Chike-Taman Pass

Chike-Taman Pass is a mountain pass in the Altai Republic, at kilometre 659 of the Chuysky Trakt highway, between the villages of Khabarovka and Kupchegen in the Ongudaysky District. It crosses the north-eastern spur of the Terektinsky Range and forms a watershed between the Bolshoy and Maly Ilgumen rivers. The pass sits at an elevation of 1,295 to 1,460 metres above sea level. Its name translates from Altai as "straight sole": "chike" means straight, "taman" means sole.

History

On the slopes of the pass, archaeologists have found traces of an ancient road dated to the 10th–12th centuries. In the late 19th century a steep and dangerous horse track ran over the pass. Construction of a wheeled road from Ongudai to Kosh-Agach began in 1903, and in 1924–1925 the first test car runs — seven vehicles in total — crossed the new route. In 1927 the road was rebuilt on a proposal by the writer Vyacheslav Shishkov, who was then working on an expedition along the Chuysky Trakt. The current paved highway, with its steep switchbacks, opened to traffic in 1984.

Legend

An old inscription survives on a roadside post at the pass: "This is not Cheketaman, but Chert-ataman — forty-eight sins." Travellers of past times jokingly twisted the name this way, when the road over the pass was narrow and hazardous.

What to see

Since 16 February 1996 Chike-Taman has held the status of a natural monument of the Altai Republic. A viewing platform at the top of the pass overlooks the valley of the Bolshoy Ilgumen river and the surrounding ranges. A monument to the builders of the Chuysky Trakt, unveiled in 2017, stands here, along with a cross left by a passing priest. Nearby grows a larch tree hung with white ribbons: the Altai people consider it a shamanic tree and leave offerings on it. Souvenir stalls and snack stands operate along the road, with rest areas for travellers.

Getting there

The pass lies directly on the Chuysky Trakt highway (route R-256), between the villages of Khabarovka and Kupchegen in the Ongudaysky District. The road is paved and passable for any car, though the climbing switchback section is quite steep, with sharp turns. Other sights of the Ongudaysky District lie nearby, including the Oroktoy Cave and Mount Sarlyk.