Multinskiye Lakes

The Multa runs off the Katun ridge through a valley holding a chain of lakes formed behind moraine and rockfall dams - Nizhnee, Srednee and Verkhnee Multinskoye principally, with Poperechnoye and Kuiguk in side valleys, at heights from around fifteen hundred to nearly two thousand metres in cedar and larch forest below bare ridges. What links the lower two is the feature people come for: the Shumy, a couple of hundred metres where the river between Nizhnee and Srednee disappears entirely into a jumble of large boulders and runs beneath them, audible but invisible, before emerging. The upper lake sits inside the Katunsky biosphere reserve and needs a permit. Access is by off-road transfer from Multa village up a rough track, then walking between lakes. It is one of the more accessible pieces of high Altai and gets busy in August; the water is very cold.

What you actually see

• The lake chain - lakes stepping up the valley behind moraine and rockfall dams.
• The Shumy - a river running under boulders for a couple of hundred metres.
• The cedar forest - Siberian pine and larch below bare ridges.
• The reserve boundary - the upper lake inside Katunsky, requiring a permit.

When to go

July to September; the track is impassable in spring mud and winter snow. Three days to a week. Transfers from Multa need arranging.

Honest expectations

The track up is rough and transfers are charged; walking it adds hours. Water is very cold. The upper lake needs a reserve permit obtained beforehand. Busy in August with limited camping space. Mosquitoes in July.

Nearby

Ust-Koksa is down the valley; Belukha and Tyungur are east.