Lady Siberia
- Aug 31, 2020
- 4 min read

Shavlinsky Lakes

Updated: Jan 14, 2021

Shavlinsky lakes are located along the Shavla river in Altai in the area of the North Chuysky tract. This is a chain of several lakes, stretching over 10 kilometers.

The territory is protected by the state and is a zoological reserve.

Shavlinsky lakes of Altai are considered one of the most beautiful not only in Russia, but also in the world. Many tourists note that this area is not inferior in beauty to either the Alps or the Caucasus.

These natural ponds are distinguished by their incredible color palettes: deep green and azure blue tones look bright to unreality.

The photos made here look amazing, even without further editing. And the surrounding greenery and white glaciers on the tops of the mountains shock the imagination with their grandeur.

Upper lake

The Upper Shavlinsky lake is located at an altitude of 2164 meters above sea level. Its banks are gently sloping with rocks. This reservoir was formed at the foot of the large Shavlinsky glacier, which descends from the peaks of the North Chuysky ridge.

The water of the lake has such a bright turquoise color due to admixtures of glacial turbidity.

Lower lake

The Lower lake is larger in size and is located at an altitude of 1983 meters above sea level, 5 kilometers from the Upper lake. The western shores of the Lower Shavlinsky lake are rocky and steep, and the eastern shores are gently sloping, covered with deciduous forest, are excellent for tourist camps. The reservoir itself is getting silt; in the middle you can see the shallows that have already begun to grow trees.

In the forests of the Shavlinsky lakes you can find Siberian cedar, larch, blue honeysuckle, blueberries, lingonberries, small chipmunks and pikas. In the lakes, you can find grayling. The lakes are cold and located in a valley of snow-capped mountains. But many travelers practice swimming on sunny days. The weather here is changeable, as in the entire mountainous part of Altai. Rains can be lingering or intermittent. But the main attraction - Shavlinsky lakes – beautiful in any weather. On cloudy days it is interesting to watch how clouds descend from the mountains and cover the hilly slopes, then the water acquires a dark blue and dark green color, reflecting the clouds in its smooth surface.

Route to Shavlinsky lakes

The distance from Biysk to Shavlinsky lakes is about 500 kilometers. To get there, you should pass the follows places: Srostka, Maima, Manzherok, Ust-Sema, Shebalino, pass through the Seminsky pass, Ongudai, Inya, Chibit and then walk 35 kilometers, orienting with the coordinates of the Shavlinsky lakes on the map: 50.102375, 87.428368.

The road from Biysk is asphalt and fairly new. 150 kilometers after passing the town you should turn right in front of the village of Ust-Sema towards Tashanta along the M-52 highway. Having crossed the bridge over the Katun River, you can soon notice that the path leads up to the Seminsky Pass. After 80 kilometers, there is the next pass - Chike-Taman, it is a bit more difficult than the first, but you can pass it by car even in winter. Further, the road leads along the picturesque Chuysky tract to the village of Chibit. Here you can park your car under supervision at tourist camps. You can’t drive to the Shavlinsky lakes by car, there are only narrow paths. Further - only on foot or on horseback.

How to get to Shavlinsky lakes

There are only paths to the lake, but you can easily go astray. From the village of Chibit, walking will take 2-3 days. Along the way, you can enjoy scenic landscapes and wildlife of Altai. The trail leads along the Mazhoy cascade over the Chuya river, the Oroy pass, the Eshtykol plateau, the right bank of the Eshtykel river. You need to have a tent for an overnight stay, sleeping bags and a supply of food. The first 5 kilometers from the village, the path goes along the plain, and then begins to go up for about 15 kilometers. The route is quite difficult, as the final part of it goes up for 1300 meters. The next part of the route is a path which goes down and then up again.

These 35 kilometers seem to be a short distance on the map, in reality, it appears as a challenge even for experienced travelers, not everyone can make it even within 2 days.

To see all the beauty of the place, from the Lower Shavlinsky lake you need to hike at least another 5 kilometers to the Upper lakes. This is where the final destination will be - the glacier, and it is 11 km from the Lower lake.

Important information

It is best to choose dry and non-hot days in July and August to visit the place. This is just the peak of the season, when the weather in Altai is mostly good, but there are also many tourists.

Near the Lower Lake, travelers are met by a local resident who offers a bathhouse, food and drinks. You can buy beer, condensed milk, and flatbread from him.

Each tourist can leave a memory of himself in the man-made Glade of Idols, where he can create carved portraits, figures on trees.

For travelers who are going on a trip to the Shavlinsky lakes, and choose more difficult routes, there is an option to see wild places, walking along the left bank of the Shavla river towards the Kuranda river, and from the Upper Lake to climb to the North Chuysky Range with peaks up to 3.7 kilometers that are considered difficult to climb.

Travel agencies and private guides offer escort to the sights, as well as horse riding routes or a trip directly from the city of Biysk and the bus station of Gorno-Altaysk. This will make it easier for beginners. In addition, this long trail has an average degree of difficulty and it is advisable to go camping with a group of people, rather than on your own. The excursion to the Shavlinsky lakes lasts from 5 to 10 days.