Waterfall Shinok (Altai Territory) - a description of how to get there. Cascade of waterfalls on the river Shinok

In a picturesque place Solonešnsky districtAltai Territory is a sanctuary that has long been officially recognized as a natural monument. It is very popular among Russians and not only as a convenient and interesting place for lovers of eco-tourism. The main attraction of the region is the Shinok waterfall. It is more correct to call it a cascade of waterfalls located in the vicinity of the village of Tog-Altai, which is 25 km south of the village of Topolnoye.

In this territory there is a stateThe reserve covers more than 10 thousand hectares, including almost 7 thousand hectares of forests. It is located on a small hill, which forms the Beshchelak Range in this place. Altitude above sea level ranges from 800 m in the lowest part to 2,300 m in the highest.

Soloneshensky district - geographical and climatic features

In addition to the forest area in the Solononshensky ReserveThe region has a watershed plateau, which is formed by the local mountain rivers Chapsha, Bashchelak and Shchepet. Its status was given to this territory in 1999, the main goal of the state is the protection of local nature. It also implies protection of animals that live naturally here, and plants of all natural ecosystems in the area (forest, marsh, water).

The climate in Solononshensky district of the Altai Territoryrefers to the mountain type, but even for it the humidity here is quite high and most of the time it's cool. The average temperature in a year does not exceed two degrees of heat. Most often frosts reign. In order to get to the waterfall at a time when there are none, you will have to go bowing to nature and come only to the two months of the frost-free period that it has taken away.

When is it better to go to the Altai Mountains?

Despite a short period, when there is no frost, inthe reserve has enough active vegetation, which is in the process of vegetation for about 3 months. If you want to see the beauty of nature and especially the Shinok Falls in the Altai Territory, you need to choose the time from about the end of April to the beginning of May to the end of September. Already in the first days of October the entire area is covered with snow up to 50 cm thick, and it does not come down until next spring.

It is possible to fall under snowfall in the vicinity of the Shinok waterfall in the summer. In these parts to the summer snow long accustomed, as well as to powerful thunderstorms - they are also not uncommon.

The Shinok River, on which waterfalls are located, -it is the inflow of another, larger river, called Anuy. Its sources are here in the Solononshensky district, however, on its very edge - where on the marshy plateau the border with the Ust-Kansky region of the Altai Republic passes. In the translation from the local dialect the word "shinok" means "unapproachable", which is not at all surprising. With such a terrible cascade of waterfalls on the River Shinok, it's almost impossible to swim along it. Pass dangerous places along the shore, too, is unlikely to happen, because climb the steep cliffs surrounding the gorge, where the Shinok flows, can only a professional climber with special equipment.

Shinok Waterfall - description

Natural cascade on the Shinok River without warningand any hint begins with the biggest threshold. The first and main place in it is occupied by the steep and high waterfall Gray-headed, the water in which flies a distance of 70 m before it reaches the ground. Behind him goes a series of waterfalls. It is called Steps. They, as it were, lead and prepare for the next steep descent - the Rassypnaya waterfall. The water here drops from a height of 25 m. The waterfall Gorka or Skaty closes this parade procession of the water element. The water here falls at a small angle of only 30 degrees, so it would not be quite correct to call this phenomenon a waterfall (the waterfall is all that is more than 45 degrees). Nevertheless, Gorka consists of two skates, which in total give a height difference of about 19 meters, which in essence is very close to a real waterfall. The whole complex is generally called the Shinok waterfall.

Ecotourism in the Altai Territory

In fact, it's not all the delights of the wildnature of this region. The most desperate and courageous tourists who go on hikes through the mountainous Altai, rise upstream for the very first and largest waterfall Sedoy. There is a gorge in which there are six more small waterfalls with a height of no more than 6 meters. The landscapes here are simply stunning, but, we will repeat, it is extremely difficult to get there. This is only the very-most - those who came for the extreme, people who are not looking for easy ways.

Now the whole area around is mapped andIt is divided into routes with the designation of all trails, waterfalls, etc. Earlier tourists went on a tour of the mountainous Altai at their own peril and risk, exchanging among themselves useful information on overcoming the most difficult areas. From that time behind the stony rocky rapids people's names were fixed. So, the waterfall Sedoy received a number of exotic names: Giraffe, Beard, Silver. The next waterfall of Rassypnaya began to be called Yog or Double Jump. Steps or a gusher after the first two waterfalls were gently named Laskovym Mirage and Tramplin. Such a number of names contributed to the spread of some confusion in the tourist guides, because different compilers included different names in their cartographic notes.

Tourism in the Shinok waterfall area is developed fromtime immemorial. In modern form it looks like a tourist camp with tents and parking for cars, from where pedestrian and climbing routes are organized. Above the mouth of the Shinok River, a similar camp was created, it is called "Wheeled ford". Even closer to the mouth is a real camping - "On Anuy". The place is very convenient and popular with tourists for the reason that it is not far from here to another natural monument - Denisova Cave.

Denisova Cave

It is located 50 km from the village of Soloneshny, upalong the Anuy River. From the parking Karama it is separated by 15 km. The nearest village is 6 km away and is called Black Anuy. What is Denisov's famous cave? Neither much nor little, but scientists managed to identify a new subspecies of people who were called Denisovites. The first signs of life, according to the items found in excavations, date back to the 4th-3rd millennium BC, and this is despite the fact that the region has been studied extremely little. For the time being, the appearance of the first cattle breeding tribes, which have already practiced the extraction of copper and gold, is attributed to this period.

A few more interesting facts from the history of the region

Items found in the Solonexhnensky districtallowed scientists to conclude that the human foot had walked on this earth about 800 thousand years ago. This was told by Karam's parking lot. It was found by archaeologists at the mouth of the same river (the left tributary Anuy). Most tours to the Altai mountain necessarily include visits and parking, and waterfalls, and Denisova caves.

Hunting, fishing, or anyone you can see in these places

In the reserve it is forbidden to hunt wild animalsanimals - for some this is a real punishment, because the animal world here is quite rich. Among large cloven-hoofed animals one can find roe deer, moose and wild maral. Of predators: lynx, fox. There are also furs - sable Altaic, squirrel, hare, mink, otter. However, all these species of wildlife are protected by the state, as is the fish that is abundant in the Shinok River: grayling, burbot and taimen.

Shinok Waterfalls - how to get there?

The largest city in the region through whichbe sure to have to drive - this is Biysk. Here you can relax before the last jerk at a distance of 220 km. Departing from Biysk, you need to follow the route to Smolensk, then Soloneshnoe, and then to Topolnoe. And finally, the last point of the route is the cascade of Shinok waterfalls. But it is possible to reach it only on foot, tk. the car will not pass.

Of course, it is easier if there is a navigator in the car, inwhich coordinates the waterfalls Shinok. How to get to them in this case you will be prompted by a pleasant female voice. GPS coordinates: 51.355717, 84.55581.

Today in these places not only with the outstretchedThey embrace tourists with embraces, but also conduct various training and competitions for them. Recently, extreme climbers have become popular ice climbing. Every year in winter, when waterfalls freeze, lovers of this dangerous sport gather here and arrange a real holiday.