The visit to Takmak!

Do you know that nature reserve STOLBY was one of the leaders in the competition for the title of the “7 wonders of Russia ?” Don't miss a wonderful chance to see Takmak-one of the most matchless nature attraction visited by thousands of tourists! People call STOLBY "a land of fantastical rocks" or "a land of forest giants".

Our itinerary is not difficult, but a rather scenic one. It's available for anyone with any level of physical preparation. You'll have an opportunity to see the beauty and diversity of Stolby. We advise you not to forget to take your camera with you!

The itinerary is 2,5 kilometres long. It takes a start from the sign denoting the boundaries of the Takmakovskiy region of the Nature Preserve Stolby.

Also the information stands inform visitors of the rules of behaviour in the nature preserve. Tourists shouldn't leave litter along the path. It is forbidden to set fire and make a noise. It is interesting that it is prohibited to take dogs with you!

The total area of the territory of the preserve is 47000 hectares . A great number of stolbists' legends and stories are connected with this region.

One of the legends tells that long time ago in Siberia a powerful tsar lived. On his proud head he wore a wonderful ice crown called Sayan. Yenisei had many daughters, but the most beautiful were Bazaiha and Laletina. Once, prince Takmak with his suite went to the tsar to propose to Laletina. Yenisei wanted Takmak to marry Bazaiha, as she was his elder daughter. Takmak refused to marry Bazaiha, because she was too naughty and grumpy. So after that Yenisei got angry with Takmak, rose till the sky and said ‘If it is so, you and your friends will turn into stones. And my daughters will be rivers and flow near stones eternally'. But too high to the Sun raised the tsar his head and as a result his crown melted and Yenisei turned into a powerful river.

 

By the way, do you know how long this territory is a protected one? The Natural Preserve it was established in January, 7, 1924 in order to save natural complex of Western Sayan. What is really great that it were citizens of Krasnoyarsk who wanted to preserve this magnificent territory! They even organized demonstrations to protect the nature around the picturesque rock pillars.

The stolbists of the XIX century looked like this man and wore very bright clothes.

The path leads us along a small stream Mokhovoy, the banks of which are covered with black currant, raspberry, willow and ferns. The stones are covered with picturesque mosses.

Actually you can enjoy striking views of raising peaks.

Along the path you can often meet the host of this region-a chipmunk.

After you've covered the distance of 1,5 km , the path suddenly goes up and to the left. The ascent is rather steep but don't be lazy, try to put all your power together to reach the rock Takmak.

From a bird's eye view you'll enjoy the scenic panorama of the rock groups Ermak and Kitayskaay Stena (Chineese wall).

The rocks and stones are covered with green and red lichen. Lilac asters grow among the stones. Majestic pine trees take shelter on the rocks. Sometimes it looks unbelievable how they can survive there.