Voynovskie Hot Springs

The Voynovskie hot springs are a group of hot mineral springs in southern Kamchatka, in the Elizovsky district. They emerge on the bank of the Mutnovka river, a tributary of the Zhirovaya river, next to the Mutnovsky geothermal field. The place is remote, far from any settlement, and can only be reached along the geothermal field's dirt road or on foot.

Nature

The springs' outlets stretch for almost 400 meters along the right side of the Mutnovka river canyon. Hot water emerges in several separate groups: in some spots straight from the cliff walls, in others through the pebble bed of the valley floor. Water temperature varies noticeably between groups, ranging from 40 to 93 °C — from warm to scalding. The water is weakly mineralized: total mineralization is about 0.84 g/l, with a noticeable content of silicic acid (0.165 g/l) and arsenic (0.0014 g/l), typical of thermal waters in volcanic Kamchatka.

The lowest group of springs, furthest downstream, forms a small pond of warm water suitable for bathing — the only spot at the Voynovskie springs where this is possible, since the other outlets are too hot. About half an hour's walk further downstream stands a drilled borehole that also discharges hot water, around 80 °C.

The springs' layout changes over time: parts of the natural outlets have been buried in different years by mudflows coming down from the mountains. So what a visitor finds on site can differ from older descriptions — some outlets disappear under debris while new ones open up nearby.

Getting there

A dirt road leads to the Voynovskie springs from the geologists' settlement at the Mutnovsky geothermal field. The road is winding, with many turns, climbs and descents, and is meant primarily for off-road vehicles. The springs can also be reached directly on foot: a path runs along the left headwater of the Mutnovka river and leads straight to the first group of outlets.

Good to know

The place is far from any settlement in the Elizovsky district, and there is no mobile signal. Water at some of the outlets is close to boiling, so check the temperature before bathing and use only the lower pond with warm water for that. It is worth planning the trip in advance and allowing extra time for the road: the way from the geologists' settlement is not quick even in a prepared off-road vehicle.