The federal highway R256 “Chuysky Trakt” (963 km), the oldest route from Siberia to Asia, starts in Novosibirsk and ends at the Russian border with Mongolia, passing through the territory of Novosibirsk Oblast, Altai Krai and the Altai Republic.

In 2014, National Geographic magazine included the Chuya Highway in its list of the 10 most beautiful highways in the world. Photos by: Alexey Zhirukhin.

The historical Chuysky Tract is part of today’s road from Biysk to the border with Mongolia, its length is of about 630 km.

In the early 19th century, this trade route played a vital role in trade between the Russian Empire and Mongolia. On May 26, 1922, the Chuysky Tract received the status of a national road.

The most interesting section begins behind the village of Barangol – Seminsky Pass (1717 m) (583rd kilometer of the Chuysky Tract).

The ski resort of the same name is located on the pass.

The village of Onguday.

The Chike-Taman Pass (1,295 m) (667th kilometer of the Chuysky Tract) – one of the most picturesque corners of the Chuysky Tract. From the summit, panoramic views of the mountain ranges and valley open up. There’s an observation deck, cafes, and souvenir shops. The pass is accessible year-round.

The road has 2 to 4 lanes for traffic with a permitted speed of 90 km/h.

Based on the terrain, the entire area through which the Chuysky Tract runs can be divided into flat, foothill, and mountainous.

The Chuysky Tract is popular among car and motorcycle tourists, cyclists and hitchhikers. Since 2013, the international cycling marathon “Chuysky Tract” has been held every four years, which involves covering 1,200 km by bicycle in 90 hours.

The Katun River.

The confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers, two majestic rivers of Altai (712th kilometer of the Chuysky Tract). It is a unique natural phenomenon: the waters of two rivers of different colors merge without immediately mixing, creating a striking contrast. An observation deck has been built on the site. The Altai people consider this place sacred. Ancient petroglyphs, some 3,000 years old, have been preserved nearby.

A road trip along the Chuysky Tract is the best way to see Altai and remember it forever. Driving the entire route, you’ll see passes and basins, cliffs and snow-capped peaks.

You’ll discover mountain waterfalls and caves, lakes, rivers, and the red hills of the Altai Mars. You’ll sample traditional cuisine, drink spring water, and realize you’ve truly fallen in love with the Altai Mountains.

The Chuysky Tract is one of the few roads in the world to which a museum is dedicated. The Chuysky Tract Museum is located in Biysk, on the second floor of the natural history department of the V. Bianki Biysk Museum of Local History (Sovetskaya Street, 42).

The museum contains documents and photographs from the construction of the Chuysky Tract, a unique 3D model of the road, paintings, and dioramas. The founder and creator of the Chuysky Tract Museum is Elena Grekhova.

The distance between gas stations on the Chuysky Tract can reach 100-120 kilometers. Bring cash with you, as card payments aren’t accepted everywhere. Also, be prepared for internet outages by downloading offline route maps in advance.

Be sure to try traditional dishes at local cafes: for example, kocho meat soup, kurut cheese, and chok-chok sweets.

Even in summer, it’s worth taking warm clothes with you – the weather in the mountains changes quickly.

Snow-capped peaks of the North Chuysky Range: Aktru (4,044 m) and Kurkurek (3,982 m).

The Chuya steppe, which extends right up to the border with Mongolia, is located at an altitude of about 1,800 m above sea level.

The village of Kosh-Agach. The distance to Mongolia – 70 km.

Tags: Altai krai · Altay Republic · Biysk city · Novosibirsk oblast

<< The Granite Kingdom of the Ulakhan-Sis Range

Gorely – One of the Most Popular Volcanoes in Kamchatka >>

1 comment