Day 11 : Hiking the Baikal

Sascha and Margareta, our guides for the day, pick us up at the hotel and we set off on a hike of the mountains towering over Listvyanska and the lake shore to the north of town. We have never used walking poles before, but are soon grateful for having taken the decision to give it a go…

Sascha knows these hills and mountains like the back of his hand. 
We walk through thick Siberian ‘taiga’ vegetation of pine, birch, larch and cedar trees, up to the top and then slowly descend towards an idyllic pebble stoned beach on the lake, where we stop for lunch. The lake shore, the water and the view of the Khamar Daban mountains on the far away (40km) Eastern shore are amazing. The place is mesmerising!

Overlooking Lake Baikal



Sascha and Margareta - Our Guides


A Taste of Baikal Forest




The Shores of Lake Baikal







On the way back we climb up the mountain again, along a path that skirts the lakeshore at a height, offering postcard-like views of the forest slopes descending steeply into the green blue transparent waters of the lake.

I wouldn’t say the hike is strenuous, but the path we walk along is very narrow with a vertical drop down one side. Not an issue when on flat stretches, but quite scary and needing a lot of concentration on steep ascents and descents on slippery, pine-cone strewn terrain. The walking poles give that extra strength and balance, without which I’d have probably hurtled down the mountain side…

... And Back Up Again...






In Listvyanka again we walk along the beach and lake shore, observing the action on a Saturday... We even join a group of Russians dancing techno on the improvised shore dance floor... Hilarious:-)! 

A Saturday at the Beach in Listvyanka





Hammer and Sickle  Yesterday and Today










Baikal Jig



Sunset and Goodbye Listvyanka



We agree that this day has been the highlight of the holiday! The magical forest, learning a few more Russian words from Sascha and Margareta and talking with them about Russia yesterday and today, relishing the never-ending views and breathing in the fresh air of Lake Baikal, gazing transfixed at  the crystalline waters of the lake… Fantastic!

I would say that together with the icebergs of the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, the extra-terrestrial landscape of the Valle de la Luna (Atacama Desert) in Chile, and the animal kingdom of the Ngoro Ngoro Crater in Tanzania, Lake Baikal wins a prize for being one of my favourite places for natural beauty.

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