Nalychevo Nature Park

Nalychevo is a broad valley enclosed by volcanoes - Koryaksky, Avachinsky and Zhupanovsky on one side, Dzenzur and Vachkazhets around the rim - with a floor of birch forest, meadow and bog, and a large thermal field at its centre. The springs are the reason people walk in: hot mineral water at a cluster of sites, with built pools at the central cordon where trekkers arrive after two days over the Avachinsky pass and sit in hot water with the volcanoes standing round. The travertine field at Nalychevo, where mineral-laden water has built up terraces and a dome, is the largest of its kind on Kamchatka. Bears are common in the valley, particularly around the berry season, and rangers brief every group. The standard trip is a three to five day trek in and out, or a helicopter day trip; huts at the cordons need booking and permits apply.

What you actually see

• The thermal field - hot mineral springs with built bathing pools at the central cordon.
• The travertine - the largest mineral terrace and dome formation on Kamchatka.
• The volcano ring - Koryaksky, Avachinsky, Dzenzur and others around the valley.
• The trek in - two days over the Avachinsky pass from the road.

When to go

July to September; snow closes the pass otherwise. Three to five days on foot, or a day by helicopter. Permits and hut bookings in advance.

Honest expectations

The trek is two days each way over a pass with river crossings, and bears are common in the valley - rangers brief for a reason. Huts are basic and book out. Helicopter days are expensive and weather-dependent. Mosquitoes in the valley are severe.

Nearby

Avachinsky and the pass are on the approach; Petropavlovsk is south.