Chalpan Mountain

Chalpan Mountain stands in the Shirinsky district of Khakassia, on a narrow isthmus that splits Lake Bele into its salty and freshwater parts. The mountain lies within the Ozero Bele section of the Khakassky Nature Reserve. It rises 586 meters and covers an area of about 200 hectares.

History

On the summit of Chalpan, the remains of an ancient defensive fortress known as a sve have survived; it is more than 2,000 years old. Five pisanitsy — ancient rock carvings — have been found on the slopes, dating from the second millennium BC to the 8th–9th centuries AD. Nearby are burial grounds of the Tagar and Tashtyk archaeological cultures, between 1,500 and 2,500 years old.

Legends and stories

According to legend, in ancient times Chalpan Mountain was a place where shamans communicated with the spirits of ancestors. Visitors who climb to the summit sometimes describe unusual sensations or a surge of energy there — these are personal impressions of travelers rather than confirmed facts.

Visiting today

The mountain lies inside the Khakassky Nature Reserve, so climbing it on your own is not allowed — visits are only possible with a guide. The "Secrets of Chalpan Mountain" excursion lasts about four hours, with groups of one to twenty people, and the mountain can be visited from June to August. A reserve pass is required for the trip. At the checkpoint of the Ozero Bele section, visitors can also start an audio guide by scanning a QR code.

Getting there

The route to Chalpan Mountain starts in Abakan. Take highway M-54 toward Krasnoyarsk: 80 kilometers to the village of Znamenka, then turn and drive another 55 kilometers to the village of Borets and 32 kilometers to the settlement of Shira. Regular buses run from Abakan to Shira, and the trip takes about two and a half hours. From Shira, continue to the Ozero Bele section of the Khakassky Nature Reserve, where the mountain is located.