resources may begin in the next few years. Not less harmful from this point of view the nearby spaceport "Baikonur", as the substance of the launch vehicle into the water.

10. Far Eastern Marine Reserve

The purpose of this reserve was to preserve rare species of marine and coastal animals and plants. In some areas a man is forbidden to enter, but the fact remains that the share of tourists, it is quite enough. However, here it is completely banned fishing and hunting, so I have to be content with only admiration of the beauty of nature. And it has something to admire. The visitor will clean sea untouched, with narrow grassy beaches, low deciduous forests. The warm sea waters are inhabited even tropical sharks and sea snakes. In general, the fauna, both underwater and on the surface, is extremely diverse, but most of the animals, unfortunately, is also endangered.

In the Northern region of the reserve there is a hotel, where you can with the facilities, although no frills, relaxing on the beach.